Each year’s party, at least in most recent years, begins with Noni reading this passage~
“When did you last have a tea party? When was the last time you enjoyed a cup of tea with someone you cared about? Isn’t it time you did again?
…perhaps the idea of a tea party takes you back to your childhood. Do you remember dressing up and putting on you best manners as you sipped pretend tea out of tiny cups and shared pretend delicacies with your friends, your parents, or your teddy bears? Were you lucky enough to have adults who cared enough to share tea parties with you? And are you lucky enough to have a little person with whom you could share a tea party today? Is there a little girl inside you who longs for a lovely time of childish imagination and “so big” manners?
It could be that the mention of teatime brings quieter memories–cups of amber liquid sipped in peaceful solitude on a big old porch, or friendly confidences shared over steaming cups.
But even if you don’t care for tea–if you prefer coffee or cocoa or lemonade or ice water, or if you like chunky mugs better than gleaming silver or delicate china, or if you find the idea of a traditional tea overly formal and a bit intimidating–there’s still room for you at the tea table. Few can resist a tea party when it is served with the right spirit.
You see, it’s not the tea itself that speaks to the soul with such a satisfying message. And it’s not the teacups themselves that bring a message of beauty and serenity and friendship.
It’s not the tea, in other words, that makes the teatime special. It’s the spirit of the tea party.
It’s what happens when women or men or children make a place in their lives for the rituals of sharing. It’s what happens when we bother with the little extras that feed the soul and nurture the senses and make space for
unhurried conversations. And when that happens, it doesn’t really matter what fills cups of holds the liquid.
It really isn’t the tea.
It’s the spirit of the tea party.
And, it is in that spirit I offer an invitation to tea.”
Excerpted from Emilie Barnes’ “An Invitation to Tea”.
That’s so lovely and romantic in a warm friendly way! I love the ‘tea’ ambience!
That is so sweet!!! =)
I’m glad you liked what I left you on my blog page!!! =) I really enjoy reading what you write!!!
That is lovely. I really want to go to a tea party now!
Just made me remember enjoying tea with my Grandma on a winter afternoon – think I will have a cup right now!
I love that!
Oh, how wonderful! I’m giving a baby shower at our tea house on Saturday. I’m such a big fan of tea parties!
What a warm fuzzy this post has given me. I want to be there listening to Noni. What was the passage? The table is lovely. Do we get to see pictures of all the guests?
BTW, I just finished my sonnet. WHEW ! Now I know why I never turned mine in for senior English.
Such a lovely tradition!
Lovely. My grandma left me her silver teapot set because I used to take the time to sit down and have tea with her. It’s a soothing ritual.
Robin, if I haven’t already told you how much I love tea, some of the other ladies we know, do know….I LOVE IT!! I love tea parties, tea cups, tea, tea, and more tea. I just wrote an article about it myself. This was a really sweet post! Keep promoting the tea thing honey. We should all catch the spirit!