Gnusletter - September 2023

🎉 We have lots of news these days, so expect to hear from us 

frequently over the next 2 weeks. We'll behave thereafter 🥳

Join our Kickstarter Campaign on October 10 for a new way to read 

Plunge into an enchanted realm brimming with interactive storytelling, audacious adventure, buried secrets, peculiar characters, vibrant cultures, a mysterious ancient language, quirky games, gopher holes, 

and oodles of whimsy.

WORKSHOP

Free at-your-own-pace workshop

starting October 2

EVENTS

🎃 Saturday 14 October, 6pm - Witches & Warlocks tea at the Howe-Waffle House in Santa Ana 

Saturday 21 October - We're going to the Tea House on Los Rios for their Legends of the Fall Harvest Dinner

🎃 Saturday 28 October, evening - Spellbinding Witches high tea - McKenna's Tea Cottage, in their festive courtyard 

🎨 TBD - Annual Brass Rubbing & Tea at St Luke in Long Beach 

DO-GOODERY

Save the Date for our Our Phantom Phantasy Phundraiser MusicaliTea in March 2024. 

(It's currently 60% sold out thanks to those who attended our Fall LBD fundraiser)

RECIPE

Green Salad with Pepitas Dressing

from VeggieDesserts.com

A New Way to Read & Learn is coming your way

We're over the Aurelean moon to announce the launch of the Omnimmersive Learning Experience 

(or as we prefer to call it—OLE'!)

Join us for our 1st offering, the free at-your-own-pace 5 day workshop 

Win Over Your Reluctant Reader

taking place online

Oct 2-6, 2023

Count on daily prizes & bonuses, not to mention the fact you'll understand your kids better and know how to get them interested in books!

Simply fill in the super simple form below & you're good to go

Club 11:11 outing - Autumn Tea & Serenade for a good cause - Sept 2023

FROM THE ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Seating Times: 11:00 am and 2:00 pm WE'RE GOING AT 11AM. GRAB A SPOT & LET US KNOW. WE'LL ASK TO SIT TOGETHER!

Location: Historic Modjeska House at the Assistance League of Santa Ana

Indulge in a delightful Autumn Tea experience, surrounded by the charm of the Historic Modjeska House. Join us for an afternoon of enchantment, as the GEM Theater’s talented actors serenade you with mesmerizing musical entertainment.

The Autumn Tea menu features a delightful selection, including a champagne toast, delectable scones, refreshing salads, a variety of savory treats, and an enticing trio of sweets – all complemented by delicious tea.

Tickets are priced at $50 each, and by attending this event, you’ll be supporting the philanthropic efforts of both the Assistance League of Santa Ana and the GEM Theater.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to revel in the season’s spirit while contributing to a good cause. Secure your spot now by booking online!

Book Now!

Note: Upon clicking the “Book Now” link, you will be redirected to a separate website. Please click the “Register” button at the bottom of the form to complete your purchase.

P.S. Neither the Ocademy nor Tea Travellers Societea are involved in this event. We're just excited to support it!

Plunder for All!

If you're looking to store your loot and let it compound untouched, The Stockpile on campus is a sound bet.

If you're eager to earn a little extra and trade it in for fabulous FOMO wares, PLUNDER is the way to go. 
Click here for details on the Ocademy's Plunder program

Koukuh Peshbrak recipe

Combine the rich velvety creaminess of French drinking chocolate with the spiciness of Mexican hot chocolate and you have Koukuh Peshbrak, a staple of Naxer dyi Gelida celebrations.

In ancient Naturim peshbrak is the word for the verb to cook, it's literal meaning being food magic. Koukuh is the word for chocolate, so basically the beverage is called cooked chocolate. I simply call it yum.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 8 ounces dark chocolate bar, chopped (do not use chocolate chips; they react differently)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon confectioner's sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon chili powder (you may also elect to add an optional pinch of ground cayenne)
• Pinch of salt
• 6 Cinnamon sticks

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Soak 2 cinnamon sticks in milk and refrigerate overnight (or at least for an hour)
2. Remove and discard sticks from milk. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together cinnamon milk, 1/2 cup cream, sugar, vanilla, and dry spices until tiny bubbles begin to form. (If possible, heat with flame, not electrical coil)
3. While mixture is heating, whip the remaining 1 cup of cream for garnishing. (Optional: add a splash of vanilla and 1 teaspoon of confectioner's sugar for sweetness and consistency)
4. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in chocolate until pieces are melted
5. Return saucepan to medium heat and stir continuously for 2 minutes
6. Serve in an earthenware mug if available. For some reason it makes a difference.
7. Garnish with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, any leftover chocolate shavings, and a cinnamon stick

Yield: 4 small servings – it's very rich and a little goes a long way. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat as desired

Note: the coffee taste is negligible. Most drinkers won't even notice it. For a sweeter blend, add up to 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. For a less sweet taste, add up to 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder.

Ursa fruit infusion

Served hot at Gelida celebrations in cold hemispheres, this steeped fruit drink is flavorful and oh so simple 

steep (verb): to soak (food, coffee, or tea) in water or other liquid as a means of extracting the flavor of the ingredients

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups drinking water
• 2 cups dried fruits – your preferred combination of apples, apricots, dates, figs, pears, and prunes. Add cranberries if your taste runs tart 
• Cinnamon stick (optional)
• Zest of orange (orange slices make a lovely garnish)
• Squeeze of lemon
• Honey to taste (optional)
• Rosemary sprig garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place fruit and water in a large pot and boil on low for 30 minutes.
2. Store overnight to allow flavors to meld
3. The following day, sweeten with honey and dilute with additional water to desired consistency and taste.

Tendril Bakkinn

A Naxerdyi Gelida staple, this soft sweet bread is twisted with cheddar cheese shreds and topped with ultra coarse sugar

INGREDIENTS

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (+ extra flour for kneading)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 packet instant yeast (approx 2+ tsp)

Coarse sugar to sprinkle on top 

3 eggs

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 cup milk, warmed

3/4 cup butter, melted

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F (approx 15 minutes) 
2. Combine warm milk, yeast, and 1/2 cup sugar. Stir until yeast and sugar dissolve
3. Set aside while yeast activates (approx 10 minutes)
4. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt
5. Add the eggs, 1/2  cup butter, and milk-yeast-sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until a dough ball forms
6. Knead the dough on floured board to ensure all ingredients are incorporated
7. Return dough to mixing bowl and cover with cloth. Let dough rise for 2 hours
8. Place the dough on a floured board and press flat. Fold and punch  dough to release air pockets
9. Divide into 2 halves and roll into rectangle
10. Use 1/4 cup melted butter and brush a stripe down the center of  dough rectangle 
11. Sprinkle buttered area with cheese and coarse sugar 
12. Fold the dough over itself to seal in the cheese, creating a cylinder about 12" in length
13. Repeat with other half of dough 
14. Twist both dough cylinders around each other, place on a parchment-covered baking sheet and cover with cloth to let rise for an additional 45 minutes
15. Remove cloth on and bake dough for 15 minutes 
16. Brush top of baked bread with remaining melted butter, top with a bit of grated cheese and coarse sugar

Gnusletter October 2022

Happy All Hallows, friends & fiends!

PERQS

We have a new membership program! Over the 2 years of running our Maecenas patron program, a pattern emerged — different folks want different perqs! If you'd like to keep the patron pledge you already have to use specifically for advance event reservations, feel free. For all else (or if you'd like a more curated experience), consider switching over to an Omni Membership, each with a different focus 

ARTS

OMNIFETE

Please spread the word and join us for our 1st arts fair, featuring 20 vendors, many from the Tea Travellers communitea!

Sunday, November 13, 1-3pm

the indoor Arcade behind Pamela's Tea Room in Garden Grove, CA

REMAINING EVENTS

This is it, the remainder of available events for 2022! If you don't see one you wanted to attend, chances are it's sold out

Saturday, November 19 - Clued Upp ALICE IN WONDERLAND geo-smart-phone game in Long Beach, CA $10 - email TeaTravellersSocietea@gmail.com if you'd like to attend. 7 guests max

Sunday, December 4 - Holiday Harp Sugar Plum Tea at the Four Seasons Tea Room in Sierra Madre, CA

Saturday, December 17 - A Christmas Story tea at McKenna's Tea Cottage in Seal Beach, CA

Friday, December 9 - Tea Trek to Ye Olde King's Head

Sunday, December 18 - Five Crowns holiday dinner for Club 11:11 members

Wednesday, December 21 - Solstice witch event at Dream Come True in Long Beach, CA (more info to come)

BOOKS +

 

As mentioned last month, our fairy tale anthology Fabulae ex Elementis will launch at a sold-out partea on November 13. If you're not attending, you still may support the contributors by ordering the book and asking one of the local authors to sign it. They'll be at Omnifete *hint hint* 

#15 in Pete Drake's Omni Tale

A Winning Combination

is available now to members of the Bibiliothefairies Guild 

Will be available to the public for presale next month

OMNOPOLY

Read Books ~ Win Prizes!

Omnopoly game now available to Bibliothefairy members for #15 A Winning Combination

ENTERTAINMENT

Did you know our YouTube channel has more than 500 videos posted? More than 300 are available for public viewing. (The rest are part of membership perqs). See the channel's playlists for ridiculous Omnicast news, silly Tips, book Commentaries, Naturim language tutorials, Course info, and all manner of twaddle

RECIPE

Sweet Potato Pie

from AllRecipes

Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hrs 40 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 55 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (1 pound) sweet potato, with skin 1⁄2 cup butter, soened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

Step 1

• Place whole sweet potato in pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Boil until tender when pierced with a fork, 40 to 50 minutes.

Step 2

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 3

• Remove sweet potato from the pot and run under cold water. Remove and discard skin.

Step 4

• Break sweet potato flesh apart and place in a bowl. Add butter and mix with an electric mixer until well combined. Add sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla; beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into unbaked pie crust.

Step 5

• Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.

Step 6

• Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Tips

Pie will be puffed up like a soufflé when you remove it from the oven, but will deflate as it cools.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 389 calories; total fat 21g; saturated fat 10g; cholesterol 78mg; sodium 254mg; total carbohydrate 48g; dietary fiber 3g; total sugars 28g; protein 5g; vitamin c 1mg; calcium 49mg; iron 1mg; potassium 251mg

Continental shift

Did you feel that?

The big foundational shift we just made to our patron program? In short, it's gone! After getting your feedback (thanks to all who responded), I've scrapped the patron program and in its stead have come up with a set of membership subscriptions designed to meet specific interests.

Details to note: All annual patron pledges have been stopped, so if you were paying annually you won't be paying again. Additionally, you may still have access to the same rewards through the duration of your most recent annual payment. OR you may apply your annual patronage to one of our new memberships. Just write to me and let me know what you'd like to do, and I'll try my best to make it happen.

All monthly patron pledges will be stopped in November, and you'll have until the end of November to use the applicable perqs. 

Below are screenshots that show the categories of the new Omni Memberships. All will be available as monthly subscriptions which you may cancel at any time. Click on any of them to be taken to the page where you can sign up if/when you'd like a more customized experience. 

Gift memberships available now and kick in December 1st. 

Gnusletter - September 2022

WELCOME TO SPOOKY SEASON, FRIENDS & FIENDS!!!

EVENTS

There have been a whole lotta changes to the schedule, including the postponement of the historic tours and events to be hosted by historyteller Charles Spratley. Charles is working through a health challenge at the moment, and as such, we've put his events on hold. Prayers and good juju appreciated!

BELOW IS THE OCTOBER ROUNDUP - I'M INCLUDING SOLD-OUT EVENTS, SHOULD YOU WANT TO BE ON THE WAITING LIST

📚 Saturday 08 October - MASKED Evening Surprise Excursion - Reservations now available to Omni Patrons - SOLD OUT

FEATURED HOLIDAY EVENT

🎃 Saturday 15 October, evening - The Nightmare Before Christmas ... with Carolers! - McKenna's Tea Cottage, in their new courtyard - PLENTY OF SEATS LEFT

🔎 Saturday 22 October, 11am - Annual Brass Rubbing & Tea at St Luke in Long Beach - open now for reservations

🎃 Saturday 22 October, 6pm - Witches & Warlocks at the Howe-Waffle House in Santa Ana - SOLD OUT

BOOKS +

 

Fabulae Ex Elementis

our 6th annual anthology

launches November 13

with a tea at Pamela's Tea Room in Garden Grove

OMNOPOLY

Read Books ~ Win Prizes!

Omnopoly games now available for #14 Omni Tales

ARTS

Our first mini arts faire, OMNNIFETE, will debut Sunday November 13 in the arcade behind Pamela's Tea Room. We'll have a dozen artists and vendors at this first go-round, with hopes of doubling that number next year. Come shop for fun seasonal goodies and support some of your creative friends. (Afternoon tea served at book launch preceding)

DO-GOODERY

Our goal for 2023 is to seek out and support nonprofit events, especially teas! If you are involved with or know of any such experiences, please let us know so we can add them to the calendar!

RECIPE

Super Simple Mango Chutney

from TheWanderLustKitchen.com