DONE: A Virtual Tea Party! Sat., 5/19, 10am EST

[StampinGoodDeeds]

While hosting a virtual Baby Shower, I suggested this idea and others seemed to like it, so here it is!

Its hard to get together with good friends for a tea party, especially when we are spread out all over the world! So I'm hosting an SCS Virtual Tea Party!

Here's how it goes:

Before Saturday, 5/19/12, you make a tea-themed craft to share. You must have a photo that you can post to share here on the thread. Then on Saturday, 5/19/12, you make a pot or cup of your favorite tea, with your favorite snack, and log on here to this thread to join us for a Virtual Tea Party, to chat and just enjoy the good company of friends, post your craft photo and share ideas, share some great recipes and idea for tea parties, etc. Get to know each other a little better and just have a relaxed morning tea with us! We generally go for about 2 hours on these, just so you know, but as with any good gathering of friends, some linger a little longer.

Come join our tea recipes swap too! POSTAL! TEA TIME! (Recipes involving tea) due 8/30/12 by StampinGoodDeeds at Splitcoaststampers

Tea anyone?
1. StampinGoodDeeds (Susan)
2. Christina612
3. Vickie Y
4. SLHawes
5. Smokiesgal
6. drop
7. JadeOnline
8. Bflostamp
9. SummerBreeze
10. Mawtx53
11. TLady
12. Jmventrilla

[Christina612]

I can't wait! I'll be there!

[cupojafa]

thinking about it!

[ScrappinCEO]

Sorry I'm going to have to miss this, Susan. We will be in Nashville that weekend. Our DD has plans for us to spend the day at the farmer's market. Maybe another one in the fall (just not the 2nd weekend in Oct) LOL when we'll be ready to think 'cozy'.

Hugs!

[Vickie Y]

I'll stop in for a spot of tea; please add me to the list.

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Hi ladies! So glad you are here!
Kelly, can't blame you for the Nashville excuse! I'm game for a repeat in the fall too.
Jen -- FYI, you can do coffee instead. I may break out my espresso machine...

[slhawes]

So glad it is in the a.m. I would love to join you.

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Hi Sherri! Glad you are here! How are things of late?

[slhawes]

Doing good here in TN, Morgan played guitar at church this weekend, we had our Easter Services at the college MTSU and there was over 10,000 there each service. Hopefully they will have it on fb that you can watch her play.

[smokiesgal]

Oh, this sounds like fun! At the store tonight I purchased some Devonshire cream for scones that I make on occasion. I was planning some tea sandwiches as well. I thought to myself, I would like to make my tea day special. Then I log in tonight and see this thread! I had no idea about this swap and this is just perfect! So please sign me up!!!!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Oh my, the Devonshire sounds incredible... I have to see where I can find that!!!! Welcome to the fun!

[Corwynnde]

Oh this sounds like so much fun, but I'll be at the Heirloom Crafts stamp show that weekend!

[BfloStamp]

Congrats, Susan, on being selected for swapper of the month for March!
I love this tea idea and I'm going to check my schedule when I get home on Monday to see if I can participate! Ann Marie

[StampinGoodDeeds]

A stamp show would be hard for me to pass up too!

Ann Marie, hope it works into the schedule! One of these days I'm coming to see you and have it in person!

[Christina612]

Good morning ladies!

[lulubean13]

Susan I sent you a pm and said I would love to join in but perhaps you haven't gotten your mail yet. Soooo, yes I would love to join the 'tea party'. Thank you!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Hi! Yes, I got it, just waiting to have you join us here too!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lulubean13

Susan I sent you a pm and said I would love to join in but perhaps you haven't gotten your mail yet. Soooo, yes I would love to join the 'tea party'. Thank you!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

So what is your favorite tea?

And don't forget to feel free to share your favorite recipes to go along with the tea!!!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Do you ever go to a tea house or tea restaurant to have tea?

I love to do that though generally only when I'm on vacation as we don't have one here... its such a fun treat to myself... normally go with family when I visit them.

[JadeOnline]

Okay, since I asked about it I should at least show up and join!!! How's everyone doing?

Susan, my favorite tea is the tried and true Orange Pekoe. I gave up caffeine early in my pregnancy and this was the HARDEST thing to avoid! I tried to find a decaf version that tasted as good and had so much trouble. Tea is a really big comfort food/drink for me and it was very hard to cut it out.

[Vickie Y]

Favorite tea...I like most of the flavored teas.

Tearoom/House/restaurant ...my DD takes me to a tearoom in Denton, TX when I visit her. It is beautifully decorated and the food, tea, and service are fabulous!

Two friends and I went to a tearoom not far from where we live around Christmas time, it was good food and tea, but the service was horrible; :( We found out it has since closed which is too bad because we think it could have been a very lucrative business for our area.

Good to see you Heather!

[Vickie Y]

I have a fun question! Did any of you have tea parties with your dollies when you were growing up? I did! I would sit them at my little table and chairs and set my little procelain tea set at each place setting and pretend away. I still have some of the pieces from that tea set and will try to take a picture of it tonight and post my blast from the past!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Yes, and I had one of those treasured ceramic tea sets that was lost of the years...

My favorite teahouses... one in Golden, CO; another in downtown Denver, CO; one in SLC, UT; and then one in Colorado Springs, CO. I have heard there is a great one in DC but haven't been to it, and have a friend who opened one in PA but haven't been too.

[smokiesgal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StampinGoodDeeds

So what is your favorite tea?

And don't forget to feel free to share your favorite recipes to go along with the tea!!!

I love a lot of varieties. I mix a mint and chocolate tea together sometimes if I am drinking at night. Love Cherry Blossoms; and for breakfast peach or English Breakfast tea. I have a good friend of mine who was raised in England. She taught me years ago to add a bit of creamer to my tea. Sooo devine!

[smokiesgal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StampinGoodDeeds

Do you ever go to a tea house or tea restaurant to have tea?

I love to do that though generally only when I'm on vacation as we don't have one here... its such a fun treat to myself... normally go with family when I visit them.

I am sooo lucky! I have 4 local tea houses within 20 miles of me. The best is one that is nearest to me called Polly's Pantry. The owner and her DH are from England. She is also an author and wrote 2 novels based on her childhood about an orphan growing up in England. The books are called Polly Brown and The Trouble with Polly Brown. Excellent reads. If you are in her store and time permitting she will enlighten you about her childhood. Makes me want to cry when she tells her story. Also, if you visit her and want scones you have to order ahead of time because they make them fresh! I can't say enough about this place.

Finally, since I am near Disney I love The Grand Floridian tea! You must do this if you ever go to Disney.

I forgot to mention that 2 of the 4 teahouses are British style and the other 2 are Victorian style.

[smokiesgal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickie Y

I have a fun question! Did any of you have tea parties with your dollies when you were growing up? I did! I would sit them at my little table and chairs and set my little procelain tea set at each place setting and pretend away. I still have some of the pieces from that tea set and will try to take a picture of it tonight and post my blast from the past!

Most definitely! I remember my Mrs Beasley, Tenderlove and my monkey holding the banana dolls all being there with me drinking the imaginary liquid in our tiny cups!

[smokiesgal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StampinGoodDeeds

Yes, and I had one of those treasured ceramic tea sets that was lost of the years...

My favorite teahouses... one in Golden, CO; another in downtown Denver, CO; one in SLC, UT; and then one in Colorado Springs, CO. I have heard there is a great one in DC but haven't been to it, and have a friend who opened one in PA but haven't been too.

What is the one called in D.C.? My DS lives in Arlington and I plan to visit this summer. I could make the tea house a stop on my trip.

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Its a tea house called Teaism. I haven't been but a coworker goes regularly and praises it. https://teaism.com/ There are now four of them, and they are Asian style tea houses.

[smokiesgal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StampinGoodDeeds

Its a tea house called Teaism. I haven't been but a coworker goes regularly and praises it. https://teaism.com/ There are now four of them, and they are Asian style tea houses.

I am going to look it up. Let you know if I go!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Do you have a favorite teapot? Why? Sentimental value? Style? Heat-holding ability? Volume?

And of course... what is your favorite accompanying treat for tea???

MINE: http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/Star...ml?printable=Y

[BfloStamp]

ok, I am all ready with my idea for our tea party. Susan, please add my name to the list! :-)

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Yay!!!! Can't wait to see it!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Where are all the other tea partiers?

[JadeOnline]

Do you have a favorite teapot? Why? Sentimental value? Style? Heat-holding ability? Volume?

Yes...it doesn't drip!!! I hate drippy pots! But, it's also a fairly plain Brown Betty and it reminds me of my Grandmother.

What is your favorite accompanying treat for tea???

Ginger snaps!! I love dunking them in the tea. Homemade, all the way. Store bought are usually crispy and I like the soft ones that my mom makes.

[StampinGoodDeeds]

I never even thought of ginger snaps with tea, may have to try that!

I have a few favorite pots, but mostly just use my metal tea kettle honestly to warm up the water. But the tea pots are so pretty.

[SummerBreeze]

Oh, this does sound like fun! So far I'm free for that day. I will keep you posted in case I am not able to attend---but for now, put me down!

[StampinGoodDeeds]

Absolutely! Hope you can join us!

[Christina612]

Apricot/black tea from Murchies. Website is Murchies.com

Fell in LOVE with Murchies and visit there whenever we go to Victoria. Hubby's family lives in Washington so it's a quick ferry ride over. There is a "Tea Tavern" not far from my house which I have not yet visited. Need to get over there and see what it's all about!

Quote:

Originally Posted by StampinGoodDeeds

So what is your favorite tea?

And don't forget to feel free to share your favorite recipes to go along with the tea!!!

[Christina612]

I love green tea, too. Especially jasmine. My in-laws lived in Taiwan for a few years and they provided me with a wonderful collection of handmade tea pots and they kept me supplied in wonderful tea. They also were able to teach me how tea is 'ceremoniously' made there. We enjoyed that for years. A few of my pots were broken in our recent move, but my favorite is one they gave to us as a wedding gift. I'll have to get a picture of that one for you ladies. Nowdays, it's just hot water over whatever tea, lol. But I love it. Green is extra good for you! And I'm sure the sweet cake, cookie, treat I have with it is too!

[smokiesgal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StampinGoodDeeds

Do you have a favorite teapot? Why? Sentimental value? Style? Heat-holding ability? Volume?

And of course... what is your favorite accompanying treat for tea???

MINE: Top Secret Recipes | Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar Recipe

I have a few different pots that are decorative/ceramic style. However, my favorite that I use all the time is a cast iron Asian style decor that has it's own cast iron trivet. I like it because it has a diffuser inside and just perfect for about 4 cups of tea. DH and I use it all the time. I usually place loose tea inside organic tea bags and then place in the diffuser for less mess. I also sometimes just heat the water in it w/out the tea for single tea bags in the cup. My favorite thing about the cast iron pot is that it holds the heat so very well.