Tea in the Woods

The theme for this week’s Lens-Us-Together (which now has 68 creative souls participating) is Coffee and Tea and was suggested by Andie.

The tea cups in this photograph belonged to my mother and although they’re not often used used now, they’re filled with sweet memories.  Mom was of an era that actually held afternoon tea parties for her friends…complete with a gauzy, ruffled apron, finger sandwiches and delicate pastries.  In fact they were used frequently in our home, for friends as well as strangers were routinely urged to come in and have a cup of tea.  The kettle was put on to boil as soon as a live body came through the door! 

There’s something so universal about the hospitality of offering a guest a cup of coffee or tea.  It crosses barriers of both language and culture. It cover moments of awkwardness and offers condolences when words are inadequate. It honours old friendships and invites new ones.

It says; lets stop and share a moment together

So pull up a mossy log dear friend and I’ll pour the tea.  We’ll chat about the softness of the forest floor and the heady scent of ancient cedars.  Birds will scold us until we throw some crumbs their way and curious squirrels will scamper shyly up and down the trees.  As sunlight shines softly through filtered boughs, we’ll sip our tea and feel a bliss of sheer contentment.

And who knows…there may even be a fairy or two who will join us…just over there, hiding behind the maidenhair fern. 

Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!

…Play well and be kind to one another.

Comments

[positively present]

This picture reminds me of Alice in Wonderland and I LOVE it! So beautiful!! :)

[lucy]

oh kate, i adore everything about this post - from the gorgeous photo to the closing quote. (is it yours or from a book? it reminds me of "the wind in the willows.") i also am reminded of the teacups we found tucked way back in my mother's cupboards when we cleaned her house out many years ago. i had no idea she even collected teacups and she was of the notion they were to be saved for something "special". what could be more special than tea with a friend... or a stranger? thank you for this.

[charlane]

beautiful - how wonderful, warm and welcoming of your mother.

[Serena]

Such beautiful teacups and heart-warming memories. We were also raised to welcome visitors or strangers with a nice hot cuppa. Even now, the first place I head when welcoming someone into my home is to the kitchen to put the jug on for a cuppa. I will even offer tradesmen a nice, hot cuppa when they are here to do a job. I know they appreciate the gesture even if they don't always say yes. :)

[cate]

I think this generation of city dwellers have replaced "putting the kettle on" with going to a cafe - I love looking around my favourite cafe and seeing so many people meeting up and connecting. Beautiful post!

[kim mailhot]

This is a beautiful shot and a lovely post, Kate! The tea cups remind me of my mom as well as she loves to collect and use those gorgeous delicate things. She doesn't come from an era where they were used to their best advantage but I think she seeks to bring us into a new era now - like you and your forest tea party ! It is exquisite to imagine myself sitting there in that mossy haven.

Thanks for your sweet comment about my birds ! I plan on adding a few to my esty shop by the weekend as I have had quite a few requests for them. They were orginally planned for a fundraiser craft fair in Nov. but I think I can spare a small flock to go into the shop ! ;)
Love your sign-off !
Off to play!

[naturegirl]

Kate this certaily is my kind of tea party! In the woods with birds and squirrels and fairies and sitting on mossy cushions!
Hummm....perhaps a great idea for next summer..hummm..now which tea cups shall I pack!

[trudi]

A beautiful and imaginative idea - asks me to pull up a toad stool.

[Nancy]

Lovely textures, where do you get your textures from?

Nice blog and great inspiration.