EDWARDIAN PICNIC WITH THE TEA SOCIETY
(Natalie Ferguson standing-Polly Singer seated in middle-Paula Porter with parasol)

(Natalie in a nostaligic shot dressed for a formal afternoon outing....)

(Darleen Chamberlain, drawing influence from the Titanic era- standing underneath the rose arbors.)

(Paula, also tipping her hat to the Titanic era of fashion and keeping cool in the sun...)

(Natalie strolling in the garden...)

( Here I am paying homage to Beatrix Potter with my trailing walking skirt, made by the very talented Natalie Ferguson.)

( With Natalie on the grounds- English country cottage meets the elegance of the "Gilded age"..)
(...with Polly in her lovely blue and white striped walking skirt... She defined seaside Edwardian with her soft breezy look and wonderful veiled hat...)

EDWARDIAN PICNIC WITH THE TEA SOCIETY

On Saturday, June 6, 5 members of the LHTS ventured to Richmond, KY and the historic home of famous Kentuckian and Abolitionist, Cassius Clay. Some ladies arrived in Edwardian inspired dress and others in reproduction clothing to spend an afternoon sipping iced pomegranite tea and nibbling on tea sandwiches, honey bbq chicken nibblets, tea cookies, scones with lemon curd, fruit salad, and a delectable tart with fruit and mint. After eating, we strolled through the outdoor antique faire which was set up on the grounds of the manor, and spent a few quiet moments in the rose garden before touring the wonderful home known as White Hall.

The weather could not have been more perfect and the company was especially lovely. We certainly missed the members who were unable to attend, but you were with us in spirit. We must do this again. Perhaps we shall make an annual event of our Edwardian Picnic!

For more information on one of the most eccentric and colorful Kentuckians, please read the following biography on Cassius Marcellus Clay.

TAKING A BREAK


Hello all! Is it just me or is life incredibly hectic for everyone at the moment? It seems that each week holds something even more demanding than the last, dictating where time and energy must be spent. With that said, I will be taking a bit of a hiatus from this blog throughout the summer and posting primarily only tea-related events and occasional recipes. The summer months look to be quite challenging for me with my artwork and a huge writing project that will require little time for the tea blog. However, I will still be visiting my favorite blogs and posting whenever I can. I look forward to returning to more regular blogging at the end of the summer.


Most Teafully,
Rebecca

FRANKLIN, TN ONCE MORE



It's that time of year again.....I'm leaving for an annual Franklin, TN antique hunting excursion. I hope to have some new tea recommendations once I return.

Have a lovely weekend!

HAPPY EASTER


Wishing everyone a blessed Good Friday and Easter Sunday...

TIME TO STOP AND SIP SOME TEA


Busy..Busy...Busy....These past few weeks have been quite hectic around here. Posts have been far and few between and look to be sporadic until April has passed. I've had no time to visit my favorite blogs and miss doing so, terribly. With family, school assignments, gardening, writing, tea business, AnTEAquity, and life in general, it's all a bit of a blur these days. I don't even have time to finish a drawing!

Alas, tomorrow brings lunch with the society members and an antiquing excursion. It's so nice to be with friends, doing what you love. I think this will be a perfect remedy for all of us.

Have a Happy weekend my cyber friends!

THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN THAT MAKES THE GARDEN GROW

We've been seeing two days of this...... I wont complain because it leads to.......


donning these......

..in order to lend a helping hand to Mother Nature, to be blessed with results like this.

The Glory of the Garden

Our England is a garden that is full of stately views,
Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues,
With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by;
But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye.

For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall,
You will find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all ;
The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dungpits and the tanks:
The rollers, carts and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks.

And there you'll see the gardeners, the men and 'prentice boys
Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise;
For, except when seeds are planted and we shout to scare the birds,
The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words.

And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose,
And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows;
But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam,
For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come.

Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made
By singing:--"Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade,
While better men than we go out and start their working lives
At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives

There's not a pair of legs so thin, there's not a head so thick,
There's not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick.
But it can find some needful job that's crying to be done,
For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one.

Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders,
If it's only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders;
And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden,
You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden.

Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees
That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees,
So when your work is finished, you can wash your hand and pray
For the Glory of the Garden, that it may not pass away!
And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away!

Rudyard Kipling.....

I raise a cuppa Earl Grey to all the fellow gardeners who frequent the tea society!

REST IN PEACE NATASHA RICHARDSON 11 May 1963 – 18 March 2009

God bless the family and and friends of such a talented lady. The world is mourning with you.

Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land:
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Christina Rossetti
1830-1894

BACK TO THE SECRET GARDEN


Lately, so many posts throughout the blogosphere have dealt with spring and gardening. Since my mind has been dwelling on the same topics, I thought it fitting yesterday to watch a charming little film called "Back to the Secret Garden." My son just read Frances Hodgson Burnett's original novel, which has inspired me to do the same. However, I discovered that Netflix offered this sequel to "The Secret Garden", and upon further discovery that the lovely Joan Plowright had a starring role in the film, I knew it would be worth a watch.

The film was certainly enchanting, though it could never compare with the original story of Mary, Colin, and Dickon. My 11 year old son really enjoyed this movie sequel, and I must say that there were some lovely moments in the film. It is a great film for the entire family, especially if you love gardening:-)...Oh, to be at Misselthwaite!

Below is a review of the film:

Although Frances Hodgson Burnett did not feel the need to write a sequel to her classic fantasy novel The Secret Garden, this did not prevent producer Norman Rosemont from commissioning just such a sequel. Set in 1946, Back to the Secret Garden finds Mary Lennox, the youthful heroine of the original novel, all grown up and far removed from her beloved enchanted garden in Yorkshire's Missletwaite Manor. Now living in New York, Mary comes in contact with Lizzie (Camilla Belle), a feisty Brooklyn-born orphan. It is Lizzie who tries to save the day by heading off to England and endeavoring to save Mary's secret garden, which has been literally dying in its caregiver's absence. Joan Plowright, George Baker, Cherie Lunghi, and Leigh Lawson co-star in this German-British co-production, which was originally intended for theatrical release. The American premiere of Back to the Secret Garden appeared on the Showtime Cable Network on September 2, 2001 -- nearly two years after the film's completion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

NEARING LILAC TIME

( my old fashioned lilac from last year)

Yesterday morning, as we returned home from church, we walked up the steps to our porch where we have a view of our side cottage garden. My sweet, soon to be 11 year old son, happily proclaimed, "Mom, look! The robins are in the garden and everything is bursting out of the ground!" I floated on that comment all day as it filled me with such anticipation for the new growing season.

This year, my lilacs are later than usual. I attribute that to the last ice storm that stunted the spring garden. I am thankful, though, that the garden blooming time seems to have returned to the norm this year, as recently, the garden has awakened entirely too early only to be halted by late freezing weather. I pray that this prolonged dormancy will contribute to longer enjoyment of the jonquils, tulips, lilac and wisteria...Welcome spring!

Warble for Lilac-Time

WARBLE me now, for joy of Lilac-time,
Sort me, O tongue and lips, for Nature’s sake, and sweet life’s sake—and death’s the same as life’s,
Souvenirs of earliest summer—birds’ eggs, and the first berries;
Gather the welcome signs, (as children, with pebbles, or stringing shells;)
Put in April and May—the hylas croaking in the ponds—the elastic air,
Bees, butterflies, the sparrow with its simple notes,
Blue-bird, and darting swallow—nor forget the high-hole flashing his golden wings,
The tranquil sunny haze, the clinging smoke, the vapor,
Spiritual, airy insects, humming on gossamer wings,
Shimmer of waters, with fish in them—the cerulean above;
All that is jocund and sparkling—the brooks running,
The maple woods, the crisp February days, and the sugar-making;
The robin, where he hops, bright-eyed, brown-breasted,
With musical clear call at sunrise, and again at sunset,
Or flitting among the trees of the apple-orchard, building the nest of his mate;

The melted snow of March—the willow sending forth its yellow-green sprouts;
—For spring-time is here! the summer is here! and what is this in it and from it?
Thou, Soul, unloosen’d—the restlessness after I know not what;
Come! let us lag here no longer—let us be up and away!
O for another world! O if one could but fly like a bird! 20
O to escape—to sail forth, as in a ship!
To glide with thee, O Soul, o’er all, in all, as a ship o’er the waters!
—Gathering these hints, these preludes—the blue sky, the grass, the morning drops of dew;
(With additional songs—every spring will I now strike up additional songs,
Nor ever again forget, these tender days, the chants of Death as well as Life;)
The lilac-scent, the bushes, and the dark green, heart-shaped leaves,
Wood violets, the little delicate pale blossoms called innocence,
Samples and sorts not for themselves alone, but for their atmosphere,
To tally, drench’d with them, tested by them,
Cities and artificial life, and all their sights and scenes,
My mind henceforth, and all its meditations—my recitatives,
My land, my age, my race, for once to serve in songs,
(Sprouts, tokens ever of death indeed the same as life,)
To grace the bush I love—to sing with the birds,
A warble for joy of Lilac-time.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

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.

WINTER GARDEN

When it looks like this in the garden outside....

(The old iron rose arbor)


( St. Francis is hidden among the arching ice laden branches of the tall asters-cocooning him in a natural protection from the elements)


( All the while, Gabriel stands guard over the courtyard as the cardinals flutter about looking for seed...)

.....It is of the greatest comfort to know that inside, along with a blazing fire, and pots of hot black tea, I will spend the evening in front of the television watching this man, Mark Walberg, host of one of my favorite PBS shows, Antiques Road Show...

SNAP...CRACKLE...POP...



That's what I'm hearing outside my window... We are being hit yet again in Central Kentucky by another treacherous Ice Storm...We're praying that our old trees don't all come down in mass and that we don't lose power...Tonight will be the perfect night to gather in the parlor beside the fireplace with husband, children, dogs, cat, and a nice cuppa tea....Stay safe and warm dear friends...