Afternoon Tea Week August 12 -18....

History of Afternoon Tea Week...

Afternoon Tea Week was established to help preserve a tradition that has graced British afternoons since the 1840’s. In those days, dinner often wasn’t served until 8 pm, and lunch wasn’t actually a thing. So what did Victorian lady's who wanted to lunch do? They created a new mini-meal in the middle of the day. Traditionally this meal includes tiny finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and sweet dainties like cakes and pastries to help lift the spirits, bolster energy, and see you through the rest of the day.

This simple afternoon meal grew into a social event, especially for those who spent their lives in the upper echelons of the day’s society. This became even more prominent once Queen Victoria herself took part in this tradition. At that point the concept of the ‘tea reception’ was born, lavish and fancy afternoon events that could host anywhere from a close collection of friends to a couple hundred of society’s most important people.

As the name suggests, tea was a central part of this meal, a tradition started by Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford. She often found herself feeling weary or worn down in the middle of the day, and a pot of tea with a snack just seemed to be the best way to take care of it. She soon invited friends to join her for walks in the field, and the affair that would become Afternoon Tea began.

How to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week

Celebrating Afternoon Tea Week is simple, for the length of a week take a break for Afternoon Tea as part of your day. Warm tea, a few sweets, and a small refreshment will help lift your spirits and drive you through the rest of your day. If you really want to go all out you can organize a tea party, and even go so far as to wear Victorian Costume to honor the history of this holiday. Even if you just have a cup of tea each day. 

Rumor has it that High Tea is coming to Blue Ridge, GA soon...I'll keep you posted! Remember Afternoon Tea Week and take a few breaths to Keep Calm, and Carry On.

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

25 Signs That You Are Officially On The Right Track to Being “Old"....

I've always considered myself pretty level headed, fairly intelligent and having a pretty positive outlook on life, but things are changing.  Oh no…. I’m getting old and, oddly enough, I seem to like it! There are far fewer hangovers, considerably fewer terrible decisions being made and many more meaningful friendships.
Life is still fun, but it seems to be a different type of fun.

How do you know you are officially on track to being “old”?
Well your life may look a little something like this:

1.  A massage is literally what you need right now.
2.  What doesn't hurt is currently numb.
3.  That sparkle in your eye is from the sun hitting your bifocals.
4.  Your mind loves to make deadlines your body can't complete.
5.  You wake up early on days you can sleep in.
6.  You consider going to the Costco a “busy weekend.”
7.  People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
8.  You had a brief moment when you literally forgot how old you are.
9.  Teenagers exasperate you.
10. You no longer know every song on the radio…
11. …but you can sing along with the elevator music.
12. You finally know all the answers, but the kids have stopped asking you the questions.
13. You have reached the top of the ladder and find that it is leaning against the wrong wall.
14. You no longer care what you look like when going to the Quickie Mart down the street.
15. A fine wine is your new beer.
16. You turn out the lights for economic rather than romantic reasons.
17. You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
18. You know to avoid certain drinks/shots…
19.  …and you actually avoid them.
20. You know what the word "equity" means.
21. You have a “dream home” board on Pinterest.
22. A fire in the fireplace makes you happy…..
23.  … and so do new socks.
24. You firmly believe that the Dyson Ball vacuum is one of the greatest inventions of our time.
25. You’ve had to look up internet slang…. HAND, TTYL

Cheers!
Lori D.

A letter to my friends...

My Friends, 

We all lead very busy lives, our days are jam-packed with work, family, hobbies, study, and many social and service obligations.  The gift of your time and loving support has been a blessing throughout the years. Today I dedicate this blog post my friends past and present. I want you to know how grateful I am to have you in my life and how much you mean to me…

Thank you for not letting time or distance affect our friendship. (You know who you are, my long distance friends)

Thank you for asking how I’m doing, and actually wanting to hear the answer. Thank you for making time for me, even on your busiest days.

Thank you for being there for me through some of the most difficult times in my life. (My father’s emergency lifesaving surgery, abusive relationships, difficult career choices…)

Thank you for being genuinely happy for my success & good fortune, as if it were your own.

Thank you for forgiving my faults and lapses in judgment, and for tolerating my idiosyncrasies (e.g. my zero toilet paper phobia; don't lie, I know you want one).

Thank you for always being my friend, not just when it was convenient.

Thank you for being honest with me when I really needed you to be. (Does this make my butt look fat? giggle)

Thank you for hugs, smiles, inside jokes, and adventure memories. (Especially while camping)

And….

Thank you for understanding that I could never write a long enough blog post to express how much you all mean to me.

  

I firmly believe that friendships are the greatest earthly treasure we have, and unlike material possessions, friendships may follow us into eternity. 

If this message has sparked any memories of friendship, please share by commenting below. :)

Cheers!

Use a Coaster Dude!



Felt Coasters

We entertain a good bit and always start with drinks and appetizers in the living room. Our friends and family are generally well mannered and always respectfully of our home with one exception, the use of drink coasters. When guests dress up for an evening at our house, they’re expecting a sophisticated event: superb food, a relaxing atmosphere, great conversation, fine china... the works.



Red Elm Coasters

Our home is not a lofty castle, but it is our little castle. I’ve read that lack of respect for belongings is similar to dragging one's cashmere coat through the mud--the idea that if you can afford it, you can afford to have it maintained, abused, neglected, or replaced. Honestly, I can't afford to be cavalier about ruining the furniture. I love entertaining and enjoy our guests, I just wish they would be more mindful of where they leave their cocktail glasses and always use a coaster.



Fused Glass Coasters



Etsy has hundreds of fun, funky, and traditional coasters; I think I’ll purchase some before the holidays. All coasters pictured in this blog are available for sale. Just click on each picture to see the Etsy listing. Thanks for stopping by…cheers!



Very Cute Bear Rug Coasters

 

Afternoon Tea

Today I'm suffering the Flu and found a spot of tea very soothing to my sore throat.  Tea time was enjoyed by my English ancestors, and the tradition was passed down by my Grandmother.  The collage above displays some of my favorite 'Tea Time' Esty finds.  Below is the definition of English Afternoon Tea.......Ahhhh.........

Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3pm and 5pm. The custom of drinking tea originated in England when Catherine of Bragança married Charles II in 1661 and brought the practice of drinking tea in the afternoon with her from Portugal. Various places that belonged to the former British Empire also have such a meal.

Traditionally, loose tea is brewed in a teapot and served in teacups with milk and sugar. This is accompanied by sandwiches (customarily cucumber, egg and cress, fish paste, ham, and smoked salmon), scones (with clotted cream and jam) and usually cakes and pastries (such as Battenberg, fruit cake or Victoria sponge). The food is often served on a tiered stand; there may be no sandwiches, but bread or scones with butter or margarine and optional jam or other spread.

Click on featured item below to go to the Etsy Shop:

1. Knitted Tea Cozy 

2. Tea Tins

3. Tea Cup

4. Toy Tea Set