Afternoon Tea

~Afternoon Tea in The Library~

~Scones made with fresh blueberries and jam~

~A mixture of fresh fruit~

~These beautiful saucers my husband gave to me the first month we were married.....they are some of my most treasured gifts from him.~

~Tomato Tea sandwiches~

~Cream cheese, fresh organic tomato, seasonings of your choice and fresh oregano on a wheat bread circle~

What makes a beautiful home?  Whether your home is contemporary or classic, the individuality of your home expresses what you treasure.  Our homes should be places of comfort for those who live with us and for those who visit.  My home is most beautiful, to me, when it is filled with the people that I love and treasure and those times we get to spend together making memories!  To me, the people that I treasure bring a joy and delight to my life! The beautiful verses of Proverbs 24:3 found in the Bible inspire me to pursue what is most important to God in my home.  These words say, "Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."  Our ministry as mothers, fathers, as wives, as husbands, or as a single woman or man begins in our own homes.  We can serve the generation that we live in.

As I have shared before, my youngest daughter is married to a British citizen and they live in England.  She is enjoying her charmed life there and settling into her life as a bride very well.  Long before she met her British husband though, she enjoyed the experience of taking afternoon tea!   Here is the story....... Her Dad, my sweet heart of a husband,  surprised me on our twentieth wedding anniversary with a trip to Victoria, British Columbia.  We took all five of our children and stayed a week in Victoria at the beautifully restored  Empress Hotel which is famous for their afternoon tea time!  It was there that we all enjoyed this relaxing experience of taking tea together.  Throughout the years, I have always cherished these  afternoon tea experiences with my daughters' and even my husband at times!   My grandmother gave me several of her tea cups years ago and I have found additional ones at antique shops over the years.  Two of my favorites, which are pictured in first picture above, I found in Birmingham, Alabama  in a little antique shop several years ago from a lady who was British.   Tea Time is a time to stop from a busy day and just enjoy the moment!  In the moment of taking tea, one can enjoy the person you are with and share a few moments of the day. The English say it is comforting to share this experience.....sort of like a warm hug toward the end of the afternoon.

There is work to do but there should also be times of refreshment and relaxation.  I hope you have an afternoon Tea time in your future!  Kindly, share what you have with others.......it doesn't have to be on fine china or picture perfect if your heart and your love are a part of what you are sharing.  Give out of love...... In the words of Margaret Walker who says......."Love stretches your heart and makes you big inside."   I hope you have the chance to share your love with others at the beginning of this new week!  Happy Monday dear friend!

Blueberry Scones

2 cups of all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter 

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

1/2 cup of milk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; cut in butter with a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse meal.  Stir in blueberries.  Gradually add enough milk to the mixture to form a soft dough, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead lightly 4 or 5 times.  Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness; cut in triangle shapes and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake at 450 for 8 to 10 minutes.  Serve warm with clotted cream and jam.  Enjoy with your tea!