The Queen Leaves Balmoral for the Last Time

 

I believe one is never prepared to view the coffin of a loved one. All those around the world who loved Queen Elizabeth II surely shed at tear at the first sight of the hearse carrying her coffin as it left Balmoral yesterday.

The cortège headed to Edinburgh to carry the Queen to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Queen’s Coffin Arrives at Holyroodhouse

The coffin was met by the Duke of York,The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. The coffin rested in the Throne Room until this afternoon when it was conveyed to St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.

King Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward stood guard over the Queen’s coffin in a moving 15-minute vigil. The Queen will lie in state until tomorrow evening, when her coffin will be flown back to London.

I have been sipping the Queen’s favorite tea, Earl Grey, and browsing through the latest issue of Victoria Magazine—the British issue. As it turns out, this issue features a romantic tour of Scotland, with stunning photos and interesting stories of Balmoral and Holyroodhouse. It’s a must read!

Teatime while mourning the Queen

My Harney Tea Collection

My love of tea started very early in my life.  Like most Southerners, I was introduced to iced tea at a young age.  Over the years I have experimented with various flavors of iced and hot tea and all of the varieties of tea.
This is my hot/iced tea collection--including all varieties of tea.

All tea comes from the same plant, a first cousin to our southern camellia bush--Camellia Senensis (a warm-weather evergreen).
It is the region it was grown, time of year picked, stages of processing, and contact with oxygen that determines the types of tea and their flavors.
Stages of Tea Processing:
Withering--done by spreading tea leaves to wither and become limp.
Rolling--done by machinery to rupture the leaf cells.
Oxidation--process that exposes the leaf juices to air.
Firing--done by applying heat to stop any further chemical changes and dry the leaf.
Sorting--grades the sizes of the leaf.
Varieties of Tea:
White Tea--is produced in Southeast China.  It has a very delicate, sweet and light flavor and has very little caffeine.  This is the least processed tea and is high in antioxidants.
Green Tea--is produced in China & Japan.  It has a grassy, vegetal or nutty taste.  It is non-oxidized and high in antioxidants.
Oolong Tea--is produced in China and Taiwan.  It has a rich and fruity taste.  It is partially oxidized and aids in digestion.
Black Tea--is produced in China, India, and Sri Lanka.  It has a rich taste and can be enjoyed with milk, lemon, sugar, or honey.  It is fully oxidized and may help to lower your cholesterol.
Tisanes--are herbal infusions and made from flowers, bark, fruit, and leaves; not from the tea plant.
Rooibos--is produced in South Africa and has a sweet and nutty flavor.  It is caffeine-free and high in antioxidants, rich in vitamins, and natural minerals.
I truly cannot pick a favorite variety of tea.  I love them all!  Obviously, I’m partial to Harney Teas.  I have been sipping their teas for many years and never tasted one I didn’t like.
To sit and have a cup of tea is one of the most relaxing things you can do.  It is not the actual drinking of the tea, but the ritual of boiling the water, preparing the tea, and patiently waiting and anticipating some quiet time.  It slows you down from your hectic pace and gives you a chance to take a deep breath and relax.  It is a gesture of hospitality that is universal.

National Hot Tea Month

Y'all know I love to celebrate every occasion and since January is National Hot Tea Month, I'll be sippin' hot tea every chance I get.  After the rush of the holidays, I'm ready to relax, organize my stuff, and plan for the new year.

To sit and have a cup of tea is one of the most relaxing things that you can do.  It's not the actual drinking of the tea, but the ritual of boiling the water, preparing the tea, and patiently waiting and anticipating quiet time.  It slows you down from your hectic pace and gives you a chance to take a deep breath and relax.

I do love to visit tearooms when I travel or when I'm at home.  In the past I've been able to locate lots of tearooms on Tea Map and The Tea House Times.  Unfortunately, it seems as though proper tearooms are becoming a thing of the past and that's a shame.  Taking tea in a tearoom is so relaxing and gives us a chance to practice proper etiquette.

If you are taking tea at home, you may serve at the dining table.  This is the correct place setting...The hostess pours the tea for each guest and serves them individually from the right-hand side.  Teacups and saucers are never passed around the table.  After all the guests have been served tea, the hostess serves herself and the tea begins.

If you choose to take your tea at the coffee table, it is called a "Low Tea" and this is the proper setting.  Remember when taking tea at a coffee table, pick up the teacup and saucer together.  The teacup should never be more than 12" away from the saucer.

Yes, there is tea etiquette to be followed.  My favorite books are by one of my favorite etiquette teachers, Ms. Dorothea Johnson.  These books are must-reads for those who take tea for business or pleasure and to teach children about the etiquette rules observed at afternoon tea...from the invitations to the thank-you notes.  You can order these books at my "Miss Janice Recommends" page.

"At tea, as in any other interaction, we are not free to act merely as we please, but we must act with mutual consideration, as befits our independence."  ~Dorothy Johnson

Today it is so cold here in Georgia and I'm only going to leave the house to go to the gym.  Right now I'm enjoying an "Elevenses Tea"...tea with a little treat.  Harney Tea is my absolute favorite and I steeped their "Florence" tea and am nibbling on shortbread while I'm piddling around the house.

January is National Hot Tea Month

I'm stepping back away from the Starbucks cups for now and sippin' some hot tea.  January is National Hot Tea month and even though I'm in warm, sunny Florida, I still enjoy tea in the morning.    I'm definitely getting back on my "Clean Living Diet" and tea is the perfect beverage to add to a healthy meal, whether it's hot tea or iced tea. Tea has so many health benefits...it's high in polyphenols, a type of anti-oxidant that may protect our cells from the DNA damage that can cause many diseases. Harney Tea is by far my favorite tea and this morning I'm enjoying some of their Florence tea.  It's a flavored black tea, with hazlenut and chocolate flavors.   

Back in 2009, I blogged all about tea during the entire month of January.  If you search my archives, you will find blog posts about The History of Tea, The Health Benefits of Tea, Steeping Tea, Times for Tea, Tea Accoutrements, Styles of Tea Service, Tips to Remember at the Tea Table, and Tea and Dining Etiquette.

Now is the perfect time to have tea with children and teach them how to behave at the table.

"Children's Tea and Etiquette" by Dorothea Johnson, John Harney, and Ann Noyes is the perfect book for those want to breed good manners in young minds...You'll find everything you need to know about children's tea and etiquette...from the invitations...to the thank-you notes!

Ms. Johnson has also written another book...with Bruce Richardson, "Tea and Etiquette."  This book is a must-read for those who take tea for business or pleasure.  It includes chapters on tea history, tea and health information, hosting an afternoon tea at home, tea faux pas, guest duties at a social tea, going out to tea, business tea etiquette, finessing the food at tea, tea types, steeping guides, and recipes.

Please join me and lift your teacups during January to toast National Hot Tea month.  Remember, tea is considered the beverage of hospitality...so go steep some tea!

Pumpkin Deviled Egg Plate--Southern Lady Must-Have

You "Might be a Southern Lady" if...you have deviled egg plates for every occasion--egg plates for all the major holidays, egg plates to-go, and fancy, high-fallutin' egg plates--they are all de rigueur!

So, of course I have a pumpkin-shaped egg plate for autumn!

Southerners love deviled eggs.  The deviled egg is the perfect party food and a beloved staple at Southern events.  Nobody can eat just one...they are most definitely the first food to go at a party! Whether you are attending a baby shower or a bridal shower, a picnic, tailgating party, funeral reception, or potluck meal...if you want to be the belle of the buffet, show up with deviled eggs!

Southern ladies have recipes for all kind of deviled eggs--crab stuffed, Tex Mex, Tomato Basil, et cetera.  Last night I prepared some deviled eggs, using a very simple recipe...

Simple Deviled Eggs:
1 dozen eggs
Mayonaisse
Grey Poupon Coarse Ground Mustard
Salad Relish
Salt and Pepper
Paprika

I boiled the eggs, let them cool, then peeled and sliced them in half.  I scooped out the yolk into a large bowl and added the mayo, mustard, relish, and salt and pepper.  I didn't add a certain amount, just what I thought tasted good!  And, just 'cuz I like it, I sprinkled paprika on top of each one.

I served Harney Tea's African Autumn tea with our supper...it's the perfect beverage for this time of year.  I LOVE this tea!

My OOTN:  Black tee, with black leggings, and an autumn half-apron from my "Prissy Apron Collection."  And...pearls, of course!

Etiquette tip:  How to eat a deviled egg:
Deviled eggs are finger foods and only served at Buffets, Picnics, Tailgates, and other informal casual settings.  When eating finger foods, remember to follow the three-finger rule...Use the thumb, middle, and index fingers when picking up the food with your fingers.

If you are standing up at an event, sit your beverage on a nearby table and and hold your plate with your palm underneath.  Take a couple of bites of the egg...don't put the whole thing in your mouth at once and please don't slurp out the yolk--Lord have mercy, that would be tacky!

I'm busy today getting my Halloween treats together for the youngins on Wednesday.  Y'all have a great week!!!

Getting my Autumn Act Together!

This morning, I've been taking out Autumn and Halloween decos...organizing everything and planning the decos I want to add this year.  Lord have mercy, I now have just as many Autumn/Halloween/Thanksgiving decos as I do for Christmas so I'm only adding a few new pieces this year--all my decos are taking over the garage.

Love this magazine out on the new stands now by Phyllis Hoffman.  Great photos and ideas to get you excited for the season!

My Doctor told me last week that I should gain 5 lbs.  Well my land, I've certainly never been told that!  Since I've been on the "Clean Living" diet during the summer, I lost about 10-12 lbs and for my frame and height, that's probably a bit much.  Okay.  Working on that weight gain today with a scone and some of  my Apple Butter.

LOVE this apple butter for a spread on scones, biscuits, or toast.

Miss Janice's Etiquette Tip:  Remember that jellies or creams should spooned onto the plate not onto the scone.  Then use a spreader and add the jelly to only the portion of scone that you are putting into your mouth.

  You can find the recipe for "Miss Janice's Apple Butter" here.

I'm sippin' some Apple Cinnamon tea from Harney Tea...the perfect flavor to enjoy with my scone and apple butter treat!

Don't y'all just love Autumn?  When I'm done inside the house, I'm gonna plant some Autumn flowers in the garden area.  Y'all have a great day!