By Tim Haggerty
The holiday season and tea have a lot in common. They are both about bringing people together, sharing our stories and making new memories. The holidays are squeezed into a few short weeks filled with hustle and bustle but tea is steadfast, allowing each of us to take life at our own pace and make new friends along the way. Tea has brought many people into our lives here at L'Amyx and we consider ourselves all the better for it. Most recently there has been Eric our Webmaster, a kind and gentle person who has lifted our spirits as well as our technological prowess. And Sue, a customer and true tea aficionado who, starting in January, will share her knowledge with you as editor of this newsletter. For these and all our friends and team that share their gifts with us, we are grateful.

Whether you are staying home or traveling far, take a few moments with a good cup of tea to enjoy the peace and comfort of those around you. Our sincerest wishes for happy holidays!

Several years ago when Marcia and I traveled to China to buy teas we met a young man who worked for one of the plantations. Gary Qiu was the only person in this remote place that spoke any English. Over these few days we came to know an intelligent, witty, funny person who was passionate about tea. In subsequent years, Gary became our guide, finding and taking us to some of the most remarkable tea plantations in Asia.

Recently, Gary was diagnosed with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). Fortunately, a bone marrow donor has been found but Gary needs $30,000 to pay for the procedure since in China there is no major medical insurance. According to the Chinese Patient's Union, more than 90 percent of those that find a bone marrow donor cannot find the funds to pay for it and die.

We've committed ourselves to helping Gary. Through donations and a silent auction with donated art by artists all over the US, we have raised more than $20,000 to date. We're confident we can reach our goal but we must act fast while Gary's condition is still stable. If you'd like to learn more about Gary and how you can help, please visit our Web site for more information.

- 1 gallon apple cider - 2 cinnamon sticks - 2 whole cloves - 1 whole nutmeg - 1 oz Holiday's Fruit Tea

Pour cider into a large non-reactive pot. Place spices and tea in a cheesecloth and tie. Add to cider. Bring to a boil over medium heat then turn off. Allow spices and tea to steep in hot cider for 30 minutes then remove. Keep warm over low heat and enjoy!

		Name: Virgil City: Oakland Occupation: Teacher Favorite Tea: Ceylon Kenilworth Full Leaf Tea was a tradition in my family's house long before coffee. Lately, tea has become my evening drink of choice. I find it relaxes me and helps me
concentrate. Recently during my travels in southern China I had the opportunity to sample some festival teas. The server had a teapot with a curved, 6-foot long spout. When he served the tea it arced across the table and into each cup without spilling a drop. It was a black tea sweetened with flower blossoms. Very tasty!