Table of contents for July - August 2012 in TeaTime

The rounded-front corner cabinet in my dining room is filled with blue-and-white teapots, teacups, plates, and platters I’ve acquired over the years. Some I’ve purchased, but most have been gifts from my husband and my dear friend Phyllis who both share my penchant for the color scheme. It was Phyllis who gave me the charming little Sadler Afternoon Tea teapot I’m holding here, a selfless and thoughtful present I’ll always cherish. Touches of blue and white permeate this summertime issue—from elegant and upscale tablescapes to casual settings perfect for warmer weather. And the accompanying food is equally memorable and delightful. Soft scones and muffins, succulent savories, and spectacular sweets tempt our taste buds and peek our imaginations as they fill the trays of three afternoon teas that are sure to…

Blooms for Birds Attract hummingbirds to your garden with easy-to-plant seed ribbons that will give life to lemon mint, scarlet sage, and pink annual phlox. ($19; bloembox.com or 707-895-3500) Captivating Cuckoo The Chinese birds and flower designs of this enchanting Harlequin Cuckoo teapot with a burnished gold rim date back to 19th-century Wedgwood pattern books. ($100; wedgwood.com or 877-900-9973) Whistling Kettle This Alessi stainless-steel teakettle boasts a bird that sings when the water has boiled. ($175; capitalteas.com or 888-484-8327) Simple Pleasures Keep beauty and kindness in your correspondence with these artful note cards bedecked with a colorful hummingbird and floral motif. ($ 17; crystalgriffinhome.com) Lovely Lavender What better way to enjoy a peaceful summer afternoon than with a soothing, fragrant cup of Lavender Tea by Mary Lake- Thompson Ltd.? ($8.50…

Named for the time period it evokes, Wedgwood’s Renaissance Gold china brings refreshing elegance and distinctive style to the table. A decorative motif of blue ovals and gold accents sets this dinnerware apart and creates a spectacular ambiance. Gold studs on gilt place mats frame the vibrant china, allowing its intricate pattern to shine, while beaded napkin rings embellish each setting with a touch of whimsy. The luscious florals and variously textured greenery of the centerpiece splendidly complement the tones of the décor and beckon us to join the tea party.…

Raspberry-Blueberry Scones Yield: 17 scones Preparation: 15 minutes Bake: 20 minutes 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup cold butter 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup fresh raspberries 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1 cup heavy whipping cream Garnish: fresh raspberries, fresh blueberries, and fresh mint • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. • In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, whisking well. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add blueberries and raspberries, tossing to coat with flour. Set aside. • Add almond extract to cream. Add cream mixture to flour mixture, stirring to combine. (If mixture seems dry, add more…

Oregon is known for its casual way of life, friendly people, and quality food and drink. Nowhere are these traits more evident than in the plethora of tea shops scattered across the southern Willamette Valley, one of the state’s most populous regions. Enterprising business owners from Stayton (near the state capital of Salem) to Eugene (home of the University of Oregon) have created havens where tea enthusiasts of all stripes can eat, drink, and be merry. Summer, when the weather is dry and warm, is a great time to visit the Willamette Valley. With the beaches, the mountains, the festivals, and the farmers’ markets, there’s always something to do. And if all you want to do is sip tea and enjoy your surroundings, there are plenty of opportunities for that,…

COVER Photography by Kamin Williams, food styling by Janet Lambert, and photo styling by Lucy W. Herndon. Floral arrangements by Flowerbuds, 205-970- 3223, flowerbudsinc.com. Pier1 white scalloped cake stand ($9.95), 800-245- 4595, pier1.com. Raynaud Allee Royale dinner plate ($133), teacup ($110), tea saucer ($56), and teapot ($464) from DeVine, 732-751-0500, devinecorp.net. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3: Wedgwood Renaissance Gold teacup ($41.60) and tea saucer ($25.60), 877-900-9973, wedgwoodusa.com. Page 4: Chintz teapot from a private collection. MASTHEAD Page 6: Wedgwood Renaissance Gold 5-piece place setting ($149.99) and teapot ($235), 877-900-9973, wedgwoodusa.com. COME FOR TEA Page 8: Sadler Afternoon Tea individual teapot from a private collection. Johnson Brothers Coaching Scenes Blue dinner plates ($19.99), salad plates ($19.99), teacup and saucer sets ($19.99); Johnson Brothers Willow Blue teapot ($119.95) from Replacements, 800-REPLACE, replacements.com.…

Gluten-Free I just finished devouring my first issue cover to cover and was delighted to find the Recipe Index editor’s note indicating glutenfree recipes. Having just been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, I discovered that a diet rich in gluten can exacerbate it. So even though I am not allergic to gluten as a celiac sufferer might be, I need to adjust my diet to gluten-free items, a real challenge to be sure. I was so happy to find a glutenfree blueberry-ginger scone. Thanks so very much for taking the time to offer glutenfree recipes for those duly challenged. LISA MARKHAM Alabama We’re pleased that our index on page 66 of each issue is proving helpful to many with health challenges similar to yours who still like to enjoy the…

LORNA REEVES, editor Ekaterina’s exquisite Imperial Porcelain Cherry tea set is hand decorated and beautifully accented with touches of 22-karat gold. ANNE-HARRIS JONES, assistant editor Blueberry Shortbread Cookies by Biscottea are delicious alone or paired with a cup of tea, and one of my favorites is Two Leaves and a Bud’s Alpine Berry herbal blend. Great in the morning or afternoon, hot or cold, this flavorful tisane is tangy and fruity. LUCY W. HERNDON, stylist Colorful and functional, stoneware Farmer’s Market baskets brighten my kitchen and are pretty enough to use on a casual tea table. AMY HANNUM, editorial assistant Berry-embellished cards are lovely, yet practical, for keeping and sharing special recipes. The bright hues of this embroidered tea towel from Anthropologie are perfect for summer use in my kitchen…

july 14 Rose Tea 11:00 a.m. Miss Spenser’s Special-Teas New Virginia, Iowa Join Miss Spenser’s English Tearoom to celebrate the Herb of the Year—the rose, beloved for its beauty and coveted for its scent. A wonderful four-course tea will be served with samplings of delicious rose treats. Miss Spenser, a Master Gardener, will also share tips on caring for roses. The cost is $26.50 per guest, and reservations are required. Please call 641-342-1547, or visit missspensersspecialteas.com for more information. 21 & 22 Fifth Annual Jane Austen Festival 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Historic Locust Grove Louisville, Kentucky Celebrate the love of Jane Austen at the fifthannual Jane Austen Festival at historic Locust Grove in Louisville, Kentucky. Several activities will be offered, including tea workshops hosted by Bingley’s Teas, talks, demonstrations,…

Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil, and Bacon Scones Yield: 12 scones Preparation: 15 minutes Bake: 15 minutes ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes* 2½ cups gluten-free flour† 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold salted butter ¼ cup chopped fresh basil ¼ cup chopped cooked bacon 1¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons cold heavy whipping cream, divided Garnish: fresh basil and grape tomatoes • Preheat oven to 375°. • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. • In a small bowl, place sun-dried tomatoes with enough boiling water to cover. Soak for 1 minute. Drain tomatoes well. Set aside. • In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, whisking well. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse…

Tea at Fortnum & Mason recently arrived in the mail, and I put it on the shelf alongside other “company” books like Harrods World of Tea and Mariage Frères’ The Little Book of Tea. These books are worthy eff orts at celebrating famous companies and brim with scrumptious photographs. Fortnum & Mason’s offers 45 full-color pages, an elegant pictorial guide to choice delectables that accompany traditional British afternoon tea, and at least that many recipes and tea pairings for them. One glance at, say, Stilton and Fig Tart with Walnut Dressing is enough to make one renew vows of pilgrimage to Piccadilly to enjoy it at Fortnum & Mason’s famous tearoom there. Some of these recipes could intimidate even experienced cooks, it seems to me (I don’t cook, and for…

The beauty of them captivates me. Inherited bone-china teacups decorate my table like ladies in fancy gowns gathered in a ballroom. The doorbell rings, announcing the arrival of company at my home in Coquitlam, British Columbia. As I answer the door, I can’t resist a final peek at my beloved teacups, each of them memory laden. Growing up in Victoria, I spent many hours with my English grannie in the heart of Oak Bay. During my childhood in the 1950s and ’60s (and even nowadays), Victoria was the British cornerstone of Canada. Afternoon tea was taken in Royal Albert Mary’s Garden teacups, accompanied by shortbread, pound cake, and baking-powder biscuits with jam. A tablecloth edged with eyelet or lace cloaked the dining-room table. A vase of flowers from Grannie’s English…