Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Today, I am so excited to be a guest for Tea on Tuesdays. My sweet blogging friends, Mary from Home is Where the Boat Is and Pam from Everyday Living, host this wonderful event devoted to all things tea on the third Tuesday of each month. They were so gracious to invite me to join in the fun today.
The theme for my party is a late winter’s tea. Last week was terribly cloudy and cold. Therefore, I chose to set my tea table in the sitting room. Lots of windows create a bright and cheery atmosphere. It is a favorite room of mine to enjoy a cup of tea.
It is no secret that I adore tea. I am not much of a coffee drinker and look forward every morning to my cup of tea. An afternoon cup of tea is also a welcome treat. One of my favorite things to do is take a quiet afternoon break with a cup of tea and peruse a favorite decorating or gardening book. Tea always seems to have such a calming effect. Calm, quiet moments are something we can all use in our everyday lives.
Earl Grey from Fortnum and Mason’s is my favorite tea to drink and the one I have chose to serve today. In the 1830s, British Prime Minister Earl Grey gave his name to this black tea flavored with oil of bergamont. It quickly became a classic English afternoon tea.
Holding my tea, sugar, and cream is a silver tea set by Reed and Barton. The pattern is Winthrop, and I love the whimsical pumpkins and foliage topping each piece. Sadly, it has been discontinued, but I often see pieces for sale on Replacements.com.
White hydrangeas and pink roses placed in an antique blue pitcher add a pretty touch to the table.
The teacups and plates are by Burleigh, and the pattern is Asiatic Pheasant.
You cannot have a tea party without some delicious treats to go with it. I made some vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
To accompany the sweet cupcakes, I assembled cucumber and pimento cheese finger sandwiches. They are the perfect teatime treat.
Did you know that afternoon tea began in England in the year 1840? It was introduced by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford. She would become hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon. However, dinner was not served until eight o’clock in the evening. Therefore, leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner. The Duchess requested that a tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake be brought to her room in the afternoon. She quickly began inviting friends to join her. The time for tea soon became a social event, and by the 1880’s upper class society began serving tea in their drawing rooms between four and five o’clock in the afternoon.
My friends, I hope that you will take some time for yourself and enjoy a little quite time with a cup of tea. I am so happy that you stopped by for a visit today. Your visits and kind words are always a joy to me. A special thank you to my hostesses Mary and Pam for inviting me to have a cup of tea with them today. Please be sure to stop by and join them for tea as well. They always create the most beautiful settings!
Good Morning Shannon, I’m so happy you could join us for tea today! Your silver tea service makes me swoon and your sitting room is beautiful, what a wonderful spot to enjoy tea. I don’t recall seeing your sitting room before, such a wonderful mix of patterns and fabrics and the colors are so soothing and inviting! Your Asiatic Pheasant plates and cups are lovely as is your vase with hydrangeas and roses. I love a savory bite for tea as well as sweet and your cucumber and pimento cheese tea sandwiches would hit the spot. Thank you for joining us for tea today. Happy Tuesday, wishing a wonderful week ahead. ♥
Beautifully done! I love your bouquet and presentation.
Shannon – this is all so pretty and charming! The silver set is stunning, and really sets the tone for your 'tea'! And the china is so feminine and sweet! I did not know the history of how 'tea' began! I always thought the English had been serving tea for long before the 1840's. Such a great little nugget of history! I so admire the warmth and style of your home. I know I will always be treated to beauty and graciousness when I visit your blog.
Good Morning Shannon. What a treat to see you as guest this morning for Tuesday Tea Time.
Your presentation is beautiful. The flowers are a delight. Thank you!
Enjoy your Tuesday!
Shannon, your table is stunning and your sitting room is a perfect spot for teatime. Your flowers are gorgeous in the vintage vase, as is your entire table. Your elegant tea service looks beautiful, and your tea sandwiches and sweet cupcakes are inviting.
I would love to sit in your beautiful room and share tea with you.
Hi Shannon, what a lovely tea party you have created! I loved reading about how the afternoon tea tradition began, and you are so smart to have some "me" time in the afternoon to enjoy a cup of tea~ your silver tea service is beautiful, I have a similar one that just sits untouched in my dining room china cabinet, I haven't used it in years. I love the flower arrangement, they are so pretty with all the pink in your sunroom, what a beautiful spot to enjoy, sip and nosh!
Good morning, Shannon. It is a fabulous treat to join you for tea in your gorgeous sitting room. I am afraid I would sit there all day and read books. Your tea is a lovely presentation of grace and beauty. Of course, I also love Earl Grey tea and vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese frosting would be perfect. The savory tea sandwiches look absolutely delicious. The silver service is stunning, was it a wedding present? The Asiatic Pheasant plates and cups are lovely on your butler’s tray table.
It is a delight to have you join Mary and me for Tea On Tuesdays. Wishing you delightful Tuesday and week, sweet friend!
What a lovely room to enjoy a good cup of tea. I am sipping a cup of tea as I write this comment. I get my tea from a little tea shop in Des Moines Iowa, GONG FU TEA. The two owners personally visits all the tea plantations where they buy their quality loose leaf tea leaves. One of my favorites is their Earl Gray Supreme. They carry three different types of Earl Grey, but the supreme is my favorite.
Shannon, your tea service set is gorgeous. Such a beautiful sitting room. Love the pink couch. A fabulous tea you set complete with little sandwiches and cupcakes. The flowers are beautiful. What a joy to sit in your beautiful room and enjoy a cup of tea.
Shannon, sitting in this gorgeous space, sipping tea would be my idea of bliss. I'm swooning over your gorgeous tea service. Is it a family piece? The flowers and the cakes are the perfect touch. What a wonderful late winter tea. Thank you!
Thank You for sharing your Tea Time. Everything looks elegant.
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Wonderful post Shannon! You are the perfect Tea on Tuesdays guest! I love your gorgeous setting, and the history is so fascinating – I didn't know about the duchess Anna. Thanks so much for your lovely ideas, and those pretty cupcakes too!
Just wonderful!