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Chirp-A-Tea
Chirp
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Newsletter
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November
2005
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Dear
Tea Friend,
Last night I broke one of my own rules
but, I don’t regret it. I’m sure many
of you agree (in theory, at least) that
Thanksgiving is the forgotten holiday.
Halloween is getting increasingly more
attention and Christmas preparations
begin earlier and earlier each year.
Thanksgiving, stuck between these two,
in my mind, very opposite holidays,
gets little attention. Yet, there has
probably in the history of our country
never been greater cause for this humble
day of remembrance than in the past
few decades. By world standards, Americans
live well. Most of us benefit daily
from the past century’s many technological
advances. We can afford the machines
that make our work easier and even the
technological luxuries that add pleasure
to our leisure time are within the financial
means of most Americans. Shopping and
dinning are becoming the nation’s favorite
pastimes. As a nation, we have much
to be thankful for. On a personal level,
I know I also have much to be thankful
for. But, I certainly don’t wait for
a designated holiday to do it. I like
to think that that is why Thanksgiving
garners so little attention; because
we are each living daily lives of gratitude.
And just in case we aren’t, at least
we recognize the importance of gratitude
to our Maker for the blessings He has
so clearly bestowed upon us and have
set aside and continue to observe a
national day of thanksgiving. So, in
spite of my transgression of the previous
evening, my family and I will, along
with our nation, pause to give focused
and special gratitude on Thanksgiving.
What was my transgression? Well,
as you may have guessed by now, I
joined the nation in jumping the gun
and kicking off my Christmas holiday
activities before the Thanksgiving
turkey has even been cooked. The Anderson
Literacy Council held a fundraising
event that I just couldn’t ignore.
Gerald Charles Dickens, great-great
grandson of Charles Dickens, was in
town giving a one-man performance
of his ancestor’s wonderful tale,
A Christmas Carol. And what
a performance it was! My family and
I attended the evening event, although,
the Literacy Council also had him
perform at an afternoon tea (which
I did regret not being able to attend)
and offered a VIP reception where
ticket holders dined with Mr. Dickens
before the evening performance. This,
his tenth performance tour in America,
is to be the last. If you can make
one of his performances
, I urge you to do so. As for me,
I am considering that my transgression
wasn’t really a transgression. After
all, isn’t there a message of gratitude
in A Christmas Carol? After
visits from three spirits, Scrooge
was grateful for the chance to turn
his life around and begin to show
appreciation for his blessings, family,
and friends.
Wishing you a pleasant teatime,
Donna Siemen
RECIPE
 Quick Wassail Tea
- One to One and a half teaspoons
of Carolina Parakeet loose Earl
Grey Tea
- One individual pack of instant
spiced cider drink mix
- 16 ounces water
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or adjust to
your taste)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon orange juice
Bring water to a boil. Put loose tea in tea ball. Place tea
ball in teapot and pour in half of
water. Let steep 5-8 minutes. Remove
tea ball. Pour in remaining water
and add instant spiced cider drink
mix, and remaining ingredients. Stir
to mix. Pour into two 8 ounce mugs.
Garnish each mug with an orange slice
if desired.
Tea Tip
The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally the holiday season's
inaugural shopping day, with stores
opening especially early. Host a tea
for your shopping friends. Consider
either having them over bright and early
for a simple meal of tea and scones
before they head out to shop, or invite
everyone over for an afternoon “show
and tell” tea. They will surely be ready
for a rest by afternoon and can delight
in sharing their finds with one another.
With shops also staying open later,
your guests can compare notes and head
out again with renewed vigor. It won’t
be a lot of extra work; the house will
have already been cleaned for Thanksgiving
guests. Thanksgiving dishes and decorations
can stay out for one more event before
being replaced by the Christmas things.
If you are one of the many people who
traditionally decorate for Christmas
on Thanksgiving Day, then go ahead and
put out the tea things while doing your
usual Christmas decorating. Bake extra
desserts when doing your Thanksgiving
baking and use left over turkey for
finger sandwiches.
Etiquette Reminder
Remember to keep your head in the shopping frenzy. Don’t sell
your own civil behavior for the cost
of a few dollars saved. Make sure your
shopping day attitude stores up for
you “treasures in heaven”. |
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