In September 2009, after holding the title of Cypress oldest tea room, Idyl Hours closed its doors for the final time, following in the path of countless other businesses over the ages.
No fanfare, no grandiose announcements heralded the event. On that last day, the owner heaved a sigh of relief tinged with sadness, returned the keys to the landlord, slipped behind the wheel of her car and shifted into drive. She looked in the rear view mirror one last time at the little cottage with its swan painted exterior and Mexican petunia flower beds.
She was leaving behind a series of employees that had come and gone, an immeasurable number of bridal and baby showers, several weddings, a movie filming, and ultimately a cookbook. These were just a few of the events that chronicled Idyl Hours presence in the community.
She assumed ownership of the little restaurant because she thought she had a passion for food, for cooking. She didnt. What she had was a passion for the people. All of the uniquely wonderful individuals who shared their lives with her.
What she learned over her decade at the tea room was that, when one calls a restaurant their own, what one http://spnseestra.tumblr.com/post/124395326445/the-black-and-decker-75-amp-14-trimmeredger is actually doing is turning over a fraction of their soul into the safekeeping of all the patrons who pass through the weed-eater etched glass doors.
Weed-eater etched? Indeed. One day an errant pebble caught in a weed-eaters cord sought to challenge a missile in speeds. It flew through the warm Cypress spring air, leaving a tiny little fissure in the glass door on the tea rooms front door.
Over time, that crack spread, slowly weaving a pattern across the glass window on the door until the entire window resembled a crystal doily. The glass was shellacked and left intact, adding to the ambiance.
The Idyl Hours Cookbook was the legacy the tea room left behind. It was written shortly after the owner discovered that to live the rest of her life, shed have to let go of Idyl Hours.
Tune in for more of the owners experiences, adventures, and recipes as she ventured to regain an identity separate from Idyl Hours. Yes, recipes. Parts of the Idyl Hours cookbook will be shared online for the first time since the weed-eater etched doors closed for the final time.
