Sunday Afternoon Tea

I've had a busy weekend so a rather late afternoon tea sounds very good right now. Since developing a chronic illness about ten years ago, I've learned to take advantage when a high energy level hits. I felt so good yesterday afternoon that I started cleaning and didn't finish until quite late. You wouldn't believe how good my house looks right now. :)

It has been awhile since I shared some of my favorite "tea books". I own a couple but many of them are checked out from the library (over and over again). I would enjoy it if you would share any of your favorites which aren't mentioned here. I'm always on the lookout for new titles or authors.

I've mentioned before that my all time favorite "tea book" is called Let's Have Tea Together by Susan Wheeler (text by Paul Kortepeter). It's a Holly Pond Hill book, originally published as Tea With Victoria Rose. I haven't a clue why they changed it. While it does have recipes and tea suggestions, it is the prose and illustrations that keep me going back to this little book. I could read it each day and it would still make me smile. It delights children as well as adults. I want to live at Holly Pond Hill!

Another favorite is perhaps one of the most well known "tea books" It's the Emilie Barnes book called If Teacups Could Talk. It was the book that started my love for all things "tea time". This is not only pretty but practical, a good book to give as a gift. Emilie has many other beautiful books about tea time, all of them lovely and worth reading.

I have read two of the Victoria Tea Time books (I believe there are one or two others). The first is called The Charms of Tea; Reminiscences and Recipes. The second is The Pleasures of Tea; Recipes and Rituals. Both are beautiful, filled with photos and great recipes. I'm not certain why but I've checked out The Pleasures of Tea more than any other "tea book". I think it is the eye candy!

Another book I have enjoyed is Tea Time at the Inn by Gail Greco. It is full of wonderful recipes. I believe it is based on a former PBS series. I also like the author's book called The Romance of Country Inns. I often find very valuable recipes from Country Inn books, many contain a section of tea time recipes. On my recipe site, I have a link to a site that has the best Bed & Breakfast recipes online (in my humble opinion). :)

I've enjoyed reading Time For Tea: Tea and Conversation with Thirteen English Women this week. It felt like I was chatting with each woman as I read the individual chapters. I was deeply moved by their stories and the way tea time is a part of their British upbringing, their memories, and how they incorporate afternoon tea in their lives today.

Now it is time to actually brew some decaf Earl Grey and sit down to read for awhile. The house looks good, the laundry is caught up (and actually folded, hung, and put away), I've picked up my son so there is no reason that I'd have to get out again today...time to prop my feet up and have my late afternoon "cuppa".