Monday, September 10, 2007

A Late Afternoon Tea



Welcome to Gracious Hospitality!

I am delighted to join in the "Make Mine Pink" virtual tea party. Please pour yourself a cuppa your favorite tea and sip along with me as we browse through the tea party participants at
Make Mine Pink.

On a recent late afternoon I prepared my tea tray and went to the garden to enjoy a platter of fruit and pot of tea. I took a cinnamon-raisin cookie along for Tia and Coco, my devoted schnauzer pals. While sipping my tea I thought about the upcoming virtual tea. So many ideas! So little time. And then Miss
Jenny Craig has been keeping me diligent for the past four months and every bite that goes into my mouth is measured and counted, or so it seems. Except for a delightful deviation or two, I've kept right on track to my goal of reaching my right weight. So that I might stay on track, I decided the best course of action would be to share with you, dear readers, about some of retro-posts (aka re-runs) of some of my favorite teas. If you check the blog archives, you'll find --- the adorable tea house of my 80-year-old friend, Margaret. . .and an afternoon long high tea with dear Aunt. . .a Victorian Rose birthday tea for my friend, Karleen. . .and a Bed and Breakfast tea served to my friend Bonnie who was visiting and staying in the motorhome. A tea party wouldn't be complete without sharing pictures of authentic tea ladies --- the ones who pluck the tea leaves in Sri Lanka. My sister visited several tea plantations past February and generously shared her pictures with me along with stories of these women's lives.

So, y'all come back now. This tea party will last all week long!

Please read down to the announcement of Gracious Hospitality's first 'give-away'. You are welcome to sign up!

28 comments:

  1. What a lovely pics of tea - your dad looks great! and your tea tray very inviting - i'm a tea lover - i'd began to drink tea when i was in England, many years ago.... and still doing so to this day ;)
    Blessings.

    In case you need my email adress:
    march_turquesa@hotmail.com

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  2. Your settings are beautiful. I am just starting to enjoy tea. The only tea in our house growing up was Lipton tea bags. My parents are definitely more inclined to coffee.

    Love,
    Julie

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  3. I wish I could join you for tea. It looks wonderful! ~Adrienne~

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  4. Anonymous8:21 AM

    You have a wonderful site and your fruit salad looks absolutely wonderful. I will visit again soon.
    Stephanie

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  5. Anonymous8:24 AM

    Yum! That fruit salad looks so inviting. I really enjoyed reading your blog. I can't believe I have sat here for four hours just skipping from tea party to tea party. What fun! I hope you will visit me too. ~ Lynn

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  6. Anonymous8:30 AM

    Your late afternoon tea is delightful. The colors so vibrant yet peaceful. I love it! I scrolled down and enjoyed every individual shot...
    You're invited to my teas anytime...

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  7. Your tea looks just scrumptious! Thanks for inviting me and thank you for stopping by Cozy Cottage and having a cup with me yesterday too. You are entered in my drawing now. :)

    Best regards,
    Debbie
    Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor

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  8. Everything looks so inviting. Congratulation for keeping on track with your eating program.

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  9. Anonymous1:00 PM

    Oh that is a beautiful teapot and your fruit platter looks delightful! Thanks for having me for tea and I do hope you get the chance to stop by and have some at my place...

    http://airmiles.wordpress.com/2007/09/11/an-all-american-tea-party/

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  10. I love the pictures of your tea! The colors are so pretty. You have a very lovely Blog.

    Sharon

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  11. Anonymous4:55 PM

    As I was reading your old blog post I realized our paths have crossed! I use to post on Teaching Mom/ Vegsource many moons ago... I was MIN ( or minwifeof4boys)... I didn't make the connection ~ sorry~ its that century old brain thing going on.... I have so enjoyed visiting with you..this has been a rough couple of days with my son heading to Iraq ...I need all the distractions I can get!! I'm not so sure you will know until heaven what a part you played in keeping me sane the last couple of days... seeing the pretty pictures and quaint things along with the quotes were very soothing! Thank you!

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  12. Thank you, readers, for your wonderful comments. I have enjoyed each and every one. A special prayer and hug for Lea. It must be really tough sending a son off to Iraq. I'm having a difficult time even sending my off to the university next week --- so Lea, special prayers for you (and for your precious son). Keep us posted! And tell him THANK YOU!

    Much love!

    LaTeaDah

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  13. What a lovely tea. Your tea cup and saucer marriage is gorgeous. I have so enjoyed my visit at your tea and would love to return soon. Thank you for coming to my tea today as well. I invite you to return tomorrow when I will have a Irish Cottage tea.

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  14. Anonymous7:11 PM

    Hello,
    Thank you for visiting my tea. I have enjoyed stopping by your lovely tea too.
    Vicki

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  15. Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting!!! Oh I just LOVE your tea! I love the idea of FRUIT for the tea! On Friday, I am wrapping up my series on teas with posts about the food. I am gonna link to your post! LOVE the fruit idea!!!

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  16. Your settings are always so beautiful and so inviting, that it makes one want to jump right into the picture and start enjoying! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  17. Anonymous8:16 PM

    Oh, LaDonna, your tea party is just so typical of all the lovely things that you do. Just wish I could have joined you!! Love, Gwen

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  18. Anonymous8:18 PM

    How truly lovely everything is here at Gracious Hospitality--certainly the name is an apt description of the warm welcome you receive when your site pops up.

    I'm so enthralled with all you do and really think that the new Victoria magazine folks ought to hire you on the spot and make you Queen of Everything Gracious.

    Well, I can see I will have to just spend hours here looking, seeing, and sharing in all the loveliness.

    Thank you for your wonderful posts and photos.

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  19. mmm that fruit looks delicious

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  20. The fruit is colorful and beautiful--just what we need to pace ourselves on this tour of delight! Thanks for visiting our garden tea at the Journey.

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  21. Hi! Lovely!
    Please, please! I must know the name of that teacup you have pictured on the right in the menu/list?
    Daphne

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  22. You are so beautiful. Look at your life shine. You go girl!

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  23. all that fresh fruit looks absolutely yummy.a very nice table you have creted.

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  24. How delish!!! Thanks for inviting me and sharing such beautiful images!
    Laurie

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  25. I am really enjoying your tea posts! and thank you for the lovely recipes.
    xx
    Priscilla

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  26. Congratulations on sticking to your diet! You have a lot more will power than I do! Your tea looks just divine!

    Amy

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  27. Love the teapot you have in the picture. Is it Japanese?

    Jody

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  28. I am going to give one of my best friends you site. She is very much in to tea and scones, etc. Cindi

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Thank you for commenting on my blog post. I am always happy to hear from blog readers. Your words encourage and inspire me. I am glad you stopped by to share conversation, recipes, ideas, and thoughts on creating a welcoming home.