Happy Tea Party Tuesday Everyone! Thank you to everyone who linked last week. I have a confession to make....while I absolutely adore the art of taking tea and consider my collection of teapots, teacups, plates, silver, linens, tea recipes and tea books second to none.....I really have LITTLE knowledge regarding the history and "art" of taking tea. That is going to change! This weekend I decided that I am going to embark on a journey...one that takes me back in time. I am going to learn (and teach you some things too along the way, I hope!) the history of the tea ceremony and also something that is a passion of mine, tea etiquette. I am sure it will be a twisty, windy sort of road but rest assured this journey will be packed with loads of interesting and tasty fun. Recently while visiting a GREAT tea website (www.theteahousetimes.com) I saw an interesting "challenge". It posed to it's readers and tea lovers the notion of "Taking Back the Tea Party". I accept this challenge!! I want to Take Back the Tea Party and teach others that taking the time for the ritual of tea (or whatever beverage you desire) whether it be tea for one, two, or many, can reconnect you with what matters in life and that is taking the time to be instead of do. Be instead of do. We can only live in a state of grace when we are serene. The tea ceremony is symbolic; a proof that when we pay attention to little things a universal energy flows through our present, magnifying the meaning of events. From Tea Celebrations. The Way to Serenity. Author Alexandra Stoddard 1994. From here forward when I refer to the tea ceremony or the ritual of tea I want you to take that for what it may mean to you, personally. For me it would mean carefully choosing one of my lovely teapots then dotting on which teacup from my collection desires a turn. I am often surprised how important and exciting this experience is for me even though I may perform it several times a week! I try to make a point not to rush and enjoy what I am doing in that very moment. Be instead of do. The tea ceremony is more than an idealization of the form of drinking -- it is a religion of the art of life. ~ Okakura Kakuzo To begin my journey I thought it appropriate to start from the beginning. The REAL beginning...like several centuries ago when tea was supposedly discovered by a Chinese emperor named Shen Nung. Although unproven, he is said to have used Camellia sinensis which is the same tea plant we use today for daily green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea for four billion people. Interesting!! I am sure the Nung crew got hungry drinking all that tea. If I was serving Shen Nung I would whip up a plate of these yummy savories that were so easy and so cute! Radish Ham Tea Sandwiches Fast and Fancy You need: Small flower or scalloped cookie cutter Bread ~ of your choice Cream Cheese 1 tsp of salt added to cream cheese if desired. Deli ham thinly sliced Radishes, thinly sliced Dill (I used dill alone but one could add or use whatever herbs you desire) First I cut out the bread shapes with my small wilton flower cutter and placed them in my babycakes cupcake maker and toasted them into little tartlet shapes (if you do not have a babycakes cupcake maker just set them into a mini cupcake/muffin pan and toast in the oven or use flat). Next I placed my cream cheese into a piping bag fitted with a wilton 22 open star tip and piped a dollop of cream cheese in the center of the bread. Taking the ham, I rolled it up into a spiral rose shape as seen above and placed it into the cream cheese. Using a thinly sliced radish I garnished the side of the sandwich and the final touch was added with a sprinkle of dill. I will be linking with these great parties today! Tidy Mom ~ I'm Lovin It! Topsy Turvy Tuesdays! The Rose Chintz Cottage Martha's Favorites Teacup Thursday ~ Miss Spenser's Blog Table Top Tuesday Artful Affirmations Lady Katherine Tea Parlor The Silken Purse Blissful Rhythm Blog Tuesday Tea at Comin' Home Lark's Country Heart ~ Made by you Monday! Tasty Tuesday ~ Beauty and Bedlam Ladybug Blessings Sweets this Week at Sugar Bananas A Breath of Fresh Air ~ Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday! Mouthwatering Mondays Melt in your Mouth Mondays My Sweet and SavorySassy Sites! Between Naps on the Porch ~ Tablescape Thursday Add a Pinch ~ Mingle Monday ~ I Made That! Sumo's Sweet Stuff The Girl Creative ~ Just Something I Whipped Up Fireflies and Jelly Beans Blog ~ Show your Stuff! My Romantic Home ~ Show and Tell Friday Delicate Construction Lily Rose Cottage: L.A.C.E Foodie Friday ~ At Designs by Gollum Tempt my Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace Savory Sundays My Sweet and Savory ~ Let's Do Brunch Wednesdays Wow us Wednesday! These Chicks Cook Link Up What do YOU have today for Tea Party Tuesday?
