A New Easter Tea Set

Last week I was in Marshall's/Home Goods store and saw a Easter tea set very reasonably priced [$12.99 for the teapot and $4.99 each for the creamer and sugar bowl].  Since I didn't have an Easter tea set, I decided it should come home with me.

It's made by Grace's Teaware.

The Lefton porcelain bunnies were my mother's, and they're her presence with us this Easter.   

The daffodil teacup is one of  12 teacups by Royal Albert in the Friendship series.

I was gifted with the sweet little chick teapot [below] several Easter's ago.

I've had the rabbit candlestick holders for many years.  Other than Mrs. Rabbit's skirt needing a little touch-up paint, they've survived time well.

The brown rabbit looks like chocolate, but he's really ceramic.

As the 1949 Easter song goes, Here comes Peter Cottontail,

Hoppin' down the bunny trail,

Hippity, hoppity, Happy Easter day!

The view from my front porch today was anything but spring and Easter, however.  Gotta love Michigan!  I need a cup of tea to warm me up.

Today I'm joining Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog for Friends Sharing Tea
Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday
Martha's Favorites for Tea Cup Tuesday

Hats at Shore Pointe Village

Yesterday was the last Sunday of the month, and the designated time for the residents at Shore Pointe Village Assisted Living to attend Afternoon Tea and a program.  

I knew these ladies could all relate to wearing hats during their lifetime, and it seemed like the perfect subject with the celebration of spring and Easter.

Residents and family visitors gathered around the table that was set up for tea.  I took photos of some attendees.  I love the three generation picture below.

~ Two of the residents wearing hats ~

~ Display of Pillbox hats, Fedoras, Beret, Cloche, and Fascinators ~ 

I shared how The Easter Parade began spontaneously in the 1870's after people attended Easter Sunday services at NYC's St. Patrick's Cathedral, and then promenaded Fifth Avenue in their outfits, and elaborate spring hats which became the official symbol of the parade, which still exists today.

Easter outfits began in America after the Civil War, on what was called "The Sunday of Joy,"  or the first Easter after the Civil War ended, April 9, 1865. The reunited country put aside painful war memories, and mothers, wives, and daughters exchanged somber mourning clothes and veils for pastel, happier colors, and decorated their hats and bonnets with ribbons and spring flowers. Easter outfits have been a custom ever since.

I also shared that the Kentucky Derby - coming up on May 2nd - is the largest hat fashion event in our country.  The tradition began with ladies' hats, but many men wear Derby or Fedora hats now too.  The Kentucky Derby is big business for milliners, with attendees willing to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars for the perfect hat.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the last First Lady to wear a hat at her husband's swearing in.

I read some fun hat quotes, and I'll share a few with you:

"A hat is the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best..." 

"Saying you don't look good in a hat is like saying you don't look good in shoes."

"A lady is not well dressed unless she wears a hat."

"Every new dress deserves a new hat."

It's been said that for the first time since the 1950's American women are making the hat a must-have fashion accessory.  It's estimated 6.3 billion dollars will be spent on hats this year!  Will you be wearing a hat this Easter?

I have a lamp in my office with a beaded hat lampshade.  I couldn't resist it when I saw it in a boutique several years ago.  The lamp seemed like the perfect way to conclude this post.

Celebrating Palm Sunday

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Luke 19:38 NIV

As Holy Week begins I'm reflecting on God's great love for mankind, and Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross for our salvation.  

May God bless your week!

Thursday Teas at Two

Yesterday I returned to Troy Historic Village for March's Thursday Teas at Two.  I could definitely relate to this month's topic - 1950's Nostalgia.  The flier saying we'd "skip through the halls of 1950's memories with storyteller Lois Sprengnether Keel" sounded like a fun way to spend the afternoon.

As I was walking to the entrance of the historic village a license plate in the parking lot caught my attention.  How cute is that!

The church [below] where the teas are held.  As the sky indicates, it was a dreary, overcast day, but it was very cheerful inside.

The tea table.  I finally remembered to take my own teacup [as many attendees do] instead of using a Styrofoam cup.

Lois Sprengnether Keel [pictured below] was the presenter. She's a former children's librarian, and as you can see, she came dressed in a pink felt poodle skirt and sweater, and wore penny loafers and bobby socks.

She was very interesting and entertaining, and the hour flew by as she talked about toys of the day, school, playgrounds, television, and so much more.  

I well remember the reading books with Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot and Puff.  Lois reminded us that polio vaccine came out in 1955, which immediately mentally transported me to my elementary school's clinic where the health department gave us polio shots.  As a kid I had a HUGE fear of shots, and thought my mom was so cruel for subjecting me to such torture!

Lois talked about playground games - Red-rover, Red-Light/Green Light, Mother May I, Dodge Ball, Jump Rope, Hop-Scotch and others.

And toys... remember roller skates that attached to shoes? ...Pick-up Sticks, Hula-Hoops, YoYo's, Old Maid cards, Paper Dolls, and the list goes on.

The sale of televisions began in the late 40's and peaked in the 50's, so she talked about 50's TV programs such as Mickey Mouse Club, the Western/Cowboy shows, and Howdy-Doody. Many others came to mind as she talked.  Jukeboxes and 45 rpm records were big forms of entertainment in 50's, as were drive-in theaters, and "picture shows" [now called movies or cinemas], and transistor radios.

I was writing fast and furious as she spoke, but I won't take the time to share everything she talked about in this post.  Suffice it to say, it was a fun and nostalgic program, and I enjoyed it very much.

Food, Tea, and Music

A friend recently posted a photo of Taco soup on Facebook, and it looked so good I went online to find a recipe.  Taste of Home and Food Network both had recipes, so I took bits from each to create one recipe.  It was our dinner Tuesday night.  

We loved it, and I'll definitely make it again.  

Elmwood Inn's Abigail's Blend accompanied the soup.  I'm loving this tea and will soon need to order more.

After dinner we headed over to granddaughter Brooke's middle school for her band concert. In the photo below Brooke is walking on stage with the band to take her position.

~ Papa, Nana and Brooke ~

On Wednesday night we returned for her vocal music concert.  Both concerts were great.   Proud of you, Brooke!

A New Book for Tea Time

I recently received an e-mail from Hoffman Media telling me about their new book that will be released on April 10th.  It's called Tiny Book of Tea & Treats.

It's priced at $14.95, and if you pre-order now the shipping is free.  It's a 136 page, hardcover book, with a collection of 50 recipes for tiny bites and delectable treats.  Even if you don't like to cook or bake, the pictures will be worth the price of the book.

I've ordered my copy, and can hardly wait for it to arrive.  If you like Tea Time Magazine, and Hoffman Media's other tea time books, you'll probably want to add this book to your collection too. I have no affiliation with Hoffman Media.  I just love their magazines and books, and wanted to tell you about this newest book.

A Victorian Tea in Northville

Last Saturday I returned to Northville to attend a tea hosted by the Northville Historical Society.  It was a sell-out event.

The tea was held at Cady Inn at Mill Race Village, and the teapot sign out front let us know we were at the right place.

The interior of Cady Inn was cheerfully decorated for spring.

~ The tables were set with eclectic china, and below was my place setting ~

~ Attendees arriving ~

~ I loved how they covered the sandwiches with a damp lace doily to prevent dryness ~

~ Yummy Scones ~

Sandwiches with Raspberry Black Tea. My favorite was the Walnut Date with Honeyed Cream Cheese, but they were all good.

~ Desserts ~

When we finished eating we walked over to the nearby village church where the program was held.

"Lady Carol" presented an entertaining program about gloves, parasols, tussie-mussies [and the the flowers inside], fans and hankies in Victorian times.

What an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

*  *  *

Today I'm joining Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday
Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Martha's Favorites for Teacup Tuesday
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog for Friends Sharing Tea

Northville, MI Women's Club

Ten months ago I was contacted by the Northville Women's Club to give my J.L. Hudson's presentation at their March 20th meeting.  It seemed like such a long way off, but the date came quickly.

The Women's Club is the oldest organization in Northville, as well as the oldest women's club in Michigan.  It was established in 1892 and they will celebrate their 123rd Anniversary this November.  They have a membership of approximately 175 [active and associate] and I spoke to a sell-out crowd of 100 last Friday.  

In doing a little research about the club I read a few interesting statistics to share:

• 1917-1918 - The club contributed $2 to the Women's Council on National Defense; $44 to the War Victory Commission, and $7.75 to the local Red Cross.
• 1919-1920 - The club sent telegrams to Michigan senators and representatives in Washington, D.C. asking them to support the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution [establishing prohibition] and the Volstead Act.                                                 I can tell you for certain, J.L. Hudson would have been proud of them for that because it was a cause that was dear to his heart too!
• 1943-44 - The club helped collect 10 tons of tin for the war effort.

They've been meeting at the historic First Presbyterian Church on Main Street since 1964.

The tea luncheon started at 12:30 p.m., so I arrived at 11:30 a.m. to get my things set up before the ladies arrived.  

As many times as I've done this presentation, I always feel I have to change it somewhat for each group, and usually there's something new I've discovered that can be added.

As you can see, the room was filled to capacity with 13 large round tables.

As is usually the case, Hudson's famed Maurice Salad was on the menu.

I enjoyed my time with this lovely group of ladies, and I think they enjoyed their walk down memory lane as they attentively listened to details about J.L. Hudson and his magnificent department store!