PART THE SECOND – IN WHICH THE TRAVELING TEAPOT RELAXES, CHECKS OUT THE BOOKCASES, AND SERVES TEA FOR TWO.

Life is quiet and calm around here now, with lots of time for tea most days.  I often relax on an old needlepoint-topped stool - it was stitched before the middle of the last century by my hostess'  grandmother.  

 

The stool's right beside the bookcase, so I have a great view of many of the books - lots of tea books to check at here.  Do you see any favourites? 

 

This book on Celtic Teas is near the top of my own list - I think it's treasured by my hostess too.  

 

And here are another few special choices:

 

Ah, time for tea now - Grandfather stands tall in one corner.  

 

And here's the tea tray, all set for my hostess and her husband.  The tea today is Murchie's Queen Victoria, a tea that was first blended in the 19th century with some of Queen Victoria's favourite teas:  Darjeeling and Ceylon teas, Lapsang Souchong (smoky, eh?), and Jasmine.  An acquired taste, but it's definitely enjoyed in this household, and by many of their friends too, along with other teas from this Canadian company.  

The tea tray today also includes some home-made fruitcake from a Canadian recipe, and some little Swedish ginger cookies.   The china's from England (isn't it tempting sometimes to turn over the plate or saucer to check out the pattern name?),  but the blue creamer is a special addition from a Scottish pottery. 

 

Off to the other room with the comfortable chairs and the fireplace now for a good afternoon cuppa!  Bye for now!  

Tea Party in a Box!

Team Oolong

TT Blog Tea Party Today and a Tea Party in a Box!

The TT Blog Tea Party is happening NOW!  Welcome!  Put your kettle on and pour a cup and please say hello in our comments so we can raise our teacup to welcome you.

It’s not possible to invite all of you to come to my home, so the TT Blog Tea Party is a way for all of us to share a day to put the kettle on and enjoy a cup or two of tea and stop to think of tea friends and raise our cup to them…..

I will always remember the first phone call I received after joining ATAA.  It was from Eve to welcome me and a suggestion to have a long distance tea party while we chatted.  We each put the kettle on and steeped a pot of tea and talked and talked.  Since then, many pots/cups of tea have been shared while chatting in person, via phone, email or snail mail with many members that have become friends through the years.   It is just natural to put the kettle on when calling or writing or emailing these friends now. 

So it seemed a grand way to welcome “The Tardis” by celebrating long distance tea parties with friends.  But instead of phone calls this time, the Tardis made deliveries to England, France, Pennsylvania, Kentucky,  Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Minnesota, Arizona, Wisconsin, Texas, Kansas, Washington, Oregon and several parts of California to drop off packages so you all can join the doctor and his new companion (me) for a welcoming tea party.

Denise in England shared about a tea party in a box on her blog.   Andrea in France sent me a wonderful tea party in a box with the last TT.   Marilyn in Portland blogged about a tiny tea party in a box.  All of these friends left me wanting to send a “Tea Party in a Box” to tea friends.  This seemed the perfect time to send one to friends I’ve become more closely acquainted with through tea.

It is to celebrate the Tardis and Dr. Who with some of his favorite treats imported from England-- Jammie Dodgers and Jelly Babies. 

4^th Doctor Quote: ‘Would you like a jelly baby?”

The tea is one of the Tardis blends from Adagio Teas.  The English bone china tea mug is a favorite, a gift from Linda.

Our kettle will be bubbling all day long so that the blog party can be enjoyed in every time zone.  You are invited to put your kettle on and join us anytime or many times today.

I’ll be wearing the beautiful cobalt blue color of the Tardis with this vintage Alice Lund signed necklace from Denmark from one of my favorite time periods….the mid-century modernist years.

Thank you so much for joining in our TT Blog Tea Party!

I loved sending these little tea parties in a box to friends.  I hope it will inspire you to think about making your own to share with someone special.

Cheers and Happy Sipping!

Martha