Creativity

Lastly, afternoon tea is a time for creativity, spontaneity and inspiration. The hostess begins this process by envisioning the setting, the guests and the food. Nature will be her guide, as nature is always engaged in a never-ending unfolding of birth and re-birth. The plants and flowers of the season will inspire the hostess’ selection of colors, linens, dishes and foods. She will create floral arrangements and other artistic focal points to help gather and direct her guests’ attention on their special time together. She will not allow popular culture to substitute for her own creativity. Afternoon tea is not a time for purple princess printed napkins and plastic tiaras. Disney characters do not belong at a tea party. First of all, they are not real. And secondly, they are the fabrications of a corporate culture focused solely on financial gain. Sadly this false, pre-packaged “creativity” robs people of their natural artistic gifts.

Anyone can walk into the yard on an autumn morning and gather a few red maple leaves, fallen acorns and pebbles to create a centerpiece that will reflect the mood of the season. In the Japanese tea ceremony, as with all creative endeavors, perfection is not the goal. The potter who forms the cups for drinking tea in the Japanese tea ceremony often makes the cups crooked or misshapen to avoid the egotism of making perfect tea cups. In the same spirit, a person who would like to host an afternoon tea party does not need to own an elegant set of matching china. She can simply arrange the dishes she does have in a pleasing way that harmonizes with the season.

In afternoon tea, there is no limit to the number of art forms that can be included in the celebration. The hostess is free to use poetry, music, pictures, photographs or any other pleasing artistic media. And she will rely on her aesthetic imagination to arrange the linens, dishes, utensils and food in a collage that will be enjoyable for her guests. Kathleen Pedulla, one of the co-authors of this book, designed and stitched a beautiful lace embroidered pillow for her aunt Rose, the other co-author, to place on her chair while enjoying spontaneous afternoon tea parties with her little friend Melahi. Kathleen made another pillow enhanced with satin rosebuds and a large, hand embroidered “M” for Melahi, a kindergartener who has fallen in love with afternoon tea. When you fall in love with afternoon tea, you will be astonished at the many ways your creative energies will come to life.

Harmony, humility, respect and creativity are the foundational values of every civilized life. These are also the values upon which beautiful lasting memories are formed. Marcel Proust in his famous memoir Remembrance of Things Past (A la Recherché du Temps Perdu, 1913-1927) reflects on the indelible and delightful memory of eating madeleines in his boyhood with afternoon tea. These lovely little shell-shaped sponge cakes became for Proust the iconic symbols of the innocence and security of childhood. Perhaps sixty years from now, when Melahi shares an afternoon tea party with her grandchildren, she will remember her own hand embroidered tea party pillow and linger for a moment with that memory and a contented smile. 

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THE TEA BOOK
The Road Back to Civilization
A Brief History of Tea
  Philosophy of Tea
     Harmony
     Humility
     Respect
     Creativity

Guidelines for the Host/Hostess

  Gathering and Greeting
  Sharing Stories
  Sharing Food
  Sending the Guests Home

Guidelines for the Guest

  Respect your Hostess/Host
  Bring a Gift if You Wish
  Practice Humility
  Monitor Your Conversation
  Arrive With a Grateful Attitude
  Help if Help is Needed
  Do Not Criticize
  Leave Gracefully
  Send a Thank you Note

A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
Teas of the World and How to Make Tea

  A Sampling of Teas
  Herbal Teas and Tisanes
  How to Make Tea
  Making Iced Tea
  Tea Concentrate
  Brewing Tea for a Crowd

Tea Utensils and Accessories

  Tea Kettle
  Tea Pot
  Tea Cozy
  Teacups
  Plates
  Silverware
  Teacart
  Tea Strainer
  Tea Infuser
  Three-Tiered Server
  Cream Pitcher and Sugar   Bowl
  Cake Pedestal
  Trifle Bowl
  Jam Pots
  Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
  Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
  Linens
  Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation

Tea Menu Basics

  Sandwiches and Savories
  Savory Spreads and Dips
  Scones and Tea Breads

About Lemons

  Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons

     A Spring Tea
     An Outdoor Summer Tea
     A Winter Afternoon Tea
     An Autumn Afternoon Tea

A Calendar of Tea Parties

  January:A Japanese New Year’s Tea
  February:Valentine’s Day Tea
  March:A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
  April:An Easter Tea
  May:Mother’s day Tea
  June:A Wedding Reception Tea

Lemon Yogurt Wedding Cake

  July:A Picnic Tea
  AUGUST:A FAMILY REUNION TEA

A North American Family Reunion Tea
  An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
  A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
  A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea

  September:An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
  October:A Tea to Honor   Our Ancestors(Dia de los Muertos)
  November:A Post Thanksgiving Tea
  December: A Christmas Tea

  In Defense of Fruitcake:Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit

A World of Tea Parties

  A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
  A Portuguese Tea
  A Classic British Afternoon Tea
  An Indian Chai Party
  A California Tea
  A Hawaiian Tea
  An Italian Tea
  An American Southern Tea
  A Russian Tea
  A French Afternoon Tea
  A Kosher Teawith  Traditional Jewish Foods

Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions

  An Afternoon Tea for  Children
  A Tea for Our Elders
  A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
  An Urban Tea on the Go
  Tea for One
  Afternoon Tea For a Large Group
  A Vegan Tea
  A Rose Tea