A Star-Spangled Tea Party

Last month, the activities director at Shorepointe Assisted Living Facility contacted me about doing a presentation at their monthly tea on Sunday, July 26th.  She wanted to know what my topic would be so she could post it in the monthly calendar and newsletter.  

July is a patriotic month, so I decided to speak about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis since her birthday is July 28th [two days after my presentation].  Also because she was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, and one of her greatest public accomplishments was restoring the White House to a museum of American history and culture.

If she were alive today she'd soon be celebrating her 86th birthday, but she's been deceased for 21 years, passing away two months shy of her 65th birthday.

[Internet Photos]

There are SO many articles and books written about her that I've had to cloister myself for days researching her life, and I've only covered a fraction of what's been written.   

She's rated #3 in greatest American First Ladies [after Eleanor Roosevelt and Abigail Adams], and #1 for America's most loved First Lady.  She also has the distinction of setting the bar for stylish First Ladies.  Ironically, she never liked the term 'First Lady' saying it reminded her of a race horse!

Tea was used to help elect her husband, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, to both the Senate and the Presidency.

~ Below Jackie is pictured with her mother, Janet Lee Bouvier Auchincloss ~

Tea parties were a means of raising donations for Jackie's White House restoration project.

~ As a style icon Jackie made the pillbox hat popular ~

Below Jackie wears her famous pink Chanel suit with matching pillbox hat personally requested by her husband on their visit to Dallas, Texas the day he was assassinated.  He said she looked "smashing" in the suit, which sadly became symbolic of that dreadful day.

Today, the blood-stained suit is in the National Archives building in Maryland, arriving in a box with a handwritten note from Jackie's mother on her personal stationery that read: "Jackie's suit and bag - worn November 22nd, 1963."  The suit was never cleaned.

The public hasn't seen it since the assassination, and won't for another 90 years.  In 2003, nine years after her mother's death, Caroline Kennedy gave the suit as a gift to the people of the United States with the condition that it wouldn't be put on display until 2103.  And even then, the Kennedy family will have to be consulted before any attempt is made to display it.

The archives has the suit stored in a windowless vault, in an acid-free container, where the air is repeatedly changed at a temperature of 65-68 degrees to properly maintain the wool and cloth.

On a lighter subject... I recently purchased a patriotic apron on E-bay that came with a matching quilted oven mitt and potholder.  My intent was to add it to my apron collection because I didn't have one with matching kitchen accessories.  I've decided, however, to wear the apron as part of my outfit when I speak this Sunday to help carry out the 'star-spangled' theme.

I'll report back how the tea party goes.  Little will be said about the assassination to keep things on the lighter side.  I must confess gloominess hovered as I researched Jackie's life, and read the many tragedies and disappointments she endured throughout her lifetime.

The Big Apple - New York City

One of the first things I do every morning is make myself a cup of tea, and take it to my office to sip while reading the blogs I follow. All this week I've been enjoying Harney's Celebration tea thanks to one of my blog followers and kindred spirits.  Thanks, Joy!

On the computer screen [above photo] is Friendship Tea blog, where my friend, Linda, has been sharing highlights from her recent family trip to New York City.

My son, Steve, loves NYC and was just there in April with his youngest daughter, Brooke, who will become a teenager next month.  It was a father/daughter trip just as he had taken a few years earlier with his older daughter, Brianna. During the trip each of the girls received a 'promise ring' as they discussed the importance of remaining pure until marriage - promiscuity isn't the road to happiness, and alters God's plan for their life. Brianna turned 19 last month, and has had her ring resized a couple times to accommodate her finger as it grew.

Brooke is proud of her ring, and let me photograph it shortly after she returned.

~ Below an artist sketches Brooke in Central Park ~

While Steve was there he phoned to say he found two books about tea in NYC - he knows I'd love to go on a NYC tea tour.

I already had two copies of Elizabeth Knight's book [pictured below].  Even though it was written in 2006, it's still an interesting and informative book. Some places have gone out of business since it was printed, and some new businesses have been established, but overall it remains a good book. If anyone would like this extra copy I'd be happy to send it to the first person to leave a comment requesting it.

I've been to NYC a couple of times, but I've never visited any of the well-known tea spots, so until I make it back, I'll enjoy reading Linda's adventures in the Big Apple!

Counting Teapots, Etc.

When my mother was alive, she was always curious about how many items were in my collections - whether it was teapots, teacups, aprons, cookbooks, or whatever.  I was never in the habit of counting  or keeping record of them, so I never had an answer for her.  

Last Saturday, after reading blogging friend Angela's weekly 'Teatime Tale' - Power to the Pot, a cute short story about teapots, I got the urge to count my teapots - especially since I had just placed a teapot of my mother's on the three-tier table in my living room.

I'm still in the process of sorting and organizing totes in the basement, so I just counted upstairs teapots [where most of them are kept].  The count changed a few times when I overlooked one here or there, but ended up at 97. Do you count your teapots, teacups, trios, etc.?  You'll be surprised at how quickly they add up once you start counting.

Three of one particular item constitutes a collection.  My mother would be happy I'm finally keeping track!

By the way, 'teatime tales' can be read every Saturday at Tea With Friends blog.

My mother had two sets of vintage porcelain 'piano babies'.  When she passed I kept one set, and gave the other to a friend. Now that the living room is finished, my set went on the piano today. My hubby made a little bench for them since I was afraid they'd fall off the edge of the piano top and break.

I also picked up my wool dining room rug from the carpet cleaners.  It's 10-11 years old and had never been professionally cleaned - only spot cleaned. I knew it needed to be done, but carpet cleaners who came to the house wouldn't touch it, and horror stories about area rugs being ruined when they were sent out made me leery.  Not to worry!  The company did a super job, and the rug's colors are vibrant again - hopefully good for another 10 years! ;-)  

Family Time

Last Friday my hubby and I met our youngest son and his family in the quaint town of Dexter, MI for brunch, then we stopped at Jenny's farm market - a fun place for the kids with barnyard animals.

[Isabella a.k.a. Izzy]

[Granddarlings:  Izzy, Ellie, and Landon]

Izzy came home with us to spend a couple of days.  On Saturday she wanted to go see Minions at the theater, so we opted for the 4:00 p.m. matinee 3-D showing.  

In the movie the minion creatures are in search of a master to serve, and their quest takes them to London, England, where Queen Elizabeth, II [in caricature] is part of the plot, as well as historic sites such as The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Teapots, teacups and lots of tea are in the movie too!

[Internet Photos]

After the theater we went to an antique and craft mall where Izzy had fun looking at things for her American Girl dolls.  Her favorite item was a fluffy white dog on a leash, which came home with us.  It was a fun family weekend!

Sunday Reflection...

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God."  Exodus 20:8-10

There has never been a Sunday when I've gone to God's House to worship Him, that I haven't come away feeling inspired, uplifted, and strengthened for the new week ahead.  I'm so blessed to live in a country where there's freedom to worship without fear of persecution.

The Psalmist said it well:  "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."  Psalm 122:1

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!... Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere..."  Psalm 84: verses 1 and 10

May God bless your week!

Tea-time Bedding

Before I went to England a girlfriend sent me a link to a catalog offering a tea-time quilt and pillow shams.  Knowing my bedroom was due for a change, I ordered it.  The quilt is 100% cotton, so I got a king-size even though my bed is only queen-size to allow for shrinkage after it's washed.

I opened the shipping box after the quilt arrived to inspect it, but didn't put it on my bed until yesterday.  I still have to get a new bed skirt and accessories, so the room is still a work in progress, but I thought I'd share it today 'as is.'  I love the cheerful colors, and the white background is so summery and cottage-like.

~ Teapots ~

~ Teacups ~

This spring when I was in Washington, D.C., my hubby went shopping for a new box spring and mattress and purchased it without me.  It's very high which was no problem for him since he's 6' 3", but I'm 5' 2" so it was difficult for me to get into the new bed.  The remedy - a step stool that works perfectly.   Sweet dreams!

13th Annual Michigan Lavender Fest

Last Saturday, July 11th, my girlfriend and I set the time of 10:30 a.m. to meet at the 13th Annual Michigan Lavender Fest in Armada, MI [a small town about 30 miles north of where I live]. Though this was the 13th year for the event, it was the first time I'd heard of it - thanks Laura Lee for telling me about it!

It was a gorgeous day, and even though I was unaware of the annual festival previously, LOTS of other southeastern Michiganders knew of its existence.  It was very well attended. There were a lot of vendor tents selling an array of things, but most pertained to lavender.

I was tempted to buy a lavender plant, but since I don't have a green thumb I didn't.  Do you grow lavender?  I want to research the plant to see if it's temperamental to grow. Lavender is known as the "Grandmother of Herbs".

I thought of my blogging friend, Judith, at Lavender Cottage blog, when I saw this sign.

There were lots of bundles of lavender available for sale.

The sign attached to the tent below caught my eye, and we went inside.

We purchased a blueberry, lemon, lavender scone.  It was delicious, and the proceeds went to a charitable organization.

And a glass of refreshing lavender lemonade... ohh so good!

What a fun way to spend a Saturday, and I'll definitely plan to attend again next year.