Table of contents for May - June 2009 in TeaTime

Although every season has special days, it seems the months of May and June offer more reasons to pull out the silver serving trays, experiment with a few new recipes, and drop handwritten notes in the mail. High school and college graduations, bridal showers, birthdays, parties for soon-to-be moms, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day; choose an event to celebrate, select a party date, peruse our tea menus, and gather friends and family members for a tea celebration. Or create a new holiday for children, as Phyllis Hoffman and I did, building on an idea my sister and I had shared years earlier. When our little ones called attention to the fact that we have days set aside for honoring mothers and fathers but not children, Phyllis and I decided to…

A great Afternoon Tea may be known as much for its harmonious setting as for the tea service and accompanying fare. All the right notes were struck when The Umstead Hotel and Spa opened in Cary, North Carolina, in spring 2008 and began a sensorial symphony that combines Afternoon Tea with one of North Carolina’s premier collections of regional and international artwork. Nestled in a 12-acre woodland containing a lake, walking trails, and meditation gardens, the hotel offers an oasis from the nonstop bustle that defines living on the Durham edge of the Piedmont region’s booming Research Triangle. This sophisticated retreat draws a devoted mix of international and local guests who appreciate world-class service, attention to detail, and a generous portion of Southern hospitality. From the moment you walk through…

It is a true pleasure to take a few moments in the afternoon to sit down with a cup of tea and a sweet treat. The confection need not be fancy—a simple slice of cake with a light glaze of icing is an ideal partner for a sip of hot tea. Uncomplicated quick breads and cakes are perfect go-to recipes for unexpected guests or for days that just call for a bite of something sweet. This cake, adapted from A Year of Teas at the Elmwood Inn by Shelley and Bruce Richardson, is one of these favored simple recipes. The daily Afternoon Tea at the now closed inn was a cherished tradition. The menu, which included cakes, sandwiches, classic scones, tarts, and savory pastries, changed monthly to reflect seasonal ingredients…

Necessary Things Page 12: Thistledown “Tussie Mussie” wraparound cozies, 4-cup size, $23.99, 6-cup size, $26.99, available at thistledowncozies.com. Tea apron, $20, and tea towels, set of 3, $24, by Anna Maria Horner, available at store.annamariahorner.com. Lenox “Butterfly Meadow” stackable tea set, $39.95, available at lenox.com. Page 13: Compendium Every Day Journals, $9.95 each, available at live-inspired.com. Mighty Leaf Tea Abaca Spa Box, $19.95, available at mightyleaftea.com. Yedi Housewares “Classic Blue Blossom” Tea For One Set, $16, available at amazon.com. MOR Teacup Candles, $46 each, available at morcosmetics.com. Cottage Garden musical jewelry box, $30, available at terrificgifts.com. Father’s Day Tablescape Pages 18–21: Arteflorum “Flower” chargers; L’Objet “Aegeango” gold chargers; L’Objet scalloped green dinner plates; Devine Corporation fish salad plates and 3-piece tea set; Nuko Paradiso napkins; L’Objet gold napkin rings; Herend-Martin…

Antiques lovers and collectors know that vintage handkerchiefs, tablecloths, fingertip towels, napkins, pillowcases, and other fine linens—especially those used to create a table setting—possess enduring charm. Linens lend timeless elegance and evoke a sense of history. It’s inspiring to imagine who held these pieces in the past or the lavish and lovely teas and other celebrations they may have graced. Prepossessing, crisp, white napkins gathered with antique engraved-silver napkin rings bring a sense of romantic reminiscence to a tea table. Adorned with a damasklike pattern along the edges, they are the definition of simple beauty. Dainty napkins, embellished with sweetly embroidered daisies and edged in frothy lace, perfectly blend informality with elegance; a matching tablecloth pulls the look together. Handworked eyelets are a vintage classic, adding interest and white-on-white appeal…

Inspired by the rich green tones of the season, this elegant salad is delightfully nestled in a delicate bread-crumb cup—a beautiful start to a lovely latespring tea. The succulent, fleshy green spears of asparagus have been a fine indulgence since Louis XIV of France popularized the vegetable in the eighteenthcentury. century He built greenhouses so its luscious flavor could be enjoyed year-round. Asparagus is a member of the perennial lily family and often produces shoots from the same plant for two decades. It remains prized as an epicurean delight. Crisp, trimmed spears of asparagus with a sweet hint of citrus, topped with silky crème fraîche in this starter, take the vegetable to a level of royalty. Served in buttery bread-crumb cups, this petite hors d’oeuvre adds a touch of delicacy…

Gratitude is an all-important value of life, and while we often make a point of showing thanks for good deeds or special favors, we sometimes forget to acknowledge those among us who devote their lives to service every day. Teachers are among the few who never seem to tire of the tasks set before them. And who among us cannot recall a meaningful memory involving an educator? Whether they teach kindergarten or college, we all should be grateful for their selfless dedication. National Parent Teacher Association Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated each year during the first full week of May. Before school is out for the summer, take a few moments to remind the teachers in your life just how thankful you are for their work. A bouquet of colorful…

To make a dazzling impression when hosting a tea, a delicious—and beautiful—first course is in order. A traditional soup or salad served at the beginning of tea will whet your guests’ appetites for the delightful fare you have prepared. In these early-summer months, garden-fresh vegetables, light and refreshing fruit, and a variety of other flavorful ingredients are perfect celebrations of the season. Often, first courses are served with heavier high teas, but a light, vegetable-based soup or a petite salad is a welcome addition to Afternoon Tea. If you have a second set of teacups or a set of demitasse cups, use them to serve the soup for an out-of-the-box presentation. Sweet peas blended with watercress create a velvety soup full of crisp, fresh flavor, while earthy carrots and aromatic…

THE HARNEY & SONS GUIDE TO TEA The Penguin Press One of the country’s leading tea connoisseurs takes readers on a traditional tasting journey with fifty-six of the world’s finest pure teas. Imagine a table set with your favorite china, a steaming teapot, and a variety of enticing teas awaiting your taste buds. It’s a tranquil late-spring afternoon, and you are surrounded with the beautiful blooming of nature. When you’ve reached a state of pure solitude, you are ready to sip, taking your senses on an intimate voyage through a spectrum of pleasant flavors and aromas sure to delight. On a mission to spread knowledge about the perfect cup, Michael Harney teaches how to navigate the complexity of the beloved ancient drink that has far surpassed expectations of popularity in…

My sister Karen and I are docents at the David Davis Mansion Museum State Historic site in Bloomington, Illinois, and the site manager asked us to present a brief program on tea for an event. We explored the history of our favorite drink, which resulted in The Art of Afternoon Tea. Because the mansion is a Victorian home, we presented the program in full Victorian garb. The first presentation was a success, and members of the community began requesting “those tea ladies” to do programs for various organizations. Because of the demand for our programs, we obtained a business license and—taking a cue from the name unofficially bestowed upon us—The Tea Ladies, Inc., was born. Our mission is to entertain our guests while educating them through a unique combination of…