Royal Tea

Since it is National Afternoon Tea Week in the U.K., I decided to enjoy a tea here in Georgia today.  Actually, I am having a "Royal Tea."  What is the difference between an "Afternoon Tea" and a "Royal Tea?"  A "Royal Tea" is also served in the afternoon and in addition to serving savories, scones, and sweets, a special dessert is also offered.  A glass of champagne is offered along with hot tea.

This book "Tea Fit for a Queen" was my inspiration for the tea, as I'm sure Queen Elizabeth II serves a "Royal Tea" to visitors at Buckingham Palace.

"Tea Fit for a Queen" is published by the people at Historic Royal Palaces, with narratives by Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator of the charity.  Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that manages some of the United Kingdom's unoccupied royal palaces; i.e., Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House, Kew Palace, and Hillsborough Castle. 

This pretty little book reveals how the tradition of afternoon tea started in royal Britain.  Recipes for finger sandwiches, Victoria sponge cake, Chelsea Buns, and a Champagne Cocktail are some of the royal recipes included.  Naturally, the recipes are beautifully photographed, but the measurement quantities are U.K. based.  So, if you are in the USA, you will need to convert the measurements.



I decided to use my Franciscan 'Desert Rose' dinner and tea ware for this tea.  I think any china pattern with a rose motif is so pretty at teatime.

Menu
Savories, Scones, and Sweets
Apple Cobbler
Champagne Cocktail
Royal Palace Tea

{I used the book's recipes for Cucumber and Mint Sandwiches, Egg Mayonnaise Sandwiches, and Champagne Cocktails}

Etiquette Tip:  The savories {sandwiches} are always placed on the bottom tier and eaten first; followed by the scones eaten next from the middle tier; and the sweets from the top tier.  Don't forget to take dainty bites!  Take small bites, sip a little tea, and make pleasant conversation.

The Royal Palace Tea may be purchased at Harney Tea...it is delightful, as one would expect!


I hope you have enjoyed your visit today.  Tomorrow, I will be back with a very sad post.  "What Happens When the Queen Dies?"

Autumn Soup Tablescape

This past Sunday was the first chilly day we have had this fall season so I knew I wanted to enjoy a bowl of hot soup with the Sunday football.  I'm still on the blue and white dinnerware kick and set the table with that dinnerware and burlap linens.

Candles should not be burned during the daylight hours unless it's a very overcast day or the blinds are drawn.  Okay, so I drew the blinds.

Monogram everything, especially the napkins rings!

I used my Wedgwood "Woodland" soup plates and Johnson Brothers "Blue Willow" dinner plates as underplates.

Social Graces 101 tip:  

There is of course proper etiquette to be followed when eating soup:

At an informal meal you may serve soup in a soup plate on top of an underplate and provide an oval soup spoon.  You will spoon the soup away from you and place the soup spoon on the underplate between sips or when finished.

This is the resting and finished position of the spoon on the underplate at an informal meal.

At a formal dinner, soup must be served in a soup bowl with an underplate and a round/cream soup spoon provided.  Again place the soup spoon on the underplate between sips or when finished.

This is the resting and finished position of the spoon on the underplate at a formal meal.

Mama usually uses seasonal dinnerware for her meals.  On Sunday I changed things up a bit for her and used cute blue and white paper products from Target.

So, remember to practice proper soup etiquette:

Hold the spoon just like a pencil between your index and middle fingers with the thumb up.  Spoon the soup away from you toward the center of the bowl.  Don't fill the soup spoon completely full.  Place the soup spoon on the plate in the 10:20 "I am finished" position in between sips and when you have finished.  Never leave a soup spoon in a soup bowl.  Also, do not blow on your soup to cool it down and do not slurp your soup.

Enjoy the soup season!

Enjoying Autumn

 I hope everyone is enjoying autumn.  We have had a slight chill in the air in the mornings, but not enough chilly days to bring out the big sweaters and vests...maybe tomorrow!  Here's a few photos I've posted on Instagram recently.  I'm still running around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to get settled back in Georgia. 

John Paul...in his new spot on the kitchen counter.

An autumn tablescape for supper...

Getting the front porch ready for Halloween...

Nibbles and Bits...for Mama and her little lady friends.

Apple Punch...

Pumpkin Dip*

*Recipe for the Pumpkin Dip:
16 oz canned pumpkin
16 oz cream cheese
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 tsp pumpkin spice

Mix the sugar and pumpkin spice well and add the canned pumpkin and cream cheese.  Blend all ingredients and chill.  Serve with graham sticks or ginger snaps.  

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Tea...

Our at-home Gameday treats for the FSU - NCState game on Saturday.  Another nerve-wrecking game, but the Noles won!  Oh, and the Bucs won too!  #gobucs 

Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy the season y'all!

At Home in Georgia

Some of you have asked for photos of the new home in Georgia.  Well, it's my same old stuff in another place.  I did leave the flamingos behind in Florida and now we're back to black on the porch...at The Roost!

Since yesterday was the start of hunting season, I set a hunt-theme tablescape for supper.  It's the same dining room set, with a Ballard's chandelier and shades.

The hunt theme plates are by C. E. Corey and I found them at Kevin's.

I decided against using my deer head as a centerpiece and went with antlers.  

Of course, I wore my monogrammed camo pony cap and carried my monogrammed antler tumbler to the gym earlier in the day.

I hope y'all have a wonderful Sunday.  I'm fixing dinner for the family and then hitting the sofa to watch the Miss America pre show and finals!

Flag Etiquette

Flag Etiquette

STANDARDS of RESPECT

The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.

Displaying the Flag Outdoors

When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

Raising and Lowering the Flag

The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

Displaying the Flag Indoors

When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.

Parading and Saluting the Flag

When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The Salute To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.  The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.

Super Bowl Party

Today I'm entertaining a group of my husband's friends for Super Bowl XLVIII.  I set up the spread on the gaming table in his man cave...

He has a cottage above the garage with a studio area, full bath, and full kitchen.  It's the perfect spot to entertain a bunch of rowdy men!  So I spent Friday night and Saturday afternoon cleaning the place up...stocked the frig with beverages, dusted off the sports memorabilia, and cleaned the kitchen & bath area.

We are not fans of the Broncos or the Seahawks, BUT I do want to see Peyton Manning and his team win the Super Bowl!  So, today I'm wearing Broncos colors...J Crew Factory colored denim pants and matching cardi, Tory Burch 'Revas' and the 'Robinson' crossbody bag, and the orange gingham blouse is from LL Bean.

Super Bowl Party Menu
Deviled Eggs
Spinach Dip in Bread Bowl
Taco Cheese Ball
Guacamole Dip
Crab Dip
Caesar Pasta Salad
Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Gridiron Chili
Chicken Wings
Sliders
Fit Sandwiches
Chocolate Cake

Last night I put the chili in the crock pot and let it simmer overnight.  It's delish!

Little green onion strips football-fied my deviled eggs.

Of course I had to serve the obligatory football-shaped cheese ball.  This taco cheese ball had quite the kick!

Wings, guacamole dip, and pigs-n-a-blanket...I definitely can't eat much tomorrow!

This Caesar Pasta Salad is delicious and was made in the deli at Publix!

I tried my first sliders out in Vegas last summer and they are now my go-to party food...all in moderation right?

I hear about these "Fit Sandwiches" all the time on The Biggest Loser show.  Well, they look good and taste even better!  

My Super Bowl cake looks so litttle...kinda hokey too.  Whatever.  I'll be having some of this chocolate cake later with my coffee!

Even though none of my favorite teams {Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints} made it to the big game, I'm still very excited to watch the game.  LET'S GO BRONCOS!

Awaiting Downton Abbey

What a fabulous way to kick off the start of National Hot Tea Month!  9 pm ET is the premiere of the 4th season of Downton Abbey!  I am hoping that there won't be any more sadness on the show this season.  

No football for me tonight...and I better not be interrupted!

Oh how I love the British-style wait staff servers.

The posh life...dining with others who have impeccable table manners and seated at a table with exquisite place settings.  They are so very proper!

I'm patiently awaiting the lovely costume designs.

 For those of you who might be having a "Proper tea," this is the correct place setting for taking tea at the dining table.  The hostess pours the tea for each guest and serves them individually from the right-hand side.  Teacups & saucers are never passed around the table.  After all the guest have been served tea, the hostess serves herself and the tea begins.

If you chose to take your tea at the coffee table while viewing the show, this "Low tea" place setting that I featured during last year's premier show would be appropriate.

I have already set up the coffee table for my "Low tea" tonight.  I'll be having a decadent chocolate croissant and the "Florence" tea from Harney and Sons.  This a wonderful black tea with nut and chocolate flavors...one my favorite teas.  I will also be having a bit of champagne!

Y'all have a wonderful week!