I was raised on a farm in rural South East England. I loved sitting round the farmhouse table in our big kitchen at tea time. I remember tea times more than I remember other meals we shared as a family.
Tea times were extra special when my grandparents would come to visit. Granny would always arrive with wonderful tea cakes, pink and white sugar mice and iced buns! We would use the best china. I have such sweet memories of drinking tea from my special little cup, and eating sandwiches that had been carefully cut in to small portions so that my little fingers could hold them daintily in one hand, never two. That was considered very bad manners! Scones, clotted cream and home-made strawberry jam were always available. A slice of my Mum’s special coffee and walnut cake was the part I looked forward to the most.
When someone offered to pour the tea at home, they’d ask “Shall I be Mum?” which means that they were offering to play the mother’s role of hosting the tea, by pouring tea in to everyone’s cups. Being a great host is more important than preparing an amazing meal. It is about knowiing how to make your friends and family feel welcomed and loved in your home.
Why don’t you host an afternoon tea with your family. It helps to slow life down enough to ‘breathe’ in the middle of a busy afternoon.
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What good categories! I was given the task in Church of hosting ‘Tea at Two’ every other wed afternoon, it was primarily for those not in kinship/house groups kinda on the out side, or just those who were lonely. I learnet that some I thought did not talk much when given the opportunity chatted for England as we say hear! It is on hold at the moment as I did not have enough help, but if you have people on the fringes in your life or Church this is a wonderful and fulfilling way to help them feel included and special, and that they matter.
well done Fwannie, hope to do Tea with you when you are next here! xxxxx
Mary
Let’s have a spot, shall we?
I would love to!
I don’t do it nearly often enough, but when the children and I share afternoon tea, it is definitely the highlight of their day. Even my rough and tumble boys have favorite tea cups and silver spoons. My girls, of course, have several of their own tea cups, and look forward to using them in their own homes someday.
Thank you for sharing such precious memories, Frannie.
Love you!
Kerin