The Pouring Teapot: Mini Sized

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality has been hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon beginning on March 16 and ending May 31. With a different theme for each week, you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the tenth week, May 18 - May 24, is The Pouring Teapot: "This week is all about sharing about teapots. Do you have one? two? or three? maybe more? Is it for display only or do you use it for tea? What is the tea server you use most? Your favorite teapot (or is it something like a quart jar?). Tell your teapot story, give it's history, and tell what it means to you. You can share more than once if you'd like. Antique, new, Asian, English, or something in between --- we'd love to know!"

For my second post this week I want to focus on my diminutive teapots. These are teapots classed as miniature, doll size, toy size, or child size.

True miniature size is usually in 1/12th scale and may be called doll-house size.
I have one almost miniature teapot and matching service. It is cream trimmed in gold. The teapot is 2" tall, the covered sugar 1 ½", creamer 1", cups ¼" tall x ¼" diam., saucers ½’ diameter. Tray is 3 ¾" diameter.

This tiny tea kettle is made of tin and has a brass handle. It is ¾" tall, including handle.

Child or toy size is intended to be used by children and are in scale to their statures.
I have four teapots in this category.
Here is an apple-shaped teapot just right for play use by a child.

I found this blue and white tea set in a local gift shop. Measurements are: teapot 3 ¾" tall, sugar and lid 2 ½", creamer 1 ¾", cup 1 ¼" tall x 1 ¾" diam, saucer 2 ¼" diameter.

This blue and white teapot (4 ½" tall) is a consignment shop find, along with the matching 2" tall creamer…

and three matching cups (1" tall, 2" diam.) and saucers (3 ½" diam.)

This silverplate teapot with creamer, sugar and tray is by Godinger. The teapot is 4 ¾" tall, sugar and lid 3", creamer 2" tall, tray 10" diameter.

I would say doll size is in between miniature and child size.
At 3 ¼" tall this white porcelain with pink bow, is trimmed in gold. So is the other in blue and white stripe with red roses.

This 2 /4" tall teapot is white with blue flowers all over, a chintz pattern.

At Christmas time all the these mini tea wares are featured with dolls and bears as part of the holiday décor.

For links to other participants in the Tea Blog-a-Thon, please visit La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality.

The-Sweet-and-Savory-of-Yummy

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality is hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon from March 16 until May 31. She has a different theme for each week and you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the sixth week, April 20 - April 26 "The-Sweet-and-Savory-of-Yummy" – "Share your favorite teatime recipe for sweets or savories. Tea sandwiches, scones, and dainty desserts all count in this category. Give credit to the originator of the recipe if possible. Post a picture if you can. This is sure to make everyone hungry for a delicious tea time treat!"

The latest issue of Tea Time magazine has some interesting twists on an old standby of the afternoon tea menu – the cucumber. The article, "Cool Cucumber" introduces a variety of recipes for using cucumbers for both savory and sweet treats that promise to be nice and yummy. Here are two:

"Cucumber and Cantaloupe Bites
Makes 24 bites
1 large English cucumber
1 (4-ounce) package goat cheese
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cantaloupe, halved and seeded
Garnish: fresh mint

Using a channel knife, score cucumber lengthwise from end to end. Trim ends; cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Using a teaspoon, remove and discard seeds. Place cucumber halves on paper towels, and drain, cut side down, for 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, chives, parsley dill, garlic salt, and pepper. Using an electric mixer at medium seed, beat until smooth.
Fill a pastry bag with cheese mixture. Evenly pipe mixture into both halves of the cucumber. Place halves back together and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Chill for 2 hours.
Using a melon baller, remove balls of cantaloupe; cut each ball into quarters. Remove cucumber from refrigerator. Slice into ½-inch rounds. Gently place cut cantaloupe on cucumber slices. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.
Note: Reserve remaining melon for another use."

"Cooling Summer Tea
Makes 1 gallon
1 cup black tea, brewed strong
1 whole English cucumber, pureed and strained (about 1 cup juice)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons pink lemonade flavored drink mix
10 cups of water
1 cucumber, thinly sliced

"In a large pitcher, combine the tea, cucumber juice, and drink mix; stir until well combined. Add the water; chill. Serve over ice with cucumber slices."
--Tea Time May-June 2008, p. 20.

Visit the Tea Time web site for the featured recipe, Cucumber Melon Salata:

Please visit La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality for links to other participants in the Tea Blog-a-Thon.

The Pouring Teapot

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality has been hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon beginning on March 16 and ending May 31. She has a different theme for each week and you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the tenth week, May 18 - May 24, is The Pouring Teapot: "This week is all about sharing about teapots. Do you have one? two? or three? maybe more? Is it for display only or do you use it for tea? What is the tea server you use most? Your favorite teapot (or is it something like a quart jar?). Tell your teapot story, give it's history, and tell what it means to you. You can share more than once if you'd like. Antique, new, Asian, English, or something in between --- we'd love to know!"

All my regular size teapots are for tea use. Only the doll size and miniatures are for display only. This post shows the regular sized teapots.

These first three teapots are each part of a dinner service. The Spode "Consul Cobalt" is made in England. It was my first teapot and I bought in London when on holiday. So it is one of my favorites. [Click here for the story of how I got it on the plane to return to the U.S.]


The next one is by Lenox, in the "Autumn" pattern. Made in USA, its beautiful raised enamelled decoration makes it another favorite.

Royal Worcester "Evesham Gold" is made in England and holds about four cups.

This teapot, along with its matching sugar and creamer, gets used with my blue and white teacup collection. It is by Churchill in the "Out of the Blue" pattern. Made in England. This one has the most use.

This one I got from my mother. White porcelain trimmed in gold, it is made in England, and purchased at Marshall’s. It will serve for these Bavarian cups and saucers, until I find a matching teapot.

This is a new unmarked retro design in terra cotta ceramic. I bought it from an antique store, along with the matching mug. The teapot can be used with an "Evesham" cup and dessert plate.

Another angular teapot is this brown one by DesignPac. It has a triangular shape, with a rustic finish and holds about two cups.

This brown teapot coordinates with my brown & white bowls and plates in the "Wellesley" pattern by Wood and Sons, England, and with the earthenware dessert plates by Royal Stafford, England.

This one is also part of my pineapple collection and a favorite. It is a pineapple-shaped 18th century reproduction from Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. This majolica piece was made in Philippines.

These teapots serve one or two. The "Hampton" 2-cup white ceramic teapot was made in China. It is from CulinaryTeas.com

This tea-for-one set in white ceramic has the word ‘Tea’ on teapot and ‘Cup" on cup. For Pottery Barn, made in Japan.

I feel fortunate to have various choices in teapots from which to pour a cup of a favorite tea. Do drop by whenever you can, so we can share a cuppa.

For links to other participants in the Tea Blog-a-Thon, please visit La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality.

Green and Herb Teas

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality is hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon from March 16 until May 31. She has a different theme for each week and you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the seventh week, April 27 - May 3 is The White, Green, Black, and Herb of Tea: "Tell about your favorite tea. How do you prepare it and serve it? Milk and sugar? Plain? What are some of your best memories of serving or sipping on this tea? Share a picture if you can. Tell the health benefits of the tea(s) you prefer. Where do you purchase your tea? Is there someplace you enjoying purchasing tea from? Who from and where."

I have been taxed with many things lately, and so I am just trying to catch up with my entries to the Tea Blog-a-Thon. So I can give just a brief overview.

Since I avoid caffeine, I drink just herbal and green teas. Also, decaffeinated black teas such as Earl Grey and Constant Comment.

Favorite Teas
Lemon Flavored Green Tea
Cinnamon Flavored Green Tea

From Tea Forte - Ginger tea. Here is the small tin with two infusers.

Health King Gastro Ease Tea – a Chinese tea distributed by Universal Herbs Inc. (HerbsPro.com)

Bigelow teas are found in most supermarkets. Here are the flavors I like:
Mint Medley
Apple Cinnamon
I Love Lemon
Apple Cranberry
Sleepy Time (chamomile)
Orange Spice
Tasty Tangerine
Blueberry Harvest

Serving
I usually serve tea plain and offer a choice of raw sugar, Splenda, Stevia, or honey sticks. (We used to add milk to our tea when I was growing up, but no one asks for it now. )

Memories
For her seventh birthday, I held a tea for my niece/god-daughter. Here is a photo of the kid's table setting in May 1998. She had five kid guests, plus five adults.

When it was time for me to serve tea to the kids, the birthday girl declared, "I don’t like tea!" Immediately, the five young guests each echoed, "I don’t like tea!"
My reply – "Oh but since this is a tea party everyone just has to drink a little bit of tea… Everyone just drink a couple swallows. Then you can have some thing else to drink."
The tea chosen for them was Bigelow Apple Cinnamon.

As they sipped from their cups, one of the kids said, "This is good!" The others nodded and agreed. Soon someone said, "I like this, more tea please." The others said, "More tea, please!"

The kid's table was set in the kitchen. In the dining room the adults took Bigelow Earl Grey decaf.

A few Friday evenings ago my sister, her husband and daughter (now almost 17 years old) were here for supper. It happens that her mom, my sister, does not like tea though her husband makes herb teas at home. As we were talking about tea, my niece/goddaughter now said, "When daddy and I drink tea, I feel all warm and nice…"

It has been great to read the various entries on this week’s topic. Go to Gracious Hospitality to read them.

Tea House Visit

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality is hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon from March 16 until May 31. She has a different theme for each week and you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the ninth week, May 11 - May 17 is Tea Room Ventures and Venues: "Share all about one of your favorite tea rooms. Use photos and descriptions to tell about the decor and ambiance, menus, service, and what makes this tea room special to you. Does this tea room have a gift shop? What kind of special treasures does it contain?"

Eastern Massachusetts has a number to tea rooms. The closest one to my house is the Colonial Tea House in Clinton.

This tea house is attractive but without frills. It has a basic modern take on colonial décor. Tables for two each have two teacups. No two teacups are alike. Larger round tables hold four to six tea drinkers.

Around the main room are framed pictures of teacups, and various tea items on display which are available for sale. Teapots and tins of tea are also displayed on shelves and are for sale.

I took my mother there for a mid-morning break today as we were returning from a medical appointment. We had a pot of "Lemon Sunset" a tasteful blend of "lemongrass, lemon balm, spearmint and rosehips." My mother really liked the pink and white tea cosy which kept the tea really hot. She had three full cups of the tea. Her scone was cinnamon, while mine was blueberry. Double Devon Cream was a nice accompaniment.

Since it was early, we had the room to ourselves and spent the time pointing out various items of interest around the room.

I took my camera out of my purse to take some photos. However, the panel said "recharge batteries." Was I ever so annoyed! I'll have to go back to get some photos of my own. The ones I've used here are from their website.

The small gift shop has tea cozies, teacups and saucers, teapots, and a variety of gift items. As we were leaving, mymother told the waitress that she will bring her youngest daughter (my Massachusetts sister) and grand daughter to take tea here.

Photos from http://www.colonialteahouse.com/

Dressed-to-a-Tea

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality is hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon from March 16 until May 31. She has a different theme for each week and you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the fifth week, April 13 - April 19, is Dressed-to-a-Tea: "Share ideas for dressing up for afternoon tea. Is your favorite tea-time outfit a silk caftan, flannel jammies, or a dress with proper hat and gloves? Do you enjoy wearing tea prints to tea? Or do you prefer something more elegant? Lace and ruffles? A feathered hat? Long pink gloves? Satins and silks? Cotton comfort? Jeans and a t-shirt you say? That's okay --- share it all here. Pictures of you in tea-time costume are welcome!"


Generally at home on a day by day basis, I drink tea in whatever I happen to be wearing at the time. For example, last Friday evening my mother and I had tea in the living room as we listened to music. I served it on a brass tray with a napkin in lovely Royal Worcester "Evesham" teacups and saucers. We were simply dressed in our normal at home wear, but the time spent was quite pleasant and lovely.

For the Dressed-to-a-Tea post I checked for things in my closet which I feel are suitable for a tea party -- clothes that are feminine, attractive and comfortable.

This spring-like two-piece outfit is one I’ve worn to luncheons and would wear to a tea as well.

The top is white with floral and ribbon design.

The matching floral skirt is a full circle with a gathered waist and is quite feminine. I always feel festive when I wear it.
Accessories would include a vintage floral handkerchief in colors to coordinate with the colors in the dress. My choice for a brooch -- a gilt spray with green stone to pick up the green in the fabric. A straw hat [with a long white scarf to cover the black ribbon], a straw purse and heeled sandals would complete the outfit.

A second outfit would pair a beige blouse with a black silk skirt. This might be for a late day or early evening tea. The sleeveless blouse has three sets of inverted pleats to the hem, which would be worn over the skirt.


The silk skirt is black covered in ivory bows.

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Accessories would include a lovely vintage handkerchief in a soft pastel with black embroidered birds. Two small brooches include a gilt romantic couple on a black ground, and an enameled Sarah Coventry heart pin. [I could not find it easily, but I would also wear a narrow black belt over the blouse.] This hat is in felt, but I like the cutout design which makes it feminine and elegant.


Black pumps and a small black bag would complete the outfit.

I feel that either of the two ensembles would be comfortable and suitable for a tea event.

Please visit La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality for links to other participants in the Tea Blog-a-Thon.

Stitches-for-Tea

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality is hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon from March 16 until May 31. She has a different theme for each week and you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the fourth week, April 6 - April 12 is Stitches-for-Tea: "Share ideas and pictures that involve stitching for the tea table. Any kind of stitches count: sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, tatting, quilting, etc. The work can be yours or of someone else, but should be homemade rather than done by factory machines. Ideas are napkins, tea cozies, table linens, and other creations made with tea themes."

Checking my tea linens I found this handmade item which I’d like to feature for this week’s Tea Blog-a-Thon: It is an apron made of white linen with embroidered design at the top of the bib and a teacup on the pocket.

It measures 41" long with an adjustable 34" waist. White buttons fasten the ties of the bib and of the waist ties.

The embroidered designs are in blue, yellow and cream with bows, and dots on the bib.



The pocket features a teacup in blue with white and yellow daises.

I hope you enjoyed my contribution this week to Stitches-for-Tea. Please visit La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality for links to other participants.