This is no secret to anyone that knows me in the slightest – I am a coffee person. I started drinking coffee when I was 19, and only black because additions were unavailable at the time of my first cup. This is a decision I have not regretted.

I continued to drink black coffee my entire life; it was much easier when on site at some sawmill of gold mine at the top of a mountain in my 20’s and early 30’s. I never liked the fuss of finding sugar, making sure the milk was not past it’s prime, or the tragic cooling that comes with a splash of cream. I drink it black because I frankly prefer the taste when it is unadulterated with milky substances and sweeteners.

But this post is actually about tea. Tea has it’s place. It is best sipped when seated with friends at a slightly scarred kitchen table, preferably from a chipped Brown Betty tea pot. It is lovely on a chilly afternoon after 2:00 when the risk of too much caffeine becomes too great for me to risk my always restless sleep. And it is especially delightful as the central ingredient to a tea party.

I imagine I must have had a tiny toy tea service as a child, though I honestly cannot recall one. I do remember my Mother’s collection of tea cups, each a work of art in its own right.

I am fortunate to have a petite collection of tea cups, a legacy from my beloved Nana, along her collection of silver teaspoons. I would spend hours polishing those spoons on my regular visits with her.

My tea cups are put into service from time to time, mostly with friends, and on rare occasions when I am alone and feel the need for their comfort. I cannot use them without taking a moment to admire their beauty, delicacy, and complete impracticality. I even appreciate the lonely saucers that have lost their cups, but cannot bear to part with them, imagining what the cup was like before it met its demise.

I have a Pinterest board of tea cups, primarily because they are beautiful. Maybe, one day, I will find the perfect pink floral teacup for my regular use. My occasional peek on eBay confirms that they are surprisingly expensive to purchase, especially given that no one really uses them anymore.

In the last weeks I have had two opportunities to enjoy tea with the people I love.

A few weeks ago my friend Bo and I went to The Secret Garden. We have consumed many many pots of tea together over the 50+ years of our friendship. This seemed like the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

We loved everything about the experience. The space was beautiful – resembling a tea shop right out of “Bridgerton”. Our table was prettily appointed with colour coordinated tea cups and luncheon plates and a menu describing the delicacies that would arrive shortly on a 3-tiered china serving plate.

The food was marvelous consisting of small bites of flavours in the usual arrangement of finger sandwiches, scones and sweets. We were simply unable to eat it all, though valiant efforts were applied.

This also left me with an inspired idea for how to celebrate my Mother’s 96th birthday. My mother was initially opposed to any celebration declaring that 96 was a nothing birthday and we should wait until she was 100. I would like to suggest that every birthday counts after 90… besides, why wait?

As a result, our family was invited to gather, mere weeks later, to celebrate Mom. Invitations were sent (digitally of course), decorations ordered, tea cups and serving platters washed and readied. A sudden work trip left me with no time to bake and prep which resulted in a catered tea – thank you again Secret Garden! This may be the lowest stress event I have ever hosted or planned.

My sister helped with the organizing and arranged the thematic, minimalist decor. Her husband blew up balloons and moved furniture. Our nephew and his wife organized the equally thematic cake, and also came in costume. (A few of the guests thought the cake was an actual teapot; it was that impressive.) I simply packed a bin of dishes and picked up the boxed food, and ready to go. Mustn’t forget the prosecco for toasting!

This was the result! The birthday girl looked very pleased :0)

So just remember:

“If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.”

~ William Ewart Gladstone