Friday, May 6, 2011

For Mom ~ Tea Cup Memories

With Mother's Day almost upon us, here's a personal story I'd like to share.

My first introduction to anything tea related was through my mother's tea cup collection. They were delicate, beautifully decorated bone china cups and saucers, each unique and none matching. My father started her collection by buying one in each of the many towns he visited on his sales trips during the 1950's. His business trips lasted a week at a time, returning home on the weekends, and would never fail to bring back a gift  for us. For me it was some little trinket he thought I would like, although I have to admit, I was usually more fascinated by soaps/matchbooks collected from hotels and restaurants along the way. My mother would get a gift-boxed tea cup. I still remember the look on her face when she opened one: a combination of joy, pleasure and genuine gratitude.

 Years later, she displayed them on the shelves of a maple hutch purchased to match her dining table & chairs. It was definitely the focal point in our dining room making her extremely proud. One weekend she was preparing to entertain family and friends at a holiday meal in our home and decided to move the hutch out just slightly from the wall. Not realizing the upper portion had become top-heavy and listed forward, a large number of the cups and saucers came crashing down. I think it had to be one of the saddest moments of her life. She cried for days: mad at herself for taking on such a task, but more than that, the gestures of my father's love were beyond repair and irreplaceable. As time passed, the pain of her disappointment faded and she forgave herself. 

She passed away at the age of 75, only two weeks before her 52nd wedding anniversary. After my father died years later, I became the proud owner of the remaining tea cups, now my most treasured possessions. Nothing gives me more pleasure than drinking my favorite tea in them and remembering when they first made their way into our home.
 


Happy Mother's Day ~










Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Mother's Day Tea



I think one of the nicest gifts for Mothers on their special day is to present them with a meal they didn't have to cook! Taking Mom out to eat is great, but not always plausible, not to mention the crowds, the noise and most certainly, the expense.

Here are a few suggestions for an easy Mother's Day Tea. Most all can be done the day before, allowing more quality time with Mom.

* Prepare your table. Set out a pretty tablecloth, napkins, plates, cups & saucers, silverware, serving trays. Use one tray as a centerpiece with teapot, sugar bowl, & cream pitcher (if desired). An electric kettle is handy for keeping the water hot. Purchase a small bouquet of fresh flowers to display in a flower pot or extra teapot if you have one. Small tea lites or a votive candle make it cozy. Make sure they're unscented.

If the weather allows, have it outside on your patio or bistro table for a more casual setting. Even if space is limited, a few potted plants/herbs will make it garden-like. Serve the tea iced if a warm day is expected.

* Plan your menu. Be sure to purchase Mom's favorite loose leaf tea and one or two others to give as her gift. Shop for menu ingredients and specialty condiments: lemon curd, preserves, clotted cream. A small jar of honey, lemon slices and grapes for garnish add a nice touch.

* Do your food prep. Keep the menu simple: Tea Sandwiches, Scones and a few petite Desserts. Prepare your sandwiches and store each kind in a separate container. Place a slightly damp paper towel over them before covering to keep the bread moist. Scones can be made from one of the many great mixes found in your grocery or specialty foods store. Desserts can be as easy as making brownies or lemon bars, cut into small squares, and mini cream puffs/eclairs (found in your grocer's frozen food section). A small assortment of gourmet chocolates add some elegance.

* Tea Time. Turn on some soft music and enjoy. Have a picture taken of the two of you enjoying tea and present her with a silver frame for displaying it. Make it even more memorable by sending her home with a new tea cup.
Above all else, cherish this time you have together.

Happy Mother's Day ~



*** I've provided some links below that may be helpful. I love Paula Deen's video of making "engagement ring" sandwiches: very easy and great tea fare as well. Include egg salad & chicken salad sandwiches for variety. World Market & Pier One have unique and reasonable gift and decorating ideas.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/easy-party-finger-sandwiches/11005.html
http://www.worldmarket.com/home/index.jsp
http://www.pier1.com/catalog/browse/0500.home-decor