Happy Tuesday, dear friends! Today I’m joining my friends for their Tea on Tuesdays. I think you know and love Mary and Pam from our Monday Morning Blooms once a month. I’ll share their links at the bottom of this post.
Please pour yourself a cup of tea {Earl Grey is my favorite} and join me for a small tea party at FrenchGardenHouse. More than just a hot drink, brewing and sipping tea is a celebration of every day life.
If you are cold, tea will warm you;
If you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are exhausted, it will calm you.
William Gladstone
WELCOME TO TEA ON TUESDAYS
When I was a little girl in Europe, tea was a tradition in my family. Precisely at 3:30, grandmama would walk over to the tea table and pour out as many cups of tea as there were family members home from her silver tea pot. She would drop a French lemon candy in her cup, instead of sugar, and stir it delicately with a really small silver spoon.
There were always cookies {one only} and on special days or when she was particularly generous, she might offer me a chocolate bonbon that she kept in a little silver basket in the large armoire in the dining room. My favorite ones were actually not chocolate {don’t hate me!} but softest pink balls of marzipan with a walnut pressed in the center, rolled in sugar.
There is a great deal of poetry
and fine sentiment
in a chest of tea.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tea is the most comforting drink, isn’t it? It was the very first thing my grandmama or mom said to me whenever “something happened” – be it a disappointment, a sad goodbye to a long time friend, or a hard day of any kind. Always…the kettle would be put on, and a cup of hot tea would arrive along with a comforting hug, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on if necessary.
Tea is magical in many ways. I love coffee, but when I’m looking for a true cup of comfort, it’s tea that I long for. Especially in the autumn, tea of any kind is a welcome pause in the day. For some reason tea can relax you, it can revitalize you, it can lift your spirits. Tea seems to speak to our soul with such a satisfying message – one of warmth, acceptance and love.
Come and share a pot of tea
My home is warm and my friendship is free
Anon
I have been a collector of beautiful tea cups all my life. As a young bride, I would hunt down the best examples I could find at thrift stores, or second hand boutiques. Later, I asked for some special ones that I loved as gifts for occasions such as our wedding anniversary. No matter their cost, or their time of being adopted by me, I love them all. If teacups could talk, they could share so many wonderful memories of tea parties in the garden, Christmas teas, or tea with a friend in front of the fireplace for a serious catch-up.
We have had all sorts of teas here at FrenchGardenHouse. We’ve hosted teas for women from our church, to come enjoy an afternoon in the garden and a special speaker. We’ve hosted bridal showers, birthday parties, and even a baby shower for a mom-to-be from a friend’s church when my friend wanted to give the shower but was fighting a terrible illness. And I have hosted small teas for one friend, for a birthday, or because she needed some cheering up. Some have been a lot of work, others were so easy. Each one was a huge blessing, ultimately to ME.
If your teacups could talk, with their history and experience, I wonder what they would say? I think they’d say “when was the last time you shared a cup of tea with someone you love?” or “when was the last time you hosted a small tea party?” It really doesn’t have to be grand, it’s not like you are emulating tea at the Ritz {unless you want to.} A sweet cup of tea, shared with a good friend, several friends or your family is all I’m talking about. One of the most fun I’ve had in recent years is hosting an annual holiday tea party for our little people. Our “no adults invited” {except me!} Spirit of Giving Board Meeting.
There are few hours in my life more agreeable
than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.
Henry James
The blessing of having a cup {or a pot} of tea is that it makes you slow down and enjoy it. Even in your most frantic day, making a cup of tea forces you to slow down. You have to fill the kettle, and wait for the water to boil. You can gather the sugar and milk if you use those in your tea, and set out the tea pot. And select the teacup you are most drawn to at the time to use. You can open a package of cookies and maybe arrange these on a plate. Preparing and enjoying tea is a little magic in your day, bringing memories, and a soothing ritual of things you’ve done before.
Tea quenches tears and thirst.
Jeanine Larmoth
For my small tea party, I set a tole tray on our antique French willow trunk in front of the fire place. Two antique French chairs are comfortable, and I can’t wait to host one of my best friends in this spot! I don’t know about you, but often my friends and I “go out” and visit places, go to lunch in a crowded restaurant, or go shopping. But having time together here, in this cozy spot, with a pot of tea, some treats and time, that is a special heart-to-heart time I know we both cherish.
The French tray is a golden yellow which complements all the other colors of fall. Chestnut colored linen napkins add a warm tone, and the antique tea cup and small tea plate {called a trio} reflects all the beauty and bounty of the season. The small antique silver tea knife, tea strainer and antique tea pot all add elegance and a bit of sparkle.
Whatsoever is lovely
think on these things.
The Book of Philippians
For a special tea for just one friend, I’ll often gift her a small token of my love, like our French Bonbons au Miel, to take home. That way I hope she can remember our sweet time together back at her own home, when she is enjoying a cup of tea and a few of the little French candies as a special treat in her day.
A Tea Time Prayer
Lord, we ask that our time together will be steeped in serenity,
sweetened by our friendship and sharing of our hearts
and surrounded by the warm fragrance of your love.
Amen
Thank you so much for taking the time to enjoy this Tea on Tuesdays time with me. I hope that you will take some time each day to nourish your soul and make a warming cup of tea for yourself. My own favorite, besides Earl Grey, is our French Fete de Versailles Tea.
Please visit Pam and Mary, I know they have something beautiful and inspiring planned for today for you!
and me, Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
DO YOU LOVE HOSTING A TEA PARTY BIG OR SMALL?
A BIENTOT
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
Welcome to our back room.
Good Morning Lidy! What a cozy setting for a cup of tea on your tole tray by your fireplace. I do love the ceremony and comfort in a cup of tea and the joy of collecting teacups. You are so right…the stories they could tell. I love that your grandmother used a French lemon candy to sweeten her cup too. 😉 Your flower arrangement is gorgeous with its autumnal colors. So happy to have you join us for tea this morning! Happy Tuesday <3
Mary, thank you so much for inviting me! Thank you so much for loving my little tea for two, it’s the perfect place to catch up with a good friend. My grandmother, she knew how to live, and she was a character! Not for her the diets etc. that we do these days, a lemon candy in her tea and a chocolate bonbon later in life every afternoon, too! xo
Good morning and Happy Tuesday, Lidy! I am smitten by the beautiful golden yellow tole tray and its warm autumnal color. Your childhood memories of tea and you grandmama are so sweet and poignant. Serving up a cup of tea next to your fireplace is a lovely spot for you and a friend to catch up. Your commentary is as lovely as the setting. Your floral arrangement is stunning with its lovely fall colors. I have a collection of tea cups and I don’t think it is possible to have too many.
It is a pleasure to have you join us for Tea On Tuesdays. Wishing you a delightful day and Happy tea time!
Good morning dear Pam! Thank you so much for inviting me to join you for your wonderful Tea on Tuesdays! I wish you lots of wonderful tea times at home, with your Renaissance man and your little people too! xo Lidy
Lidy, you tell a great story about having tea as a child at your grandmother’s home. I enjoyed your memories of teatime.
Your tea table is beautiful. I wish I had collected teacups years ago. What precious memories.
Your quotes were very enjoyable. I was enthralled with your entire commentary.
Have a blessed week.
Thank you so much for visiting, Bonnie. I wish our visit was “real” but love having you here, friend! Wishing you a blessed week, too! xo Lidy
Lidy, I love it all! You’ve inspired me, I’m off to make a cup a tea and sit with it in the morning sunshine.
Oh Carol, how delightful! There is nothing like a cup of tea at any time of day, is there? Thanks for your visit! xo
What a sweet story about having tea with your grandmother as a little girl!
I collect tea cups and have since I was a young bride as well. I have a few from my mother and a special one from my mother in law. I was just given a darling pumpkin tea cup from my soon to be daughter in love! I will cherish that forever.
I enjoyed your lovely tea service by your fireplace. I love how you write! Thank you for gracing us with your loveliness today.
Happy Fall!
How exciting to be getting a new daughter in love, Nancy! Especially one that knows what you love, I am sure that you will cherish her cup and I hope you will drink lots of delicious tea in your pumpkin cup, both alone and with her! Wishing you a beautiful week ahead, Happy Fall!
Lidy, your tea display is beautiful. The pretty tole tray is the perfect anchor for your setting. The flower bouquet is gorgeous. I enjoyed reading all of your sentiments about tea, and I agree with them wholeheartedly. I love teacups as well. I have been collecting both teacups and teapots for years. I so enjoyed my visit today. I wish you a most wonderful day, sweet friend!
Thank you sweet Shannon. I wish you a beautiful day too, and one with a warming cup of tea in one of your beautiful tea cups. xo
A beautiful spot Lidy! I know your friends would love to spend time with you there over a cup of tea. Loved this post!
Thank you so much, Barbara! Tea is always a good idea, isn’t it?!
So lovely Lidy! How wonderful to have grown up with an afternoon tea tradition! We are so busy these days we have forgotten the pleasures of catching our breath and relaxing with a cup of tea. All your tea parties sound wonderful, such a fun idea for entertaining. The teacup you featured today is gorgeous! I enjoyed the quotes you inserted so much, thank you for sharing your inspiring tea time memories~
Thank you for your visit, Jenna! I agree, even I sometimes forget to take the time to catch “my breath and relax with a cup of tea, as you so beautifully wrote.” Hope you have a blessed week ahead ! xo
Lidy you are so right about tea time magic and slowing down! You summed it up perfectly warmth, acceptance and love, add a special friend and you have perfection. Beautiful post today I Truly enjoyed,thank you
Denise
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the post, I hope you take the time to have a lovely cup of tea today, Denise. xo
Lidy, I love reading your memories of tea with your Grandmama! My bet is your grand littles will also remember tea with Grandmama. Your tea plate trio is beautiful, and the flowers gorgeous! I have a passalong celosia in my garden from a neighbor, and it will definitely be a part of next year’s garden too. Happy Teatime Tuesday!
Rita, thank you so much for your visit. Oh, I hope my littles will remember tea at our house! {or theirs} How lucky to have a passalong celosia, I love them. Happy fall, friend! xo
My parents were devoted coffee drinkers, but even as a young girl I always preferred tea. And marzipan – preferably covered in dark chocolate. How much more perfect could tea and a marzipan treat be!?!
I agree, Stepahnie! Almost nothing can beat tea and marzipan!
Thank You for sharing your precious tea time memories.
. Your decor for Fall is quite lovely.
HAPPY FALL
Marion.Marilyn and Joan
Thank you Marion, and Happy Fall to you too!
Oh to have been a child at your grandmothers tea. She taught you well. Your tea cup and service are indeed beautiful but what I really love is the yellow tray. If it’s for sale I want it. I’ve been looking for one that beautiful for a long time.Thanks for sharing with us.
Alice, it was really fun at Granmama’s! That I have her silver tea pot is so special to me. Thanks for your visit!
Lidy, I have to say the thought of growing up with a daily tea time would have appealed to me as a child. My mother had an afternoon ritual of a coffee and sweet bite, and I still do that for myself most afternoons. My tea ritual is at night. My sister and I, at some point as teens, began having a cup of hot tea before bed time. We both continue that habit now well into our 70s. No treats, just a cup of tea. I like the idea of adding a lemon candy into the tea. I need to remember that idea.
Love the thought of you collecting special tea cups as it reminds me of my mother and her tea cup collection. You set a lovely tea tray, and I much enjoyed the wonderful tea quotes entwined in your post. All perfectly delightful, as teatime should be.
Sarah, it’s so wonderful that you, too, have sweet memories around tea and coffee! It’s those little habits that are really touchstones in the days. I’m trying to get back to my roots as far as a dedicated “coffee time” around 10:30 or 11:00 and tea at 3:30 during each day that were such a big part of my European upbringing. Xo
Lidy, I loved reading the Tea on Tuesday post of yours and of course your friends as well! I just made a fresh apple cake, so am saving Mary’s Pumpkin Bread recipe she so kindly shared with everyone.
I always enjoy reading your oh so sweet stories from your childhood – I can almost picture every detail!
Happy Fall, Lidy!
I enjoy the post all about tea so much! I hold a Christmas Tea each year at my home! I love the linens, tea pots, cups and saucers and of course the tea cakes, etc. that I serve!
Thank you so much Jackie. How beautiful and memorable your Christmas tea must be!