Posts filed under 'Tea Reads'
I read a book this week to my two youngest children (ages 6 and 9) with illustrations that took my breath away. Even with the limitations of blogs when it comes to sharing art, I wanted to share some of it with you.
I found the illustrations in the book Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft and illustrated by Kinuko Y. Craft. Here’s an example of one of them, used at the end of the story when Jupiter, father of all (Greek) gods summons Psyche before the entire heavenly assembly because he’s so thrilled Cupid’s been caught in love by his own mischief.
Page after page is filled with these incredible illustrations. My son and daughter both responded with wide-eyed wonder each time I showed them a picture, stopping their play and holding their breaths. That is the response I’m looking for as I seek to educate them in objective beauty.
Some people question why our family spends so much time educating the children with myths, fantasy, and fairy tales. Isn’t this counteractive to our Christian faith? Not at all. In fact, it is BECAUSE of my Christian faith that we spend time, for example, on the Greek gods and the culture of that day.
As the children grow, they will better understand the world Jesus was born into, what came before him and what came after. They will understand the philosophies, cultures, and other leaders in history’s entire context and why Jesus was so radical. But for now, I read them stories from different cultures and philosophies to expose them to the best these cultures had to offer. I do this because I believe that all truth is God’s truth and all beauty is God’s beauty. And it’s true that the Greeks knew how to tell and paint beautiful stories. In my opinion, K. Y. Craft’s illustration demonstrate this beauty well.
This is the season for my two youngest children, especially, where I believe FEEDING their imaginations with story and beauty in the context of history is critical to their mental development. It’s one of the reasons we school them at home, so we have plenty of time for it.
What does this have to do with tea? Nothing. The Ancient Greeks didn’t know the Ancient Chinese were hiding this great secret and drank lots of wine instead. But I share it with you because part of my mission at Tea Party Girl is to help you open your life more and more to beauty. (And now maybe the Christians and the home-schoolers will let me in their carnivals, heheh). Along with tea and other things, Cupid and Psyche helped our family do that this week.
Do you agree or disagree with our philosophy of beauty? Do you see value in a Christian family exposing their children to other cultures’ myths, stories, and philosophies? Why or why not? Please feel free to share your opinion in the comments. And if your family does read the stories of the Greek gods, be sure to add this book to your library.
October 19th, 2007
Read the book by Kim Wilson
or
Take the Tea in London Tour with Denise LeCroy
Granted, Austen did not live in London but her brother did and this allowed Jane to take advantage of London’s shopping! You could do the same. Denise LeCroy, the tour’s director, having lived and worked in London herself, has designed an eight-day tour incorporating many elements of the tea culture and history one can only find in London. Be sure to check out her brief or detailed itineraries, even if you can only imagine taking part at this point. If nothing else, you’ll catch a glimpse of the best Britain offers for the lover of afternoon tea.
If, like me, a Tea in London Tour seems like a farther off dream than next March, consider consoling yourself with a pot of tea and a book that transports you there in your mind. Today in Northern California, the rain pours down, and a tea order with four new samples just arrived in the mail. My radio is tuned to the classical public radio station. The fire burns downstairs and my fingers look for a treasure to pull off the shelf. While I heartily recommend Austen’s novels, of course (and if you’re wanting something daring and more modern there’s always The Jane Austen Book Club. I don’t recommend it for those whose moral sensibilities appreciate the 19th century more), the book Tea with Jane Austen is a enjoyable escape into Regency culture for a day.
History, tea, and recipe lovers will all find something to love in Wilson’s exploration of tea and Jane. I personally enjoy the quotes throughout of tea-related scenes from Austen’s novels and her personal writings.
“I could not tell whether you would be for some meat, or only a dish of tea, after your journey, or else I would have got something ready… . Perhaps you would like some tea, as soon as it can be got.” They both declared they should prefer it to anything. –Mrs. Price to Fanny and William in Mansfield Park.
Throughout the book, the author juxtaposes recipes written 200 years ago with the modern equivalents, allowing the lover of the kitchen to experiment with the food from Austen’s time (thankfully, the butter for the pound cake no longer has to be churned first!). The tea lover interested in authentic Regency-themed tea would find information on what to cook, wear, and depending on how far you wanted to take it, where to make your purchases (with Mr. Wedgwood and Mr. Twinings, of course!).
Even if you are not yet a lover of tea, but of the nineteenth century, plenty of explanations on all the walks of the upper-class, from transportation to night life and etiquette are found within Wilson’s book. I will say, however, that you will learn what an integral part of the culture tea played.
So, which will it be, the book tour or the most authentic tour?
October 12th, 2007
Life is full, my dear friends, very, very, full. I need breaks for tea more than ever. It didn’t happen today except early morning, but time for tea at three remains my plumb-line. If too many pass by without time for tea, I know life is definitely “beyond the boundaries”.
Before I left to experience the miracle of Calaveras Big Trees last Friday, I made a few tea discoveries worth sharing. AND, I may have perfected my tea brewing in the woods!
- In light of my recent posting on taking tea in the big city of San Francisco, and working from a 1999 publication, I learned of a brand new Tea Read debuting this week, “The Way to Tea: Your Adventure Guide to San Francisco Tea Culture” by Jennifer Sauer. I’m excited to see this read, because it’s written by a photographer who caught the tea bug. This means beautiful pictures to accompany our Tea Read. I’ve contacted the author to ask for a review copy, so hopefully we’ll hear from her soon.
- My tea in the woods proved better than ever, based on a few key factors:
- Bottled Water
- Measuring my water based on the carafe I took with me instead of using guess-work
- Pre-measured tea leaves
- A camping teakettle for boiling water
- Watching a watch instead of estimating the brewing time
Those of us who drink tea on a daily basis still find brewing at home to yield the best result. I can’t tell you how many lousy cups of tea I’ve drank on the road, both served by others and brewed myself without my at-home equipment. So this trip, I surrendered, and included all factors of at-home brewing I possibly could while out in the woods. It worked.
Also, in light of Friday’s post, I wanted to point out a few opportunities to support some self-made artisans:
- Stephanie, my new blogging friend and faithful reader pointed out to me an Etsy vendor who provides The Tea Party “touches of something” delivered to your door. Could be an option for those of us who don’t enjoy baking!
- I am semi-participating today in a “Make Mine Pink” tea party. Many other women bloggers are as well, some of whom are artisans. I haven’t yet gone through the entire list, but it would be worth a perusal. Remember, supporting an artist not connected with “Corporate America” is capitalism at it’s best. Find something you consider beautiful, treat yourself, and support a woman’s creativity and enterprise at the same time.
Lastly, I finally took the time to watch “Miss Potter” this weekend, the lovely bio-pic of Beatrix Potter, characterized by Renee Zellweger. One word. Delightful. Children’s literature, an independent woman, English aristocracy, romance, AND preserving nature…all wrapped up in one. BY THE WAY, my swooning friends, Ewan McGregor SINGS to her…sigh). But I mention it, because wrapped up in all this English culture, the movie shows Miss Potter taking tea practically every other scene. Tea scenes galore. Delightful.
September 10th, 2007
Little inspires me more to take the time to plan a tea party than reading beautiful books about the tea party. One of my earliest blogging favorites, Sherry of Semicolon, loves to read and write about what she reads. Her question during my comment contest was:
“My question is, however do I find time to plan a tea party type event?”
Well, Sherry, you won’t hear from me that you need to read and write LESS so you gain more time. From one fellow (lady?) book lover to another, may I recommend finding a book or two that will inspire you? Books and tea make wonderful bedfellows (there’s that word again!). I highly recommend tea-themed book parties or book-themed tea parties as I enjoy nothing better than promoting literacy and tea.
The colder months are coming. Plan one classic read (they almost always drink tea in the classics) you and a friend or student need or want to read. Celebrate finishing the book on a cold winter day with a brewed pot of tea in front of the fire. If you’re especially inspired, bake something to go with it. Try to drink from a beautiful vessel and share your thoughts about the book as long as the pot and your toes stay warm. Can anyone think of a better way to spend a winter afternoon? Oh, if no one’s allergic, be sure to invite the cat. If you’re lucky, it will rain.
For other ideas and inspiration, you must add the book, “Time for Tea: Tea and Conversation with Thirteen English Women” to your library. I love this book for a number of reasons. Most importantly, this book provides snapshots of the lives of women ages 6 to 80-years old (surely you and your friends fall in this category!) and their teatime traditions. These women live their beauty and story enough like you and me so we can relate to them even though their circumstances are different.
The beauty of the English countryside permeates the pages while the women’s stories unfold. Somehow this book taps into that part of my soul that loves simple beauty in such a profound way, I stand up from my time with it changed. My eyes and imagination feast on the photographs included in the book. I end up longing to grow an English garden, cut my front door in half and paint it blue, and invite my friends over for tea no matter what the house looks like (almost).
I think I also really appreciate this book because the women interviewed are down-to-earth and share from their lives. What could be better than a book that celebrates the beauty of tea, women, and the English cottage garden? Oh, and for those of you who enjoy the kitchen, some of their favorite tea-related recipes are included.
What book inspires you to bring more beauty to your day-to-day life?
August 22nd, 2007
My friend, Lady Dawnya, over at Tea Business Dreams posted this week about the Faerie Tea Party. If you need an idea for a Children’s Tea Party she has great ideas for activities, decorations, and invitations. She is also a respecter of the Tea Party’s Most Important Ingredient as well, and has continued the theme to the ‘tea’. Be sure to stop by and check it out. Let her know, too, with a comment if you find the information helpful. I know she’d love to hear from you!
There is also a book, How to Host a Flower Fairy Tea Party, I came across the other day that would be helpful. My six-year old daughter absolutely loves the Flower Fairies. I love the classic illustrations and poetry, as well as the way it teaches my daughter the names of the different flowers.
May you have some time this weekend to lose yourself in the bounty of summer flowers over a cup of tea. Be sure to spend a few minutes imagining the flower fairies dancing and skipping amongst their beauty. When I do, I thank our Creator for the gift of the imagination and the children He gave me to help me remember…
July 20th, 2007
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