Celebrate life's simple pleasures with Tea

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!

Surprise your friends at work with "Tea Time" at lunch time!

The art of Afternoon Tea can transport you to a wonderful world of bliss and tranquility. Let's bring a bit of that to the office! Celebrating an occasion such as a birthday, engagement or baby shower with co workers at the office can be challenging. A tea party at lunch time is just the right touch.

Instead of brown bagging it; Tea Bag it!   

*  Grab your stash of pretty cards (you know the ones, you've been saving them!) and invite your co workers to        Afternoon tea during Lunch Time.

*  Ask them to bring their favorite teacup or pretty mug.

*  Ask each guest to bring: 

   one sandwich(crusts cut off) and cut into quarters-try egg salad, turkey and  cranberries, ham and pear       -each guest will enjoy four different finger sandwiches! (1/4 of each sandwich)

      bring 4 of their favorite tea sachets(or bags)/to share their favorite blend   (one for each guest) 

     bring 4 sweet treats-bite size brownies, shortbread cookies, lemon bars etc.-what a great way to indulge without overdoing! (one for each guest)

As Hostess you will want to bring four(or more depending on your quest list) pretty paper plates and napkins.  Also make sure you have lemon, sugar, milk/cream and boiling water for your tea. And who can resist a small bouquet of flowers- a bunch of daffodils or tulips can also be used as favors- one for each guest to bring back to their desk!

Remember,have fun, keep it simple and enjoy your office tea party!

 

re-post from 3/31/08

 

Tea Party Dreamin Friday- Next years outdoor party oasis!

Over Labor Day weekend, my daughter and I headed north to drop her off at college. We took secondary roads to avoid the traffic and enjoy the sights and scenery.

Well, we had a fabulous time and on the way home I decided to use the same route and revisit a couple of pretty spots (and a yard sale or two!) Then I came upon this wonderful farm house. But it was their stunning side yard that made my heart skip a beat!

I found outdoor tea party heaven! I took this photo myself! Nope, this is not a magazine layout that I pasted here!

Here's a close up! Every time I look at her wonderful space I see something new! Love her amazing pink sink outside the back door. ( Just added that to my yard sale list!) 

I did ring the bell to meet the owner but alas no one was home. So I left a quick note of admiration and I do so hope that when I head north again for parents weekend I can catch another glimpse-maybe they decorate for the fall !  I'll bring the s'mores!

 

Tea Time Tuesday! - Lovely tea cosies!

The pleasure of collecting tea time items is a grand one! I love the thrill of finding a beautiful tea pot and then I can add to it's charm by using a lovely tea cosie!

What is a tea cosie? This is a padded cover that keeps the tea warm when you want to enjoy more than one cup of tea. Tea Cosies or Cozies come in two different styles; the wrap or the dome style. There are of course pluses and misuses for both styles, but I prefer the dome style. ( I could however, collect a few of these adorable knitted cozies!) Which style do you prefer? Are you a cozy collector?

     

I also love having a teacup cosie close to hand when I'm reading a good book or flipping through a magazine while helping with homework.

There are many stories about how the tea cozy came about. I adore the story of the scottish farmer who came in for dinner with his hat still on his head. As dinner ended his wife reached over for the teapot to pour them some tea and found that his hat had fallen off his head sometime during dinner and covered the teapot. Lo and behold, the tea was hot because his hat had covered the pot all through dinner. She set out that night to knit the pot a "cozy"!

I also love the line, "Leave a man alone in the room with a tea cozy and it will end up on his head!"  I can vouch for this one! If I only had a dollar for all the men who visit our shop and try on a cozy!

Have a tea-rific Day!

Hooray!We have a winner!

Congratulations to Sharon Wollman!

Sorry for the delay in posting! This is our college adventure weekend, but I wanted to take time this morning to let you all know who will be receiving the cute basket full of tea goodies!

Have a wonderful Labor day weekend!

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. :)

Tea Time Tuesday- Celebrate back to school days!

 

Photo courtesy of A Little Loveliess/ Melissa Lester

This week my three children return to school. Each going to a new school! (The oldest starts college!)

Celebrate back to school traditions!. Bring a bit of  fun and spontaneity to the table and surprise them with "Tea Time". (this is also a good time to remind them of Mr. & Mrs. Manners!)

You will need:

* finger food treats-something special- how about pretty mini cupcakes from the bakery

* teacups, saucers, spoons and napkins for everyone

*your favorite blend of tea -herbals and rooibos teas are great for the kids; or iced tea

* milk and sugar

Now go ahead and go all out! Watch their eyes pop when they see that the table is set for them!

Yes, put out the pretty fabric napkins and show them how to place it on their laps. (Won't Nana be pleased to see this on her next visit!)

Afternoon Tea is meant to be relaxing and fun. Enjoy the moment with your children! I bet that this will bring back memories for you while making new memories for them!

For more recipes and ideas visit Melissa's blog!I just love her talented and artisic ways to make others feel special!   http://alittleloveliness.blogspot.com/2009/08/back-to-school-tea-party.html