"I can just imagine myself sitting down at the head of the table and pouring out the tea, " said Anne, shutting her eyes ecstatically. "And asking Diana if she takes sugar! I know she doesn't but of course I'll ask her just as if I didn't know. And then pressing her to take another piece of fruit-cake and another helping of preserves. Oh, Marilla, it's a wonderful sensation just to think of it."
~Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery, copyright 1908.
"Anne" was one of my mother's collection of Madame Alexander dolls, and the only one that I truly cared about receiving from her estate. Why? Well, because "Anne" and I have a little known shared secret. When my mother was a young girl she dearly loved reading the "Anne of Green Gables" series of books written by Lucy M. Montgomery. I can recall hearing her talk about these stories many times as I was growing up, particularly because of the very special bond we shared. You see, when I was born the first thing my mother heard the doctor announcing was, "A little redhead!" Up to that point in time I don't believe my parents had fully determined what my name would be, although several dubious choices had been considered. When my mother heard that I was a redhead, she immediately thought of her favorite heroine from her childhood, "Anne, spelled with an e," and my name was finally decided. I would be named Pamela Anne, and Anne would be spelled with an e, just like "Anne of Green Gables". I don't know if my mother considered what kind of child Anne Shirley was in those stories and that by naming me after her I might be somewhat like her, but the name took, and I was christened Pamela Anne Mursch shortly thereafter.
Back to the present...since I couldn't be officially a part of the tea party over at "Rose Chintz Cottage" tomorrow, (although I might pop in and surprise them with this story), I wanted to go ahead and arrange this little tea party today. Of course, in order for one to host a tea party, and invitation should be sent,
and so the invitation was sent to Anne's "bosom friend" Diana, her true "kindred spirit" to come over to tea one lovely October afternoon.
For "Diana", I have chosen another of my mother's dolls, this one is actually named "Rebecca", and is one of the Boyd's Collection of "Yesterday's Child" dolls. I actually had given this particular doll to my mother as a birthday gift for her 85th birthday. She is a beautiful little girl, looking much like I would expect Diana of this story to appear. Marilla's description of Diana in "Anne of Green Gables" said that
"Diana is a very pretty little girl. She has black eyes and hair and rosy cheeks. And she is good and smart, which is better than being pretty." (Anne of Green Gables, Chapter VIII, "Anne's Bringing-Up Is Begun". )
So now, everything is all set for the party to begin...The tea things are set out on the table, the tea pot and cups, the cake, and then of course, who could forget about the infamous "raspberry cordial"...
Well, unfortunately for Anne, she gave Diana the wrong bottle of "Raspberry Cordial", which ended up being Marilla's "currant wine", which had been made only for medicinal purposes...and poor Diana got awfully dizzy and sick...alas, even somewhat "tipsy"....and poor Anne was really into trouble over that terrible mistake.
My tea party didn't end up quite that way...our young ladies only sipped the tea..and the "raspberry cordial" was actually fruit punch left over from our picnic yesterday...so they were perfectly safe!
and our young ladies became true "bosom friends" forever!
The End.
I hope you enjoyed my little tea party today. Someday perhaps you can come over and have a real tea party with me! And we could be "bosom friends forever" too!
For another story of a previous tea party with "Kindred Spirits", go to the following link entitled, "A Kindred Spirit" .
Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me today. Be sure to visit Rose Chintz Cottage tomorrow to participate in the other "Anne of Green Gables" tea parties hosted by our other blogging friends. Maybe I'll see you there!
Postscript: I wanted to mention the lovely little placecard holders that are holding the cute hat-name cards for Anne and Diana. These are "COALPORT" Bone China placecard holders, made in England. My son actually found these left behind in an old house that was being renovated. The current owner had no interest in them, so he made them a gift to me! What a sweet little present! There are five of them in total, and no two are alike! 
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| I apologize that the picture isn't clearer. I was trying to get another picture when my memory card in my camera became "full"...and I do not have a replacement yet! Oh well...you get the idea! |
