TeaTime May - June 2009

Although every season has special days, it seems the months of May and June offer more reasons to pull out the silver serving trays, experiment with a few new recipes, and drop handwritten notes in the mail. High school and college graduations, bridal showers, birthdays, parties for soon-to-be moms, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day; choose an event to celebrate, select a party date, peruse our tea menus, and gather friends and family members for a tea celebration. Or create a new holiday for children, as Phyllis Hoffman and I did, building on an idea my sister and I had shared years earlier. When our little ones called attention to the fact that we have days set aside for honoring mothers and fathers but not children, Phyllis and I decided to provide our…

“Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.” —T’IEN YIHENG Sencha HARVESTED IN EARLY SPRING, SENCHA IS A TRADITIONAL JAPANESE TEA THAT IS DELICATE IN COLOR BUT BOLD IN FLAVOR. THIS POPULAR GREEN TEA IS A PERFECT PICK FOR THE SEASON AND PAIRS BEAUTIFULLY WITH BOTH SAVORIES AND SWEETS. tea pedigree • Sencha accounts for about three-quarters of the leaf produced in Japan’s tea-growing regions. • Characterized by a deep emerald color, sencha is noted for its needle- shaped leaves. It is available in high, medium, and low grades. • Higher-grade sencha comes from the tender top shoots of the tea plant and is plucked by hand. Lower-grade or less-expensive sencha is often machine harvested. • Sencha is prepared for consumption first by steaming the leaf—to prevent oxidation—then rolling it either by hand or machine…

1. Thistledown wraparound cozies keep prepared tea at the desired temperature so you can help yourself to a second cup. Made of cotton, these cozies feature a useful ribbon to keep the cozy snug around your favorite teapot. 2. Cute teacup patterns adorn these colorful cotton aprons designed to keep Mom stylish— even in the kitchen. Matching tea towels sewn by Anna Maria Horner, embellished with lovely scalloped edges, are the perfect accompaniment for preparing an Afternoon Tea. 3. Set the mood for spring with this stackable tea set displaying Lenox’s “Butterfly Meadow” pattern of monarchs, tiger swallowtails, and orange sulphurs. The three-piece set includes a white porcelain teapot, an oversize cup, and a miniature butterfly-shaped plate to hold a used tea bag. 4. Keep memories close and document life’s pleasures in the…

May 9 8TH ANNUAL CEREBRAL PALSY MOTHER’S TEA 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. The Westin Tabor Center Denver, Colorado Honor mothers with a traditional tea, and benefit Cerebral Palsy of Colorado. Attendees will enjoy an elegant luncheon with entertainment including a keynote speaker, a fashion show, and giveaways. For more information, call 303-691-9339, or visit www.cpco.org. 22 through 25 CHESTERTOWN TEA PARTY FESTIVAL Chestertown, Maryland Celebrate American history at a festival filled with re-enactments from the late 1700s, cocktail receptions, and a parade. To commemorate colonial resistance to British rule, this annual tea part y takes you back to the colonial era, complete with live music, costumes, and walking tours of historic Chestertown. For more information, e-mail contact@chestertownteaparty.com. 23 A TASTE OF TEA 2:00 p.m. The Sundial Gardens Higganum, Connecticut A tasting program devoted to fine tea, The Sundial Gardens offers a discussion on…

Antiques lovers and collectors know that vintage handkerchiefs, tablecloths, fingertip towels, napkins, pillowcases, and other fine linens—especially those used to create a table setting—possess enduring charm. Linens lend timeless elegance and evoke a sense of history. It’s inspiring to imagine who held these pieces in the past or the lavish and lovely teas and other celebrations they may have graced. Prepossessing, crisp, white napkins gathered with antique engraved-silver napkin rings bring a sense of romantic reminiscence to a tea table. Adorned with a damasklike pattern along the edges, they are the definition of simple beauty. Dainty napkins, embellished with sweetly embroidered daisies and edged in frothy lace, perfectly blend informality with elegance; a matching tablecloth pulls the look together. Handworked eyelets are a vintage classic, adding interest and white-on-white appeal to…

He taught you to ride a bicycle and drive your first car, cheered you when you were dispirited, and walked you down the aisle on your wedding day. On June 21, with the sentiment of pure adoration, dedicate Father’s Day afternoon solely to your dad. Arrange a palatial table, brew a pot of robust British black or soothing rooibos tea, and enjoy time spent together. Set the stage with a natural color palette that delightfully unites beauty with masculinity. Pale cucumber green combined with royal golds and bright yellows evokes relaxation and warmth with sophistication. Elegant crystal glassware and nature-inspired china weave the Father’s Day theme throughout the tablescape. Place china, embellished with a fish, atop a green-leaf-motif charger to add depth to the rich décor. Bring the outdoors in with unique…