The Tea Room

Happy Independence Day!

Credit: Image from Art.com

                                                                                     

Sunday's Silence, Father's Day

A father is always making his baby into a little woman.  And when she is a woman he turns her back again.  ~Enid Bagnold

Always kiss your children goodnight - even if they're already asleep.  ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

 

Family and Tradition

Last night my entire family gathered for my niece Annie's graduation from 8th grade.  In addition to receiving an award for earning Honor Roll status for most terms since the 5th grade, she also received a prestigious award for service named for the first principal of her parochial school.  This achievement is especially sweet since my aunt was once principal of this same school.  Annie is a kind and compassionate young lady with a very bright future.  I am so proud of her and of her accomplishments.

Following the graduation ceremony, our entire family headed to a local restaurant for dinner.  Cheerful chatter continued throughout the meal.  My grandchildren, Austin (7 years old) and Haley (3 years old), had a great time, too.  One of the highlights for me was having Haley sit on my lap for quite some time.  I sang into her little ear "The Perfect Nanny" from Mary Poppins.  Several months ago I introduced her to the movie and she loved it, especially that song.  So I sing it to her whenever she is sitting on my lap.  And she always wants to hear it again and again.

When dinner ended, both Austin and Haley wanted to ride with me as we headed home.  Once buckled into our seats and on the road to their house, I sang for them two songs I sang to my sons when they were little boys.  They loved the songs and I loved singing to them.  My mother used to sing in the car, I continued the tradition with my children, and now I'm singing to my grandchildren, too.  Tradition is so sweet.     

The Perfect Nanny

If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts!
Play games, all sort

You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets

Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water

If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Put toads in your bed
Or pepper in your tea

Hurry, Nanny!
Many thanks
Sincerely,
Jane and Michael Banks.

Written by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

 

Happy Mother's Day

Who is Attending?!

The May / June issue of Tea Time Magazine arrived a couple of weeks ago.  When I spend Sunday afternoons at home, reading this and other favorite magazines is a favorite pastime.  This issue of Tea Time includes lots of yummy recipes for summer and one called "Royal Coconut Cake."  Even if you don't like coconut, this cake is a vision of white to behold!   

On page 7, there is a full page ad for a special occasion.  Perhaps some of you have already heard about it.  I'm curious to know if anyone is planning to attend "An Occasion for Tea" at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia on August 8 - 10, 2008!

      

More Stitches-for-Tea

Thank you so much for all your nice comments about my new tea towels! I feel so lucky to have found them.  For those who may be looking for similar treasures and/or unable to find them locally, check out Etsy, "an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade."

In preparing for my sister's tea party, I just ordered some party favors on Etsy: vintage cotton, hand-stitched tea bags filled with lavender.  They're made by a 20-year-old student named Niandra who lives in Naples, Italy.  She grows the lavender in her backyard and then creates these handcrafted little treasures.  Her communication is super fast and she whipped up a special order of 12 teabags for me in less than 24 hours.  Below is a photograph (from Etsy) of her work. 

My sister's decorating style leans toward primitive country, so these will be perfect for her tea.  Aren't they charming?!  See more of them here: Lavender Tea Bags by Niandra.

   

Thank you, Miss Potter

As my sister and I were running errands Saturday afternoon, it suddenly began to hail causing us to dash from shelter to shelter with great giddiness.  Inspired to snuggle on the couch the rest of the evening with a good movie and a warm fire, I rented "Miss Potter."  Renee Zellweger stars in the title role as author and illustrator Beatrix Potter; Ewan McGregor plays her love interest.  Although the hail storm was short-lived, I was so enchanted with this movie that I watched it again today. 

What luck to have been drawn to this charming true story right before Easter.  From now on, Miss Potter and her friends will be included in all my spring holiday traditions.

Tea Party in May

This May I will host in my home a special tea party.  The purpose of this gathering is to thank those ladies who participated in last year's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on behalf of my sister, Sherryl, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007.  Sherryl and I are currently choosing which Saturday in May will be best, and I am beginning to plan the menu.

In addition to visiting numerous blogs created by ladies who include delicious recipes for tea parties, I joined two Yahoo groups.  There are countless possibilities for connecting with others!

My first thoughts of a menu include a selection of finger sandwiches made of cream cheese, turkey, ham, cucumber, etc.  Cookies should be easy to select; pastries will be carefully chosen as I want to be sure they turn out well. 

I'll also need to take a current inventory of my serving pieces.  My Lenox Solitaire china that will serve as the basis of the dishes, cups, and saucers.  I have several platters and a few tiered serving plates, but I will most likely need a few more.  And I plan to infuse into the decor just the right amount of color with spring flower arrangements. 

I am so grateful to have so many resources available online.  Special thanks to all who make it easy for me to simply point and click my way to wonderful ideas. 

A Son's Love

Last night, my 22-year-old son brought me a Valentine's Day gift.  I am so very touched by his thoughtfulness and love.

Valentine's Day Tea

Green tea is a lovely evening beverage; relaxing as I unwind from my day.  I have some ideas about beginning a small business involving tea and am formulating those plans now.  In the meantime, websites, blogs, and magazines about high tea continue to intrigue me.  The photographs of china cups filled with warm tea and tiered serving pieces ladened with artful delicacies are eye candy.  Below is a picture of heart-shaped scones and jam-filled cookies featured in the current issue of Tea Time magazine.  Absolutely lovely, don't you think?