Savoring the Season: A Summer Reflection from The Tea Horse

As the cicadas begin their familiar chorus and the scent of summer deepens, we at The Tea Horse find ourselves turning inward—pausing to reflect, reconnect, and, of course, sip something grounding.

It’s hard to believe it’s been six months since our last blog post. In that time, we've grown steadily and with intention. We’re now five students strong—each one beginning or deepening their journey into the heart of Japanese tea culture and language. We've also expanded our spaces to include two dedicated tea rooms: a table-style tea room able to accommodate 10 guests for modern gatherings, a tatami-style room to accommodate 6 guests that opens into a crafting, reading and kimono corner—a quiet world within a world.

This July, we’re thrilled to head back to Fayetteville Botanical Gardens for two special summer events:

July 18 | 6–8 PM

Japanese Floral Arranging Workshop

A hands-on evening celebrating the seasonal beauty and balance of tea flower arranging, or Chabana.

July 19 | 5-10 pm

Firefly Festival at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

One of our favorite annual gatherings! You’ll find The Tea Horse in the Japanese Garden, where we’ll be offering Japanese festival games like superball scooping and rubber duckie fishing—a playful nod to traditional summer matsuri fun for the kiddos and families.

Looking ahead to fall, we’re excited to continue our cultural offerings and community outreach with:

Educational Workshops at National Park College in Hot Springs, AR between Sept–Dec 2025

Join us for a full lineup of immersive workshops in:

• Kaiseki Meal Planning

• Wagashi Sweets Making

• Tea Ceremony

• Incense Blending

Fall Festival Appearances:

• Otsukimi Moon-Viewing Tea Ceremony at Garvin Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs – October 6, 2025

  
  

• Mizumoto Stroll Garden, Japanese Fall Festival in Springfield, MO  – September 5–7

  
  

• Fayetteville International Festival – September 7

  
  

Every class, gathering, and event is a way we plant seeds of appreciation—for seasonality, beauty, and connection through Japanese tea culture. We’re grateful for your support and the community that continues to grow around this vision.

Whether you're a longtime friend or just discovering our world, we invite you to slow down, whisk a bowl of tea, and stay connected. The journey of tea is one of quiet growth—and we’re honored to share it with you.

Follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/TheTeaHorse and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theteahorse2/ for event details, behind-the-scenes updates, and daily tea inspiration.

Or come visit us in person—we’d love to share a bowl of matcha with you.

With gratitude and tea,

Jennifer Huffman

Founder, The Tea Horse