Tea Party Girl’s Christmas Card

Oh, that you could knock on my door and enter. The fire would be lit with a set tea table in front of it. The house would smell like gingerbread and we could talk heart-to-heart with our feet curled under us on the couch, holding our steaming cups of tea. We could laugh or cry or both depending on where the conversation went. I’ll play some Vince Guaraldi to add to the mood and turn on the Christmas tree lights. The three-tiered tray would be packed with nibbles including peppermint kisses, roasted almonds, and pomegranate and chocolate-cheese tarts. If you’re not a tea-totaler, I may even pour you a glass of bubbly and we can toast to new life; that we don’t have to live where it is always winter and never Christmas. How does that sound?

My wishes to you for a MERRY Christmas, no matter your circumstances, family dynamics, or personal challenges. That you may be able to welcome others into your home with generosity, calm, and gladness. May the material riches and blessings so many of us know not crowd out the simple Christmas story; that the best gifts of all often come in simple quietness with no celebrity.

May the earth and our hearts know the Prince of Peace this season.

Merry Christmas, dear readers! I’ll be back once the children have recovered.

4 comments December 21st, 2007

This, That, and a Great Tea Quote

I write this post today with two eager children on either side of me and two strange men pounding the floor above my head (it’s carpet installing day). It’s Daddy’s birthday and our family Christmas shopping day. I’m still in my pjs and haven’t cleaned the kitchen since making the birthday brunch. My living room looks like a laundry basket of mattresses, sheets, and pillows from last night’s family slumber party. This is today’s reality. But at least I’m accepting it with a cup of Tiger Eye tea in my thin-lipped mug.

I wanted to first say thanks for the comments you left over the weekend. Still thinking through some things, but have no plans to abandon this pursuit. I’ll keep you “posted” (pun intended). Here’s a few random thoughts for now:

• It’s been a goal of mine to reach 100 subscribers. I plateaued at 80 a number of weeks ago. From the comments left, I realize many of my readers don’t subscribe to blogs. I still hope to reach 100, so if you DO subscribe to blogs and haven’t subscribed here, please do by pressing the purple button at the top of my sidebar. It really is a great way to organize your reading instead of having to visit your favorite blogs to check in.
• It’s great to hear that you enjoy the practical and inspirational tone of the blog. Inspirational writing comes more naturally for me, and I wouldn’t want to stick to just the facts.
• One of my plans is to offer a podcast soon for those who enjoy listening to information, possibly instead of reading. It’s amazing how many people I run into who just don’t take time to read. Hopefully this will help others access information and inspiration for hosting their hospitality events. Stay tuned!

Since beginning this blogging journey, I’ve so enjoyed learning about the many talents, personalities, and angles represented by bloggers; including many of you. It’s one of the reasons I participate in carnivals and every Tuesday let you know about them. Tea Party Girl doesn’t fit in all of them, but following these links can be great way to learn quickly some of who else is out there. This week you can find Tea Party Girl at A Snowy Carnival for SaHMs and Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths (Kendra, are you out there? It’s a homeschooling mom of eight with one bathroom!). Lara at The Lazy Organizer makes it super-easy to participate with her Talk about Tuesdays. The topic can be anything! So feel free to jump on the blogging-carnival-train.

But, of course, I recommend this all in light of the questions I always ask myself and you. Are you spending your time on what brings life to yourself and others? How’s your December plan going? Are your expectations for yourself too high? Keeping your blood sugar steady? Getting enough sleep and drinking enough water (tea)?

Today I leave you with a great tea quote sent my way this week:

“The pleasures of afternoon tea run like a trickle of honey through English literature from Rupert Brooke’s wistful lines on the Old Vicarage at Grantchester to Miss Marple, calmly dissecting a case over tea cakes at a seaside hotel.” –Stan Hey

I know there’s more to life than great literature and fabulous tea, but I do love the few days I get to live like it’s true. No, today is definitely not one of those days.

4 comments December 11th, 2007

What is Your Etiquette Pet Peeve?

A gracious hostess learns how to roll with the punches. My question is not to advocate expressing horror TO our guests or possibly, family members. But with Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas on the near horizon, I thought I’d provide an opportunity for my readers to say what they really think. Here at TPG and with the “privacy” of the Internet, there’s no need to be shy or even polite. I am here for the hostesses of the world! Go ahead and leave a comment. What is your number one etiquette pet peeve?

In all fairness, I will tell you mine. There is one that outshines them all; that takes my stomach and twists it into knots and makes my temples pound. I care about this more than issues of cleanliness, lateness, RSVPs, a lack of thank yous, or even arriving with the family dog.

I do not understand grown-ups who dominate the conversation, either with constant chatter or sullenness without engaging the people around them.

I can acquiesce that my children’s generation may not write letters as much as their grandparent’s generation. But the art of conversation will never go out of style. And one of the lessons I have to teach my children over and over and over again, is to not babble on about what THEY think is funny or interesting at the dinner table, but to ask questions of the others who are there. It’s even more difficult to teach them to answer the questions of others’ polite inquiries despite their mood or opinion of the inquirer.

I am of the opinion that any personality from the extreme extrovert to the most-shy introvert can learn the art of conversation. It just means keeping in mind others over ourselves. People are fascinating creatures and full of stories. Making room for others to talk is key to our ability to connect with one another. We need to learn to ask questions, not only share our own stories, and practice engaging others when gathered together over a meal or the tea party.

Do you agree? How did it go around your Thanksgiving table this weekend? Please leave comments and let us know your number one etiquette pet peeve, as well!

9 comments November 26th, 2007

Have You Made Your Indoor Tea Corner Yet?

We all need a corner of our own in our home for hibernation.

Like many middle-class suburban Americans, I live in 2000 square feet we clean, live in, mess up, and attempt to decorate. Carol Burnett once said, “Cleaning house with children is like shoveling snow when it’s still snowing.” But for many years, I tried anyway. Because my children’s primary education is at home, I am rarely home alone. Activity permeates these walls. And I was constantly frustrated and discouraged.

“Gee! I wonder why!”

Until a few weeks ago. Something clicked. During the week, I keep one room the way I want it~my bedroom and bath. This isn’t foolproof, I do share it with a man after all. But for the most part, it’s working.

This post enters me into Brocante Home Chronicles’ Puttery Treats Challenge. I am squeaking in by the skin of my teeth. But I had to try because Alison currently inspires my homemaking and tea lifestyle more than any other current blogger. She gave us a gargantuan list of ideas to bring life to our homes. Here was only one of the many I want to implement:

“Wrap your Christmas list books in ribbon, add a couple of glitzy pens, a box of deliciously spoiling chocolates, a few pairs of snuggly scoks, (yey it’s sock time!!), a favorite novel, and some magazines and put with your house jumper in the basket next to your armchair. Get yourself an oversized vintage velvet cushion, choose a cranberry coloured juice glass and a large decadent mug for long Autumny drinks and hibernate in your very own corner of the house.”

Alison, I’m not sure what Christmas list books are in Britain, but here’s a picture from my corner of the world; seasonal books that inspire me just by looking at them.

My indoor tea corner is a work in progress. Just like my life. And I have yet to add all the puttery treats Alison suggests.

• The glitzy pens are on order.
• spoiling chocolates…hmmm…I’m thinking those are chocolates that can ruin me for the ordinary when I bite into them. Anyone want to vote in the comments for their favorite?
• snuggly socks, check
• favorite novel, check
• house jumper: translation sweater, I believe.
• a cranberry colored juice glass-sigh-I just discovered my love for vintage colored glass.

Well, at least I designated the place and uncluttered it:

And I uncluttered the view of what I see when I’m sitting in my corner.

And the only thing I actually BOUGHT to bring to my hibernation corner was a warm wintry nightgown I can feel pretty in. Pretty is key.

Many days I am overwhelmed by the amount of work it takes to help five lives stay healthy, fed, clothed, enriched, and safe. I find myself pining away for the day where only the rich with servants were expected to be literate, throw parties, dress fabulously, and manage estates. At the check-out line in the market, my eyes narrow at the home magazines as if they were exploiting women’s bodies instead of just our dreams and expectations. Who can compete?

But giving up is not an option. And whether I feel up to the task or not, I am the primary homemaker. Today, my children felt at home making multiple paper crafts, eating pomegranates and swinging on a rope swing they built in our two-story entry way. Not activities exactly chosen for neatness or a Country Living photo shoot. And I feel at home with a hibernation corner ready and waiting-a place to sip tea, journal, read, and wear my fuzzy socks.

Have YOU made your indoor tea corner yet?

6 comments November 20th, 2007

How Do You Keep December Beautiful and Simple?

I’m writing this post to participate in The Lazy Organizer’s Talk about Tuesday. I’m also going to use this post for Rocks in my Dryer’s Backwards Day. I really want to hear from all of you! In fact, whoever answers my questions in the comments below will be entered to receive a free four-ounces of Cathy’s Chai, a wonderful looseleaf tea to help you celebrate in December. I will also throw in a “Perfect Cup of Tea” spoon and some tea sacks. The comments will stay open until 9pm PST on Sunday evening. So let’s get this show on the road!

What is the number one piece of advice you would give someone to help December stay beautiful AND simple? I find December a magical time. I love the changing weather, the shorter days, the smells, and white lights everywhere. The children’s anticipation provides so much tangible joy. If I make the time, baking cookies, giving gifts (and wrapping them!), and attending a local chorale production all add to the season. We’re a family of advent calendars, decorations on Thanksgiving weekend, and playing Christmas carols all month long.

But in reality, the glossy magazines and store displays overwhelm me. The budget is constantly having to be watched. The pressure of expectations can crush the magic. Dust bunnies and grimy floors still materialize in December. And three family birthdays are celebrated, more than any other month of the year. I struggle to keep December beautiful and simple.

So I want to hear your PRACTICAL suggestions. What is your number one piece of advice for all of us at Tea Party Girl? Have you switched to e-cards for Christmas card greetings? Do you skip out on the school/church pageant? Do you serve Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas Eve dinner? (I HOPE not, but you never know!) What do you do or not do?

Remember, if you leave a comment, I’ll enter you in my drawing. And please, if you haven’t already, subscribe to Tea Party Girl through my RSS feed (press the orange button below or lavender button above) or sign-up for updates through email (see my sidebar). Then you won’t miss the announcement on Monday about the winner!

25 comments November 6th, 2007