A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-12-03....Sugar 'n Spice

Billie

[MinuteGal]

G'morning.....speaking of tea, my freeper daughter-in-law started her own catering service a year or so ago. She does Victorian Teas.

You invite your lady friends to tea and she comes to your house with all the fixins she has made herself for the party or shower or whatever. She has a gleaming commercial kitchen in the basement of her home.

Dressed in a total Victorian long dress (with cut-out gloves, yet!) she sets your table with lace, china and flowers. She makes all the scones, finger sandwiches, little tarts, fresh strawberries with clotted cream, delicate soups and bisques, and, of course, you are served from beautiful tea pots in exquisite cozies, tiered silver "etagieres" and English serving pieces and tableware.

The teas from all over the world are unusual and delicious. My favorite is the Czar Nicholas Russian tea which the czar and czarina favored above all others.

You chat for a couple hours over tea, and everyone has a real unusual and fun experience. The time flies.

She also edifies the participants in an entertaining manner with the fine points of tea varieties and the history of real Victorian tea parties. After the party, she cleans up and leaves. The hostess never has to do a thing (that's the kind of parties I like!).

She's a real freeper entrepeneur and the business has turned out to be so popular, she's now opening her own Victorian Tea shop in suburban Chicago.

I went to one of her teas when I was up from Florida and stuffed myself with the incredibly yummy goodies along with copious cups of hot tea.

And yes, many men join the teas and have a ball and a feeding frenzy (delicately and graciously, of course!)

Leni

[FreeTheHostages]

Wonderful! I found some pink tea cookies to go with it all.

[Calpernia]

Cute! Google has hosted many tea parties!

[FreeTheHostages]

Hi Gail! I'm glad you and I are walking together in winter, 'cause that's surely the best season to quilt!!

[Billie]

Hi, Dansy. Thank you, sweet sistah! You know how much I like doing 'pretty'! (I'm going to post all my pretty pink stuff today!) LOL

[Calpernia]

That is cute Aqua!

A Victorian Tea

A Bit of History

According to legend, tea was first discovered by Chinese Emperor Shen Nong in 2737 BC when some tea leaves floated into a pot of boiling water. It wasn't until the mid-1600s, however, that tea finally reached England. Due to its sale being controlled by trade monopolies, and that it had to be imported from China via boat traveling around the Cape of Africa and then north to England, it was a rather costly commodity.
The first known record of tea being imported into England was the charter granted by Elizabeth I to The East India Company. This document recorded ships reaching England in 1637, but dealings with Chinese merchants did not appear until 1644.

The first merchant to sell tea was Thomas Garway who offered it in both a dry and liquid form at his coffeehouse in Exchange Alley in London. The popularity of the coffeehouse grew quickly and there were more than 500 in London by 1700. By the middle of the 18th century, tea replaced ale and gin as the nation's drink.

As with most customs in England, when having tea became an accepted practice of the Royals, it then spread down to the working classes.

As supper normally was served at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m., having tea which was served along with light sandwiches and broths in late afternoon, helped ward off hunger until then. Two types of teas developed, one called a High Tea and one called a Low Tea. The one most commonly served by the wealthy was called a Low Tea and revolved more on its presentation and conversation. The working classes would celebrate a High Tea, which was more of a meal including meats and vegetables as well as tea, cookies and fruits.

By the middle of the 18th century, the tax on tea had risen so high that tea smuggling began. This also lead to the product's adulteration as it was a most profitable commodity. It wasn't until Prime Minister William Pitt had the Commutation Act passed which cut the tax on tea from 119% to 12.5% that tea smuggling ended. Adulteration of tea continued however, until the English Food and Drug Act of 1875 which imposed heavy fines or imprisonment.

[Billie]

Hi, stainless - great seeing you again!

[Billie]

Aw, how cute - wish we'd had him TWO WEEKS AGO on the Guy thread! :)

[Aquamarine]

You two are so lucky to have a beautiful daughter, they look sweet too.

[Billie]

Hi, Colleen! Thank you! Really a fun one for me to do, finding pics of all you little girls! :)

[The Raven]

Good animation - but wait for the end.

[FreeTheHostages]

LOl, well it doesn't always work out.

Speaking of which . . . .

Is it OK if a invite the head of the Al Gore Recount Campaign -- you know, the one that threw out those pesky military votes -- to our tea party?


Since the Democrats say they're the only party for women (I guess that doesn't include military women), I thought he might fit in here and enjoy the tea party. What do you think?

[Billie]

Oh, what a sweetie she is! Thanks for posting her picture, sweetliberty!

       

[FreeTheHostages]

P.S. They say we girls are sugar and spice, but I have a good idea what we'd do if he joined the tea party, and it would be more along the lines of the Boston tea party.

[Billie]

Hey, look at 'chu making all these pretty tables with my pretty pink tables. :)

[LadyShallott]

Wow! I love Victorian charm. Can she travel to Ohio? LOL! My daughter is going to be three and she loves Victorian tea parties as much as her mom. Sounds like she is doing great! I even have some Victorian dresses. Please tell her we wish her the best in her new tea shop. God Bless-

Chris

[Calpernia]

Thanks Aqua (tries to be modest, but can't...too proud)

Lovely picture of your daughter too, Sweetliberty. how old is she now?

[Billie]

Good morning, Spookie! How exciting to welcome a new little baby girl. Hope all went well and she DID deliver on YOUR birthday - even if one minute before midnight last night. :)

[MEG33]

People who love antiques love old tea caddies .Tea was so precious that the caddy could be locked.

[Billie]

That is such a cute picture, and wish I'd had it for the pledge picture TODAY! They are adorable and perfect for today's thread. Thanks, Flyer!