A Fun Weekend

It's Homecoming season, and last weekend Chelsea High School celebrated their's. Granddaughter Isabella [Izzy] is a senior this year, so this was her last Homecoming. Our daughter-in-law tagged us in these Facebook photos. 

Her friend, Emma, an exchange student from Sweden.

Mother/Daughter

Granddaughter's Brianna and Brooke both came home for a few days from university [semester break].  We all went out to dinner together after church on Sunday.  Both sets of grandparents on each end.   We won't see Bri again until Christmas.

Time is rapidly approaching October 21st and the tea in Memphis, TN, so I've been doing my research for a trivia game for the residents.  Of course, Elvis, will be part of the trivia.  A trip to the library provided books about his life.  

I've never been a big Elvis fan, so I'm learning about him later in life.  My youngest son, Jeremy, is a huge fan.  Last month he took Izzy on a trip to see Elvis' birthplace home in Tupelo, Mississippi. His story was definitely a rags to riches one, and ended so sad at the age of 42.

Tea Time magazine wrote an article, Tea with Elvis, a couple of years ago.  It's only wishful thinking that Elvis enjoyed Afternoon Tea in Memphis or Las Vegas, but he was probably very accustomed to drinking sweetened iced tea.  Tea Time put together a fun Elvis inspired tea menu with Blue Suede [blueberry] scones; That's Alright Mama grilled Peanut Butter-Banana tea sandwiches, Hunk of Burning Love Pork Tenderloin canapés, and King Creole Catfish-Slaw canapés.  Desserts were Rock-A-Hula Baby Pineapple-Coconut-Macadamia Tartlets, I Just Wanna Be Your Teddy Bear cookies, and Devil in Disguise Chocolate Cake.  

Are you an Elvis fan?

Great Estate Sale Finds

It's been awhile since I've been to an estate sale, but last night I saw a posting for a 1-day sale in a nearby community, and there were lots of teacups in the photos.  So shortly after my laser therapy on my knee, my hubby and I went.  It was around 2:00 o'clock and the rush of buyers had passed.  There were only four shoppers in the house when we arrived.

The teacups were still there and the lady running the sale said she'd give me a good deal since they were hoping to sell everything in one day.  I did, indeed, get a good deal - 26 teacups for $30. Most were from England, but there were also some from Austria, Poland and Japan.  I almost feel guilty taking a deceased lady's treasured teacups to The Whitney where they will get broken in the hustle and bustle of restaurant life, but we use china teacups for our Mansion Teas, so I had to move past that mindset.

There were eight identical violet teacups and I envisioned the owner setting a beautiful table with them.

I'm keeping the only Shelley teacup in the collection, as well as a brown transferware teacup.  It's my first piece of brown transferware, perfect for fall.  Shelley teacups are so thin and delicate, they would never survive at The Whitney.

Remember the small green vases I was searching high and low for awhile back?  There were two of them at the sale for $1 each.  I finally acquired the eight I wanted, but bought these anyway since they were so reasonably prices.

And lastly... a white teapot lamp decorated with blue flowers.  I'm sure it was an accessory to Early American furniture back in the day, but my hubby will antique the maple base and center pole in white and gold and that, along with a new lamp shade will give it a new look.  It was only $6 so how could I go wrong?

Do you do estate sale shopping?  My luck usually isn't this good, but today I felt like I hit the jackpot!  

Catching Up

On this 4th day of October, what's in your teacup?  I received a Harney & Son order for two green teas that I've really been enjoying.   I opened the Cherry Blossom first and it's over half gone.

My sons celebrated Jeremy's birthday together by going to a Cincinnati Bengals game. The Bengals played the Dolphins and they saw a winner with a score of 27 - 15.  The concussion of the Dolphin's quarterback may have contributed to their defeat.  Steve said it was Paycor Stadium's largest attendance.   

Are you a football fan?  Even though my boys LOVE the sport [Jeremy particularly], I have to admit I'm not a big fan, but that's okay - they're not big tea fans either.  Different strokes for different folks!  ;-) 

I set up an inspirational Facebook group for the women of my church, so it has diverted some of my attention from blog posting, combined with a seasonal cold I've been nursing.  There's not been a lot of activity to blog about either, but I'm always happy to brag on my family, so I'll share my hubby's latest carpentry project.  

Now that we're in our new church building and Steve has a new office, he asked his dad to make him another set of bookcases [he didn't want to move the ones from his home office].  So Jerry got right on it and installed the bookcases right before Steve left on his sabbatical.  

Steve didn't have time to transfer his ministerial books from his home office until just last week. After the transition, he took new photos, and is quite pleased with the outcome.  That's a lot of theology on those shelves!  ;-)

And speaking of books [of another kind] Bruce Kopytek posted that his new Hudson's book, Hudson's: Detroit's World Famous Department Store, is now available for preorder.  They are due to arrive about mid-November.  The book [with lots of illustrations and photographs] is 548 pages and has 12 chapters.  For those who preorder, the cost is $50 plus shipping.  After the books arrive the cost will be $60 plus shipping.  For local readers who remember and loved Hudson's, the book can be preordered at www.editionsbk.com  Needless to say, I've preordered mine and can hardly wait for its arrival.

Shutterfly recently sent a text about their current photo book promotion - unlimited lay-flat pages [their best promotion] that extends through tomorrow at midnight.  As much as I love Shutterfly albums, I just didn't have it in me to take advantage of this promotion.  Next time!

Family Birthdays

43 years ago on this day I gave birth to my youngest son, Jeremy, and 17 years ago on this day daughter-in-law, Samantha, gave birth to granddaughter, Izzy.  Jeremy said it was the best birthday present he ever got!  We celebrated with them on Sunday by going to church with them and going out to eat afterwards, and we returned on Tuesday to go to grandson Landon's football game and have birthday cake with Jeremy and Izzy after the game.  

Landon's an 8th grader this year and is quarterback on his team [Chelsea Bulldogs] - #10.  The Jackson Vikings won 36-16.

Jeremy's favorite has always been Boston Cream Pie, but in recent years, I've made it as a layer cake instead of two pies.

  

With 7 people, we plowed through it quickly.  Samantha predicted it would be gone before they all went to bed.  ;-)

As for me... at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday morning I had my first [of 30] laser treatments on my knee at Pain Free Life Centers.  I'm praying they will be more successful than the five gel injections. Will keep you up-dated.

Ladies' Homecoming Tea 2022

Last Saturday [September 24] was the first ladies' tea in our new church. It was titled 'Homecoming.'   

Since the church kitchen isn't equipped with all the necessities yet, I contacted tea caterer, Vicky O'Neil of Victoria's Tea Salon, who supplied everything from linens, to all the tableware [dishes, teacups, teapots, silverware, water goblets, and tiered servers] and a wonderful array of delicious tea foods.  I can't praise Vicky enough.  If you are a local reader contemplating a tea party and are in need of a caterer, give Vicky a call [734-968-7338] or visit her website victoriasteasalon.com. 

The wonderful set-up [and tear-down] crew set up all the tables and chairs on Friday afternoon, and my hubby and I arrived at the church at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning to put the wheels in motion for the 12:30 arrival of guests.  My girlfriend, Lori, came to help, along with Vicky and her two helpers.  50 guests were on the reservation list, but the actual attendance was 46.  

Vicky made it so easy for me.  I only had to provide the placemats, favors and centerpieces [potted mums] which we gave away to the lady at each table with the birthday closest to the date of the tea. Vicky even printed the menus.

Vicky and her helpers in the kichen plating the food.  The tea meal was served at 1:00 p.m.

Vicky explaining the difference between Cream Tea, Afternoon Tea [Low Tea] and High Tea

~ Sharon [Sr. Pastor's wife] asking the blessing ~

Vicky provides a large selection of menu items to choose from.  I chose:  Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts on Wheat Bread; Turkey w/Cranberry Chutney on Cinnamon Raisin [my favorite]; Egg Salad w/Green Olives on Light Rye; and Cucumber w/Dilly Cream Cheese on Italian Bread. The Cream Scones were Chocolate Chip w/mock Clotted Cream and Lemon Curd. Desserts were: Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes w/Ganache & Cherry; Lemon Curd Tarts; and Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Squares.  Tea was Lady Grey Black Tea and Lemon Meringue Rooibos [herbal].  Everything was delicious. 

My friend and helper, Lori [L] and my neighbor, Lorraine [R]

Instead of a program about a person [we've done Queen Elizabeth II, and Julia Child] a place [we've done Paris and Detroit's iconic J.L. Hudson Department Store] or objects [we've done hats and aprons] I decided to do a devotional using the word TEA as an acrostic.  The letter E was about missional hospitality - eating and breaking bread together as Jesus and the early church often did.

A good time was had by all and we will schedule another one in the spring close to Mother's Day.

 

Farewell

Today concludes several days of watching the televised coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's memorial observances.  They were elegant and regal, solemn and reflective, respectful and emotional, and joyous and hopeful.  She was not my Queen, but I had the utmost respect for her.  May her mortal body rest in peace until it is reunited with her soul when Christ returns to rapture His church.

Since the Queen's passing, a lady at church gifted me with two items of memorabilia from her recent Platinum Jubilee.   I will treasure them as I add them to my collection.  Thank you, Sue!

A Tea Luncheon

I always say, "You meet the nicest people over tea", and yesterday was no exception.  Back in July a lovely lady contacted me saying she had six vintage teacups that needed a new home either for my personal use or at The Whitney.  I invited her to come for tea and yesterday was the day we set.

Janice is a busy lady.  She's a member of the Rochester [MI] Quester's Chapter [where she is an officer], she volunteers at Meadowbrook Hall [where she and her husband recently received a prestigeous award], she is a DAR member, and as owners of Model T and Model A cars, she and her husband enjoy participating in several vintage car festivals/shows. 

I previously met Janice at teas at Meadowbrook Hall, Quester Luncheons, and a tea honoring Clara Ford, but I never had the opportunity to sit and chat with her until yesterday.

I prepared a light lunch suitable for fall and the accompanying the tablescape.

Menu: Apple Cider and Apple Cinnamon Hot Tea; Pumpkin Bread with Apple Butter, Chicken Salad Croissant; Pasta Salad; and Apple Crisp with Ice Cream for dessert.

Before Janice's arrival I had decided I'd give the teacups to The Whitney, but when I saw them I had second thoughts. They're lovely vintage teacups from Austria, and they'd only get broken at The Whitney, so I promised one to a server at The Whitney and am still deciding what I'll do with the other five.  Thank you for your kindness and generosity, Janice.

I was also gifted with a container of delicious Scottish Shortbread that Janice made.  It's perfect with a cup of tea.