You're at a tea party and one of the first things you see is the lovely linen napkin placed beside your plate. It's almost too pretty to use. As you take your seat you wonder if there are any etiquette rules you are supposed to follow.
So glad you asked! You did ask, didn't you?
The first thing to do is keep an eye on your hostess. You should not pick up your napkin until she does. When she places her napkin on her lap, you can unfold your napkin under the table and place it on your lap. If it is a large napkin, leave it folded in half and place it on your lap with the fold facing you. If it is a smaller napkin, o0pen it all the way.
Once the napkin is placed on your lap, it should never go back on the table unltill you are ready to leave the table, at the end of the meal.
If you need to use your napkin, just dab the corners of your mouth with it. Do not blot your lips, leaving an ugly sipstick stain.
If you need to leave the table for a short period, but plan on returning, place the napkin on the seat of your chair. At the end of the party, when you are ready to leave, fold the napkin, loosely, and place it to the left of your plate. Again, follow your hostess. If she finishes before you, and places her napkin on the table, you should do the same. Follow her lead, even if you have not finished eating.
Most tea parties are not so formal that you need to worry about the "Napkin Police" coming to arrest you, but it's nice to know the right thing to do.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tea for what ails you
I usually don't catch colds or flu, but this year it seems they have caught me. I have a scratchy throat, and my voice sounds more like a fog horn than a human voice. I don't have fever or chills or aches, just not much energy.
So, I am drinking tea with lemon and honey, lots and lots of tea. Stash Tea makes a very nice blend of peach and ginger tea and also lemon and ginger and I've been drinking alot of those. Ginger is supposed to be beneficial for sore throats.
Hope you all keep drinking your tea, it really does help ward off colds and flu. I'm sure the amount of tea I drink on a daily basis has helped me stay well in the past and is probably why I only have a slight case of whatever this is now.
I am planning on attending a tea luncheon at a tea house in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, so I must be 100% by then!
So, I am drinking tea with lemon and honey, lots and lots of tea. Stash Tea makes a very nice blend of peach and ginger tea and also lemon and ginger and I've been drinking alot of those. Ginger is supposed to be beneficial for sore throats.
Hope you all keep drinking your tea, it really does help ward off colds and flu. I'm sure the amount of tea I drink on a daily basis has helped me stay well in the past and is probably why I only have a slight case of whatever this is now.
I am planning on attending a tea luncheon at a tea house in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, so I must be 100% by then!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Tea and Hospitality
Did you ever notice that the word "Hospitality" ends with the sound of the word "tea?" A coincidence? I think not.
There's just something so friendly and comforting about sharing a cup of tea with a friend. Tea can't be rushed, for one thing. You have to bring the water to a boil and then wait for the tea to steep a few minutes. That gives one enough time to fill a plate with cookies or cake and make your guest feel welcome.
The day's happenings then are shared as you relax, unwind and enjoy sharing a cup of tea with a friend.
I like to keep some scones in the freezer so I can invite someone for tea on the spur of the moment.
There's just something so friendly and comforting about sharing a cup of tea with a friend. Tea can't be rushed, for one thing. You have to bring the water to a boil and then wait for the tea to steep a few minutes. That gives one enough time to fill a plate with cookies or cake and make your guest feel welcome.
The day's happenings then are shared as you relax, unwind and enjoy sharing a cup of tea with a friend.
I like to keep some scones in the freezer so I can invite someone for tea on the spur of the moment.
Friday, January 6, 2012
How to Eat a Scone
Scones. I love them! Scones come in different sizes and shapes. Some are like biscuits, some more like cookies and some have a more cake like textures. I love them all!
To add to the enjoyment of eating these delicious treats, one adds lemon curd, jam, and/or Devonshire Cream to them. But just what is the proper way togo about eating a scone? Here's a short lesson, Scone Eating 101.
Just remember that scones are finger food. They are not to be eaten with a fork. The correct way to eat a scone is to break it apart. Never cut a scone in half with a knife, always break it. The lemon curd, preserves and cream should be placed to one side of your plate. Then add a little dab to the corner of the scone as you take a bite. It is not correct to spread each side with your knife. Just dab and enjoy each bite. Mmmm.
To add to the enjoyment of eating these delicious treats, one adds lemon curd, jam, and/or Devonshire Cream to them. But just what is the proper way togo about eating a scone? Here's a short lesson, Scone Eating 101.
Just remember that scones are finger food. They are not to be eaten with a fork. The correct way to eat a scone is to break it apart. Never cut a scone in half with a knife, always break it. The lemon curd, preserves and cream should be placed to one side of your plate. Then add a little dab to the corner of the scone as you take a bite. It is not correct to spread each side with your knife. Just dab and enjoy each bite. Mmmm.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
January - Hot Tea Month
January is a time for new beginnings, new dreams and new resolutions or goals. For many of us, taking better care of our health was at the top of the list. January is also national Hot Tea Month, and tea is a very fitting way to begin striving for a year of good health.
There are detox teas, teas that aid in digestion, and teas that are high in antioxidents and vitamin C.
Celebrate National Hot Tea Month by trying some new teas. Visit a tea shop and invest in at least one high quality tea that you've not tried before. You may be surprised at the difference in flavor between loose leaf tea and teabags.
Add a dash of lemon to your tea for a nice citrusy taste. I like to add a sprinkle of cinammon to my green tea.
To get the most health benefits from tea, drink at least 4 cups of tea a day.
There are detox teas, teas that aid in digestion, and teas that are high in antioxidents and vitamin C.
Celebrate National Hot Tea Month by trying some new teas. Visit a tea shop and invest in at least one high quality tea that you've not tried before. You may be surprised at the difference in flavor between loose leaf tea and teabags.
Add a dash of lemon to your tea for a nice citrusy taste. I like to add a sprinkle of cinammon to my green tea.
To get the most health benefits from tea, drink at least 4 cups of tea a day.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Christmas Tea Flavors
I love this time of the year. A nice hot cup of tea is just the thing to chase away the winter chill.
I was delighted to find some Holiday tea flavors in the store when I went shopping recently.
Celestial Seasonings offers Gingerbread Spice,and Sugar Plum Spice, both herbal teas. They also have Candy Cane Lane, a decaffeeinated Green tea. The herbal teas are naturall caffeine free. My favorite is the Gingerbread Spice. It has just the right combination of spice and sweetness to suit my taste.
Celestial Seasonings Tea bags do not come in individual wrappers as many teas do. That makes it hard to serve if you like to offer your guests a tea tray filled with many different types of teas that they may choose from. However, because their tea bag don't have strings, tags, staples or individual wrappers, they are able to save more than 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering landfills every year. So, when I'm serving their tea at a party, I make several different pots of tea, and let my guests choose their favorite flavor. That works just fine, and I'm helping the environment, too.
I was delighted to find some Holiday tea flavors in the store when I went shopping recently.
Celestial Seasonings offers Gingerbread Spice,and Sugar Plum Spice, both herbal teas. They also have Candy Cane Lane, a decaffeeinated Green tea. The herbal teas are naturall caffeine free. My favorite is the Gingerbread Spice. It has just the right combination of spice and sweetness to suit my taste.
Celestial Seasonings Tea bags do not come in individual wrappers as many teas do. That makes it hard to serve if you like to offer your guests a tea tray filled with many different types of teas that they may choose from. However, because their tea bag don't have strings, tags, staples or individual wrappers, they are able to save more than 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering landfills every year. So, when I'm serving their tea at a party, I make several different pots of tea, and let my guests choose their favorite flavor. That works just fine, and I'm helping the environment, too.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Survey
A big thank you to all who participated in the recent survey that I conducted. The results were very encouraging and helpful.
The last few months have been spent doing research on marketing and trying to find more ways to reach women. Marketing can be a full time job! Social media, blogs, internet marketing – whew, it can be overwhelming.
I am very grateful to all of my customers, for their repeat orders and for helping to spread the word about Mystery Tea Parties.
All of the mystery plans can be seen at www.mysteryteaparties.com.
The last few months have been spent doing research on marketing and trying to find more ways to reach women. Marketing can be a full time job! Social media, blogs, internet marketing – whew, it can be overwhelming.
I am very grateful to all of my customers, for their repeat orders and for helping to spread the word about Mystery Tea Parties.
All of the mystery plans can be seen at www.mysteryteaparties.com.
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