tea leaves

I've started looking forward to Tuesdays.....that means morning tea with my friend, Bonnie.  Today was my turn to host our get together.  I usually set a casual tea right on my coffee table, so we can sit on the couch and visit.  We laugh and, sometimes,  cry and share things we want each other to pray about as we sip our tea.

Here's today's table sans biscuits, which were still in the oven, and tea pot, waiting for the water to warm.

There's just something about women and tea, isn't there?

Women around a table of cups and a pot of tea [or even a pot of hot water and tea bags]  just seem to relax and open up!

When I go home, my sister sometimes hosts a little tea party for all the girls in the family.  It has been interesting too see the dynamics of the conversation around the table change as the younger generation of women are taking the places that my sisters and I used to hold....it seems we've joined my mom in becoming...quieter... speaking less....listening more...as they banter about marriage and children and friendships and spiritual matters.  I love hearing their reflections, and it warms my heart to see them finding common ground on which to build strong family ties.

Some of my favorite tea parties were ones the girls and I used to have for my mom and dad when they came to town....I wish I had a picture to share here. We really went all out and used Let's Have a Tea Party, a book by Emily Barnes,  for ideas and recipes.  It was a fun way for the girls to learn the art of hospitality.

And they learned it well. Last  Mother's Day they had a tea party in honor of me!  Such a beautiful blessing and memory!

One of my favorite recipes for tea on a hot day is Texas Tea.  You'll have to set out the pitcher and goblets or iced tea glasses instead of the tea cups and teapot, but it still works the magic :)

Feel free to leave a comment below sharing your favorite tea party memory or favorite tea recipe.....or

Drop Me a Note

Comments

[Cindy]

Ah, what fun memories, kinda makes me cry! Your table looks lovely and so springy. Hope that you and Bonnie have a special time today. Wish I were there.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Cindy....
Wish you could be here to!
~d

[aggiejenn@ReflectingHim]

we are having a Ladies Tea here in Singapore this Saturday at our church. There is something about women and tea! And that recipe for Texas tea is fabulous; I've made it before! I love hot tea, chai tea lattes from Starbucks...you name it!

[aggiejenn@ReflectingHim]

oh, forgot to mention sweet iced tea! I'm from Texas...how could I forget? :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jennifer....
Oh yes.........sweeeeeet tea....is there anything else?
My mom's from Texas so I grew up on the stuff.
Texas tea is so special....I've been making it as a special
menu item at Easter.
Have a great time at your ladies tea...will you be blogging
about it?

Debi

[aggiejenn@ReflectingHim]

I will be blogging about the tea. If I forget to take pictures, I have a friend who always takes pictures so I'll just steal them from her (her camera is much nicer than mine, anyway!).

And contrary to what my New Mexican husband would say, there is nothing other than sweet tea!

~~~~~~~~~~~
Can't wait to see the pics.... :)
~d

[Stacey]

Love the idea but haven't pulled it off. :) I generally worry about receiving funny looks at the prospect of a tea time. LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stacey....
Hmmmmmm
Your comment is interesting....do you think your
friends think that is too old fashioned? too prissy LOL?
or just not high octane enough in our Starbucks age?
I'm so curious to know....

::grin::
Debi

[Stacey]

Hey Again Debi!! :)

Some of my friends may love it, but I also know that there are many who would find it just as you described. Too prissy or old fashioned. The "funny" thing is some of these very same friends would totally meet at a coffee shop for an hour or two.

However, I am in the process of moving so I am considering these thoughts and what I can do with them once I get where we are going. (OK) I don't know what God has planned for me yet, but He does seem to be giving me some things to think about. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stacey...

Moving....how did I miss that?

This conversation is interesting.
Do you ever get together for other things in each others' homes?
I noticed when I was a mentor mom at my old church that the ladies in my group liked to meet at restaurants when we got together outside of our weekly small group meeting at the church.
Do you think it has anything to do with the place you meet too?
~d

[Stacey]

Debi,

I have not been forthcoming about the move on my blog yet, due to other circumstances. You missed it because it wasn't plainly written. :)

Coming from the Women's Ministry Lead position I have some thoughts on place, to be certain. We have a monthly meeting called Heart2Heart that is simply for gathering and fellowshiping. When it is held in homes we have a low turn out but if it is in a restaurant, coffee shop, or the like the the numbers are higher.

I am wondering if it isn't because homes are more personal and it brings out women's insecurities more. Public spaces are neutral zones one can feel to come and go as one pleases, and no one feels trapped. Those issues most likely do pass once you get to know someone better, but until that time comes I think it gives them a sense of safety in an insecure moment.

Of course, there are the rare creatures who walk around transparent wherever they are. It is always good to have one or two of these women at a gathering for I feel they make the others feel more at ease.

Stacey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

yes....I've thought about the "neutral territory" thing...
good thoughts, Stacey! Thanks for sharing here!

~d