For 12 years my daughter, mother-in-law, Sarah, and I have hosted a mother-daughter Valentine Tea Party for our friends and family. Reading the passage below has been how Sarah has begun brunch for the most recent several. Every time I hear it, particularly the sections I’ve bold-printed for emphasis, my heart is moved.
“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”.
Like the new digs (can I saw dig the new digs?).
I adore tea. Drink it every afternoon. Soothing mainly because it reminds me of mornings at my grandmother’s kitchen table with her and my mom.
I don’t have any kids, but can I have a dress-up (not dress-up as in fancy but as in fun) party for my friends?
Thanks for letting me know – I’m off to do some campaining
Love the look!
Thanks for the info on the contest……
I’m excited; I’m working on having a Mother’s Day tea here at my place. Should be fun!
Ooh! Did someone say “giveaway?”
You and I can never turn down a good contest 😉 😉
I’ve always enjoyed the thought of tea…but I’m not one for the taste of it. Still, my house has plenty of tea cups and tea pots. I fill them with hot cocoa and pretend I’m civilized and drinking tea…
I drink entirely too much tea in a day. Usually two massive mugs of it at work. An iced tea at lunch, and another cuppa or two at home. Love me some tea! And to think it’s just something as simple as dried leaves in boiled water.
Dear robin. My favourite tea is Rooibos. Have you ever tried it? It’s from South Africa, it’s red, caffiene free and yumbo jumbo.
I love me some tea English style (milk and sugar)!
Oh, how I cannot wait to see all those bad hair pictures.
Heather, does it bother you to know that I just knew you enjoyed afternoon tea? Of course, I didn’t know the companion nostalgia, but that makes it especially nice.
Yes, you may “dig the digs” if you dig the digs… and yes, you NEED to have a tea party with your girlie-Qs! I’d like to come…how far are you from Tennessee?? (I’m inviting myself 😉 ).
Karmyn, prizes are prizes :)! They’re ALL good!
Kristy, Good for you! I look forward to hearing more 🙂 (is this the first time you’ve hosted one?).
Susan, I thought you’d jump QUICKLY on this bandwagon :).
Tracey, while I’m a true Southerner and sweettea pulses through my veins, I’ve never picked up the tradition of afternoon tea…but I’d like to. What the heck is stopping me? Cheers! to whatever fills your cup :).
Kurt, Tea (and coffee) are much more than a beverage…you don’t just drink them, you e x p e r i e n c e them, don’t you think? Besides, both are GOOD for you (depending on what report you happen to read…) :).
Dear little miss, never had it, never even heard of it, but anything that’s classified as “yumbo jumbo” I MUST try :)!
Nikki, the way you describe it is probably how I’d like it best. You’ve reminded me that I need to start lookin’ myself!
i loved tea parties when i was little. and i love having pretend tea parties with my almost 2 yo daughter. even my sons now get in on the action! they of the “search and destroy” mentality!
i love the valentine’s day tea idea….
Tea party at your place this weekend? Can I bring along some crumb cakes? What time?
Sounds good.
I really like the new look. But I have to admit, I don’t recall ever being invited to a tea party 🙁
There is a woman around here who has a business where she hosts tea parties. I’ve been to an all women one but she hosts children too. The children can dress up as fairies or pirates and the like and have a tea party under a tree in warm weather. The one I went to we moved through the house and enjoyed different teas in each room. Our final destination we were seated at tables and served scones and clotted cream and tiny tea sandwiches. Fun.
Ooh, I just got back from having tea with my friend out here. Nothing too formal–nice, herbal with some biscuits (they are these cookies that actually taste really oaty and healthy but I think they are just as bad for you as cookies). There’s sometihng amazing about a great cup of tea with girlfriends. I loved the “ceremony” of tea while in China as well. Cool stuff!!!