Tea For One

My teapot collection includes only a couple of tea for one sets. 

This set has special meaning for me.  It was given to me by my eldest brother on one of his visits.  He picked it up in an antique store they stopped at on the drive down from Canada.  His wife told me that as soon as he saw it, he decided that he wanted to buy it for me.  He is not a tea enthusiast or collector himself, but he just knew that it was something I’d love.

 

Isn’t the cup pretty, with its little feet and lovely pastoral scene – see the little cottage.  There are also cows, sheep and a shepherdess.

The teapot looks a little top heavy when resting on the cup, but it has a large base that fits into the cup quite securely. 

The china mark is interesting with the lions, crown, flags and shield.  The faces on the lions look like they have human features.  So far I have not been able to identify the maker.  Maybe this piece is what is known as flow china – what do you think?

My other set is a contemporary piece with a pretty garden inspired design called On The Veranda by Paula Deen.

  I read recently that if you have a collection of Tea For Ones, each of your guests at a tea party could use a set and have their choice of tea.  That would certainly be easier than making several large pots.

 

Teacup Crafts

There was a lovely idea in my Tea Calendar recently for decorating your tea table using pretty teacups.  I have seen flowers arranged in teacups before, but not as a centerpiece.  Float a single flower in each teacup and arrange a grouping (varying the height) as your centerpiece.  You could also use a teacup as a base for a silk flower arrangement.

Teacups make pretty containers for votives, floating candles or homemade candles. 

There are instructions for making your own thrifty candles using wax from burned down candles and odd teacups here at the Martha Stewart website. 

 

Many of you have teacups that have been transformed into pin cushions for the sewing room.  This is a cute crafTea gift idea for your sewing and quilting friends.

For pure indulgence, wouldn’t a teacup filled with sweets be appealing at your next tea party?

I’ve seen little lamps made with teacups or sugar bowls.  Teacups can be used to make a birdfeeder, to hold pretty soaps in the bathroom or an assortment of teabags near the kettle.  They make great planters for miniature violets or herbs in the kitchen or sunroom.  Display thread or button cards in the sewing room in them and so much more.

I’ll be on the lookout for teacups (with or without saucers) at yard sales and thrift stores over the summer.  How about you – what do you use teacups for, other than tea?   I’d love some new ideas.

 

 

The Tea Room

One of my favorite tea rooms is in the beautiful city of Savannah, GA.  It is always a pleasure to visit “The Tea Room” on Broughton Street.  The decor is inspired by art nouveau artist and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  Decades ago he designed five tea rooms in Glasgow, Scotland.  There is one still in operation today called the Willow Tea Rooms.   

You can see the Mackintosh influence here in the architectural details, high-back chairs, vintage china and glassware, etc.  There are gorgeous flowers on the tables and orchid blossoms on the three tiered tea trays.  Their chef does an outstanding job on the menu, with many special touches.

You enter the tea room through a well stocked gift shop.  There is a whole wall of large tea canisters behind the front counter with dozens of loose teas to choose from.

I always bring home at least one tin of a new kind of tea to try.

There is a terrific book by Bruce Richardson titled “The Great Tea Rooms of America” and The Tea Room in Savannah is included.  I was fortunate to visit during a photo shoot for his latest edition.

 Mr. Richardson and his lovely wife Shelley were very gracious and happy to answer a few questions and pose for a photo.  I’ve always regretted that I was not able to have afternoon tea at their tea room in Kentucky, the Elmwood Inn, before it closed in 2004.  Check out their excellent website here.  The historic building now houses their offices.

I’m accompanying my hubby on a business trip to Savannah in July.  We’ll be staying in the historic district, only a short walk from Broughton Street.  You can bet I’ll be spending a lot of time at The Tea Room, as well as visiting The Gryphon Tea Room on Bull Street and the great historical squares, River Street, many wonderful shops, etc.

National Iced Tea Month

June is National Iced Tea Month and here in Georgia, the temperature is right for enjoying a tall glass of iced tea.  Maybe a nice cold green tea, or fruit tea, or bubble tea or numerous other delicious choices.

Looking at some vacation photos of World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, FL reminded me of a popular iced tea recipe.  Have you tried Arnold Palmer iced tea?  It is such a simple recipe – a half and half mix of lemonade and brewed tea served over ice.

In some parts of the country, you can buy it bottled – and what a cute bottle it is with its signed golf ball design. 

Maybe today I’ll try this Watermelon Mint iced tea that my daughter gave me.  It has a black tea base with natural watermelon flavor and that appeals to me.  Check out all the other luscious flavors available at Republic of Tea.  They have the innovative 96 ounce “tea on tap” boxes with spout – great for picnics.

 The Tea Association of the USA has an interesting article on iced tea that you can read here.

 

 

 

 

 

Zumba Fun

I enjoy my visits to the gym, especially the way I feel after a good workout on the treadmill and the weight machines, but I wouldn’t exactly call it fun.  Zumba, though, really is fun.  A terrific workout and a dance party, all rolled into one.  The Zumba dance instructor, Andrea,  is really good at choosing the music and putting together a great dance routine.  She is also a certified personal trainer, with a terrific upbeat personality. 

The first time I looked at a class schedule for my gym, I thought, what’s Zumba.  Oh right, it’s that Latin dance fitness workout.  Sounds interesting, but I’m probably too old for that.  So I looked it up on You Tube and decided that it was something that I’d like to try.       

This video from the Today Show dates from 2007 and Zumba was already wildly popular.  It was started in 2001 by Beto Perez and now there are Zumba studios popping up all over the nation.

By the way, I’m not the only older lady in the class.  That’s the great thing about Zumba, it’s for all ages.  So, if you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear what you think – if you haven’t,  what are you waiting for?   Find a class near you at the Zumba website here.  

 

French Tea

Every once in a while I like to pull out one of the older books in my tea library and enjoy it again.

This is a great book for getting a sense of the French tea experience.  There are teas served in very old tea salons, cafes, restaurants and elegant private homes. 

  The photos by Juliette d’Assay are wonderful.   

 There is lots of information on types of tea and the different  regions where tea is produced.

 There are wonderful patisserie with recipes for many of the most popular (Tarte Tatin, Financiers, Madeleines, Fougasse and Quiche, etc.).  There is a handy Glossary of Pastry.

The book includes photos of outdoor teas, kitchen teas, Sunday teas, birthday teas and lots more.   Gorgeous china and tablescapes fill the pages.  You can find a reasonably priced used copy of French Tea at Amazon.  Now, if only I could get to Paris.

Welcoming A New Baby

How wonderful it was to welcome our first granddaughter last night.  She is a tiny, perfect, bundle of joy.  It is still hard to believe that my baby is a daddy.

I was so proud of the way he helped Jess all through the labor and the difficult delivery.  Her parents, who were also with her during the birth, said that it was very clear how much he loves their daughter. 

I held Madison for a while last night and again this morning, but I’m already eager for another visit.  There is something so very special about gazing into a newborn baby's face and watching all the cute little expressions flicker across it.

Nana (that would be me) is blessed indeed.