TeaTime September - October 2007

For several years, we have been a part of a supper club—a group of four couples who gather once a month for dinner, rotating among our homes. In the beginning, we were acquainted with only one of the other couples, but over time, we all have become fast friends. The idea that prompted the club was really a quest to set aside some time for formal entertaining. Many of our gatherings are themed, others are not. But every occasion presents an opportunity for the hostess to choose a menu that allows her to excel in the kitchen. Lovely linens, prized china and crystal, exquisite centerpieces, and dressed-up dinner companions are all part of our monthly get-togethers. We occasionally opt for a progressive dinner, going from house to house with a…

Basic business and social etiquette conventions: • Do rise, regardless of gender, to greet and shake hands with your guests • Do try a little of each course served at tea. • Do avoid talking with your mouth full. Take small bites, and you will find it easier to answer questions or join in table talk • Do wait until you have swallowed the food in your mouth before you take a sip of tea. • Do place your napkin on your chair when you briefly leave the table. • Do place your knife and fork in the 10:20 “I am finished” position when you have finished eating. Visualize a clock face on your plate. Place the tips of the utensils at the number ten and the handles at the four. • Do convey food to your…

There are endless invitation options available to any hostess, which, while convenient, can be somewhat overwhelming. And despite the many varieties, from frilly and elaborate to streamlined and classic, sometimes the perfect invite you had in mind simply doesn’t appear on the shelves A special event calls for a special invitation, such as the one chosen for the Autumn Progressive Tea. To create your own, simply select lovely papers, have the invitation printed—or do it yourself using a computer and a printer—and assemble. Use glue or double-sided tape to secure the top sheet to the bottom. Use a small hole punch to create two holes at the top of the backing sheet. Embellish by inserting pretty ribbon down through the right hole, under the page, and up through the left hole.…

Feels Like Home Something about autumn simply feels like coming home. Perhaps this feeling is rooted in the many comforts the season offers, such as the donning of cozy sweaters and the familiar crunch underfoot of colorful leaves. Whatever it is, even if intangible, is definitely undeniable. And with comfort being practically the heart and soul of our beloved beverage, tea by its very nature goes hand in hand with all things fall. Not only do we need to be warmed from the inside out as the temperatures drop outdoors, but we also find ourselves wanting to set aside time to enjoy the beauty of this seasonal change. Find your favorite teapot, head outside with a blanket and a book, and revel in the beautiful weather before winter settles in.…

1. Whether used to serve petite sweets at teatime or as an accent piece in your home, this earth-toned serving tray is a chic addition to any setting. The monogram decoration also makes it a perfect wedding gift. Find one at The Royal Standard. 2. There is simply no limit to what can be created with flowers. By using small, tight buds in contrasting colors, the talented designers at Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market fashioned this lovely arrangement for a special occasion. The extra thought and effort will make guests feel appreciated at Afternoon Tea. 3. Serving the same purpose as a wreath, this moss-covered initial provides a fresh twist on an old classic. Little details like this make any event more memorable, even if it’s just a friend stopping by for a…

the menu SAVORIES Herbed Crabmeat Tarts Florentine Wontons Fig, Pancetta, and Stilton Bites Zucchini Cups with Smoked Trout Cream SCONE Apple Date Scones Brandied Caramel Cream SWEETS Treble Clef Tortes Rosemary Shortbread with Pear Preserves Earl Grey Infused Crème Brûlée There is a reason why Truman Capote’s famed black and white gala of 1966 is still spoken of as “the party of the century.” Held at the Plaza Hotel in New York, it was the talk of the town. The masked ball boasted a high-wattage array of more than 500 notables and celebrities, among them Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, and Harper Lee. Guests were required to wear either black or white or a combination of the two—the men in tails and tuxes, the women in glittering gowns. Capote’s concept was based on a highly stylized scene in My Fair Lady that depicts the…