Gracious Hospital-i-Tea Blog-a-Thon

You are invited to join Gracious Hospitality by pouring yourself a cuppa tea and participating in the Gracious Hospital-i-Tea Blog-a-Thon. In a relaxed, easy manner --- you are invited to share some of your favorite things about afternoon tea. A listing of themes for the weeks ahead is listed below and you are welcome to enter a post for each and every week. In fact, you can post as many times as you wish each week, just so it keeps on the weekly topic. Rylan has created an image for you to use to identify your blog-a-thon post each week. You are welcome to copy it and post it with your posts or on the sidebar of your own blog. Each week there will be a reminder post on Gracious Hospitality, reviewing the theme for the week. Each time you have posted your weekly theme, return to Gracious Hospitality and leave a post with URL in the comments section. It will be highlighted and transferred and linked at the end of the weekly theme post for all to see. Late posts are accepted. This is a great way to make new friends and to find others who share an interest in the relaxing tradition of afternoon tea. So, please tell your friends and join in on the fun! At the completion of our tea event an entry will be made for each post and a drawing will be conducted to select the winner of a package of tea goodies.


March 16 - March 22
Teacup-a-Story

Share a picture of your favorite teacup and saucer; describe it and tell it's history (or make up a story about it's past). Why is it meaningful to you? This would be a good place to share about the details of your teacup collection if you have one.

March 23 - March 29
Litera-Tea

Share tea from the perspective of literature. Post a tea quote, a verse or poem, or story. Tell about a favorite tea book. This would be a good time to share how you use tea to encourage others. Do you minister to others by sending them tea themed cards to friends and shut-ins? Or another way you use 'tea' to share joy with others? I know some of you do --- so tell your story!

March 30 - April 5
Decor-a-Tea

Share ideas and pictures that incorporate tea and/or tea themes into home decor. Displays, art, prints, fabrics, and collection all count in this category. Do you use teapots and teacups as a part of your home decor?

April 6 - April 12
Stitches-for-Tea

Share ideas and pictures that involve stitching for the tea table. Any kind of stitches count: sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, tatting, quilting, etc. The work can be yours or of someone else, but should be homemade rather than done by factory machines. Ideas are
napkins, tea cozies, table linens, and other creations made with tea themes.

April 13 - April 19
Dressed-to-a-Tea

Share ideas for dressing up for afternoon tea. Is your favorite tea-time outfit a silk caftan, flannel jammies, or a dress with proper hat and gloves? Do you enjoy wearing tea prints to tea? Or do you prefer something more elegant? Lace and ruffles? A feathered hat? Long pink gloves? Satins and silks? Cotton comfort? Jeans and a t-shirt you say? That's okay --- share it all here. Pictures of you in tea-time costume are welcome!

April 20 - April 26
The-Sweet-and-Savory-of-Yummy

Share your favorite teatime recipe for sweets or savories. Tea sandwiches, scones, and dainty desserts all count in this category. Give credit to the originator of the recipe if possible. Post a picture if you can. This is sure to make everyone hungry for a delicious tea time treat!

April 27 - May 3
The White, Green, Black, and Herb of Tea

Tell about your favorite tea. How do you prepare it and serve it? Milk and sugar? Plain? What are some of your best memories of serving or sipping on this tea? Share a picture if you can. Tell the health benefits of the tea(s) you prefer. Where do you purchase your tea? Is there someplace you enjoying purchasing tea from? Who from and where?

May 4 - May 10
Set the Table, Tea is On!

Share a creative afternoon tea table setting. Linens, serving pieces, teapots and teacup, tea accoutrement's and accessories, centerpieces, tea trays or three-tiers, and more. Show one way you enjoy creating a memorable tea experience. This is your opportunity to show the world
the fun you have when you create your own special tea experience. Then. . .invite over a friend or neighbor and share some tea together. That way all your work is not for ought.

May 11 - May 17
Tea Room Ventures and Venues

Share all about one of your favorite tea rooms. Use photos and descriptions to tell about the decor and ambiance, menus, service, and what makes this tea room special to you. Does this tea room have a gift shop? What kind of special treasures does it contain?

May 18 - May 24
The Pouring Teapot

This week is all about sharing about teapots. Do you have one? two? or three? maybe more? Is it for display only or do you use it for tea? What is the tea server you use most? Your favorite teapot (or is it something like a quart jar?). Tell your teapot story, give it's history, and tell what it means to you. You can share more than once if you'd like. Antique, new, Asian, English, or something inbetween --- we'd love to know!

May 25 - May 31
A Teatime Drawing

Check back this week to participate in the Gracious Hospital-i-Tea Blog-a-Thon Drawing. Who will be the winner of the drawing for a vintage teacup, some loose tea, and a teatime tuck-in? A montage of the winner's pictures, ideas, and blog will be featured on Gracious Hospitality.