The Singles Forum Goes to a Tea Party! (Come Join Us for a Spot O'Tea!)

Hey Everyone,

This thread is inspired by a fellow member who said in a recent thread that he could see me (and another CC member) as being princesses at a tea party. And this got me thinking...

It's been a long time since I wore a "princess dress" -- my high school prom, in fact, which was a LONG time ago , but I have fond memories of enjoying the honor of attending 2 tea parties with my Mom and a ladies' group she was part of. It was such an amazing experience!

Now I'm not really a princess-y type girl -- my "style" is definitely more jeans and t-shirts (featuring my favorite cartoon characters, of course!) But it was really inspirational to see these older ladies in my Mom's group being so excited to dress up for a "fancy" day out. Some of these women were in their 70's and 80's, but they dressed to the full nines in twirling, bright-colored dresses with large, fancy hats that had wide, elegant brims and decorations. These ladies were bubbling with enthusiasm and life, and I couldn't help thinking, "Yeah, these are the gals I want to be like when I grow up!"

But the best part for me is that our host and her mother, who were the owners of the tea house, were actually from Britain, and had set up their little shop to include a genuine British phone booth, like this:



Everything about the place had a wonderful, authentic touch. Some of the goodies we were served were even made from the host's mother's own family recipes, and the host's British accent was like a beautiful song. I loved that it not only was everything scrumptious, beautiful, and fun, but we were getting a mini cultural lesson right along with it!

I have a good CC friend who is pretty much a tea connoisseur, and one of the things I look forward to when visiting her again someday is that she's promised to take me to the local tea house. Maybe this time I'll even wear a princess dress! (AND a tiara if I'm really feeling feisty!)

Therefore, I think the Singles Forum and Friends should have their very own tea party as well. (My friend said she HAS seen men at tea parties, though they were most likely there with their wives and not on their own.)

And don't worry about the usual "stuffy" dress codes -- at this party, people can come just as they are.

* Have you been to, or would you try going, to a tea party? (If not, what's more your style -- a coffee house?) Perhaps a winery or brewery?

I love the establishment of beverage culture! I don't like alcohol as a drink (I see it as something for recipes,) but I went on a tour of a winery that showed us the barrels the wine was aging in and explained how different types of wood affects the flavor, etc. I just find the process of how things are made, the different notes and flavors, etc., to all be fascinating -- so it definitely doesn't have to be just tea!

If you have been to other beverage-related places or would like to, tell us where you went or where you want to go! I would love to see the Starbucks flagship roastery. I'm not big on Starbucks coffee, but I would really love to see how the whole shebang works.

How about all of you?

* What kinds of tea (or other beverages) would you be interested in?

* What will you wear? (Do you like the chance to dress up, or are you going to show up in last night's pajamas?) Totally acceptable in our group, by the way -- no judgments!

* Who will you be bringing as a guest, if you would like to bring one? (I, of course, will be bringing my mom!)

* What kinds of food/snacks have you tried at such places, or what would you like to try?











Personally, I am not big on scones, which are apparently seen as a staple for afternoon tea (I find them to be a bit dry,) but I loved the little cakes, clotted cream (the host's mother's own recipe,) and was surprised that I didn't even mind the cucumber sandwiches, because I normally don't like cucumber.

How about all of you?

Pull up a chair, fill your cup, and tell us how YOU would feel about attending a Singles Forum Tea Party! (Or, beverage event of your choice.)

Should I offer my services to taste test for poison again? It worked out quite well the last time.

Lol.

I'm thinking we're going to have to come up with a disclaimer for any future food-related events in which you and Lynx are only allowed to "test" the most questionable of food, and in the most minute amounts -- or the rest of us aren't going to get any.

As far as I'm concerned, you can have the scones, as long as I get extra Victoria sandwiches and tea cakes to make up for it.

And don't bother testing the clotted cream -- it's just fine, I assure you, as I've already plopped half the bowl onto my miniature tart as we speak (write.)

I had a teaparty at my 50 years anniversary. It was a great success. Wonderful scones, and a good tea menu. I will take you there, who ever will come to visit

Perhaps I'll just offer security services instead. I can just stand in the shade and enjoy some energy drinks while the fancy people drink their tea. I will note that if any Bostoners show up to crash the party, I ain't interfering. I know how it ended up the last time.

Well, I can go for tea. This time of year probably iced. Start with something minty and end with some sort of fruity hibiscus tea.

If this is fall we'll have to go with something cinnamony and then maybe orange creamsicle rooibos for second tea (or if there's a really good pumpkin one I'll have that).

As a guest I'm bringing my board games in hopes that someone wants to play some with me. (I still have the sherlock holmes consulting detective one if we need a victorian flaire to the game).

And I will happily eat scones with clotted cream and more scones and clotted cream, and maybe a few little unique sandwiches. Fruit tarts and cakes are also acceptable. And / or shortbread, I like good shortbread.

Funny thing -- when I first went to the tea house mentioned in the first post, I was excited to buy a box of what was touted as authentic British tea.

And happily took it as a gift to some tea-drinking friends down South.

Well little did I know, one of their family members (who is very into politics) had decorated the guest bathroom with portraits of early United States presidents.

I suddenly realized that visiting a bathroom "flush" with pictures of the founding fathers, soon after drinking authentic British tea just might not go over so well.

I told my friends that whenever I went to that bathroom, I felt as if I had to explain to George Washington that, "I didn't have any of that doggone British tea, I promise you, sir!! Really, all I had was water!!!"

Y'all done missed the whole point. People don't go to a tea party for the tea. They go for gossip. If people went just to sit around and drink tea, nobody would go. They go to catch up on all the gossip about their friends, enemies and other neighbors.

Well... MOST go for gossip. I'd be going for the clotted cream and fruit compote. On tarts or scones or whatever, I don't care.

Yes, I too like all those foods. I definitely know what they are and am not just pretending so I can fit in with the cool crowd.

That's one of the best parts of the party!!

Learning what all the foods are and trying new things.

I had no idea what cucumber sandwiches were (I mean, yeah, they're pretty self-explanatory, lol,) but I didn't realize they were a tea party staple.

I'm a simple man-child with a specific taste in food. Asking me to try unknown foods is like asking me to walk through a mine field.

We'll just make sure none of them came from any bodies of water nor ever said "Oink!" in their lifetime, and you should be good to go!

What’s wrong with Jim Beam parties? Sure, a glass of iced tea is good for a side order.🤗

That's a good start but I won't let my guard down. I've been tricked into eating weird foods many of times and it'll probably happen again but... you know what... I'm not hungry.

Snake doesn’t taste good.

Jim Beam with gator sandwiches?!

I'd better put Chompy in the next room so he won't read this.

Awe man. I always wanted to try snake.

No, you don’t.🤨

Chompy sounds like he needs to party more.🤠😀🤣

Sigh. So many animals have been taken off of my To Eat list in recent days. What about shark? That's the only water bearing animal I am still willing to try. Please tell me it is actually good and doesn't taste like fish!?!!