Two Are Better Than One!

I received an e-mail from another friend telling me about a Downton Abbey tea held at another library in [Lake] Orion Township on Monday evening, January 5th.  This event was also free, and was scheduled for 7:00 in the evening. I read the program description, and since it was totally different from the library event held in Farmington Hills on Sunday, I called and reserved a spot.

It was 12 degrees in Michigan on Monday with a chill factor of -7 degrees.  The library was 30 miles away and in an area where I had never driven before, so I almost talked myself out of going as Monday evening approached.  But then I decided if one Downton Abbey tea is good, two would be even better, so I bundled up, and with teacup in hand I headed out the door.  What better way to spend a cold, wintry, January night?

It gets dark so early in the winter months, so by the time I arrived it was pitch-dark. Below is a photo of the library from the parking lot.  

Just inside was a publicity poster about the event.

If the library were closer I'd attend their event on January 12th too.

The Downton event was held in a separate room away from student and adult library patrons. An Internet photo of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, displayed on the large stage screen, told me it was going to be a fun evening.

Beth, the librarian in charge of the event, read a brief summary of how Downton Abbey came to be, then we watched snippets from Seasons I-IV. Then it was time for tea and refreshments.

The event was well attended, and I counted six men present.  Who said Downton Abbey is a chick flick?  ;-)

It was an option to bring our own teacup, and I chose Twinings Lady Grey to fill my teacup. The scone and piece of homemade toffee were delicious.

Two students from Oakland University's theatrical department came dressed in period costume. Their real names are Jillian and Emma, but they portrayed Mary and Edith Crawley.  Aren't they pretty?

They told us a little bit about ladies' undergarments worn during Downton Abbey times.

There was a 10 question quiz where a quote was read and we had to write down who said it. Prizes [an ornament of Highclere Castle/Downton Abbey, and a canister of Downton Abbey tea from Republic of Tea] were given to the winners with the highest number of correct answers.  It was a man who took first place!  Unfortunately I only got six quotes right.

A list of five discussion questions were placed on each table, but the time passed so quickly we didn't really get into them.  One of the questions was: Which was your favorite season and why? Season III is my favorite because that's when Mary and Matthew finally got married after a tumultuous on again, off again relationship.  Do you have a favorite season?

A table of books pertaining to Downton Abbey was displayed, and I'll be using my Christmas Barnes & Noble gift card to obtain some.   

Has your local library hosted a Downton Abbey tea?

Bittersweet

KrisTea's is a quaint gift and tea shop that I've blogged about six times over the past two years. It's right up the street from O'Mara's restaurant where I've gone to Afternoon Tea every month since March 2013, and I'd often stop at KrisTea's afterwards using the discount coupon she gave to O'Mara's tea patrons.

In October I learned Kris was retiring and moving to Colorado, but I was told the shop would still remain open.  When I read about their closing sale on Facebook last week, I knew I had to pay the shop a visit.  The official sale began last Sunday [Jan. 4], but since that date wouldn't work for me I decided to go to the shop last Friday instead.  The note on the front door said they were officially closed for business, but lights were on inside and the door was unlocked so I walked in. 

Two ladies were busily getting things ready for the sale, but they said they never refuse a customer, and granted me permission to look around and select purchases.

What a bittersweet experience!  I wish Kris much happiness in this new chapter of her life, but I will miss visiting her lovely shop. I don't typically go on a shopping spree, but regular merchandise was 50% off and Christmas items were 75% off.  Knowing this was my last opportunity to shop there, I found several items I couldn't pass up. I'm sharing my purchases/bargains in today's post.

I love the gold ornament stand pictured below.  It will be perfect for displaying my teapot ornaments next Christmas.  It holds 12 ornaments.  The sale price was $12.50 and the Christmas teapot [which opens as a trinket box] was $2.50.

The Cup of Christmas Tea ornaments were also $2.50 each.

When I visited the Biltmore Mansion in 2012, I purchased a reproduction trio of Vanderbilt china.

KrisTea's had the matching teapot for $28 [originally $56], so that definitely had to come home with me.  I may have to buy myself an early birthday present on E-bay - the creamer and sugar to match.  ;-)  The set would look beautiful sitting on the wall units my hubby is building for the living room.

There were several beautiful teacups for sale, but I limited myself to one Rosina chintz teacup for $9.25.

I have a collection of porcelain ramekins so I couldn't leave this one behind.  It's made in France and was $7.

The silver plate three tier server will be perfect for Afternoon Tea and was $18.

I've saved the best for last - a vintage J.L. Hudson's hatbox.  At first I thought it was from the 1940's but due to it's size I think it's older.  It's 16 1/4 inches wide and 9 1/2 inches deep.  Is that to accommodate the big hats of the 1920's??  It was $20 and in perfect condition.  I found it tucked in a corner in Kris' linen room hidden from view by hanging tablecloths. It'll be great for my Hudson's presentations.

~ Logo on the lid ~

For hat programs, I bought six unique hat stands ranging in price from $15 to $22.50. Then I called a halt to my shopping expedition, but trust me many more items remained that I would have loved to have brought home.  

KrisTea's will definitely be missed, but I wish Kris the best as she makes her new home in Colorado.

A Downton Abbey Tea

To get in the spirit for Downton Abbey's first episode of season V last night, I attended a Downton Abbey tea at the Farmington Hills Community Library at 1:30 yesterday afternoon.

A tea friend e-mailed me to tell me about the tea [thanks Laura Lee!] and I registered for the free event promptly.  It was lovely!

As we entered the library auditorium we heard the theme music from the television series playing softly in the background.

The focus of the program was fashion through the ages [but also included automobiles], and we were encouraged to dress in our historical best.  Several people - including me - did just that!  I got permission to photograph this lovely group of five ladies representing the three Crawley sisters, Lady Cora, and Lady Violet.  How fun!

The event began with tea and light refreshments.

I selected Bigelow's Red Raspberry herbal tea.



~ Two vintage dresses were displayed ~  





~ L-R:  Lynn, Fashion Curator and Program Presenter, and Colleen, Library Staff ~

~ The big screen was ready for the PowerPoint presentation ~



~ After Colleen's opening remarks the program began ~



~ Lynn was excellent.  She was dressed in an authentic Edwardian walking suit and hat. ~

~ In addition to PowerPoint, there were live models [Lynn's business partners] ~


[Elaine]

These little girls were adorable!   Lynn said sailor outfits for children became very popular after WWI.

Victoria [on the right below] was modeling a "Piano Shawl" ensemble.  Lynn said in the 1920's women literally wore piano shawls that had been designed to adorn pianos.  I have one of the repro garments, but I didn't know it was called a piano shawl until yesterday. Live and learn!

~ A bit of humor ~

The program was over before 4:00 o'clock, and what a delightful afternoon.  I'm so glad I was able to attend.

Lynn told us that the Smithsonian channel was airing a new series called, Million Dollar American Princesses last night at 8:00 p.m., preceding  the airing of  season V's  episode I of Downton Abbey.  It was a very informative program hosted by Elizabeth McGovern who plays Lady Cora Grantham, and is about the real women behind the creation of her role - American women who married British aristocrats trading "cash for class."

Last night featured Jennie [Jeanette] Jerome born in 1854 in Brooklyn, New York who married Lord Randolph Churchill, parents of Winston Churchill, and another heiress and socialite from New York City, Fannie [Frances] Work [1857] who married James Roche, the great-grandparents of Princess Diana.  I'll definitely be tuning in again next week!

When episode 1 ended, I watched the 1 hour documentary of The Manners of Downton Abbey, which pertained to both upstairs and downstairs residents. It was hosted by Downton historian, Alastair Bruce and was very interesting.

It was definitely a Downton Abbey kind of a day!  Did you tune in to Season V, Episode 1?

Sunday Reflection...

May God bless your week!

Unbroken

At the 4:15 p.m. New Year's Eve showing, my hubby and I went to see the phenomenal film, Unbroken.  My son, Steve, and his wife saw it the day after Christmas and highly recommended it. The film was released on Christmas Day.

Directed by Angelina Jolie, Unbroken is the true story of American WWII war hero and Olympian [long distance runner], Louis Zamperini.  

The movie is based on Laura Hillenbrand's 2010 New York Times best seller, Unbroken, a biography of  Zamperini.

The 2 hour 17 minute movie will evoke practically every emotion you possess... fear, anger, happiness, gratitude, admiration - to name a few, and it will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. 

During Zamperini's 47 days on a raft in the Pacific Ocean after his bomber crashed, and two years of brutality in Japanese prison camps, he promised God that if He helped him survive the war, He would become a Christian.  And he did just that at a Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles in 1949. He became a motivational Christian speaker, and returned to Japan as a missionary where he met with and forgave the prison guards who had mistreated him.

He was selected to be the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Rose Parade, and despite his passing on July 2, 2014 with pneumonia at age 97, the Tournament of Roses still honored him as the Grand Marshal. 

Zamperini's 1912 childhood Craftsman bungalow home on Gramercy Avenue in historic Old Torrance, California was the setting for Christmas teas in 2009, 2010, and 2011 to raise money to preserve the area.

It's a "must see" movie, but be sure to take Kleenex with you!

After the movie we had dinner at Olive Garden, and then went home to await ushering in the new year.

Happy New Year!

Someone said... "Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book."  May I fill it well!

With plentiful gilding on its spout, handle, and lid, golden dots everywhere, and a menagerie of spiky creatures and seaweed silhouettes, this John Rose Coalport teapot is perfect for a tea celebrating all things mythical and oriental.  Its dragon is a half-hedgehog, half-fantastical beast from the Far East. Dating from circa 1805-1810, the pot is oval prow- or boat-shaped, one of Coalport's most popular styles.  Its raised lid has a jaunty, playful feel.