I was delighted when ‘Literary Affairs’ notified me that there would be a ‘BEYOND the BOOK event with LISA SEE’ at the Hotel Bel Air and I wasted no time in making reservations. This special book club style discussion was to celebrate Lisa’s newest book, ‘THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE’.
It’s a good thing I registered early as there wasn’t an inch of space left….
Lisa had traveled to China with Linda Louie as part of her research for this book and Linda also spoke, educating us on all things ‘tea’ especially Pu-erh Teas which are so prominent in ‘The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane’. Linda is a knowledgeable tea expert and owner of the Band Tea Company.
It was great fun to hear such a specialist on tea and then to taste samples …..
Even though there was a continental breakfast included in the event, Amy and I were famished and decided to stay in the hotel and have lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s. This special salad was amazing….Thinly sliced melon curling around the creamiest Burrata and decorated with these lovely petit flowers! We also had the best Organic Carrot Ginger Soup and still famished shared a burger and fries!!!
Remember…it’s all about the cake….
Cake #11 Thank you dear Amy!
Of course we had to visit the swans…..
I’m also completely and totally in awe of Jim Folsom, head of the Huntington Botanical Gardens. Special thanks to Maggie Sharma who introduced me to Jim’s amazing classes the 4th Thursday of each month in ‘Botany Bay’ at the Huntington. Jim brings in an assortment of flora and then gives an insightful lecture on all things ‘botanical’. Thank you Maggie and thank you Jim!
After class we get to look at all the specimens up close and personal……
Best of all, Magie and I go to Maison Akira after class for a very elegant French dinner with a Japanese flair!
May you always know what a beautiful swan you are!
