"Make new friends, but keep the old,
One is silver, the other is gold."
Can you remember singing this song? It recall singing it in Girl Scouts while doing a round dance of sorts. My March tea was about bringing together guests that I had known nearly all of my life and some new. It was the first time in many months of teas, that none of the guests had been to my house for tea. Because we've had a dandy winter that doesn't want to loosen it's grip on us, I chose a Think Spring theme.
One of the guests had emailed me in February asking when my next tea was to be held and how she could be invited. I hadn't seen her in a very long time, so used her request as an opportunity to plan a March tea.
It is my practice to send an invitation through the mail, some I make with the use of my Cricut; or some I buy here at Michael's craft store. But two other guests were invited through messenging on FaceBook because I had had some cancellations. It was quite nice to read their responses to the invitation: "I'd love to come! But did you mean this for me?" and "I would so love to come to tea."
The other two guests are ladies I've gotten to know in the last few years, and the last few months. It was such an honor to have all of these ladies around my table on Sunday, March 23. Since no one had come to tea or had visited my blog before, I had the opportunity to share some of what I've learned about serving tea, and the fine accoutrements I've acquired to make the tea experience special.
The menu for this tea came from two of my favorite resources, Tea Time Magazine, and their marvelous book called, "Afternoon Tea, Delicious Recipes for Scones, Savories & Sweets,". To keep the room light and spring-like I chose my yellow and blue tablecloth, and used clear plates so the colors could show through. Blue birds of paper, made with the Tablescapes: Spring and Summer Cricut Cartridge perched on each teacup.
Here is the menu:
Chicken Tarragon sandwiches on rye
Broccoli Cheese tarts
Coconut Lemon scones
Currant Saffron scones
with
Mock Devonshire cream and Apricot Pineapple Jam
Key Lime Cookies
Peanut Butter Mousse in Chocolate Cups
I served Republic of Tea's Rose Tea from the Downton Abbey series; and PG Tips Black Tea
My guests received After Dinner chocolates of mint, orange and cappucino; and a bookmark made with a paperclip and teacup ribbon, from my Pinterest Board, 'I've done/made this pins.'
Conversation began with introductions and, "I remember you from school.....how are you....I wasn't sure I was going to come, what if I don't know anyone".....to favorite past times, children, employment...caring for family members....and the need for time to relax around others with a cup of tea. One of the conversations centered around our desire to find travel partners since three of our husband's don't travel. One will be going to Italy in the fall, would we like to go to Cornwall, England? Appleton, Wisconsin? Across country? Downstate? We agreed we would continue the possibilities.
This tea was as successful as all the others because people came together as old friends and making new friends, sharing some time for themselves, learning about the experience of having tea with friends, and finding a sense of peace and comfort. Thank you, gold and silver friends. I enjoyed your company! Think Spring!
