Teatime

Julie writes...

When I first began my time here at Zentangle, Inc, I learned how to do many things.

I learned how to count tiles (there is a technique!). I learned how to assemble Zentangle Kits. I learned the ins and outs of our products and our website. I learned many things, but perhaps the most important thing I learned, was how to prepare tea.

Jen writes...

Almost a decade ago, through Molly, I was invited to meet Rick and Maria to potentially come work for Zentangle, Inc. I was returning to the workforce after staying home with my girls for almost a decade, and I was a tad bit nervous (sort of incredibly funny if you know Rick and Maria). I came prepared with a resume, my volunteer work I had kept busy with, all the trimmings needed for a job interview and the only direct question I remember being asked was, "Do you drink tea?"

Judi writes...

Before working for ZHQ, I had been Maria's neighbor for over 20 years, and occasionally I would pop over for tea even back to the days of Pendragon. It was the perfect morning reset I needed. Now as a ZHQ employee, I thoroughly enjoy my job as teatime "hostess with the most-est" on the days I work.

Stephanie writes...

My very special first memory of teatime, was my first day of work. I was hired not being a family member, a neighbor, or friend, so I had no idea what the teatime ritual was. I had just settled in, getting my workspace set up, starting to set up all my logins and the software I needed, and very loudly from the bottom of the stairs, Sue yells, "Teatime". Up pops Molly, quickly followed by Julie, with the admonition that when Sue signals "Teatime", you move.

Sue writes...

Teatime is a special time. Time to slow down, have a conversation, not only to catch up on ZHQ happenings but to also catch up on all the other goings-on in everyone's lives. We make it an extra special occasion if it is someone's birthday, and I always make sure there are enough perfectly burnt rice cakes with puddles of butter and extra pepper. They are my specialty!

The call of "Teatime!" signals us all that it is time to take a break. Tea has been upstairs and downstairs. Down the street, across the street and at one time, over Zoom. The places have changed and some of the faces have changed, but teatime remains a part of ZHQ culture. Teatime is about so much more than just tea and snacks. It represents all of the values that we hold near and dear to our hearts. Teatime represents pausing and slowing down, connection, gratitude.

There is a ceremony to it, a care to the preparation, the tea pot is warmed with hot water prior to brewing the tea so it is always hot. Our special cups are gathered as well as the lightly tangled cloth napkins Maria created from super soft sheets. It is like laying down the dots, border and string, and the tangles of teatime are the conversations that weave together. Some are light, some are more like drama tangles that demand attention, and some are those mac n' cheese conversations which usually involve shoes. It is another known stroke of teatime that at the mention of shoes, Rick excuses himself.

It has always been important to us to find balance between changing and evolving with the world around us, but also staying true to what is at the heart of the Zentangle Method. Many things have changed over the past 20 years, but one thing remains the same....tea is at 10.

If you want to learn more about who you might find at teatime, you can Get to Know the Zentangle Crew in this blog.