Tuesday, September 11, 2007

A Tea Party That Blessed the Hostess

While originally planning for our tea party, I figured on Autumn, Abigail, and myself, but this morning, I decided to turn it into a tea party luncheon so that Grandma and Collin would be participants as well. I hurriedly set about working in the kitchen.



Grandma suffers from osteoporosis, and takes a Fosamax pill every Tuesday. She can't eat for an hour after taking it. She usually sleeps late, takes her pill upon awakening, and then has an early lunch. I was racing because I didn't want for her to say that she wasn't going to wait on my preparations.



I was surprised that she didn't emerge from her room sooner, but the Lord knew my plans, and directed her steps accordingly. I started setting the table at quarter of noon, and she walked into the kitchen. She exclaimed, "Oh, yes. The girls told me that they were going to have a tea party today, because they baked cookies for it last night."



I replied, "We are all having a tea party, Grandma! You're invited, too. It will only be a few more minutes." She decided to watch a little of the noon news while waiting, but seemed excited rather than agitated.



As soon as I had everything ready, Collin went to retrieve Grandma. She was actually giddy. She kept saying how lovely everything was, and that she hadn't been to a tea party for the longest time.



I had set the table with the china that she had given me years ago. I covered the table with a tablecloth that Verne's Grandma lovingly stitched by hand for me. I don't have small pedestal plates, so I used a couple of tea cups to raise just a few dishes, making more room on the table. It was adorable!



Our lunch was simple fare. I served four kinds of sandwiches: tortillas spread with an assortment of ham and cheese; salami and cheese; and turkey and cheese; and peanut butter and jelly, quartered. We had Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies, Banana Friendship Cake garnished with strawberry fans, and pastel butter mints. I served peppermint tea, and English Breakfast tea. Sugar cubes were placed on the table instead of granulated sugar, making the occasion seem even more special. Grandma generally eats a yogurt with her lunch, so I placed it in a fancy dessert glass.



We talked, and laughed, and enjoyed our simple luncheon, but it seemed extraordinary. Grandma generally eats and heads back to her room for her afternoon "stories", but today, she missed them entirely as she sat with us for a full two hours and told us stories of her grandparents home, and how much she enjoyed it as a child. It seems that the Tea Party brought back memories of her grandmother's table linens, china, and even her wonderful smelling linen closet. My heart feels very full at this moment, as she seemed so truly happy during our "party".


I've said it before, but I'll say it again, for I think that it bears repeating. A small gesture toward making others feel special goes a very long way.


Here are a few places to go to get some ideas for your very own tea parties:

Tea Time Traditions
and here

38 comments:

Sheri said...

What a beautiful tea-party Tracy! Your table settings and goodies looked so special and delicious!

Karen said...

The table is just lovely! I love the china, the stitched tablecloth, the food, goodness, I love it all! It looks very inviting, and I would love to be sitting there with you all.
How nice to have blessed Grandma with an old fashioned, memory making, tea party, too. I'm sure she enjoyed it so much, because she's like my grandma....they don't miss their "stories" very often, do they?! ;0)

La Tea Dah said...

What a lovely tea party --- and the essence of what a tea party is and should be --- sharing lovingly with those you love and care for.

Thanks for sharing!
LaTeaDah
http://www.gracioushospitality.blogspot.com

weavermom said...

Oh, Tracy! It's lovely!

And you can just "hear" how much your grandma enjoyed it and how much you enjoyed that she enjoyed it! Praise God for a great tea party!

Anonymous said...

I sure wish I could have been there, too. What fun! I think it is so special that your children enjoy this type of thing. My kids would have been too busy to stop to do this with me. Your such a great family! Ha, I laughed at your grandma and her "stories". Mine was the same way when she was living. How funny!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved reading about your tea party and Grandma. What a special day. Blessings, Lynn

Stacie said...

Wow, Mrs. K,
That looks like you guys had so much fun! That is beautiful! And the desserts look delicious!!
•Stacie

Christie Belle said...

The table looked beautiful! And it was wonderful to hear that a blessing the tea party was. What precious times.

And the food...all I have to say is YUM!

randi said...

I LOVE this post! What a wonderful way that God blessed you and your kids through the gift of grandma's storytelling! I love that it all started with a tea-party!

Anonymous said...

My hardt is full just reading your account of the tea party. What a special treat for each person attending - memories for a lifetime. Your table was beautiful, Tracy. I especially zoomed in on the stitched tablecloth. Oh so special.

Time in our home didn't allow for a tea party although I enjoyed a tall glass of iced tea with supper..outside.

Lydia said...

I absolutely loved this tea, as I especially like multi-generational sharing and living. Be sure to check my tea at Home Living blogspot and also Lillibeth's at The Pleasant Times.

Sharon said...

Everything looks so nice and the best part is you shared it with your family.

Mrs. Anna T said...

How lovely! I love what you did. I got some inspiration yesterday too, and - no, my tea wasn't as nice as yours - but I used the prettiest teacups and teapot we have... and even with a small assortment of goods, it was still sweet and special.

Beck said...

I'm so happy you had some special time with your grandmother! I love tea parties.

Rachel said...

How beautiful and special!!!!

Karen said...

You are such a fantastic mother and tea party thrower. It looks so nice. What a wonderful time for all the generations.

candy said...

very lovely Tracy!!

Unknown said...

Tracy that was SO much fun! I loved reading about your tea party. I especially loved the reaction of Grandma and how much she enjoyed it all. She missed her stories for pete's sake!

What a very great ocassion for sure. I am so glad you went to the trouble and the time to make it a special memory. Even your son enjoyed himself. I wish I could have been there, but I am so glad you shared it with us.

Paula said...

Oh how wonderfully LOVELY your tea is!! I am so glad you are enjoying the tea party at my blog! I have been enjoying ALL the tea parties. They all so fun! I am surprised you got your box so soon! It usually takes a week for stuff just to get to TX and you were further east. :) I am so glad that you liked it! :D

nannykim said...

That was so special and must have made her feel special too----the making of a good memory.

Kelli said...

Such a lovely tea party, Tracy! You set the table beautifully and the food looks delicious. How wonderful that Grandma stayed and told stories. I'm sure this day will be treasured for a very long time!
Kelli

ellen b. said...

How wonderful an actual tea party and everyone looks so delighted. Who wouldn't be with all those yummy looking goodies. Blessings...

Susan said...

So nice and so lovely that grandma joined in the fun and celebration.
Susan

Gena said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful tea party AND a wonderful day. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful pictures and stories of your day with Grandma. The food also looked scrumptious!

Liz said...

I have never had (or attended) a tea party but yours looks so lovely that I am now inspired to host my own. Hopefully I will be able to someday soon. What special memories you will have of this day. :)

Tina Leavy said...

how very lovelty to have made your grandmother feel so special, and the other guests as well. creating memories that you will all cherish for a long time to come. how wonderful.

Front Porch Society said...

I am so glad that Grandma was excited and enjoyed her tea time with you and the children! :) What a blessing to be able to share this with her and hear stories of her childhood!
I love tea parties and miss being able to gather for tea. I have discovered Yankees don't do tea parties or have tea time. *sigh* My Southern upbringing still runs strong and true through my heart & soul....if only I could find a kindred spirit up here!
But anyway....
Your tea table set is beautiful! I really loved the setup and the selection of sandwiches and desserts. :)

Short Stop said...

I would have loved to have been there! What a beautiful table, and such yummy goodies! :)

Ruth said...

Everything looked so pretty and tasty! How wonderful that you took the time to bless Grandma, too. You are one great lady!!

theups said...

How fun!! It looks like y'all had a truly lovely tea!!! The table is set so pretty and the food looks delicious!!! Thank you so much for sharing this!

His,
Mrs. U
(who is still drooling over the new look in your laundry room!!! WONDERFUL!!!!!)

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

Oh, goodness, Tracy - you have made a memory for your children AND Grandma that is priceless - and it was all so lovely, too! Why don't you live next door to me? :)

Jennifer said...

I just couldn't help but smile while reading your post thinking back to previous posts about how you want your grandmother to feel loved and included in your home. This was such a gesture of love and kindness, I'm sure it meant the world to her and your kids!

Unknown said...

Oh how beautiful! I just loved reading this post and everything looks wonderful!! Thank you!

Amy

Christy said...

wow. What a wonderful memory for you and the children! I am so glad that she appreciated all of your hard work!

The table is BEAUTIFUL. I am drooling over the cookies!

I throw a teaparty for Laura Grace's friends every Valentines Day, we have done it since she was 18 months, I am saving the site on my favorites, THANK YOU!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Very nice tea party! I think your grandmother must have felt very special and enjoyed it a lot.

I also participated in the MakeMinePink tea parties. Haven't they been fun! The water's still hot in my tea pot if you would like to see my vintage tea tablescape!

Katherine

~~Deby said...

Hope to do the Tea Party THING next time..the posts and pictures have been so lovely.
Deby

Karen said...

Thank you for sharing this, Tracy. I've been thinking about organizing a tea party for the women in my husband's family for years. Many of them live really close, and we've had such fun together at other gatherings. Especially thinking about my mother-in-law, who will be 79 this year, your story makes me want to put a date on the calendar for a tea party soon!

Lori said...

Your tea party looks wonderful. the table is set so lovely.
The food looks delicious.
Wish I could come.