Granny Has A Tea Party

So many people are so busy all the time that the finer things in life are slowly disappearing. Afternoon Tea, for example, is seldom something one does any more. Granny decided to change that and have a Tea Party.

Including Granny, there were 14 people on the guest list. So there was lots to be done in preparation.

All the bone china cups and saucers were washed, and the tea cups were married up with their saucers. Look at all the lovely patterns. There’s nothing like drinking tea out of a proper cup and saucer; mugs are just a bucket with a handle. A cup and saucer is delicate, pretty, light weight and when you put the thin edge to your lips to sip the tea, it’s magical.

After much planning, Granny was pleased with the menu. First, tea sandwiches, you know the kind, thin slices of bread in fancy shapes, with the crusts cut off. This is exactly what Granny wanted to serve for her Tea Party. She baked fresh loaves of bread and sliced them very thin, then cut some into fancy shapes. Then she filled the little gems with delicacies like Tomato and Basil, Pear and Blue Cheese, Cucumber and Dill, Chopped Radishes with Spinach Leaves, and Cucumber and Mint. For dessert, she whipped up a batch of scones, not the North American version, the kind you get when you go out for Cream Tea in England (thank you Carole, for the recipe). To top them off, strawberry jam or some lemon curd, whichever you prefer, and after many hours of sitting on the stove top thickening up, clotted cream.

All the guests arrived and admired the cups and saucers, and all the plates of lovely sandwiches. With relaxed smiles, we filled our teacups many times over, and spent many happy hours laughing and nibbling. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, and with such special friends.

Granny learned a couple of things this afternoon. Tea Parties are definitely not a thing of the past. Ladies today enjoy them as much as their grandmothers did. And most importantly, red wine does NOT stain teacups.

Another Fiddle Update

Okay ... it doesn't look like much has been done since last time I blogged, but there's hours of work gone into it since March 31st (my last update).


The thing I like about this picture is that some of the shimmery grain of the wood is starting to show. Not only is it the shape of the back of a fiddle, but I'm starting to see what the details of back will be like.


Just thinking about it my heart does that little flip thing. So exciting.

Gryper - Revealed

Most of you would never have believed it of Mr Gryper. I daresay, I was filled with wonder. For many years the cranky old codger has shown distaste for the civilized, yes, the elegant things in life.

Gryper was famous for encouraging his children with little comments like "Get your nose out of that gawd-damned book!!"

Well my friends, the jig is up!

This weekend it's become crystal clear that surly old fool has hidden, lo these many years, his cultured side - yes, the Gracious Gryper.

Behold, an elegant, courtly Gryper, living a life filled with grace and finesse. This weekend, in a bewildering show of his genteel side, he revealed the Dignified Gryper. No longer can he hide his cultivation and finesse. He can only be described as having decorum and taste.


We were all filled with awe, as Gryper held us spellbound with his heavenly, enchanting musical interpretations. With eyes close, as if in a trace, he beguiled us with sweet high notes, not unlike the song of the Bluebird at sunrise.




During the quiet times, Gryper could be found curled up with a book for hours on end.





















Ah, yes, this weekend has been a defining moment in world history. I feel privileged to have been able to share this.