Celebrate life's simple pleasures with Tea

Time for Tea with Jane! and Emma!

Ah.......

The wait is almost over! And this is just what I needed to get back into the blogging  frame of mind!

There is nothing like a great book or adaptation with a wonderful pot of tea, especially in the heart of winter!

So, my plan for the end of the week. Get the end of Christmas packed away and prepare for a "Tea with Jane" celebration for the weekend.

It's ironic that my last few posts before my blogging vacation were to celebrate Jane Austen's birthday.  If you've been reading my posts, you will note that my favorite Tea Cosie collection is our Tea with Jane. I just love the soft colors and the roses and swags.  I will be, of course, setting the tea table with this collection and hauling out some pieces from my collection that I haven't seen in awhile. :) I may even shoot for a quick trip to Homegoods, we'll see!

If you haven't had a chance to catch a glimpse of this new PBS adaptation, take a minute to visit my favorite Jane Austen blog/site  http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/

And here's a link to PBS for tv schedules or as Emma would say "Shhedule" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/emma/

Now, what tea to prepare and delights to serve on sunday?

Any requests?

If only I could remember to whom I lent my copy of "Tea with Jane"!!

Tablescape Thursday- Autumn Fest with friends!

Last week I set up a corner all for myself and used my Autumn colors and had so much fun that I put this table together this afternoon. I invited a few friends over to the shop for lunch! I just love the soft chocolate tones of this set! Well, how can you go wrong with chocolate? I named this the Bloomsbury Truffle Collection. I just love the fun flowers on the tea cosie and did I mention that the chocolate tones just whisper to me? :) Okay, they scream at me! :)

 

Here are the little friends stopping in for tea on their way south for the winter! (from Micheal's Craft Store)

I just love this plate with the quote along the rim and the gardening theme! (from Portmerion) I'm getting good use from my flatware purchased at Tar-get! And what do you think of the napkin tucked under the plate?

Thanks for stopping in for my fall fest! I hope that you enjoyed the setting! And do stop in at Susan's to vist with the other talented tablescapers!
 And please do visit all the talented tablescapers over at Susan's blog!

 

Show & Tell Monday!

If you've been following this blog for a few months you will have noticed that I love tea!  I adore all things related to the experience of sharing tea with friends and family! As I post new tips and ideas each week I look back to old posts to see what my favorites are and what your favorites are.

It seems as though the viewers love to check out the post regarding setting a beautiful tea table. This is the most visited post. Tea fans from around the globe are visiting and I find that so exciting!

 So of course, we just had to put this great information in our new catalog! Page 3 gives all this info now and it's easier to refer back to. So if  you'd  like your very own copy, head on over to our contact page and it will be mailed out to you promptly!

Please do respect the copyright. Thank you!

Love this idea for your "Back to School" tea party!

I came across this cute idea for a centerpeice for your tea table with the kids!

I think the new teacher would like this too!

Here are the directions. http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/08/how-to_make_an_apple_vase.html#more

I'll let you know how it turns out! I am going to try a melon baller to scoop out the apple. :)

Tablescape Thursday! Let's go out for a Picnic Tea!

Summer time is Picnic time! Let's get outside while the sun is shining!  I've brought the tea, cookies and the camera. We're heading to the NJ Botanical Gardens to enjoy the surroundings and appreciate the little pleasures this great country has to offer us all. Support our wonderful parks!

A cosy, shady little nook to spread out in. Can you hear the birds?

I was so lucky to pick up these vintage wicker trays the other day. They're a wonderful addition to my yard sale find picnic basket. I couldn't resist these two teacups,both the color match and pottery feel are great with the trays. And, drum roll please, the flatware(I did the happy dance in the aisle) on clearance at Tar-get! I'm still looking for 5 knives, can you grab them for me please?

 

These photos don't do the flatware justice. The handles have a pretty pearl feel to them. And did I mention that they were only $1 each? So after you grab a few for yourself grab me what is left. :)

The napkins, tablecloth and tumblers are from my favorite tea shop. ;) ;) wink wink!

And I couldn't just take the photos and not enjoy the few stray rays of sunshine we had this afternoon! So I sat and enjoyed the magazine and the first chapter of my book! Our gardens are very green this summer but not as colorful due to the Abundant rainfall! I did find a pretty spot to nibble on a cookie for a few moments. They are coconut lime tea biscuits and I Cannot just eat one! So please don't leave me alone with them!  Have a Tea-rific Thursday and poke around the other talented blogs participating at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

PS. I have lovely salad to put into the cups, but the bees just adored it! So into the container is went rather quickly!

 

I'm also the biggest fan of hydrangeas around. It was so nice to see this spot of pink peeking out!

 

New Tablescape Thursday! Pink and Green for the girls!

I'm excited to invite you to our first Tablescape Thursday! For the past month I have enjoyed many wonderful blogs and tablescapes while the rainy days kept me indoors! So I gave it a whirl and decided to share the tea table with you this week.

Pour yourself a cup and visit with some very talented ladies!    Click on the button to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and the other fabulous tablescapers!

Our Pink & Green Tea Table!

 

We have had so many rainy days that I gave up on the patio table and set my tablescape up to enjoy at the shop!

 

The pink and green scalloped chargers are plastic! I found them at Tar-get :) The white dinner plate is my everyday set from Johnson brothers, I've enjoyed these for 20 years! And I still have all 12, amazing considering I have kids!  The cup and saucer, tea napkin and table topper are from our newest collection, Merry Berry. I love the vintage hankie feel of this fabric! The cute teapot favors with pink and green ribbon are actually timers! The beautiful pitcher is by April Cornell, a great find at Homegoods. The Iced Tea tumblers are from Tar-get too, I couldn't resist the etched glass lacey look.  That fancy cake on the pedestal is also a timer from Mackenzie-Childs, used to add to the "charm factor" for the tablescape.  The fab umbrella, just perfect for tea time is something I HAD to carry at the shop after seeing it in Tea Time magazine!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my first tablescape thursday! I'll probably bump into you at one of the other lovely blogs later tonight! :)

Do my teacups have to match?

The age old question, "To match or not to match" is always present!

When I'm feeling whimsical, light hearted I tend to get out all the pieces and mix and match, using a chosen color palette to unify and make the tablescape work together.

When the mood is a celebration or has a theme, I love to pull out all the stops and lay a balanced table setting of one pattern. I use flowers and napkins to add interest, or give the eye a place to rest.  I also make use of the "rule of 3" more when the focus is placed on one china pattern. 

Do you have thoughts on this age old dilema? Of course, I'll keep hunting the tag sales and collecting while I wait for your comments!

Do you take lemon?

Personally, I adore the fresh scent of citrus, lemon in particular! As a child I was bombarded with commercials on the tv, advising any housewife or child listening that lemony fresh was the best. I must have taken it to heart because I love lemons!

I love to decorate my tea table with whole lemons in a bowl, lemon wedges on a plate with a cute bird squeezer or this style of lovely arrangement! (when I have the time- 15 minutes- thinly slice two lemons and place along the inside of glass bowl -I use my lonely trifle bowl. Place flowers into center of lemon lined  vase then fill with water.

Take this from me! Don't fill the vase of lemon slices first. Your hard work will just float away!  The pro's use another vase, a wee bit smaller and place this in the center of the lemon lined vase to keep things lined up and perfect.

I do purchase ready made bouquets at my grocery store. I chose two that are basically the same and pull out the flowers that are not in my color scheme. Most times that leaves me with a lovely large arrangement of what the florist thought was "filler" flowers and foliage. This goes into my lemon lined vase and the larger remaining  flowers go into a pretty pitcher or vase for my coffee table.

Remember that the rule of thumb for flowers on your tea table is to keep the scent to a minimum. Your tea should be the first thing that you and your guests smell! 

Setting a Beautiful Tea Table- part 3

In earlier posts (see July 15th and 28th) we started setting our tea table with flowers, candles, favorite teacups and other lovely pieces.

I think it's time to finish setting our table so that we can enjoy tea with friends!

It's time to place the silverware at each place setting. Use a smaller luncheon sized knife,fork and teaspoon.  Forks on the left, with the knife (blade facing out) then the spoon on the outside. I also enjoy placing my pretty tea napkin on the center of my plate with my teaspoon on that, tied with a festive ribbon. Many times I use this as a guest par-tea favor.  Remember to always consider your menu ahead of time so that the necessary flatware is at each place setting.

Many guests enjoy cream, sugar and lemon with their tea. Generally you would provide an additional set on the other side of the tea table if you have more than 6 guests seated.

Water glasses, if desired should be placed above the knife and spoon.

Place cards and menus are lovely and helpful with a larger gathering.  Consider the space on your table, as it may start to get crowded.

The teapot and cosie should be located to the right of the hostess. She should make the tea and pour for the guests if possible. Or begin with the guest to her right and allow a friend to pour for her so that she can be attentive to the serving of food and conversation.

Remember, you don't need to be a master chef or an accomplished society hostess to enjoy and prepare a tea party!  Let your enthusiasm and creativity be your best guide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KNuKagNdhY&feature=related   Just for fun, here's how they taught you the "Rules" in 1946. Thank goodness we lightened up a bit!

Also, if you would like our special Afternoon Tea Menu for a summer tea party, please send us an email with your mailing address to katie@settoatea.com

Setting a Beautiful Tea Table- part 2

We've started setting our tea table with a lovely floral centerpiece that is low and subtly scented.

If you would like to use candles, these should be non-scented. Part of the tea time experience is conversation. As you plan your table sit down and look across the table to make sure that the line of sight is clear.

Consider the occasion when selecting your china. A matched place setting will lend itself to a more formal tea, such as a bridal tea. Using your pretty tea cup collection is perfect for a birthday celebration or a casual gathering of friends. A luncheon sized plated is best for this lighter meal.

A tea napkin - 9 1/2" square or a luncheon napkin, is better suited for a tea time than a larger dinner napkin.  It may be placed prettily on the plate or folded to the left side of the plate.

The tea cup with saucer is placed to the right, outside the plate and silverware. The handle is pointing out to the right.

Please check in next week as we finsh setting a beautiful tea table!