DAVID COPPERFIELD



(Dickens's Dream Watercolour by Robert William Buss, 1870)

This Sunday, the 1ST of March, Masterpiece Classics on PBS will air the 2000 BBC version of Dickens' David Copperfield...This adaptation stars a young Daniel Radcliffe( of Harry Potter Fame), Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Ian McKellan ( Lord of the Rings), and Bob Hoskins. I will be tuning in with a nice cuppa Earl Grey to enjoy another great Dickens feature.

A FAVOURITE ILLUSTRATOR



The Tea Party
by Kate Greenaway (1846-1901)

IN the pleasant green Garden
We sat down to tea;
"Do you take sugar?" and
"Do you take milk?"
She'd got a new gown on–
A smart one of silk.
We all were so happy
As happy could be,
On that bright Summer's day
When she asked us to tea.

Kate Greenaway was one of few prolific, gifted and recognized women children's book authors/illustrators in the latter half of the 19th Century. The essence of Victorian childhood is exhibited in the idealized children of Greenaway’s work. Her dreamy almost melancholy characters prance through the English countryside frilly smocks, mob caps and sunbonnets unaware of time or place.( from Old Poetry)

Click here for a complete biography of Kate Greenaway

JANE AUSTEN WEEK IN THE BLOGOSPHERE!


While perusing one of my favorite sites, Jane Austen Today, I was thrilled to learn that The Barefoot Mama Blog will be hostessing Jane Austen week next week, February 23-28Th. I have been in need of a good dose of Austen lately, and just last night started re-reading Emma; the timing of this couldn't be better for me.

With that said, I plan on settling in for a weekend of BBC/A & E Austen movies, embroidery, and lots of hot tea to help shoo away the winter dull-drums which I have been suffering from. Wont you join me?

If you are also a Jane devotee, and would like to participate, please right click and save the image above. You may proudly display this on your blog.

Finally, please stop in daily at The Barefoot Mama Blog for your dose of Jane, including challenges and other fun stuff. There will be a special culmination celebration on Saturday, February 28, so stay tuned!

A TEA POEM FOR TODAY




A Loving Recipe for a Perfect Cup of Tea
Anonymous

1 Willing friend who loves to sit and share
1 Grateful heart to have a friend that cares
1 Beautiful garden to show us God is near
Many wonderful memories of times shared throughout the years
Lots of smiles and laughter to brighten up our days
Many prayers that we prayed for each other along the way
I'm so blessed to have a friend like you to share in everything I do. For one special friend sharing a special cup of tea truly makes this a perfect recipe.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN BROWNELL ANTHONY!





Susan Brownell Anthony (February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. She traveled the United States and Europe, and gave 75 to 100 speeches per year on women's rights for 45 years. ( from Wiki)

If you happen to be in the area of Adams, Massachusetts, there will be a splendid celebration of her birthday held at The Susan B. Anthony House Museum:

OPEN HOUSE AT SUSAN. B. ANTHONY BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM
The historic birthplace of Susan B. Anthony will be the site for an Open House to celebrate the suffragist's birthday on Sunday, February 15, from 11:30 am to 2:30 PM. Located at 67 East Road, the Federal style home was built by Anthony's father, Daniel, in 1818 and his famous daughter was born there two years later. The house has been on the National Register of Historic Places for 24 years; the dream of making the house into a museum has persisted since 1910.

The plans for the museum will highlight the familial and regional influences which shaped Miss Anthony's early life. In addition to professional building assessments and environmental impact studies, the development of the museum includes cooperation with the Adams Historical Association and has employed textile and women's studies historians. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. ( from the Museum's website)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM THE TEA SOCIETY



The Victorian's were great believers in symbolism and few jestures proved this more than when receiving flowers. Given that Valentine's Day is tomorrow, I thought it appropriate to include a sampling from The Language of Flowers. Whenever a Victorian lady received a lovely bouquet or even a single flower, she could decode the hidden meanings of the flowers sent to her by her suitors.



The Language of Flowers

Carnation- Fascination

Chrysanthemum- Friendship

Daisy- Loyal love

Orchid- Love and beauty

Lily- Purity and sweetness

Red rose- Romantic love

Pink rose- Secret love

Yellow rose- Friendship

White rose- Innocent love

Rose, Yellow & Orange: Passionate thoughts

Forget-me-not- True love

Baby’s Breath: Happiness

Lilac, Mauve: “Do You Still Love Me”

Honeysuckle - The Bond of Love

Ambrosia: Your Love is reciprocated

Camellia, red: You’re a flame in my heart

Camellia, white: You’re adorable

Forget-me-not: Faithful Love, Memories

Hibiscus: Delicate Beauty

Hyacinth, purple: I am sorry, Please forgive me, Sorrow

Oleander: Beauty and Grace

Periwinkle, White: Pleasures of Memory

partial list and vintage photo found at Art of Manliness

HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY, MR. LINCOLN




When I think of a list of great historical figures whom I would love to have had tea with, Abraham Lincoln would have to be at the top of the list along with Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and C.S. Lewis.

And what tea would I serve Mr. Linclon? Well, Elmwood Inn's Kentucky Blend of course...Nothing less for a Kentucky-born President.

Happy 200th Birthday, Mr. President.

HERBAL INFUSIONS FOR COLD AND FLU SEASON



Tis the season for colds and flu and I am still recuperating, as are many of you in the blogosphere, from what has been one of the worst colds I’ve ever had. The doctor reported that it was indeed viral so basically, I had to suffer through and cope..

Of course, it is crucial to drinks lots of fluids when dealing with a cold or flu and I can’t recommend any better natural remedy than hot herbal tea. Many of the herbs used in infusions like, sage, thyme, oregano, and rosemary, are strong antioxidants and contain essential oils that can aid in alleviating cold and flu symptoms.

Perhaps instead of reaching for the Theraflu, you might try one of the recipes below...


Sage

Sage, whose Latin name salvia means to heal, was considered to be one of four sacred plants by Native Americans. For irritations or inflammation of the throat try gargling with a mixture of sage and apple cider vinegar sweetened, if you must, with a little good quality honey or sip a soothing hot infusion.

Recipe for an herbal tea infusion:

Pour a pint of boiling water onto 1oz of dried sage leaves or 1 tbsp of fresh and leave for 5 - 10 minutes. Drink a small glassful of the strained tea throughout the day. Sage can help to restore appetite as well.

Thyme

There are many varieties of thyme but common garden thyme will be effective for helping you fight off sore throats and colds. Try it when you have a cough or to clear mucus from your chest. It was once used on bandages to prevent infection and is even reputed to be a hangover cure and can lift your spirits.

Thymol the active ingredient in thyme is one of the strongest antiseptics known. It has also been used to treat fungal problems such as athletes' foot and is reputed to be a hangover cure.

Thyme herbal infusion recipe:

Use 1 tsp of dried leaves or a couple of sprigs of fresh leaves for each cup of boiling water. The time you leave it to infuse is a matter of personal taste and can be from 5 - 15 minutes. Strain and slowly sip 3 cups a day inhaling the vapors until your symptoms improve. You can also crush some fresh leaves gently in your hands and inhale the vapors.


Oregano

Oregano also known as pot marjoram has a high thymol content too. It is one of Nature's most powerful natural health remedies against bacteria, viruses, yeast and fungi and has been used as a natural herbal remedy since ancient times. It can be used to treat sore throat, coughs and colds as well as loosening phlegm in the bronchial tubes.

Oregano is used extensively in cooking throughout the Mediterranean especially as an ingredient of pizza and combines well with thyme and rosemary.

Oregano herbal infusion recipe:

Infuse 1 tsp dried oregano or 3 tbsp fresh leaves in 8 oz boiling water for 10 minutes, strain and sweeten with a little good quality honey if wanted.

Rosemary

Rosemary or Rosmarinus officinalis is related to the mint family of plants and is one of the oldest Mediterranean aromatic shrubs in cultivation. With its attractive leaves and pretty blue flowers it is a favorite for kitchen gardens.

Rosemary tea can help bring relief for colds, catarrh, wheezing and bronchitis clearing phlegm from the chest. It’s also good as a gargle for a sore throat. Infuse sage with rosemary and use as a gargle for a sore throat.

Rosemary herbal infusion recipe:

Use 2 tsp of dried rosemary to a cup of boiling water. The addition of fresh ginger root and lemon peel makes this a delicious healthy herbal drink.

Here is the recipe:

1 small bunch of rosemary, leaves gently bruised with a spoon.
1 inch thumb of ginger, sliced into rounds
The peel of two unwaxed or organic lemons
6-8 cups of boiling water

Place the rosemary, ginger and lemon peel in a large teapot. Add the boiling water and leave to infuse for approximately five minutes. Strain and sip slowly. You can add a little good quality honey or sugar if you wish to sweeten.

While modern medicine is still searching for a cure for a cold the history of healing herbs goes back thousands of years. Give these herbal tea recipes a try next time you are trying to shake off the winter bugs.

Recipes from the Complimentary & Alternative Medicine Community

WELCOME TO AnTEAquity



At long last, the AnTEAquity blog is up and running. The first post is about Josiah Wedgwood and the famous pottery company bearing his name.

This has been such an exciting adventure for me to break into the world of antique dealing, if only on a small scale to begin with. I have spent several years of my life studying art history and antiquities so to apply that love with years of collecting tea-related items is simply a dream come true. I hope those of you who enjoy the postings here at the Tea Society will find AnTEAquity of some interest, and you just might find an item or two that you can't live without. Please stop by the blog and read the mini bio on Josiah Wedgwood.

The antiques and vintage tea ware featured at AnTEAquity will be available for purchase on March 1st through eBay so please check back, email me, or post a note if something strikes your fancy. I plan to feature different items weekly, with a bit of history thrown in for good measure, until the shop officially opens in March.