Table of contents for September - October 2007 in TeaTime

For several years, we have been a part of a supper club—a group of four couples who gather once a month for dinner, rotating among our homes. In the beginning, we were acquainted with only one of the other couples, but over time, we all have become fast friends. The idea that prompted the club was really a quest to set aside some time for formal entertaining. Many of our gatherings are themed, others are not. But every occasion presents an opportunity for the hostess to choose a menu that allows her to excel in the kitchen. Lovely linens, prized china and crystal, exquisite centerpieces, and dressed-up dinner companions are all part of our monthly get-togethers. We occasionally opt for a progressive dinner, going from house to house with a…

Feels Like Home Something about autumn simply feels like coming home. Perhaps this feeling is rooted in the many comforts the season offers, such as the donning of cozy sweaters and the familiar crunch underfoot of colorful leaves. Whatever it is, even if intangible, is definitely undeniable. And with comfort being practically the heart and soul of our beloved beverage, tea by its very nature goes hand in hand with all things fall. Not only do we need to be warmed from the inside out as the temperatures drop outdoors, but we also find ourselves wanting to set aside time to enjoy the beauty of this seasonal change. Find your favorite teapot, head outside with a blanket and a book, and revel in the beautiful weather before winter settles in.…

Q. Please tell us about your history with flowers, what brought you to having a floral business, and the passion that drives that business. A. Flowers have always been a part of my life. My mother says that as a child I picked flowers from her garden and “arranged” them in paper cups. I also remember playing with my tea set and putting little bouquets on the table with my doll-sized teacup. Then, as a young married woman, I bought a few fresh flowers each weekend for our table and nurtured them into the next week, supplementing from my own garden. As you can see, I love flowers, and I cherish their stability in the order of our lives. So many things change with regularity, but we can count on…

School days, school days, dear old golden rule days.” It’s amazing how one simple line can immediately conjure a myriad of childhood memories, all different yet each having to do with a crucial time in our lives. With the onset of fall comes the exciting rush of a new school year—new classes, perhaps some new friends, and, of course, new notebooks, pencils, and protractors. Even though most students are not anxious to start the impending quizzes, tests, and hours of homework, few can honestly deny an eagerness to reunite with classmates after summer break. Take advantage of this longing for quality time with friends and host a “Back to School” themed tea for the children in your life. A lovely and casual Afternoon Tea will help ease most students into…

Crisp, cool autumn air is a respite after the sweltering days of summer. No longer reluctant to spend an afternoon outdoors, we welcome any opportunity to breathe in that fresh fall feeling. Whether it’s a back-to-school outing, a walk to admire the leaves’ changing colors, or even an adventure in apple picking, we relish a return to the outdoors. And what better way to warm the chill of autumnal breezes than with a hot cup of apple cider? The name alone of that sweet, steaming drink instantly brings to mind all the pleasures of the season. Just like treasured tea, there is a quiet power in that cup. We took that sentiment one step further and poured the memorable flavor into a decadent scone. Dense and rich in texture, the…

Basic business and social etiquette conventions: • Do rise, regardless of gender, to greet and shake hands with your guests • Do try a little of each course served at tea. • Do avoid talking with your mouth full. Take small bites, and you will find it easier to answer questions or join in table talk • Do wait until you have swallowed the food in your mouth before you take a sip of tea. • Do place your napkin on your chair when you briefly leave the table. • Do place your knife and fork in the 10:20 “I am finished” position when you have finished eating. Visualize a clock face on your plate. Place the tips of the utensils at the number ten and the handles at the…

1. Whether used to serve petite sweets at teatime or as an accent piece in your home, this earth-toned serving tray is a chic addition to any setting. The monogram decoration also makes it a perfect wedding gift. Find one at The Royal Standard. 2. There is simply no limit to what can be created with flowers. By using small, tight buds in contrasting colors, the talented designers at Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market fashioned this lovely arrangement for a special occasion. The extra thought and effort will make guests feel appreciated at Afternoon Tea. 3. Serving the same purpose as a wreath, this moss-covered initial provides a fresh twist on an old classic. Little details like this make any event more memorable, even if it’s just a friend stopping by…

TThere’s a feeling in the air this time of year—a curious but comforting combination of cooler temperatures and warmer colors, favorite sweaters and green football fields both ready for wear, and school supplies aplenty ushering in the captivating season of fall. Even though we learn the schedule of the seasons before preschool, the arrival of autumn always seems to catch us by surprise. Suddenly, on an otherwise hot summer day, a crisp, defiantly cool current of air will breeze past, and we are once again reminded of that sweet time of year awaiting full descent. Whether you spend autumn back in the classroom, readying your home for winter, or even in the office, set aside an afternoon to properly and officially welcome the season and neighbors. While hayrides and tailgating…

If there is a pampering pleasure that can top sleeping in on a chilly autumn morning, it is the sheer indulgence of enjoying the day’s first cup of tea with a waking hour of solitude. A simple breakfast served on a beautifully arranged tray adds to the feeling of extravagance, along with a favorite book to read as you relax. Homemade Lemon English Muffins— warm, golden, and fresh from the griddle—accompanied by hand-mixed Apricot Honey Butter allow you to linger a bit in the cozy cocoon of your bed with a second cup of tea as you savor the possibilities of the day ahead. LEMON ENGLISH MUFFINS Makes 16 muffins 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 package active dry yeast 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup shortening, melted…

There are endless invitation options available to any hostess, which, while convenient, can be somewhat overwhelming. And despite the many varieties, from frilly and elaborate to streamlined and classic, sometimes the perfect invite you had in mind simply doesn’t appear on the shelves A special event calls for a special invitation, such as the one chosen for the Autumn Progressive Tea. To create your own, simply select lovely papers, have the invitation printed—or do it yourself using a computer and a printer—and assemble. Use glue or double-sided tape to secure the top sheet to the bottom. Use a small hole punch to create two holes at the top of the backing sheet. Embellish by inserting pretty ribbon down through the right hole, under the page, and up through the left…

the menu SAVORIES Herbed Crabmeat Tarts Florentine Wontons Fig, Pancetta, and Stilton Bites Zucchini Cups with Smoked Trout Cream SCONE Apple Date Scones Brandied Caramel Cream SWEETS Treble Clef Tortes Rosemary Shortbread with Pear Preserves Earl Grey Infused Crème Brûlée There is a reason why Truman Capote’s famed black and white gala of 1966 is still spoken of as “the party of the century.” Held at the Plaza Hotel in New York, it was the talk of the town. The masked ball boasted a high-wattage array of more than 500 notables and celebrities, among them Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, and Harper Lee. Guests were required to wear either black or white or a combination of the two—the men in tails and tuxes, the women in glittering gowns. Capote’s concept was…

Few feelings are as precious as knowing your favorite teacup came to your table by way of a loved one who left this keepsake in your care to preserve for generations to come. Family heirlooms are almost always among our most revered possessions, not only because they are handed down as gifts to cherish, but also because they serve as very personal links to the past. The sense of legacy that comes with sipping from grandmother’s teacup and wondering what special occasions in her life might have once called for its use is anchoring and profound. Why keep such treasures to yourself? Tea and tablewares, in particular, are perfect for decorative display. Whether in a china cabinet, on a single shelf, or artfully placed throughout the home, these pieces should…