Tea Party

Despite what some of our fellow humans may have done to tarnish the name (bless their hearts), there are some of us out here still celebrating the sacrement which is good old fashioned tea time. Speaking of tarnish, there was none of that yesterday at the lovely, quaint afternoon tea at Rachel's. She had perfectly polished and cleaned all the family silver and the crystal so that it quite delightfully caught the angled late winter sun through the southern window.





Rachel, ever thoughtful and right on time, posed the idea to a few of us gardeners and self-proclaimed lovers of old-fashioned beauty that we gather and share a moment in honor of "the last hush of winter", before we all become beside ourselves with our gardens and lives in the hustle-bustle of spring.
The timing of such a moment couldn't have been better, as this weekend has welcomed so many harbingers of spring- the old trusty pair of wood ducks visited Susie and Todd's pond for a few hours Friday morning on their way to their spring breeding grounds, the first peepers (spring frogs) were heard in the holler Friday night, comfortable temperatures have the snow melted even in the dark cold mountain coves, mineral rich nettles are poking their tender little heads up through the dark soil, maples are blooming, and the late February air smells fresh and of spring.

The tea was simple and wonderful. Rachel brewed an English breakfast, for those of us who like the black, and a rooibos chai (no caffeine). Sugar, honey and cream were available in beautiful silver, amidst the menagerie of her grandmother's colorful variety of china tea cups and saucers. It was such a stunning spread. She had also dipped dried bananas, mangos, pineapples and ginger in dark chocolate and made a plate of gluten free cheese and crackers. Sweet and salty popcorn, drizzled in dark chocolate, was also a favorite.




The afternoon was sweet, sitting in Rachel's living room, sipping tea and visiting with friends. A simple yet very important ritual in this day and age of so much being virtual and high speed. Sipping tea and chatting face to face in real time- no phones, no computers, no political agendas- is something we as a species need to remember how to do. Seriously. And while we're at it, why not make it gorgeous?

At the end of the tea, a small few of us lingered around the table and swapped seeds for this year's flower gardening. This is one of my favorite all time activities ever. Too bad I forgot my seeds to give away. Rachel and Laura graciously shared with me anyways.

Here's to the end of winter and to lovely tea-time moments!