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MicheleQ
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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Every year my sisters and I take our mom and step mom out for Mother's Day(yes together --they get along well, strange world we live in). Every year it's turns out to be a bit of a disaster --in part because my sisters and I do not see things the same way and in part because going out on Mother's Day means crowds. So this year my daughters and I are hosting a Mother's Day Tea here at our house. It will be Sat. the day before Mother's Day.
Entertaining is not my forte --but I really want to teach hospitality to my daughters.
There should be about 15 of us. I need suggestions!
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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Mackfam
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 11:43am | IP Logged
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Michele,
This can be great fun! We do this seasonally - so we have a spring tea, a summer tea, etc. We are a family of...um...opinionated and highly creative women  so what works for us is to assign one person to a particular aspect of the tea so she can focus her creative energy in that area!
** Hostess - this rotates, and the hostess can choose to opt out of other contributions since she will donate clean-up time afterward. Her only real responsibility is choosing the setting - under a big shade tree, or in a special room...and choosing and providing the actual tea.
** Tea and snacks - We ask one person to hostess the tea. That person is responsible for choosing the tea and providing it. Once we all know the type of tea we're having, each person is asked to bring a finger-food to share. Favorites are cucumber sandwiches, banana bread, a favorite cookie, cheese straws, figs wrapped in prosciutto, homemade candies, and lemon bars.
** Formal tea dress is REQUIRED! Not super formal, but a nice dress and hats - always hats! Gloves are encouraged, but optional.
** Setting is the responsibility of one person (and doesn't have to be the hostess!) We prefer teas outside in spring and fall, and for this our favorite setting is to use a couple of sawhorses and a big piece of plywood for a table set up under a big shade tree. We cover the plywood table with large flat bedding sheets. It's very pretty to drape one over the table, then drape another of a different pattern at a 45 degree angle so the corners of the bottom sheet are peeking out. Very pretty! We use sheets we have, but I've been watching the thrift store for rose and floral design sheets. Use a big basket to transport silverware and dishes to the table. We each watch thrift stores for pretty and feminine dishes to collect for our teas. We always display a statue of Our Lady on our table and try to coordinate with a Marian Feast day to hold the tea in her honor.
** Flowers - Our rule is nothing store-bought, so obliging wildflowers and greenery are generously supplied by surrounding gardens, fields, and forests. We now each grow wildflowers specifically so we can have plenty for our teas!
** Etiquette - This is the perfect time to practice more refined etiquette! My dd and I talk about one or two particular things to focus on for a tea - perhaps it is talking slowly and asking someone to pass a dish, or taking one small bit of food at a time...even if all the cucumber sandwiches look terribly tempting.
We'd love to have a candle-lit tea, but evenings in the south equal misery and bugs...so it would have to be a late fall outdoor tea, but wouldn't that be pretty by candlelight?
It sounds like you're the hostess, Michele...perhaps you could ask each of your older dd's what they would like to be in charge of, and perhaps ask a few of your sisters to be in charge of other aspects. You could be responsible for setting and tea! It sounds like a wonderful Mother's Day tea!!!!! There are lots of books with tea-time recipes and ideas for themes, but I have to say that we prefer to just emphasize whatever is green and blooming, and make a few favorite or inspiring finger food dishes and just go with that. There's something about wearing a big hat to a tea - it's deliciously inspiring! Have fun!!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer I was so hoping you would share ideas! Thank you!!
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 12:38pm | IP Logged
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I'm just craving little tea sandwiches, like egg salad!
I think it was my first tea that I tasted watercress, and it was so delicious (and fun to talk about).
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 8:09pm | IP Logged
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Oh look at this lovely idea for Vintage Cake Stands! I am hitting the thrift store tomorrow!
Oh and I have managed to secure two canopies so far from local friends. 
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 8:19pm | IP Logged
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Speaking of hats, I am going to have hats for each of my dd's for the tea --I was thinking of dressing ala Sense and Sensibility and here are the perfect hats!
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Michele Quigley
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http://michelequigley.com
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Betsy
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 8:37pm | IP Logged
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I searched my favorite site, One Pretty Thing, for tea party and came up this this list. I wouldn't hesitate to do some other searches, Michele, that are more specific to what you are looking for (table settings, finger food, etc). I always find really great ideas here!
Betsy
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Donna Marie
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 8:44pm | IP Logged
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I know a friend of mine had a bridal shower tea where they made their own hats at the tea with tulle and silk flowers, beads and a glue gun. They said they had a blast.
Don't know if this helps much...but FWIW 
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| Posted: April 14 2010 at 10:19pm | IP Logged
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Wow this sounds fun. Nothing to share as I have never ever experienced such a gathering. I feel I've missed out. Lol!
Thanks for sharing.
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St. Ann
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| Posted: April 15 2010 at 1:54am | IP Logged
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There are some great ideas in this thread and it gets me itching to do something similar. But it is so english!
Here in Germany, you are invited to coffee, not tea. Although tea will also be served. People get confused with my heritage as it is. Some lump all English speaking persons as being British. If I would try to have such a Tea Party, they would really think I am British and would see it as some cultural exchange event or something... 
People do drink tea here, don't get me wrong, but the german coffee hour is much less influenced by the Brits than in America.
I don't know why I wrote all that...maybe just a little sad that I can't legitimately have such a gathering.
But if I could, I know where I would turn to for great ideas! 
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Stephanie
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MaryM
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| Posted: April 15 2010 at 2:25am | IP Logged
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What about including poetry and literature about mothers and daughters. We were thinking of having a literary night (like the one's Chari has detailed) with that as a focus.
Quote:
MOTHER
A picture memory brings to me;
I look across the years and see
Myself beside my mother's kee.
I feel her gentle hand restrain
My selfish moods, and know again
A child's brlind sense of wrong and pain.
But wiser now,
a man gray grown,
My shildhood's needs are better known.
My mother's chastening love I own.
-- John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Quote:
TO MY MOTHER
You too, my mother, read my rhymes
For love of unforgotten times,
And you may chance to hear once more
The little feet along the floor.
--Robert Louis Stevenson |
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Quote:
THE MOTHER
Here I lean over you, small son, sleeping
Warm in my arms,
And I con to my heart all your dew-fresh charms,
As you lie close, close in my hungry hold . . .
Your hair like a miser's dream of gold,
And the white rose of your face far fairer,
Finer, and rarer
Than all the flowers in the young year's keeping;
Over lips half parted your low breath creeping
Is sweeter than violets in April grasses;
Though your eyes are fast shut I can see their blue,
Splendid and soft as starshine in heaven,
With all the joyance and wisdom given
From the many souls who have stanchly striven
Through the dead years to be strong and true.
Those fine little feet in my worn hands holden . . .
Where will they tread ?
Valleys of shadow or heights dawn-red?
And those silken fingers, O, wee, white son,
What valorous deeds shall by them be done
In the future that yet so distant is seeming
To my fond dreaming?
What words all so musical and golden
With starry truth and poesy olden
Shall those lips speak in the years on-coming?
O, child of mine, with waxen brow,
Surely your words of that dim to-morrow
Rapture and power and grace must borrow
From the poignant love and holy sorrow
Of the heart that shrines and cradles you now!
Some bitter day you will love another,
To her will bear
Love-gifts and woo her . . . then must I share
You and your tenderness! Now you are mine
From your feet to your hair so golden and fine,
And your crumpled finger-tips . . . mine completely,
Wholly and sweetly;
Mine with kisses deep to smother,
No one so near to you now as your mother!
Others may hear your words of beauty,
But your precious silence is mine alone;
Here in my arms I have enrolled you,
Away from the grasping world I fold you,
Flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone!
-- Lucy Maud Montgomery |
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Quote:
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.
-- Washington Irving |
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And some passages speaking of famous mothers in literature - Caroline Ingalls, Marmee, etc...
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: April 15 2010 at 8:38am | IP Logged
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St. Ann wrote:
There are some great ideas in this thread and it gets me itching to do something similar. But it is so english!
Here in Germany, you are invited to coffee, not tea. Although tea will also be served. People get confused with my heritage as it is. Some lump all English speaking persons as being British. If I would try to have such a Tea Party, they would really think I am British and would see it as some cultural exchange event or something...
People do drink tea here, don't get me wrong, but the german coffee hour is much less influenced by the Brits than in America.
I don't know why I wrote all that...maybe just a little sad that I can't legitimately have such a gathering.
But if I could, I know where I would turn to for great ideas! |
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Oh but I loved reading it --reminded me of when we lived in Germany. 
MANY years ago --back in the days of the CCM group --Elizabeth and I often talked about wanting to host a CM Tea. Pretty tables, candles, tea of course and a few inspiring speakers. Wouldn't that be lovely?!
I did have a proper tea once in England at the Randolph Hotel in Oxford with Kathryn --it was lovely!
MaryM wrote:
What about including poetry and literature about mothers and daughters. We were thinking of having a literary night (like the one's Chari has detailed) with that as a focus.
And some passages speaking of famous mothers in literature - Caroline Ingalls, Marmee, etc... |
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Oh a lovely idea! This reminds me of a poem that my oldest read one mother's day many years ago(when he was something like 12 --he's 25 now) that was quite funny --I will have to ask if he could do it again since he'll be here (the boys will be inside helping as needed).
I am thinking about the girls playing piano too since we have a keyboard that could be easily moved outside . . .
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: April 15 2010 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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MicheleQ wrote:
| Speaking of hats, I am going to have hats for each of my dd's for the tea --I was thinking of dressing ala Sense and Sensibility and here are the perfect hats! |
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I ordered four of the Natural Bonnets (one for each of my 2 older girls, myself and my daughter in law as I will probably just do a mass of curls and a big bow on my 3 yr. old). I already have this Regency dress Simplicity pattern for my d-i-l and myself but still need to figure out the girls' dresses though I may just make my own pattern for them.
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 15 2010 at 9:51am | IP Logged
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Stephanie, I think I like the German way better. I'm more of a coffee rather than tea. Just can't stomach tea! So the whole idea of having a "tea" is great, except the actual drinking the tea! I think I need to start a new thread because this one got me thinking....
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Betsy
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Speaking of sewing patterns...Michele, I am sure you probably know about this pattern company, Sense and Sensibility, but I wanted to post it for others that might not (and a reason to drool over the patterns, again).
Betsy
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: April 19 2010 at 3:58pm | IP Logged
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Lots of things are coming together as I have been offered the use of a large canopy (10' x 20'), 4 tables (6' x 2.5') and plenty of folding chairs.
I got the hats over the weekend and they are PERFECT --really perfect. I'm very excited.
My mom has some very beautiful vintage china that I can use and I went through my fabric stash and found MUCH that will be of use. I have yards of linen leftover from when I made Fr.'s altar linens (I always overbuy but when it's a good price...). I have enough for table coverings and napkins, plus I have various yardage of pretty flowery fabrics for accents.
My older 5 boys (24, 25, 20, 17 and 15) are all going to be helping (willingly!). As servers, escorts, and a photographer.
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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Sarah
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| Posted: April 19 2010 at 9:57pm | IP Logged
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Michele,
Oh please do update us on how it goes, either with pictures on your blog or here with words.
Sounds so fun and wonderful
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Mother's Day Tea
