Table of contents for July - August 2007 in TeaTime

Come summer, it is the little things that trigger the sweetest memories— the scent of watermelons broken open under the hot, mid-day sun; the soft, fuzzy feel of ripe peaches plucked from the tree; and the addition of fresh herbs to almost every dish from the kitchen. Summer is experienced with the nose, the fingers, and the taste buds. Perhaps a carryover from years disciplined by school calendars, it is also a time for a deliberate slowing of the pace we tend to keep. So relax, brew your favorite tea, and enjoy the season. To assist you in structuring your vacation months, we took a trip to one of the most historic home sites in America; Monticello, the estate of Thomas Jefferson. Rich with details of what to see and…

Irish poet William Allingham wrote glowingly of all the seasons, but especially of summer. “Oh spirit of summertime! / Bring back the roses to the dells; / The swallow from her distant clime, / The honey-bee from drowsy cells.” We may not be able to keep this too-short season with us all year long, but we can capture its sunny spirit with these lovely finds, and help the pleasure linger at least a little longer. 1. A pretty polka-dot tea set in the Dottie Baroque pattern from Rosanna is just what you need for summertime Afternoon Tea with friends. Designer Rosanna Bowles tailors her creations for just such simple celebrations, saying “entertaining can be effortless and elegant, and nearly any occasion is cause for a celebration, from major milestones to…

A COOLING CONCOCTION There are few things in life more soothing than a hot cup of tea. However, sometimes in the heat of summer we would rather seek cooling comfort than steaming solace. Though some traditional hot teas are lauded for their mysterious cooling properties, nothing quite does the job on 100-degree days like a tall glass of iced tea. This peachy tea punch takes the iced tea idea and adds a twist or two. Flavorful—and just sweet enough to complement savories—our tea punch is perfect for company. Serving this fruit-flavored beverage at a summer gathering will keep guests comfortable and cool. In addition to chilling the beverage, the beautiful addition of the fruit-filled ice ring pulls double duty by adding decorative charm, and offering a cooling visual effect to…

Apartment and inner-city dwellers need not forego horticultural pursuits. Balcony gardens—herbs, flowers, and vegetables grown in containers— are a perfect alternative. Choose a variety of sizes and types of containers. Depending on space, these can include pots of varying sizes, planter boxes, and hanging baskets. Remember that rot-resistant cedar and redwood containers are the best choices for wooden containers, and all should have adequate drainage holes. Most plants and flowers will require at least five to six hours of direct sunlight a day, especially root crops, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Cabbage and lettuce varietals need less direct sun. With the proper nurturing, most root crops, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and lettuce varietals will thrive in five-gallon containers.…

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is rife with history, majestic vistas, and lovely tea vignettes. Looking every inch the stately country manor that it is, Clifton Inn sits less than five miles and 10 minutes away from what is undoubtedly the most famous residence in all of Albemarle County, Virginia. The structure that now houses seven guest suites and rooms—garden rooms and livery cottages are also available on the property—is built on the stone foundation of what is believed to have once been a warehouse. The charming inn bears a courtliness that is an easy blend of historic significance, elegance, and intimacy that is both striking and comforting. And interestingly, Clifton sits in stark contrast to what is no doubt the area’s primary attraction—Monticello. Clifton…

The rainbow of flavors that infuses the summer months runs the gamut from sweet and sticky to tart and tangy. Our daring combination—a key lime scone with ginger curd—manages to capture both ends of that summery spectrum, while imparting a bit of sunshine in every bite. The scone, sweetened with sugar and moistened with heavy cream, is brightened by a measure of key lime juice and fresh citrusy zest. Purchased ginger preserves add the flavor of freshly grated ginger while saving the cook the trouble of actually doing the grating. The result? A teatime treat that will taste heavenly with any number of tea infusions. A tropical green, perhaps one that is blended with pineapple or other summer fruit, is an especially piquant pairing, or if you prefer, a Formosa…

Every year, something about summer piques a renewed interest in correspondence. Perhaps the lazy days allow more time for writing, or perhaps vacations and summer cookouts provide such interesting subject matter. Whatever the reason, we are conditioned from the days of summer camp to greet friends and family with warm notes during the warmest months. These bright floral note cards speak specifically of the spirit of summer with appropriate hues and whimsical patterns that make them perfect for a lively letter, or even a casual invitation to drop by for tea.…

C’mon Get Happy In the 1950 movie Summer Stock, songstress Judy Garland committed to film one of the most memorable performances of her career with the song “Get Happy.” The lyrics are simple, yet contain a powerful message: “forget your troubles, c’mon get happy, you better chase all your cares away. . . ” What a lovely idea—that we can usher in happiness by simply sweeping away our troubles with the wave of a mental wand. Afternoon Tea provides us with the perfect opportunity to do that very thing. Every aspect of this timeless ceremony is soothing, from the pouring of the beverage to savoring a sweet in the company of friends and loved ones. The onset of summer doubles the pleasure by allowing us to enjoy these moments in…

Q Please tell us a little about your personal history with tea. How did you come to love the beverage and the ritual? A I grew up in a military family that was English, Irish, Scottish, and Southern so there was tea on the table at every meal. For me, tea was the original comfort food. No matter where in the world we found ourselves, one of my mother’s first acts, in her new kitchen, was to take a battered kettle, travel mugs, and tea bags out of our “open-me-first box,” and brew the cup that cheers. Mom liked her tea hot, but my Southerner dad drank iced tea. Naturally, I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to ditch my milk and graduate to drinking tea. Q You are…

When both the setting and the hostess are warm and inviting, every guest feels welcome and at home; the ultimate goal of hospitality has been achieved. While some lucky people seem to have been born with a special flair for flawlessly hosting teas and other social occasions, others— despite their best intentions—have to first overcome a few obstacles. Above all, consider every aspect of an event from a guest’s perspective, and you will be well on your way to becoming a perfect hostess. Managing the Menu The heart of any get-together is always the food, regardless of the reason for the gathering. After compiling a list of invitees, pull out your favorite cookbooks or catering menus, and start planning a list of treats. Will you be hosting a summer Afternoon…

BREAKFAST • • • Clifton Inn: From eggs over-easy with fresh Virginia ham to butter-drenched gingerbread pancakes, there are options to suit every palate at Clifton. Served on the Inn’s sun-filled patio or in your room, breakfast begins with tea or coffee and a signature basket of breads—a cheesy flaky bun with a spicy kick, plus a just-sweet-enough cinnamon-laced muffin. Located at 1296 Clifton Inn Drive, Charlottesville, VA, 22911; 434-971-1800. Albemarle Baking Company: Greet the day with a choice of fresh-baked stuffed or plain croissants, a wonderful selection of scones, fruit foccacia, coffee cake, morning buns and much more. Located at 418 West Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903; 434-293-6456. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. LUNCH • • • Feast!: A combination fresh-foods market and deli,…

Cover Tea set~Beverly Ruff Antiques and Linens. Inviting Words Page 8: Notecards~available at Christine’s. Lindsay’s List Page 12: Tea set~by Rosanna Bowles in Dottie Baroque. Napkins and garden tea mugs~Anthropologie. Tea cups~Soizick by Limoges. Soaps~Gianna Rose Atelier. Tea Punch Page 18: Godinger Shannon Crystal 10 piece punch bowl set~available at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Flowers~available at Whole Foods Market. Seasonal Tablescape Page 16: Sunnyside Up china and Butterfly Teapot by MacKenzie Child’s~available at MacKenzie Childs. Yellow berry bowls and eggcups, amber glassware, placemats and napkins, bistro table and chairs~available at World Market. Decorative pillow by Sweet Dreams, tabletop umbrella~available at Christine’s. Tiny votive flowers~available at Whole Foods Market. Garden Fresh Page 22: Iron flower urn~Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. Birds and Plant containers ~Sweet Peas. Vegetable bowls~Minerva’s. China~Bromberg’s. Patio set~Beverly Ruff…

Dining, be it an intimate tea or a banquet, is always more pleasant when one is certain of the etiquette rules that dictate personal manners and behavior. Q I recently attended a tea at an upscale hotel with five friends. Because each woman placed so many personal items on the table, the server had a problem finding room for our tea foods. Please tell me the personal items that may be placed on the tea table. A Simply stated, don’t place any personal items on the table at which you are taking tea. Only the tea accoutrements belong on the table. Small purses should be placed on your lap under the napkin. Large purses and briefcases should be placed by your chair out of the path of the other guests…

Sometime in the middle of February, when the glow of the holiday season has faded and the winter cold has settled in, the yearning for the blissful, balmy days of summer comes on strong. When the longawaited season finally arrives, we revel in the warm sunshine, shedding sweaters and languishing outdoors in the afternoon. And then, fickle beings that we are, by July we complain about the sweltering heat and instead seek the comfort of air conditioning and iced tea sipped indoors. And while we have every right to take advantage of modern-day conveniences, there is something to be said for living in the present and thoroughly soaking up the gift of a beautiful day. Avoid the scorching temperatures, but still enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty, by greeting the day with…

It is no small thing to furnish the king’s table. Its supplies must not only be ample, but as fresh as the morning dew that nourishes the very vines and plants which render such royal bounty. In the case of Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie, the task was double, including, as it did, matters not only of quality, but also of quantity as well. La Quintinie was the mastermind commissioned to create the Potager du Roi—the royal kitchen gardens at Versailles under Louis XIV, a king who was as renowned for his great appetite as his other excesses. Chief among the Sun King’s concerns was setting a spectacular table for himself and his guests, necessitating the employ of more than 300 people to cater the grand couvert (grand service) required by…

While it’s true that Thomas Jefferson was a lover of coffee, referring to the steaming beverage as “the favorite drink of the civilized world,” the nation’s third president was also devoted to tea. Or at least the proper serving of it. In his Virginia estate, Monticello, the northern extension of the dining room is known as the Tea Room. This room was viewed by Jefferson as his “most honorable site,” not only because of its beauty, but also because in it he proudly displayed several busts of some of his friends and fellow patriots, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin among them. Jefferson frequently entertained dinner guests in the Tea Room at what we now consider the Afternoon Tea hour. Dinner commenced no later than 4 p.m., and tea was often…