Tea Time Traditions

Many people have special tea time traditions that they carry on with their family or friends. When we were little, my sister and I would often be at grandma's house and she had a tiny little tea set that we adored. We loved to have "tea" (which was really milk) and then we would add the sugar, and "cream" (more milk) and eat little snacks, like her mini tarts, off the tiny plate with even tinier forks and knives. You've never seen two little girls take longer to eat slices of bananas than we did when we were "having tea." We spent a great deal of time at Grandma's house, but tea time is to this day one of our fondest memories.

For a couple of years, my husband and I had a tradition of having tea each afternoon when he would comes home from work. Sometimes it was just a pot of tea, and other times I would add some cookies, fruit or crackers and cheese. We would sit down, pray for someone special, and then just talk about our day for a few minutes. It gave us time to stop, slow down, focus on others in prayer, and then focus on each other as we would share and listen. It was a nice tradition and one we hope to be able to return to when our work schedules allow.

Another tea time tradition we enjoyed for several years was Tax Day Tea. We decided that each February, we were going to take a day off together, go to breakfast, then to the accountants,
then take afternoon tea at a favorite tea house, and spend the rest of the afternoon at a garden, park or museum. It was a really fun tradition that helped to take the sting out of the bad news at the accountant's office. Again, work schedules have encroached on this fun tradition, but it is certainly one we hope to return to.

Tax Day Tea 2005

The last one has been much easier to maintain. That is a nice pot of tea every Sunday afternoon after church. It is the perfect thing for a relaxing afternoon at home.

I want to encourage you to start a tea time tradition of your own, even if it is as simple as having a pot of tea with your husband, children or a friend each day, or week, or month. It is always nice to have a quiet, relaxing tea time to look forward to, especially in this harried world we live in. But even more, it is important to take time, for a few moments, to set aside the demands of life and focus on those who are precious to us, savoring the time we have together.

These are a few tea time traditions that I really enjoyed reading. I hope you do too!

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Tea Parties of My Life
by Mary Emma Allen
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Here is an article about tea time tradition memories:
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tea.html

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Tea Time with Emma Barr
by Donna Godfrey
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This is one of my favorite tea time traditions ever. I suppose I like it so much because it is true, and also because it shows the importance of caring for others by taking the time to prepare something special, and then to sit and listen. We get so busy with things and I just love to hear Donna share her memories, because they always involve her family and friends taking time to focus on others. This is a beautiful tradition started by her grandmother that she has passed on to her children and grandchildren. I hope you are as encouraged and challenged by it as I was.
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/donna1.html

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Sun-Dried Tomato and Red Pepper Sandwiches*
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1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup roasted red peppers (rinsed and drained)
5 slices of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained

In a food processor or blender, process cream cheese, tomatoes and peppers, until smooth. Spread on a slices of thin bread, top with a second. Cut off crusts and cut into four squares with a serrated bread knife.

* We had these at the Four Season's Tea Room in Sierra Madre, California. They were a nice, zesty change to normal tea sandwiches.

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Cambric Tea
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"Cambric tea was hot water & milk, with only a taste of tea in it,
but little girls felt grown-up when their mothers let them drink cambric tea. "
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter

A favorite tea time drink of children in the late 1800's, this drink is made up of milk, water, sugar and the tiniest touch of tea. It is an American drink that is named after a white, thin fabric called "cambric." This is a perfect drink to serve if you are starting a tea time tradition with children.

Warm 2/3 of a cup of whole milk and 1/3 cup water for each child. Add some sugar and pour in a touch of brewed tea. Pour into a tea pot and serve in tiny tea cups.

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Vanilla Nursery Tea
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2 c. Milk
2 tsp. Vanilla extract or one Vanilla Bean
2 tsp. English Breakfast Tea
2 cups Boiling water.

Pour the milk into a saucepan, add the vanilla, and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Remove the pan from the heat and let the milk cool. Brew the tea with the boiling water. Steep 3 minutes. Strain the tea into the milk. Pour into the teacups and add sugar as desired. Makes 4-5 servings.