You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription. To unsubscribe, see the instructions at the end of this newsletter. To view the newsletter on-line go to
I can hardly believe that we are already in the midst of October. Daylight Savings Time will soon be upon us as well as Halloween. FYI, DST happens to fall on October 26 this year. Don't forget to set your clocks back!
This month's featured tea room is The Rose Cottage Gift Shop & Tea Room located in Clear Lake, IA. I am certain some of you have already had the pleasure of visiting this lovely lakeside area, along with the tea room. I was certainly not disappointed by The Rose Cottage and I am looking forward to visiting this place again. I hope that you enjoy this issue.
Until the next issue, happy Halloween!
Warm wishes, Annette TeaRoomsOnLine.com
P/S Check out our latest listing on the website, Kathryn's Tea Room in Indianola, IA
======================================
THE ROSE COTTAGE GIFT SHOP & TEA ROOM (top of page) ======================================
The Rose Cottage Tea Room & Gift Shop celebrated their 7th anniversary last week. Previously located in Greene for 5 years, the tea room relocated to this lovely lake side area of Clear Lake about 2 years ago. Only a couple of hours away from Des Moines, the drive was pleasant, if indeed scenic, on a beautiful and warm Fall Saturday. The fall colors had only begun to peaked, and according to the news the northern parts of Iowa was starting to see some of the colors already.
The city of Clear Lake was certainly bustling that afternoon around the main square when we arrived. Shoppers were in and out of the stores and in their main park area, they were hosting a renaissance faire. We decided to walk around the shops before heading over to the tea room for the interview. If you like antiques, like I do, there is plenty to look around for here. There were also unique specialty shops which I just couldn't resist checking out. Half an hour later, with my new purchases, we headed for the tea room.
The tea room was easy enough for us to find, just a block north from the main downtown square. Located at 114 N. Third St, sits this grand two-and-a-half story Victorian house. Impressive yet still inviting, with the exception for the signage on the front yard, this could have been easily mistaken as another residential home in this quiet neighborhood!
Upon entering, the tea room just simply took my breath away. Off to my left, there was a room, where the afternoon sun just seemed to be spilling into, bouncing off an array of spectacular colors. The walls were hand painted designs, and the furniture just seemed to blend in to the namesake of this room. The tables are bird house pedestals specially designed for the tea room. I later learned that this room is appropriately called the Gazebo Room. Ahead of me was a wide wooden staircase, leading up to more gift area. I could hardly wait to check these out!
Twyla Tindall had been spending the time in the kitchen today, replacing her full time cook, who was taken ill. The second lunch seating had been at 1:00 pm and the last of the customer had by then already left. Apologizing for her appearance, which seemed fine to me, we sat down to talk about her history with the tea room. She had started out in Greene, with the same name for her tea room. She had always enjoyed entertaining, cooking and decorating, she said, and it just became something she eventually evolved into. What made her move to Clear Lake, I asked. "Well, we were always driving the kids out here for games and practice etc., and I've always loved this place, so it just seemed reasonable to move here," said Twyla. "And that included the tea room as well," she added. "As it so happened, this Victorian house was also on the market, and I decided to purchase it," she further explained. With some major renovations, the tea room finally re-opened it's doors in Clear Lake two years ago.
Since then, the tea room has simply flourished. In the busy summer season, they have, in the past, accommodated about 80 to 90 people during their two lunch seating. While walk-ins are welcome, it is appreciated that you make reservations so as not to be disappointed. Twyla keeps about 15 full time employees busy throughout the year. Then there's also the seasonal staff during the busy months that she employs as needed.
The menu changes daily. The tea room is open Monday through to Saturday with 2 lunch seating daily, one at 11:00 am and the other is at 1:00 pm. If you're just there to sample their afternoon delights, then it is served until 4:00 pm. The gift shop is open from 10:00 am through to 4:00 pm. The tea room has 3 separate dining areas, including the Gazebo Room. They can easily seat up to 50 people at a time. In the summer, one can also dine outdoors. During the year, the tea room will feature, about 4 to 6 times a year, a formal four course afternoon tea. The main ones happen to be a Valentine's Tea, Mother/Daughter Tea and Christmas Tea. The other events may be seasonal as well, for example, St Patrick's Day Tea, Fourth of July Tea etc. I encourage you to keep checking back with the tea room for any special upcoming events.
The gift shops spans over three floors, catering from indoor to outdoor gifts including theme rooms, for example, a year round Christmas room, a Children's room, a Gentlemen's room. There is also a Doll Museum in the attic that hosts a 30-year collection of Madame Alexander Dolls, belonging to Twyla's mother-in-law. While these dolls may not be for sale, there are some special occasion dolls that are for sale. Going from room to room, everything was unique to me and I simply was delighting in the experience! The Rose Cottage has, in it's 7th year, commissioned collectible tea cup and saucers and teapots which can all be purchased from the tea room. They also have their own cookbook, which is for sale, called Treasured Recipes from The Rose Cottage. Along with the tea room, Twyla also keeps busy running the Rose Cottage Red Hat Society. Merchandise for the Red Hat Society is also sold here.
Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding the website or this newsletter? Is there a tearoom that you would like to have listed here? Or if you would you like to trade links with us or advertise here? If so, please feel free to send me an email, or send the note here. Your feedback is always welcome!
==================================
SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION (top of page) ==================================
Warm wishes,
Upon entering, the tea room just simply took my breath away. Off to my left, there was a room, where the afternoon sun just seemed to be spilling into, bouncing off an array of spectacular colors. The walls were hand painted designs, and the furniture just seemed to blend in to the namesake of this room. The tables are bird house pedestals specially designed for the tea room. I later learned that this room is appropriately called the Gazebo Room. Ahead of me was a wide wooden staircase, leading up to more gift area. I could hardly wait to check these out!
e customer had by then already left. Apologizing for her appearance, which seemed fine to me, we sat down to talk about her history with the tea room. She had started out in Greene, with the same name for her tea room. She had always enjoyed entertaining, cooking and decorating, she said, and it just became something she eventually evolved into. What made her move to Clear Lake, I asked. "Well, we were always driving the kids out here for games and practice etc., and I've always loved this place, so it just seemed reasonable to move here," said Twyla. "And that included the tea room as well," she added. "As it so happened, this Victorian house was also on the market, and I decided to purchase it," she further explained. With some major renovations, the tea room finally re-opened it's doors in Clear Lake two years ago.
The menu changes daily. The tea room is open Monday through to Saturday with 2 lunch seating daily, one at 11:00 am and the other is at 1:00 pm. If you're just there to sample their afternoon delights, then it is served until 4:00 pm. The gift shop is open from 10:00 am through to 4:00 pm. The tea room has 3 separate dining areas, including the Gazebo Room. They can easily seat up to 50 people at a time. In the summer, one can also dine outdoors. During the year, the tea room will feature, about 4 to 6 times a year, a formal four course afternoon tea. The main ones happen to be a Valentine's Tea, Mother/Daughter Tea and Christmas Tea. The other events may be seasonal as well, for example, St Patrick's Day Tea, Fourth of July Tea etc. I encourage you to keep checking back with the tea room for any special upcoming events.
The gift shops spans over three floors, catering from indoor to outdoor gifts including theme rooms, for example, a year round Christmas room, a Children's room, a Gentlemen's room. There is also a Doll Museum in the attic that hosts a 30-year collection of Madame Alexander Dolls, belonging to Twyla's mother-in-law. While these dolls may not be for sale, there are some special occasion dolls that are for sale. Going from room to room, everything was unique to me and I simply was delighting in the experience! The Rose Cottage has, in it's 7th year, commissioned collectible tea cup and saucers and teapots which can all be purchased from the tea room. They also have their own cookbook, which is for sale, called Treasured Recipes from The Rose Cottage. Along with the tea room, Twyla also keeps busy running the Rose Cottage Red Hat Society. Merchandise for the Red Hat Society is also sold here.
Trasan Hair Turban