Celebrate life's simple pleasures with Tea

Valentine Tea Time with your Sweetie

2010-02-11T17:55:23-05:00

The Art of Afternoon Tea can transport you to a wonderful world of
bliss and tranquility.

Everyday moments become a Celebration when tea is included!

Let's enjoy tea with our favorite Valentine(s)!
Nothing says I love you like the sweet offering of *Breakfast in Bed* !

Treat your Valentine to this divine indulgence and you will reap the rewards!

The night before plan your offerings and make it easy and enjoyable.
Gather a nice tray or wrap a baking sheet in Valentine paper.
Check your cupboards for doilies, heart shaped or red and pink accessories and dishes.
Plan a menu that reflects the taste of your Valentine.
Will a newspaper be consumed with gusto or perhaps a good book?
And don*t forget the pretty flowers so that you can enjoy the moment too.

For breakfast might I suggest:
   *Heart shaped waffles and sausage patties ( a cookie cutter and frozen waffles are perfect)
   *Fresh strawberries sliced thin will add a nice touch of color, Red!
   *And a pot of your favorite tea with a Tea Cosie to keep it warm while you enjoy each others company

Prepare a feast for the eyes and heart with
simplicity and gratitude.

Happy Valentines Day, we appreciate you!

I'd love to hear about your tea time plans for the weekend! What will you be serving?

Tea Party Dreamin' Friday- Oh La La, Paris!

2010-01-30T08:18:46-05:00

For years now, I've dreamed of traveling. Paris, London, Charleston, SC are at the top of my list! What do these places have in common, you may wonder? For me, it's the lure of tea time. Let's plan my trip to Paris!

To stay at a lovely apartment. Chic pink decor of-course!

With a view of the Eiffel Tower, to sip my tea and relax as each day of adventure unfolds!

I dream of spending afternoons strolling through quaint villages and fabulous flea markets!

I want to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a Macaroon at Laduree's! I've just signed up for their newsletter, The Laduree Club! This way, I'll know which flavor of Macaroon will be featured during my trip. :)

Then, after a fun afternoon doing all the tourist-y things,I will sit and enjoy a peaceful cup of tea at Mariage Freres!

Have you ever been to Paris? I'm sure that there are must -sees for a tea lover such as myself! Please do take a moment to share your favorite Parisian spots! My 50th birthday celebration is coming later this year. I plan to have my photo taken having tea at one of these fabulous destinations! Au revoir!

My business meeting was tea-lightful!

2010-01-28T17:57:29-05:00

I had the pleasure of conducting my business meeting yesterday with the publisher of "The Tea House Times" at The Tea Hive Tearoom in Newton, NJ!

Now, I bet that most of you can't boast of taking tea and conducting business! I do so love my job!

Doesn't this look scrumptious!

I met with Gail, the brilliant owner of The Tea House Times, The Tea Bureau and Tea Course. She has the pulse of the tea industry at her fingertips and I always leave our meetings with a dozen ideas spinning in my head!

I will admit that the food did distract me, just a bit. :)

Look at this yummy "Victorian Purse Soup"! These little pasta shaped "purses" are filled with cheese.

As we planned our calendars and nailed down some ideas, this lovely presentation was served.

These are actually teacup display stands used as tiered servers! I love this idea! Takes up much less room on the table and you can use saucers to serve the treats!

Don't you think that this is marvelous!? And the food was ALMOST too pretty to eat! I think that when it's served like this the calories don't count, right?

So, now I bet you want a job like mine, right!? Gail and I got work done, enjoyed each others company and spent 2 hours at The Tea Hive. Life is good! Oh, I almost forgot! I tried the Cherry Vanilla Black Tea. It's now a new favorite!

2010-01-28T17:12:11-05:00

Loved having my advertising meeting at the tearoom yesterday!
When was the last time you had a tea party meeting? Thanks Gail!

Show & Tell Monday- My "Emma" Twitter Party

2010-01-25T13:02:47-05:00

Were you there? Did you see it? Janite Fans were all a gog! Waiting and Anticipating the debut of the newest PBS Classic by Jane Austen- Emma! We met at the Twittergrid site sponsored by PBS, loads of fun and a first for me!

I spent a few minutes, baking Earl Grey Cookies, steeping a Pot of Paris Market Day tea and setting the tea table with my favorite collection. I also treated myself to the new soundtrack!

Here's a cute new teacup, I couldn't resist the color or the shape of the saucer and for 2.00! Below the saucer is our tea napkin, love the soft shade of yellow. This is all placed on my grandmother's luncheon plate. And of course, a teacup cosie, the program was 2 hours, after all!

I loved all the curves and swags and shades of off whites with the pinks.

The table is set for two. The Earl Grey cookies are cooling, and the teapot is steeping. I can't believe I forgot to include it in the photo! The pretty glass cakestand is actually new, a fab find from Dawn's Hydrangea Home! She is a great source for lovely things!

I think it's time to wake up my guest! Cheers, and put next week's part 2 of Emma on your calendar
so you can join us for tea!

Tea Party Dreamin' Friday- Garden Tents!

2010-01-22T20:53:39-05:00

This week, I'm joyously anticipating the new PBS film adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma"

In this scene, from the 1996 film,Emma and Harriet are conversing and embroidering out in the field under the most fabulous garden tent! (If you have a photo of this tent-PLEASE- email it to me! I spent more time than I care to admit to, searching for it!)

Imagine, a tea party and great conversation under one of these!

Ah, my heart be still!

I can smell the tea, taste the pastries and hear the laughter!

Nicely done, Emma! Cheers!

And check out the Twitter Party on sunday!

Time for Tea with Jane! and Emma!

2010-01-21T15:13:47-05:00

Ah.......

The wait is almost over! And this is just what I needed to get back into the blogging frame of mind!

There is nothing like a great book or adaptation with a wonderful pot of tea, especially in the heart of winter!

So, my plan for the end of the week. Get the end of Christmas packed away and prepare for a "Tea with Jane" celebration for the weekend.

It's ironic that my last few posts before my blogging vacation were to celebrate Jane Austen's birthday. If you've been reading my posts, you will note that my favorite Tea Cosie collection is our Tea with Jane. I just love the soft colors and the roses and swags. I will be, of course, setting the tea table with this collection and hauling out some pieces from my collection that I haven't seen in awhile. :) I may even shoot for a quick trip to Homegoods, we'll see!

If you haven't had a chance to catch a glimpse of this new PBS adaptation, take a minute to visit my favorite Jane Austen blog/site http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/

And here's a link to PBS for tv schedules or as Emma would say "Shhedule" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/emma/

Now, what tea to prepare and delights to serve on sunday?

Any requests?

If only I could remember to whom I lent my copy of "Tea with Jane"!!

Show & Tell Monday-getting ready for a birthday!

2009-12-15T23:57:03-05:00

This week I will be joining in the festivities!

My favorite authoress, Jane Austen, was born on Dec. 16, 1775

I know that Jane and Cassandra enjoyed a good cup of tea, so in her honor I'd like to do something special!

I did a bit of surfing and googling and found that I am not alone in my love all things Jane!

I wanted to share this fabulous tea party treat (wouldn't it make a lovely favor too!)

I love that the talented cookie maker put up a wonderful tutorial on her blog so that we can recreate them!http://mischiefmaricookies.com/jane_austen_teapot_cookie_howto.html

Are you a Jane Austen Fan?

Join us, and pour yourself a cup of tea, as we plan a tea party in her honor.

Show & Tell Monday:Certified Santa Helper Week 5

2009-11-30T18:45:58-05:00

Photo by Country Living Magazine

I've always wanted to have a well stocked pantry! To have a cute one, as in the photo is a dream to shoot for.

But where to begin?

This week's Certified Santa Helper can start you off on the path to create a well stocked pantry this holiday. Print out this page, plan your holiday meals (and Tea parties) now while the grocery stores have what you need and then relax next week!

Imagine how easy it would be to grab a box of tartlet shells, open a jar of lemon curd and presto, 2 dozen bite size treats ready to take to the party-in 15 minutes! Now that's a dream come true! :)

Download Certified Santa help5 cook

And, please do hop over to Flylady.net for more helpful ideas to live clutter free~

Just had to share this wonderful pantry! http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/notes/the-farm-chicks/christmas-pantry/197221232372

Show & Tell Monday- Certified Santa Helper -Week 4

2009-11-23T08:00:00-05:00

It's week 4!I can't believe it!

Thanksgiving week is a joyful week, a time to celebrate our blessings. Time to enjoy family and friends, share traditions and plan for the next holiday.

Our Certified Santa Helper is aimed at helping you plan and stay on track. Sometimes planning for the season can be a juggling act. Let's try reduce the stress by NOT keeping track of everything in your pretty head! It's just too much, we both know it, we swear each year that we'll do it differently, yet we fall back to the old ways. So, here's a nice neat chart to print out and get all the planning down on paper to post where everyone can see and help you stay on track. Enjoy and pour me a cuppa, no sugar please. :)

Download Certified Santa help4 plan

PS- I'd love to hear how you're flying through your preparations for the holidays! Which "Helper" has been your favorite?