Come and Share a Pot of Tea

"Come and share a pot of tea,

My home is warm and my friendship's free."

~If Teacups Could Talk~

Emilie Barnes

Hello Dear Friends~

I'm writing this on Tuesday afternoon~but you won't see it until Wednesday morning, since I already posted something earlier today, and I don't want to "overdo it" with too many posts in one day!

I just couldn't wait to write again, because I had such a lovely tea time this afternoon...and I so wanted to share it with you, my "long-distance friends" in blogland!

"There is magic in long-distance friendships.

They let you relate to other human beings 

in a way that goes beyond being physically

together and is often more profound."

Diana Cortes

The Art of Tea and Friendship

Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together

It was another rainy afternoon here...for which we are most thankful...so I cannot complain of the rain! As has become my new tradition here lately, I awoke from my nap and wanted a cup of tea! Some days I just fix an ordinary mug of tea and let it be...but today it seemed right to bring out the dainty tea things and savor the moment!

"A combination of fine tea, enchanting objects

and soothing surroundings exerts a therapeutic effect

by washing away the corrosive strains and stress of modern life...[it] induces a mood that is spiritually refreshing...

[and produces] a genial state of mind."

John Blofeld

The Art of Tea and Friendship

Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together

I remembered that I had this lovely old tole painted tray (from my parents' home!) way up high on a shelf in my dining room

(this one below is a different one, but the green one above was up on the same shelf)

and I had to do some fancy stepping and reaching to get it down without calling on anyone to help me, because I knew they would not see the value of such a venture and 

would most likely refuse to help. (You know how men are when it comes to tea parties...)

I managed to do it without straining or lifting anything heavy or breaking anything, but let's just keep that between you and me, okay? ~ 

Anyway, as I said, this beautiful old tray came from my parents' home and has been around for many years...it seemed a shame to keep it up so high where I couldn't use it...so most likely it will be staying within reach for a while (because I can't get it back up on the shelf without help! And I'm not going to tell anyone that I got it down by myself...or I'll be in big trouble.  Not supposed to do anything too strenuous since my surgery...but this didn't hurt a bit...just don't tell on me, okay?)

"I wish we could sit down together,

and have a cup of tea,

but since we can't,

when you have this one,

I hope you'll think of me."

Author Unknown

The Art of Tea and Friendship

Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together




I love to use special tea cups and tea pots when having a quiet tea time. The blue Hall Teapot belonged to my Grandma Mursch (paternal), and is a treasured favorite. The sweet teacup and saucer with the bluebird and flowers was a gift to me from a dear friend who was down-sizing and moving to a retirement home, and she wanted me to have her mother's tea cups. 
(You can read more about this special gift HERE).

"I like to..think about the houses and the drawing rooms, 

the kitchens and the cupboards where the teacups were kept.

And the people who cared for them and what they thought

and felt and loved and lost.

For as a wise French writer once said,

"The reconstitution of the past is a delicate pleasure of which 

one should not be deprived."

~Geraldine Holt

If Teacups Could Talk

As I sat there sipping my tea I enjoyed watching the rain gently falling down and the birds still coming and going in search of a dry seed or two...

This juvenile male cardinal is still getting his new plumage, so he looks like he is molting...but he's very young. Soon he will sport bright red feathers just like his father.

Proverbs 8:6(NKJV)6 

"Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,

And from the opening of my lips 

will come right things..."

About the time I was putting away my tea things, my hubby went out to get the mail, and brought back in this lovely card, which came to me from a dear friend in another state. I've been trying to reach her for a while on the phone, but she is traveling a lot and we just haven't been able to connect. However, she'd heard that I'd had surgery, and sent this beautiful card with a delightful note to encourage me to Get Well Soon!

"I'm sending you love and tea,

To warm your winter's day.

Think of me as you pour your cup

and all the good things we would say.

If we could be together now

instead of miles apart,

We'd sip our teas and memories,

The sweet warmth fills the heart."
Susan Young

The Art of Tea and Friendship

Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together

Such a perfect ending to an extra perfect day!

"Somehow, taking tea together encourages an atmosphere

of intimacy when you slip off the timepiece in your mind

and cast your fate to a delight of tasty tea,

tiny foods, and thoughtful conversation."

Gail Greco

The Art of Tea and Friendship

Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together

"May this tea be steeped with love

For friendships sent down from above."

Sandy Lynam Clough

The Art of Tea and Friendship

Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together


I hope you'll join me again for tea real soon!

Quotes from the book The Art of Tea and Friendship, published by Harvest House Publishers.

Quotes from the book If Teacups Could Talk, by Emilie Barnes, also published by Harvest House Publishers. 
 These are two of my favorite books about Tea!

Oh! And just so you know...this handy picker-upper-grabber is what I used, along with a very light weight step stool, to reach up and grab that tray off the shelf without having to stretch very far or climb very high.  I wouldn't recommend it for something breakable, but since the tray was metal and actually had a handle I could grip, this worked out just fine.  But it's still our little secret, okay? Okay!  Have a blessed day my friends!!  Go drink some tea!!

The End.