Tea...and a Little Patriotism

Belton, Texas. A rather small town where the average speed limit is thirty, and people walk downtown to strut around the local square, look at treats, and grab a bite to eat. It is home to several local businesses that add a spark of charm and community to the hill country of Central Texas. And it is in this neat little town that I must report a recent tragedy. Mimi's Teapot was a place with all the 'local' you could fit into the word, run by a determined woman named Vania White who brought the comforts of teatime from her own home, and added a strong taste of American pride to the atmosphere.

It brings a hard grief to say I discovered this place after it was closed down, and the fantastic house was put up for sale. I am also sad to say I never got to meet this woman, and that she had a dead land-line when I called. However, I feel inclined to write a tribute to her tea room and the experience I will never have for the sake of closure.

I took the liberty of taking snapshots of the place simply to admire the place she created for customers to come and sit, relax on a gorgeous patio, sip delicious tea and eat amazing goodies. It brought a smile to my face to see all the old fashioned appliance sitting rusted in her yard, like a vintage ice-cream maker and water pump. 

What I truly found great about this tearoom was that it was obviously antique, but heavily kept up-to-date with a prominent paint job and a well-painted fence. The flags surrounding this home also gave a sense of modern-decor, and overall made it a very unique place to visit. 
I can just imagine the customers it attracted; if they would laugh while sitting back in their comfy patio chairs and watch the countless flags wave in the Texan, summer breeze; if it brought tearful smiles to their faces reading all the 1940s posters hanging along the fence. 

I think Mimi's Teapot accomplished two things on a daily basis. As a tea-lover, I must applaud her for bringing a nice, comforting sense of community and cozy atmosphere for anyone who walked in. And, I can honestly say job-well-done to the patriotism that shouted out to those passing by, loud and unashamed. 
Vania White took perhaps the most creative approach to the tea experience I have seen thus far, and I commend her for generating a strong and tasteful theme I could never think of. 


I speak on behalf of Belton to say we will miss her little place of tea and patriotism.