Julie Peterson grew up playing ball with the boys and having tea parties with the girls. Now that she has "matured" she says she is much better at tea parties than ball games! In 1998 Julie merged her life-long love of tea parties with a business idea and named it Specialteas. It was a tea party business that planned and catered themed teas for children in the Minneapolis area. From cream puffs to "tea-talks" and everything in between she whipped up custom-ordered tea parties with all the trimmings. Since 2000, with a new direction and new name for her business, now called AntiquiTea Flair, Julie has been become an author, brewing-up Treasuring the Gift of Tea Time, a delightful party book that covers everything from A to Z. It's a resource guide to help mothers and daughters, or any would-be party giver plan and host their own special tea party! She is a mother of two young daughters, who of course, love to tea, and is married to her husband Keith. She and her family reside in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Dear friend,

     In a day and age where mothers and daughters can easily drift apart because of busy schedules that encompass work, school, and many other activities, enjoying a cup of tea together or planning a special tea party with guests is a wonderful way to connect with one another.

     There is much planning and preparation that goes into planning a fancy tea party, but by teaming up as mother/daughter hostesses you may find that preparing for the tea is not so much work, as it is pleasure. The blessing to the mother and daughter comes from time spent together, working side-by-side, exchanging ideas, laughing, talking, shopping, decorating, baking, and perhaps praying together for a tea that is intended to bless others.

     If you are one who has never enjoyed the charms of tea, may you find within the pages of this book the inspiration to draw you into this enchanted and graceful world. And if you are one who already appreciates and partakes of this enduring custom, it is my hope that you will be delighted to find new and unique ways to bring more meaning and blessing into your tea party gatherings.

With warm regards,