Tea Partys
(Newer Photos at the Bottom)

    Most of you know that when you come to a workshop at the Parlor, we must take tea also.  I encourage the "taking of tea" because it's a time of socializing, visiting and sharing.  Somehow, now a days, with the loss of tea taking and the advent of the dishwashing machine, mothers and daughters don't sit at the tea table or stand at the sink bonding.  In recent years, taking tea has been revived with tea houses, tea shops and specialty teas to enjoy.  But it's that part of an hour of sitting together in the warmth of home and enjoying a cup of steaming hot tea that creates memories for the future.
    At one event, my memories brought forth the question, "Does anyone remember supping the saucer?"  And one did!!  As a child I can remember getting to take tea with my mother and her friends and as a child, I was allowed to cool my tea a little at a time in the saucer and sup it.  Oh it tasted so good with real cream and sugar in it!!!  We did learn proper manners also.
    Recently, I chatted with a lady who was visiting the cyber Parlor and we got off on tea talk.  I mentioned how we don't bond over the sink of dishes and dish towel anymore.  She waxed nostalgic on me and said I had just brought back a flood of memories of her grandmother telling her stories over the kitchen sink that she hadn't thought of in years.
    So what will our daughters and grandaughters remember of us?  I hope it's not the trips through the fast food restaurants!!  I hope we can revive some of the traditions that our mothers and grandmothers gave to us---such as "taking tea".
    My little grandaughter, Nicole, loves to come to Grammer's house and have tea parties.  We gather up all the dolls and chairs for them and set the table.  We serve up tea and cookies or crackers and of course everyone has to wear a hat.  At three years of age she is getting very good at pouring tea and asking "Will that be one lump or two?"
    Here are a couple of pictures of our latest "Tea Party".

Mrs. Elephant needs more tea with her crackers.

Sophistication is most important in "taking tea", even if one does choose to drink from the sugar bowl!!  Poor Mrs. Busybody didn't have a chair so she needed a lap to sit on.

    Keep checking back for more tea party information.  I'll be adding links to tea web sites and other items of interest.  Send me your stories to add here.  Let's revive the tradition of "taking tea" and give our daughters and grandaughters some wonderful memories of our tea times together.

The Duchess

http://www.afternoonteaparty.com/
http://home.kendra.com/victorianrituals/Victor/herbal.htm
http://www.geocities.com/~libmary/tealinks.htm

   Suited to a Tea
Published 1995
5.5" x 8.5" soft cover  $4.00 each.
   A brief history of tea (the substance) and teas
   (the events) from ancient to modern times.
by Patricia B. Mitchell
  Victorian Parlors and Tea Parties
Published 1991
5.5" x 8.5" soft cover $4.00 each.
  "The tea meal," especially as practiced in the American
   home during the Victorian period. 42 authentic and
   commemorative recipes appropriate to reenacted Victorian teas.
by Patricia B. Mitchell
  Victorian Christmas Celebration Cookbook
Published 1991
5.5" x 8.5" soft cover $4.00 each.
 An exploration of the exuberant American approach to
   Christmas during the Victorian era. 31 authentic and
   commemorative recipes.
by Patricia B. Mitchell
  Civil War Celebrations
Published 1998,
5.5" x 8.5" soft cover $4.00 each.
  Holidays and special events during the war, in
   spite of the war.
by Patricia B. Mitchell
Keokuk Iowa 2002 Civil War Event
    When the Keokuk, IA event started 15 years ago, I was there.  My son and daughter both helped in our corn husk doll business called Shucky Dolls and Decorations.  I also worked for the MO. Dept. of Natural Resources at the Battle of Athens State Historic Site.  Marilyn Porhorsky was the Director of Tourism at Keokuk.  We worked together sharing resources such as applications for soldiers and sutlers, names and addresses and all kinds of ideas to make Civil War events successful.  During one brain storming session about food booths, I suggested we try to make kettle corn for a money maker for the Tourism Dept.  I'll never forget Marilyn and I with flashlights after dark outside a local antique establishment checking out iron kettles to buy.  The next day we went back to buy one and ended up upstairs in the house/store in an under the eves closet room trying on antique hats, fur stoles, muffs, shoes and clothes.  We laughed so hard and Marilyn said "Isn't this a hoot?"   It was the first time I ever heard that saying.  We set up the kettle corn making stuff in her driveway and started practicing.  We had several gutsy volunteers  to help.  We burnt the first few batches but drew the attention of the neighborhood kids who gladly sampled the popcorn for us!!  The Tourism secretary and her husband took on the job at the event.  They continued it successfully for 10 years.  In 1992 Marilyn fought her biggest battle---with the big C.  She did her best, but it was not one she could win.  She touched so many lives through her work and her volunteering in the Keokuk community.  We've had several Directors since Marilyn.  One was one of my Rainbow daughters from when I served as Rainbow Mother Advisor for several years.  The current Director is my son's father-in-law.  Marilyn is a tuff act to follow, but her groundwork was so well laid out that she made it a little easier for her successors.  She is always in our minds at the event and honored with her award that her husband presents at the ball each year.  She would be so proud that the event is continuing successfully.  And I know if she saw the pictures below, she  would say, "Isn't that a hoot?"


 
 

Little Miss Nicole set up her tea table out under the fly of The Ladies' Parlor on Friday afternoon.  She was so excited to be dressed in her new outfit that Grammer made for her and to get to really have a tea at an event.
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Of course Miss Rabbit and Mrs. Busybody had to come along to Keokuk for the event.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Miss Rabbit had to have help drinking from her cup.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


She was off in her own little world of make believe while many walked past absolutely in awe of this scene.  The cameras that snapped her picture were so many that she finially got tired of smiling for them.  One lady came in to ask me if she could take her picture, of which I said fine, and she told me Nicole had answered "NO" when she asked her.  I said to take it but don't bother her to look up or smile while she's taking tea.  She just doesn't take to the public who are not dressed out!!
 

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