Annual Tea Time

Four years ago Brittnee and her friends made-up this tradition to have a tea party at Christmas time. Last year they missed their annual tea party, so I made sure they had one this year to continue with their tradition. Unlike previous years, I helped them out with the pre an post details. For my gratification I received the typical rolling of the eyes from Bree! I hope one day she will appreciate my knowledge to teach her how to be a lady! Taylor's cute reaction as she giggled..."We should have worn big puffy dresses!" Haha!! As I helped them, I explained the proper etiquette and the well known dispute between the Southerner’s and the Britt’s approach on pouring the milk first or tea first.

2.2.9.1. Should the milk go in the cups before or after the tea?
This question is a matter of great contention and bitter disagreement in Great Britain. Some people seem to approach it more fervently than they do matters of theology.
There is very little common ground in this debate. Perhaps the only thing both camps agree on is the historical fact that the earliest porcelain cups manufactured in England were likely to crack if very hot tea was poured directly into them. Placing the milk in the cup before adding the tea helped protect the cup. (Modern porcelain, however, does not need a milk buffer.) There is also some talk of "scalding" the milk, but some people say that milk-first scalds the milk; others, that tea-first scalds the milk. There is also disagreement about whether scalding the milk is good or bad; some say it improves the flavor, others that it ruins the milk.
Then there are those of us who consider the whole dispute somewhat akin to Scholastic debates about angels dancing on pinheads. One way to avoid the issue is to eschew milk completely. Still, I must admit that some tea (especially long-steeped English or Irish Breakfast) takes very well to a bit of milk.

Freeze Frame!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Stumbling Upon A Story!

I've been going through some of my files to find a document I needed, when suddenly I stumble across this cutely bound book!

When Bree was in the 3rd grade, she had to write a story. I will never forget the inspiration and the story she wrote initially. It was very good, I want to share it with you. Of course, I helped embellish and add to the story...in order to teach her how to write, but she had the jest of the story. It was quite impressive for a third grader.

The Round-up at Pony Ranch

By: Brittnee Austin

Page 1

Hi, my name is Brittnee Austin. I live on Pony Ranch, In Phoenix, AZ near the desert with my mom and dad. I have lots of beautiful horses on my ranch. (I put images of horses running wild)

Page 2

Although I love all of my horses, there is one horse that's special to my heart.

Page 3

My favorite horse is Classy. She is a beautiful thoroughbred, with a thick maine that gracefully flows in the wind when you ride her. My friends often say that she reminds them of Black Beauty.

Page 4

Even though Classy is dear to my heart and probably the most beautiful of the horses on the ranch, she can be testy. She likes to buck and try to be in control. One time, she bucked me clear-off into the barn and I landed into horse manure!

Page 5

She was in one of her testy moods one day and I couldn't find her. She had broke down the fence and ran off into the desert.

Page 6

My dad and I had to saddle-up and ride into the desert to round-up Classy and bring her back home to Pony Ranch.

Page 7

When dad and I found her she was in bad shape and needed some medical attention. Fortunately, when we saddled-up we packed our first-aid kit.

Page 8

Classy had hurt her leg when she broke down the fence. She had a very long cut on her leg that was bleeding. We applied medicine to her leg and bandaged it up.

Page 9

I felt very happy and relieved that we were able to recuse Classy from the desert and bring her home safe where she belonged.

Page 10

Now it's just another day on Pony Ranch in Phoenix. Riding and having races with Classy ever after.

The End.

I miss these days when I was able to help Bree and she actually listened to me.

What Type of Christmas Memories are You Setting?

The spirit of Christmas doesn’t have to be just about the gifts you give and receive, or the dinner you serve your family! The spirit of Christmas can be felt and shared through serving your family with “Real Dishes!”

I know what you’re thinking, “too much work and too much time!” It’s easier just to serve in the pretty little poinsettia paper plates that can be easily disposed of - a “No-Frills Christmas Dinner,” but what type of underlying message are you sending out to your family at Christmas by doing this? What type of example and memory are you “Setting” for the children and their future?

Since I can remember, on my mother’s side of the family, my aunties and my mother always made sure the table was flawlessly beautiful for the Holidays, or any type of dinner our family had together. I don’t remember one Holiday or dinner with the family that I was served in paper plates. I have to say, I’m very impressed and thankful towards them for keeping and making this a tradition in our family. It has "Set" a standard in my life, being formal and setting your best plate forward can be a refreshing outlook and a new beginning to life.

This year, I had Thanksgiving with my mom and aunt and the dinner table was set flawlessly once again. I decided to question them about this because the majority of people just use paper plates for the simplicity, time and ease of set-up and clean-up. It was the best conversation we had at dinner! My aunt started reflecting on memories she had growing-up and the table setting approach, my grandmother, Roberta Pleasant used at Christmas, despite being poor and not having lots of money to spend on embellishments. My aunt Faye said, “I remember the turkey being the centerpiece, in the middle of the table, because we didn’t have money to buy fancy centerpieces and mother would set the dinner table with these beautiful Christmas scenery dishes from Johnson Brothers. We didn’t have a lot of linens, fancy silverware and decorations but these plates were our inspiration.”

The “Ideal Feeling” my grandmother created was the inspiration to their spirit of Christmas that made them feel happy, important, loved, inspired, overflowing and blessed this was their Christmas gift.

This Christmas set something new, pass the “Fine China Spirit” onto and down to your loved ones.

Let the children set the dinner table…it’s a good lesson for them to learn where the silverware should go and what fork should be used when at a formal setting (if you don't know..google it!). We should pay attention to history and to things that happen in the movies, like in the movie “Little Women!” The girls set the dinner table while the mother prepares the food; of course I believe boys should be a part of this too.

Christmas

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. – Women Know Everything - Agnes M. Pharo*19th/20th-Century American Writer