Tuesday Tea….Sharing a Hot Cup of Tea…with the Women in Our Lives

Shower Luncheon by Shona at The Artistic Life.

Christmas day evening found me sipping a cup of Glühwein (Elisand celebrating the successful end of another lovely holiday dinner with some of the most special women in my life.  

All the fuss and rush was over…and my mother, daughter, Rebekah, daughter-in-law, Elisabeth, sister, Heather, and my little granddaughter Lena were all sitting around the room sipping something warm and just enjoying the calm ‘after the storm’ so to speak—excepting Lena of course.

As we sat there, I found myself musing on how likely it is that women were doing the same thing…all over the world.  It just seems natural for women, regardless of age, to enjoy times of quiet fellowship when they get together, especially at the end of a long day. I enjoyed it so much that I told my mom the next morning that I already had my New Year’s tea post topic planned..and it was ‘us’. :o)

 

  

There’s something about a cup of tea..that just begs for a friend..preferably female. Don’t believe me? Just ask my daughter. Sometimes when the male egos and energies are running just a little too high around our house, Rebekah and I find ourselves escaping to a quiet corner or the porch swing outside with a hot cup of something for a nice little chat. Is there anything more delicious?  My friend, Laurie, has one daughter and I know they do the same thing.  Shona said she planned to do a tea post too because the girls just love having tea parties. It’s a girl thing for sure!

Honestly, I  really don’t think that men can quite comprehend what the ‘tea’ thing is all about. Mom and I chatted late into the night..as we always do whether I go to her house or she comes to mine. And early the next morning we were up before everyone..and ‘at it again’. Mom jokingly invited George, my brother-in-law,  to join us for our morning ‘cuppa’ patting a spot on the couch between the two of us.  His response was priceless. Under his breath I heard him quip with a bit of a growl…”No thanks…who wants to listen to two hens clucking in ‘stereo’.  I just about died laughing. Besides, I happen to love listening to hens cluck and think they sound lovely, so I took that as a compliment. But that pretty much describes most mens’ interest level in a cup of tea with a bunch of ladies.  It was just too funny. As I recall, he made a pretty quick getaway.

Laurie..taken by Shona

But really ladies, why do we find it so hard to carve out time for tea and a chat even with those we love? I remember coming home from my LAST trip to Dallas…to drop off something or pick up my so or both…from one of my best friends, Laurie’s home. I was certain I was too busy to chat…but honestly..is there a self-respecting woman out there who can resist an offer  for just ‘one little cup’? I know I can’t. :o) How silly to think I didn’t have time. I did accept..and I felt like a new woman in no time. Laurie’s grin when I caved in and said, “Sure..but just one cup”, was like a kid in a candy shop.  She was so pleased.  We had such a lovely time with our tea in her special tea cups surrounded by her home grown flowers. And by the time I left, all the stresses of that hectic day had completely disappeared.

Perhaps it’s because I’m getting a bit older…and generations are growing before my very eyes. But I find myself treasuring the women in my life a lot more than I used to. We women speak the same language if you know what I mean. :o) For the most part, we understand each other in a way that men just can’t.  This morning, I’m thanking the Lord for giving me sisters…daughters…aunts…mothers…and especially friends to share from the heart with. Who else can we talk 90 miles an hour with and still understand each other perfectly?  Who else wants to talk about the little things in a day…and recognize just how important those little things are. 

Some of my favorite times, when my family aren’t available, are the chances I get to drop by and read about your day too. I love it when you send a note or comment my way. It’s like another chance to have some girl talk…and it’s just plain wonderful. Don’t you think?

I really enjoyed Rayanne’s tea post last week…  She set the prettiest table English style, which is my favorite kind. And I loved her recipe for Peppermint tea. If you want some really good heart to heart time..then you can’t go wrong at Rayanne’s A Lovely Thought.

And Natasha at 5 minutes Just for Me shared a great recipe for cookies but while I was visiting her yesterday, what should I discover but a whole HISTORY of how tea time came to be and how it is celebrated around the world. You have got to go read this. It is absolutely fascinating…so much so that it was one of her most popular posts last year. And Debby at Cozy Blanket shared lovely photos of her Christmas swap. She’s the friend who won my grandmother’s antique wall hanging earlier this year. I’m so glad it went to a good home. If you want to know how everyone is doing…just drop by her place on a Monday. She holds a regular ‘neighborhood’ chat at her place.

How about you? I’d love for you to join the Tuesday Tea linky party that Rayanne started a couple of months ago. Just post a photo of something pretty from your house…or you with your cup of tea or a recipe for something sweet…whatever you like…and link back here to my Tuesday Tea post. Then we can all do a little blog hopping and visit each other while we sip our cups of tea together this morning. What a great way to start the new year? Don’t you think?