Autumn Tea in the Parlor

Yesterday I welcomed autumn with an afternoon tea for my friend Lane who has been going through very stressful times.  She definitely needed something to help her relax and spend a few peaceful moments...enjoying the tastes of autumn.  Her mother and her mother-in-law are both critically ill, and...her grandmother is in the final stages of Alzheimer's.  She travels 240 miles to Miami to visit these ladies and on top of that, she is raising three children.

I gathered together the tea accoutrements in the kitchen...

The teapot is being  "warmed" with hot water from the tap.  I chose to serve Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Rooibus tea.  Rooibus tea is produced in South Africa and this pumpkin-infused tea has a sweet and nutty flavor.  Rooibus tea is caffeine-free and high in antioxidants, rich in vitamins, and natural minerals.

Pumpkin pastries from Starbucks...pumpkin cake, pumpkin & cream cheese muffins, and pumpkin scones.  They were all delicious!

Tea in the Parlor is also called a "Low Tea."  Tea may be served in the parlor/living room with guests sitting on the sofa and the coffee table or tea table used to hold the tea tray.

Lane decided that she would like a "Tea Etiquette tutorial," so that is how we spent the afternoon.  I explained to her everything she needed to know...from taking your seat to leaving the room.

There are three forms of tea:  Loose tea, tea sachets, and teabags.  I really love tea sachets because they have the full tea leaves and remain convenient to use.  The boiled water is poured over the tea sachets into the teacups and steeped for 3-5 minutes,  When the desired strength of tea is achieved, the tea sachets are placed onto the teabag caddies.

Tea plates with treats may remain on the table or placed on top of the napkin on your lap.  The tea cup and saucer may also remain on the table or may be held in the palm of your left hand.  Remember that the teacup and saucer are never more than 12" apart {never pick up the teacup from the table without the saucer}.

A "Low Tea" is an easy way to host afternoon tea and a gracious gesture of hospitality.

Pursue and practice hospitality.
~ Romans 12:13

What are you doing the day after Thanksgiving?

So, it's the day after Thanksgiving and if you are lucky enough to go shopping...IN PARIS...well, why not dream?

Start your day off right with a proper French breakfast. A classic French breakfast is a simple meal, based on fresh bread. The French like to eat fresh baguettes, cut into tartines (segments about six inches long, split through the middle and spread with butter and jam). The tartine is the exception to the usual French rule (and etiquette rule) that bread should be broken, rather than bitten. Serve with fresh orange juice and peti noir (coffee without milk).

This tablescape is very casual with the Eiffel tower as the centerpiece. The Cafe de Paris coffee pot, demitasse cups, and plates (which I have had for years) wardrobe well with the blue and brown French toile fabric table topper. Oh so French...Breakfast in Paris!

Breakfast in Paris

Breakfast in Paris Menu

Tartines

Orange Juice

Petit Noir

Now you are set to shop 'till you drop! After a long morning of browsing the shops on rue Saint-Honore and rue Cambon, relax and enjoy an Afternoon Tea in Paris. The French love to take tea in the afternoon and the tea foods I'm serving are surely enjoyed by Parisians everyday!

Afternoon Tea in Paris

Afternoon Tea in Paris Menu

Petite Quiche

Croissants with Jam

Cupcakes

Paris Tea*

*Paris Tea is available at Harney Teas


Afternoon Tea is also referred to as "Low Tea" because it may be served in the parlor with guests seated on the sofa or chairs and the tea served from a low coffee table. I've enjoyed Afternoon Tea at the Ritz and I was served in this fashion. When you are enjoying tea in the parlor, just remember that the teacup and saucer are married and should never be more than twelve inches apart. Your serviette should be opened completely and placed just above your knees where you might also place your tea plate.


Enjoy breakfast, a little shopping, and Afternoon Tea in Paris--or, you could just go to McDonald's for a sausage biscuit, fight the crowd and shop at Target, and then have lunch at Chick-fil-A! Whatever you do, I hope you have fun on Black Friday!