Saturday, March 24, 2012

The (non-political) Tea Party

A couple of weeks ago, I received a very proper invitation to a Mother-Daughter Tea Party.  The envelope was decorated in stickers shaped like little pink teapots, and it was sealed with silver sealing wax.  This is the invitation:


Quite something, isn't it?

The lady organizing the tea party followed up a few days later with a preparatory quiz.  The answers to all the skill-testing questions start with "tee" or "tea", or a sound-alike.  Ex:  A person who helps you learn is a _________.


I completed my pre-tea-party homework.  (I did need a little help from Google on question 19.)  I also dug my pearls out from the back of the jewellery box.  I had to make at least an attempt at dressing like a lady for this event, obviously.

When we arrived at our hostess's home this afternoon, we were greeted warmly.  She had obviously put a lot of thought and effort into setting the table.  My favourite detail is the Precious Moments figurine offering up a tea service on a little tray.  Those are mini Lindt chocolate bunnies peeping out from our specially folded pink serviettes.


Good thing I brought my completed tea quiz, because our hostess was handing out prizes for a job well done.  I got to take home this twee magnet.  It's around 3 inches wide.

 

My mother and I brought gluten-free baked goods for everyone to share, and flowers for the hostess.  At the close of the afternoon, the hostess insisted that I take home all the leftover sweets.  I did not protest very vigorously, and she sent her daughter into the kitchen to pack me up a bag full of cupcakes and three different kinds of cookies.  I was kind of expecting that to happen.

However, she did take my mother and I by surprise by presenting each of us with a bouquet of the same pink roses that had decorated the table.  As if she hadn't done enough for us already!


Thus ended our Victorian-style tea party.

My mother and I will eventually cooperate to host our own Mother-Daughter Tea, but I tells ya, the bar has been set very high.  This tea party was a tough act to follow.

11 comments:

Warped Mind of Ron said...

Sneak a little something something in the tea to make it a little more invigorating... just sayin. I bet it would be an awesome party

Jenski said...

What a perfectly lovely way to spend the afternoon!

Jameil said...

10, 14, 16 & 19 have me stuck!

DarcKnyt said...

That...is completely awesome. I would have attended had I been invited.

But I would have had a hard time dressing like a lady, methinks.

Granny Annie said...

Delightful! I would hate to have to reciprocate. Yikes! Will you have to create a questionnaire like hers? What did you wear to this fancy party?

Sparkling Red said...

Ron: Good idea! I'll make hash brownies.

Jenski: It certainly was, especially considering it was a cloudy, chilly day outside. It was a perfect day for being cozy inside with a cup of tea.

Jameil:
10 = teeming
14 = teacups
16 = tear gas
19 = tea bag

DarcKnyt: You could certainly dress up as a gentleman instead. Silk top hat, ascot, and a handlebar moustache would do the trick.

Granny Annie: That's a good idea! We could do a quiz about facts related to tea. :-)
I wore a ladylike blouse with pleats down the front in a delicate shade halfway between ivory and peach, chocolate brown trousers, and my peachy pear earrings and necklace. All the other ladies wore pink.

LL Cool Joe said...

Oh how posh! Looks perfect. I'm not sure it would have been quite my cup of tea. Get the joke? Okay I'll go before I spoil your tasteful post! I'm dying for a cuppa now.

Lynn said...

That sounds like a nice tea party. I can remember being invited to a tea party at a friend's house when I was 5 or 6 years old. I remember being so confused by it. Why was I dressing in my Sunday church frock for this? I have a clear memory of a bunch of little girls in frocks sitting in the living room with punch and cookies. I remember telling my mom my favorite thing - there was a strawberry in my cup of punch. :) A lovely memory like this one for you.

DarcsFalcon said...

Oh my gosh that is so lovely! What a beautiful table she set, and the invitations are so cute. :) I love it all.

Yes, a tough act to follow, but knowing you, dear Spark, it won't be that hard. :)

Sparkling Red said...

LL Cool Joe: The gold bunnies were a bit of bling, but other than that I agree. It wouldn't have been your cup of tea. ;-)

Lynn: I would have loved this tea party so much when I was a little girl! It would have seemed magical.

DarcsFalcon: Our hostess is a lady who appreciates the thoughtful little extras in life.

Tracy Moore said...

Wow, she really put a lot of thought and effort into the tea party! It all looks so pretty. The dressing like a lady part would have been a stretch for me, for sure LOL!