How many ways are there to say " Thank you"?
I'm full of gratitude to all of you out there, around the world, who took time to stop and write kind and encouraging words on my new-born blog.
I'm quite surprised how many new people I've met over the last three weeks and what a creative and inspiring community the blogging world is.
Thank you to all new and old friends for healing my wings, warming my heart, and slaking my craving soul.
It's a cold winter day, indeed, and I am welcoming you to a polite chatter over a cup of hot fragrant tea. I am announcing my own ''at -home'' afternoon tea. It's not going to be a grand affair, just a way to say "Thank you !"
''Getting out and about to pay afternoon calls on one's friends, the social connection was a pleasant duty for Victorians of leisure'' stays Kim Waller in her book "Victoria the Art of Taking Tea". Hostesses on their ''at-home day" were sure to proffer meringues or bread-and-butter sandwiches as thin as their teacups...
Nowadays, when we communicate through phones and e-mails, I tend to look back on those formalities with a little envy. So, I am getting out the pretty vintage china adorned with English roses and other flowers and together with the silver teaspoons and the linen napkins, I am trying to create an ease eclectic feel to the table.
I am putting on the kettle...
And I notice – when the tea is served to friends, something enchanting happens. Women's voices ring throughout the room. There are laughter and joy...
So warm,
so mellow,
so simple...
delicately precious...
"One sip of this will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, beyond the bliss of dreams''
- John Milton
Today I brew a pot of a delicately spicy blend of lemongrass, red pepper, cloves, cinnamon, pineapple, orange peel, and coconut – my favorite, especially on a cold winter day as this.
Intimate, simple to prepare, a tea party is a party that brings pleasure and joy. It excites the senses, including one's taste for tea. Plus, you can certainly get creative with teatime foods.
The Menu:
Simple cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese
Plain Croissants
Cookies
&
An English boarding school dessert that mixes raspberries, strawberries, whipped cream, and meringue. Eton Mess!
ENJOY Dear Friends!
"Take some more tea," The March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. ''I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone: "so I can't take more".
Taking tea gives us calm and time to stop and smell the roses. It can transform the simplest occasion into a moment worth savoring. It can deepen old friendships and develop new ones. Tea does have extraordinary power, doesn't it!
Thank you for being my guest!
I am so happy I found new friends,
and so miss being with my old ones...
" My experience convinced me that tea was better than brandy "
`Theodor Roosevelt
I am joining http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com
http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/
http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Happy Pink Saturday
Hello Sylvia, It is nice to meet other people fond of tea... I am your newest follower. Come and visit my blog for more teacups...
ReplyDeleteHugs & Blessings ~*~ Wendy ~*~
Oh Sylvia, such beautiful table setting! love all the china and glasses you used! even the silver cutleries are just lovely! love love love them all!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are AMAZING and your collection of cups are drool-worthy! Simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteMy, what a beautiful blog you have here! Your tea is very soothing and I've enjoyed my visit immensely. Lovely photos and sentiments. I see you are a sister Canadian. I have a son attending U of T studying for his PhD in Math. I'm so happy you have joined me for tea and it's very nice to 'meet' you!
Blessings,
Sandi
This is all just stunning. Love your tablescape and all of your beautiful dishes and accessories. You food presentation is stunning also. Perfect. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteSylvia - a most enchanting post! I just love your teacups and your photography is breathtaking - I felt myself relaxing as I viewed and read your post - most Delightsome.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining A Return to Loveliness - you've made it all the more special,
Kathy
Welcome to the blogging world,although by the looks of your blog it seems you've been doing this a long time?I came across your blog by Sandi's tues. teatime.I'm on her list too.Beautiful photos.I'm also your new follower.Please drop and have a cup with me -kettles hot.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are enjoying the wonderful world of blogging. Your blog is lovely and your tea post just amazing. Delicious looking food and gorgeous china and tea cups. Each of your tea cups are quite beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing them with us today.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Terri
Sylvia, This post is just charming. To be treated as Royalty by a friend is the highest compliment. Your photography is stunning and I mean that sincerely. May I ask what camera you use? Just between us, I believe the world would be so much better if along with the technolgy we have advanced to, lovely days like this were still a big part of life. I believe this is only my third week of going to the "parties" on Tuesday. I don't believe we have met, but this beautiful post will not be forgotten. You are a women after my own heart. I am now your newest follower. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWow. Beautiful photography!
ReplyDeleteBE STILL MY HEART -- I spy one of my beloved Dundee Thistle tea cups. Oh, it is gorgeous....even with a mismarried saucer. I just love your tea table...so sweet and elegant.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gail
Lovely pictures & music! You have captured everything that TEA can be with your photos! Such a soothing post, I'd love to sit right down and have a "cuppa"!
ReplyDeleteDD
A lovely tea party -- and a lovely menu!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery, very nice. Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI'm sipping a lovely cup of Creme Brulee brewed tea as I sit here enjoying your post. I have friends drop by for tea often. It's such a wonderful "Stop the world, I want to get off" moment. Thank you for sharing your beautiful design. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful setting. The music the tea cups I'll bet friends clamor to your door to enjoy the beauty!
ReplyDeleteAmazingly gorgeous settings and all the food? yummy!
ReplyDeleteTY for sharing me your beautiful ideas that give me more perspective in TS.
Blessings,
/chie
A gorgeous post ... gorgeous photos ... and gorgeous food! I'll be back for seconds ; )
ReplyDeletexo
Jill
What beautiful pictures! I wanted to sit and have tea with you! Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely -- and that tea blend sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia, I saw you featured on Kathy's blog, Delightsome Life. Beautiful images, and the menue looks yummy. I featured meringues on my blog once also. Love them! Although can't have them right now, I'm slimming. xoxo tami
ReplyDeleteSo lovely and beautifully photographed! Everything looks delicious. I'll be right over. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful...love the thistle tea cup.
ReplyDeleteHi, your photos are marvelous! If only I could get a fraction better. Loved the teacups.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHappy Pink Saturday.
Regina
Oh Sylvia, this is such a beautiful post! Everything is perfection!
ReplyDeleteStay warm & drink tea! :)
~ zuzu
Hi Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteI'm back for another dose of your pinkness! Love it! So serene. Happy Pink Saturday and have a nice weekend.
Blessings,
Sandi
goodness!!! its all sooooo gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh my! These photos are absolutely breathtaking! Your dishes are gorgeous and your photography is superb! I'm your newest follower and would be delighted to have you follow me back!
ReplyDeleteHappy PS!
Tammy
Hi Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning Pink Saturday Post.
What a beautiful Pink Saturday Post. It's a pleasure to meet you and share Pink Saturday with new friends.
Drop by and say hello and "follow me" on my pink journey.
Have a great weekend.
xo Cathy
Happy Pink Saturday!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are fabulous!
~ Gabriela ~
Oh Sylvia, what a FEAST FOR THE EYES AND TUMMY! Your photos are just thrilling and perfect. Thank you dear heart for coming to visit me and the CHOCOLATE LAB! My dream dog....give your Charlie a big hug for me! Teeeheeee! You are so sweet. I have fabulous friends up in Canada...Koralee, Deborah and the wonderful Rosie. How I cherish you all!
ReplyDeleteAnita
Happy Pink Saturday Sylvia Sweetie...
ReplyDeleteOh how beautiful and elegant everything looks this evening. I have enjoyed myself ever so much. I loved the tea, I had never tried this before and the cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese, how delightful. I passed on the scone because I caught a glimpse of that delightful desert. Oh my gosh, I love strawberries and cream, but with the addition of raspberries and meringue what a delightful zing on my tastebuds.
I loved the violin, my grand daughter plays and oh how she would have loved to play for us tonight. She is quite good for only 11. She made the honor strings for the city of Phoenix this year. She has been playing 3 years now. It tickles me to hear her play, and with the pianist what a treasure it would have been.
The hint of the carnations on the table was the perfect touch, and what laughter. Oh my, I haven't enjoyed myself this much in a very long time. Thank you sweet hostess. So beautiful truly it was.
I am Country Wings in Phoenix, your newest follower. I can't wait to see what you share next. I know you will take me to many places. I hope you will pop over as well. I would love to have you visit. I would be honored if you followed my blog as well. I love meeting new friends and sharing our day to day lives along the way.
Have a gorgeous weekend sweetie. Many country hugs to you, Sherry
Dear Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, I love your post, I love the little saying that to have a friend is to be a friend. A young child might say "Want to be my friend" I would always say YES!
I'm now following you my friend!
~Shirley
I am truly enjoying taking tea with you. I thank you so much for the yummy sandwiches too, they are a delight to the pallet.
ReplyDeleteYour table is dressed to the nines, very pretty and so relaxing. Thank you again for the invite. I am afraid I had such a good time, that I don't want to leave, a stalker I became, or perhaps a follower I should say. See you next time and a very Happy Pink Saturday to you and yours, Char
You're making me hungry. So pretty dainty and sweet. I think I'll make myself a cup of tea and think of you
ReplyDeleteDearest Silviya,
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful teatime post!
I couldn't agree with your sentiments more wholeheartedly!
Your each and every carefully curated and artful photographs are some of the most lovely tea vigntettes that I have ever seen; they are exquisitely delightful, almost beyond mere words to describe in their charm!.., Wow!
Thanks so much for sharing this loveliness with us as we were all so warmly invited to share afternoon tea with you, as well as for joining us for TTTT and also for TTFT this past week!..,
Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee
@ The Plumed Pen/ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com
P.S.~ Sorry that it has taken me quite awhile yet get by for a visit as I have been under the weather', not with a cold or flu, but with anemia and other health concerns..,Better days ahead for me, by the grace of God!
Oh, you do take the prettiest pictures. What a lovely tea and enchanting words. Lovely to stop over and visit.:)
ReplyDeleteSherry
Lovely and gorgeous pics.Adorei!!
ReplyDeleteDear Silv!
ReplyDeleteIt is one thing to have an occupation, but another- to be a professional! You show professionalism in every little detail of your works! Keep going! Proud and happy to have such a creative and resourceful friend!
Love,
Teddy (bear, recently)