I always yearn for elegance, and a British Cream Tea is the epitome.While we lived in England we discovered that tea is much more than just a pot of hot water. There are scones, with Devonshire cream and jam, cucumber sandwiches, shortbread biscuits (cookies) and macaroons. And you don't have to have tea for tea. Hot chocolate with whipped cream or sparkling apple juice are offered as well.
I often host tea parties, but my guests are usually the under tens who love pouring apple juice from the tea pot, and stirring in Sprite from the creamer. Since tea is what the Yorkshire folk call supper, my grandkids know that a Tea Party is code for lunch, dinner, or anything in between.
Today I had a tea party for grownups. I hoped it would be a memorable day, with good food and friendly chatter.
I was running a little late, and as always, the stress brought on a hot flash. Wearing my bandanna sweat band, I made the sandwiches, whipped the cream and set the table. As I was cleaning up the kitchen, I realized the water in the sink was not going down. Instead it was bubbling up on the other side. I stuck my hand down and pulled up a fistful of ground up cucumber peelings-- elegance was eluding me.
After a few minutes of digging around in a garbage disposal, I was ready to get ready. With only 30 minutes to go, I showered in cold water (to relieve the hot flash) and quickly started to do my hair. The hair dryer died after one shot of hot air, and the hot flash returned. Finding another dryer, I finished the job, and tried to cover the glowing moisture on my face with a little makeup. Miraculously I was ready on time. My face, hair and sink were dry, and the table looked pretty.
I have a collection of small teapots I thought it would be fun to use.
Aren't these cute?
Do you notice anything troubling?Neither did I. But getting the cocoa into the cups proved to be a little messy. The "tip me over and pour me out" didn't happen, because there isn't a hole on the inside leading to the spout! The hot chocolate gushed out from under the lids. I hadn't seen the print on the bottom that said For Ornamental Use Only.
Elegance is not a word I'd use to describe my entertaining. I'd use the word entertaining.
9 comments:
As I'm reading this, (singing I'm a little teapot in my head) I'm thinking, "How elegant." Got to the last photo and I'm still giggling.
Ha Ha! I think it's better when things don't go perfectly...guest feel more at home. (At least, that's what I tell myself...since I seem to have inherited your "flair" for entertaining!)
I love it! Didn't you notice there were no holes when you were putting the hot chocolate in the tea pots? It's totally something I would have done, too. Don't feel alone in that.
It took me five mins to stop laughing.
What a giggle! I know your guests won't soon forget this tea!
Classic!!! I am playing hostess to my first dinner party in thirteen years. It has been a long time due to my reluctance to have a serious social life, but I promised myself that this would be my year to socialize more, dinner parties included. The frustration of preparation and getting through the evening have also held me back. I'm glad to see I am not the only one who has those strange, comical mishaps that make time with friends something very special.
haha! even though the tea pot didnt work so well, its still adorable! I love tea pots, i recently got one thats an owl with matching cups!
What a riot....I just love it Marty. It doesn't matter...you're the perfect hostess. I love tea...and teapots too. I'd love to come to one of your parties.
Thats too funny! I wish I had been one of your guests..must have been a real hoot!...I think elegance mixed with comedy is perfect..sometimes too elegant makes things too stuffy..but some fun thrown in..makes it so enjoyable and friends usually notice all the lovely details you put into everything anyway.
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