Tea Time

My daughter’s 8^th birthday tea party in our home.

My very first cup of tea was at a quaint little tea room in Bellville Texas in 1982. It was a blistery cold December day. I was staying at my aunts house for Christmas break. She wanted to introduce me to the art of tea. I remember the steaming cup of Earl Gray, delicious lemon bars, the smell of rose petals, and adult conversation with fondness. That afternoon at the little tea room I had a passion sparked in my heart, a passion that I still carry 29 years later.

I have kept up the practice of ‘tea time’ in my home and with my children. We used to have tea time every day when my children were little, then once a week as our schedules grew more hurried. Today we have tea a few times a month, or when a special occasion or mood calls for it. I yell out that it is “tea time” and the glow begins. We set out or special tea cups. We all have our favorite cups and tea flavors. We put out small snack to go with our tea. We put on classical music and we sit and talk about our day and thoughts in our heads. It is a very calming experience.

I have used tea time to introduce classical composers, artists, read classics like Aesop and Dickens to my children. Tea has broadened mine and my children’s world. Tea teaches manners and etiquette to children, nothing settles a rambunctious little boy down like putting fine delicates in his hands. 

 A cup of tea meets us right where we are. If you love antiques you can not help but fall in love with all the pretties used for tea. If you want to take a moment and build memories with your children, tea is a must.  If you want a moment of solitude, tea supplies. If you want to entertain or comfort someone, again, tea does not disappoint.

If you hear the call of tea beckoning to you, take a moment and pour a hot steam cup and enjoy the beauty, grace, and tradition tea offers.

The tearoom in Bellville Texas: 

http://www.teafortwotearoom.net/