Vintage Tea Party

Vintage Tea Party by Carolyn Caldicott was one of the “tea” gifts I received at Christmas.  This book contains lots of information on the history of tea, teatime food and drinks and tea parties.

The gorgeous photos alone are enough to tempt any tea enthusiast to add a copy to their library.  There are wonderful shots of teatime foods, tea ware, beautiful English gardens, quaint thatched roof cottages and seaside villages.

There are hints on where to find the vintage look and how to cheat in style for the non baker or time challenged cook.

This book covers lots of interesting subjects like the history of the tearoom, choosing tea, brewing tea, the history of the sandwich, and much more.

 

Included are more than a few recipes that I’d like to try.  Raspberry Millefeuilles, Potted Salmon, and Butterfly Cakes with Vanilla Cream for a start.

I’m so happy that my daughter gifted me with this new addition to my “tea” library.

Downton Abbey tea

The Republic of Tea  has introduced a tea line featuring Downton Abbey.  I’m a big fan of the show and have enjoyed the first two episodes of the 4th season.  The tins look very pretty with their photos of cast members.

There is the Estate Blend (This is an exclusive for Cost Plus World Market® and can be purchased at your local store!)  There is also an English Rose blend and Grantham Breakfast blend available online ($12 per tin of 36 teabags). 

The Grantham Breakfast blend sounds like a tea that I would really enjoy.  The Republic of Tea website describes it as:

“Full-bodied, malty, organic Assam black tea is infused with the spicy flavor of organic ginger root. Try with a splash of warm milk and sweetener for a flavor reminiscent of sticky ginger pudding. This energizing tea is perfect for an early morning foxhunt or preparing for the dramas of the day.”

This will be going on my wish list.  Maybe I’ll get some for my birthday in the spring.  I really need time to finish up all my Christmas tea first.  ☺

I’d love to hear if you have tried these teas and what was your favorite blend.

 

Christmas “Tea” Gifts

Isn’t it amazing how quickly the holidays come and go.  I received a new tea book and magazine (reviews to come) and three boxes of tea (two I haven’t tried).

I have been wanting some of this Taylors of Harrogate Tea Room Blend tea since a trip to Charleston in April 2007.

The pretty black and gold tin states on the back label:

“In India each tea garden has its own special blend, traditionally known as “bungalow tea”, which is served to visitors.  This inspired our blenders to create a Taylors signature tea, using top quality teas from India and Africa to give this blend a rich, full-bodied and deeply satisfying taste.”

A friend and I had afternoon tea at The Charleston Place Hotel where they served this blend.  It is a full flavored, robust black tea - perfect with a splash of milk.

Our tea at the hotel was served in The Thoroughbred Room.  The décor seemed masculine with dark wood paneling and an equestrian theme.  Full blown red roses on each table provided a feminine touch.  The traditional menu included egg salad, shrimp and cucumber sandwiches with cinnamon raisin scones and crumpets.  I wonder what taking tea at this hotel is like today, or if they still serve afternoon tea.   

 

   

Merry Christmas

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat
Please to put a penny in the old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny then God bless you!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Tea Party toy

There are lots of tea party toys on the market this season, but since my daughter said she preferred educational toys, I thought this would be welcome.  Of course, Nana is always happy to give a gift with a tea party theme.  Amazon has this Leap Frog Musical Rainbow Tea Party for a good price.

I can’t wait to enjoy this toy with my little “Santa’s Elf” grandbaby.  ☺ 

Christmas Cross-Stitch Teapot

Last spring I posted about a Transferware Teapot pattern that I asked hubby to stitch for me.  When I picked up the November/December issue of Just CrossStitch magazine for a stocking stuffer, I saw another pattern (last in the six part series) that I hope he will make for me.

The pattern designer is Donna Giampa and the teapot features a beautiful pair of cardinals with a pretty holly border.

How about you – do you stitch Christmas cards or special Holiday pictures for your home?  Or like me, does someone stitch them for you? 

The Wilkes House in Savannah, GA

On a recent trip to Savannah I enjoyed lunch at the The Wilkes House  for the first time.  Now I can’t wait to go back.  If you enjoy Southern style food including wonderful fried chicken, cornbread dressing, sweet potato soufflé, black eyed peas, okra gumbo, creamed corn, biscuits and so much more, then you’ll love Mrs. Wilkes dining room. 

From their website: “Boardinghouse Ruminations

Most Southern towns used to boast a boardinghouse where you could find a simple, quiet room and a communal dining room that offered at least two hearty meals a day. Boardinghouse food was de rigueur daily fare for locals, among them young, working class laborers, schoolteachers, bankers, washerwomen and middle-class merchants alike.

In 1943, a young Sema Wilkes took over a boardinghouse in historic downtown Savannah. Her goal was modest: to make a living by offering comfortable lodging and homestyle Southern cooking served family style in the downstairs dining room. Mrs. Wilkes picked up where the previous proprietor left off, cultivating relationships with nearby farmers who dug sweet potatoes for her in the fall and shelled whippoorwhill peas in the summer.”

This lunch served as our Thanksgiving dinner, since we were travelling the next day.  They don’t take reservations, so we lined up outside around 11:30.  It was very cold that day, but we persevered and waited about an hour before we got in.  It was fun talking to other tourists waiting in line and, as it turned out, well worth the wait. 

Our table was loaded with dishes, at least two dozen bowls.  It really was next to impossible to try everything.  There was something for everyone.  If you don’t like fried chicken (gasp!) there was stew, sausage & rice or pulled pork.

My plate was filled with delicious fried chicken, cabbage, mashed potatoes & gravy, mac & cheese, okra gumbo, cucumbers and collard greens.  There was banana pudding and cherry cobbler for dessert.

We’ll be back in Savannah next summer and I plan on being in line for lunch at The Wilkes House.  ☺