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
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31 comments
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!?!
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
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!
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
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 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
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~
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
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
Oh Carol, how delightful! There is nothing like a cup of tea at any time of day, is there? Thanks for your visit! xo