Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea. Today I am thanking those who have sacrificed so much at home and away for the freedoms we often take for granted...
Memorial Day was also called Decoration Day...when graves were decorated as signs of respect and remembrance...
Needless to say, finding a suitable teacup for today was difficult...but I have a US Zone Bayereuther, Germany that I hope will qualify...as it was made during the aftermath and re building of Germany after World War II. The partitiion took place from 1945-1949, and this was made in the zone assigned to the US...as you can see from this map...from wikipedia
So, it really I consider the teacup to be an historical reminder of that period...
The teacup is in a demitasse, or after dinner coffee size, and is such a sweet floral! It has a lot of hand painted gold detailing too.
As you can see, the cup and saucer is clearly marked US Zone, and the pottery is Bayreuther in Bavaria, Germany...a newer version of the older Bayreuth established in 1713 and closed in 1852 that began in the 1890s and was also called Bayreuth, although the official name is Erste Bayreuther Porzellanfabrik Walkure Seigmund Paul Meyer. After surviving the war, they reinvented themselves with help from the allies and by 2008 were considered one of the best quality potters 10 ten suppliers of hotel china. This is their current mark...which I saw on some china in Canada recently and a nice restaurant...
Thanks for joining my for tea today. Wishing you a lovely weekend with time to sit with a cup of tea and remember.....and time to build new, happier memories with those you love! Joining...
Here
is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is
SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your
comments, and I do read every one, and can find you to visit! Thanks so much
for joining me for tea!
Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! We are off visiting and am unsure of internet access, but Tuesday Cuppa Tea it's still time for a tea party!
As I am out of town...I thought for a different sort of Tuesday Cuppa Tea it would be fun to pass on this great blog post on the Tea Blog from 2012 called 10 Things to Remember When Having Tea with the Queen of England because Buckingham Palace Garden party season starts next month....
10 Things to Remember
When Having Tea with the Queen of England
Dating from the days of Queen Victoria of England, afternoon garden tea parties with
over 8,000 guests each have been given annually at Buckingham Palace with Queen
Elizabeth II carrying on the tradition even today. It’s an occasion for wearing
nice dresses and suits, white cotton gloves, and even hats. But what if you
were to have a private tea time with Her Royal Highness? There are at least ten
things to remember at such a time.
1 Dress appropriately.
You don’t have to go out and spends hundreds or thousands of
dollars on an outfit. Just wear something nice, not too revealing, and rather
tame in coloration. Flame red or eye-popping orange are best for other, more
lively, and less solemn occasions, such as celebrating that bunion removal.
2 Don’t gawk.
You’re quite likely to see some very lovely things at Buckingham
Palace as you are escorted from the main entrance to the Queen’s private
sitting room. If you walk along behind your escort with your head tilted up,
your eyes bugging out, and your mouth hanging open, not only will you look like
a total Cretin, but you will quite likely bump into something or trip over
something or run into your escort and knock her/him over. Not an auspicious
beginning to any tea time, especially one in such regal surroundings.
3 Know the proper form of greeting.
First, keep in mind that no one sits while the Queen is
standing. Not sure why, but just keep it in mind. (Note: Those in wheelchairs
are, naturally, exempted from this rule.) When introduced, a slight bow or
curtsy is sufficient (no need to overdo it, as some folks in the news lately
have done, and bow half bent over or curtsy to the ground) and a simple “Your
Majesty” or “Your Royal Highness” will suffice. She will extend her hand (a good
thing you didn’t indulge in those sticky candies on the ride over), and you
accept with a light touch, then let go (no stand-up arm wrestling, vigorous arm
pumping, or gorilla handshakes here). You’ll usually all sit then (the Queen
first) and chat a bit.
4 Keep the conversation light.
She will usually introduce a topic for discussion. That way you
won’t bring up something she has no knowledge of. It’s not nice to show up the
Queen with your superior knowledge of moths or collecting Matchbox cars or the
intricacies of modern-day plumbing. And remember that what you talk about with
Her Majesty is just between the two of you. No running to blab to the tabloids.
5 Decide up front how you want your tea.
The Queen as hostess will most likely pour the tea, or possibly
an attendant will. Either way, the pourer will ask if you want lemon or milk
and sugar. You’ll need to know up front if you want any or not. Personally, I’d
go for the milk and sugar and hope for the best. The most likely teas to be
served are a version of Earl Grey or a black tea blend. Both will be enhanced
by the addition of milk and sugar.
6 Don’t slurp.
This is a social event, not a professional tea tasting. No
slurping, swishing, and spitting. While we’re at it, don’t talk with your mouth
full or you’ll end up spitting cake and scone crumbs about the room, getting
them into the nap of the royal carpet or between the cushions of the royal
settee. Other bodily noises should be minimized as best as you can — sneezes,
coughs, snorty laughs, and…uh…well, you know!
7 Leave the bib at home.
Bibs are not really tea time attire. If you dribble or drop
crumbs, oh well, we’re all human. But do try your best to avoid such
happenstances. It helps to take small bites, chew thoroughly, and swallow, then
take small sips of tea and swallow carefully so as not to have any going down
the wrong opening in the back of your throat (one leads to the tummy, the other
leads to choking and gasping in a very undignified manner).
8 Know how to handle your teacup and saucer properly.
·When stirring, do not clang the teaspoon against the sides of
the teacup, but rather just move it back and forth a couple of times and then
place it on your saucer.
·When seated at a table, you raise only the teacup and place it
back on the saucer between sips.
·If it’s a buffet tea (such as the large tea party given annually
at Buckingham Palace), hold the saucer in your lap with your left hand and hold
the teacup in your right hand (if you’re left-handed, oh well!). In between
sips, place the teacup back in the saucer and hold both in your lap.
·Waving or holding your tea cup in the air should never be done
unless you all are watching a soccer match and England’s team scores.
9 Don’t ask “Where’s the Royal Restroom?”
Actually, once the Queen has sat down, tea time has begun, and
you should not leave the room before she does. However, she is an understanding
sort and will be obliging if you really reallyreally need
to go (just ask for the “powder room”). It’s best, though, to take care of this
before heading out to the palace.
10 Don’t overstay you’re welcome.
When the Queen stops eating, so should you. When the tea time is
over, she will rise from her chair, and so should you (no one sits while she
stands). A simple “Your Majesty” will serve as your goodbyes. Your escort will
reappear silently and show you back to the main entrance (or, if you
egregiously went against one of the items listed above, a couple of those
red-coated, tall black furry hat wearing guards will show up to lead you to
alternate accommodations that might not be too comfy).
So much for royal tea times. Time to get back to reality and
have a nice, normal tea time where you can slurp, spew crumbs, stand when you
want, eat as much as you want, etc. In other words, time to head home!
Isn't that a fun post???
Queen Elizabeth II hosts at least 3 annual garden parties annually, but there will probably be more this year for her 90th birthday celebrations...including a huge one down The Mall..... The garden parties are one of the Queen's tools to honor folks and fulfill returns in social obligations at Buckingham Palace, London. Those invited can find themselves rubbing shoulders with about 800 heads of state, veterans of conflicts the UK has taken part in, OBEs, CBE, celebrities and politicians as well as members of the public who have distinguished themselves in a way that has brought them to the notice of those who send suggestions to the Queen's office. This is a video from the Monarchy channel at YouTube about garden parties I found:
In 2003, my now deceased brother in law, Dennis Cox, was invited because of having been a World War II veteran and distinguished himself serving in the far east (although the way he told it, the only thing he had accomplished was avoiding eating anything but fish and chips or sausages and mash for 3 years in the orient). He reported being as close as 4 feet from Queen Elizabeth and having been very touched to see her chatting from soldiers just returned from battle. The weather was mild and there was no rain. He didn't have a camera, so no photo memories to share...
I found this list of what was served at the garden party that year:
27,000 cups of tea
10,000 glasses of iced coffee
10,000 glasses of juice
20,000 assorted tea sandwiches
5,000 bridge rolls
9,000 savory canapes
9,000 fruit tartlets
3,000 butter cake fingers
8,000 battenburg cakes
10,000 slices chocolate-lemon cake
4,500 slices Dundee cake
5,000 iced cake slices
3,500 slices of chocolate-jam swiss roll
100 gallons vanilla and strawberry ice cream
burp!
Here
is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is
SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your
comments, and I do read every one, and can find you to visit! Thanks so much
for joining me for tea!
There is no Tuesday Cuppa Tea link up this week, because this isn't a tea post, but I wanted to post about this...and I am preparing this post early, as we will be out of town for a few days and I have found out the hard way Blogger doesn't like iPads....
The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations are being held next week to coincide with the annual Windsor Horse Show. The Queen’s 90th birthday was on April 21st but special
celebrations will take place at Home Park, Windsor between May 12th and May 15th 2016. This
birthday show will feature 600 horses and 1500 performers, and there will be
room for a crowd of 7,000 for each night’s performance, with the days filled with various coaching and equestrian competitions, often with world class contenders and Olympic hopefuls.
The special 90-minute show in the evening will pay tribute to many of the
things that have been so important to The Queen throughout her life. It will
feature horses and riders from Canada, New Zealand and Fiji among other
countries and will include pipers and drummers according to press reports.
The Queen will attend the last night while others members of the
Royal Family will be present on the other evenings.
Simon Brooks-Ward, who will produce and direct the birthday show
and who also runs the Windsor Horse Show, said that the particular event will
‘celebrate a truly remarkable life.’
The Queen is already the longest-lived British monarch having
surpassed the record set by her great times two grandmother Queen Victoria, who was 81 years, seven months and
29 days old at the time of her death in 1901. And on September 9, 2015, The
Queen surpassed another of her great, great grandmother’s claims to fame when
she broke her record as the longest reigning British monarch...that's amazing!
There were no formal celebrations planned for that historic
occasion on September 9th 2015, as the Queen is usually at her Scottish retreat Balmoral at
that time of year, but she commented that the title was:
"Not one to which I have ever aspired. Inevitably a long life can pass by
many milestones -
my own is no exception -
but I thank you all and the many
others at home and overseas
for your touching messages of great kindness."
In May of 2016 there will
be plenty of festivities to mark yet another significant moment in an already
historic reign.
And, fittingly, this special birthday version of the Royal Windsor Horse Show will be centered around Queen’s lifelong passion for horses, which is at it should be...everyone should get to spend their
birthday just how they want to, after all.
Last year, someone you might recognize, gave the prizes in some of the pony classes....Matin Clunes from Doc Martin! And the Queen was relaxed and in her everyday clothes during the day...
Only a British horse-loving Queen would wear her wellies! Well done, Ma'am!
Photos are from The Telegraph.co.uk or Google images. This is a needlepoint pillow I found on Pinterest, but hoped to have a link for you crafty needlepointers, but couldn't find it...sigh. Thanks for joining me, and have a great week. There is no linky, as this really isn't a tea link up, but I'll have one back up next week!
Jan! Please email me with your snail mail address...your comment said you didn't have a blog, and I have no way of contacting you! Please email me...there is a blue EmailMe box on the left sidebar of the blog...
Hello! It's time for Teacup Tuesday for Mother's Day here in the US!
This is my grandmother, Emma Bridgewater...who is always on my sidebar...who began and fostered my love of antiques and Victoriana. Yep...her name really was Emma Bridgewater and she was born in Leicester, England in 1881. She was born Emma Rice (unlike the potter Emma Bridgewater who was born Bridgewater and married a Rice!) and remembers going in a carriage in 1897 when she was 16 to watch the village roasting oxen on the green to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. She couldn't attend because she was just recovering from scarlet fever.
The photo above is Emma participating in a play at age 18 as part of a dramatic society she belonged to. I inherited her curly hair...and a few health problems as well, by that's by the by. ANYWAY, it was growing up listening to her memories of Victorian England that formed my love of the period. Then, when I was 16 she gave me her teapot and teacups. I have an older sister who was offered them first, but she was into Danish modern so I got all the family Victoriana. Yippee!!!
This is one of the teacups I received from my grandmother. The design is an ethereal watercolor of swans and was made in Germany in the 1880s. It has a crack and a chip, but I treasure it!
This is another of my grandmother's teacups that I treasure. This is a Haviland, Limoges from the 1880s that is just beautiful. We had afternoon tea every afternoon we were together...and she lived with us on and off while I was growing up...and I always got to pick my teacup to drink from...
You can see what fueled my life long love of antiques and collectibles, and why I have been in the antiques, collectibles and tea items business for over 30 years! Obsessed!!! And all Nana's fault!
In the next photo, you can see the hair locket I inherited from my grandmother as well that is hand made and hand engraved and originally had a lock of hair in the back covered with an isenglass window.
After marrying George Bridgewater, another Englishman from Leicester, England, Emma became a nurse and decided that the hair was unsanitary and removed it. It is one of my favorite momentos of her and I wear it often.
And I just wanted to remember the new month of May with some pages from another treasure from my Nana...the Country Diary Of An Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden that she gifted me as well that I dearly love. It reminded her of her upbringing in Victorian and Edwardian England....
A poem about May by William Wordsworth
Ode
While earth herself is adorning
This sweet May morning
And the children are culling
On every side
In a thousand valleys far and wide,
Fresh flowers; while the sun shines warm
And the Babe leaps up on it's mother's arm -
Then sing ye birds, sing, sing a joyous song
And let the young lambs bound as to the tabor's sound
We in thought will join your throng
Ye that pipe and ye that play
Ye that through your hearts today
Feel the gladness of the May
Red Campion (Lychnis diurnia)
Wild Hyacinth (Agraphis Nutans)
Wild Beaked Parsley (Anthrisicus Sylvestris)
page 60
I guess I should really have really used this for my Birds tea last Tuesday Cuppa Tea...oh well. This is a book I come back to often.
Thanks so much for joining me for tea today! I hope you have enjoyed learning more about my story...I guess that's what blogs are for....why I love visiting yours too! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day...whether because you are one of know one...
Here
is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is
SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your
comments, and I do read every one, and can find you to visit! Thanks so much
for joining me for tea!
Okay...tell me you've never done this, but...in a hurry...on my way out of the grocery isles into a checkstand was a basket of teas...and I love Tazo Chai...so grabbed it, bought my groceries...and got home to find that it's a box of Keurig K cups...and I don't have a Keurig! So...a giveaway...if you have a Keurig, are in the US, love Chai...or would like to try this...please leave a comment and I will do a random draw on Friday May 6th at the end of the day. As I said...My BooBoo is your gain!
And for Cinco De Mayo...I found a great Cinnamon Chocolate scone recipe I am going to make this weekend....from McCormick Spices...
·Preheat oven to 375°F.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse
crumbs.
·Beat eggs, sour cream
and vanilla in medium bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add to flour
mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Stir in chopped chocolate.
·Place dough on lightly
floured surface. Knead about 1 minute or until smooth. Place dough on greased
baking sheet. Pat into a 10-inch circle. Score top of dough with sharp knife
into 12 wedges.
·Bake 30 minutes or
until golden brown. Cool slightly on wire rack. Melt and drizzle additional
semi-sweet chocolate over scones, if desired. Cut into 12 wedges to serve.
Drop Scones:Prepare dough as
directed. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheet. Bake 20
minutes or until golden brown.
