The Tea Cup

Dear Daughter,

Today, in your hand, you hold a tea cup. It is delicate and beautiful. The handle is gracefully curved, as is the cup itself. The outside may be decorated with multi-colored flowers, geometric shapes, or intricate patterns. It is unique: a piece of art that shows the craftsmanship and skill of its designer.

Once upon a time, I held a tiny little girl in my hands and thought, “She is delicate and beautiful.” Her features were gracefully curved. She was decorated with darling dresses covered with multi-colored flowers, geometric shapes, and intricate patterns. She was unique, a wonderful creation of the Artist, whose craftsmanship and skill shined through her daintiness.

* * * * * * * *

Each year, our daughters receive a scroll with a message written by a mommy to her daughter.  On the first year scroll, the letter (part of which is shown above) describes the Tea Cup and our darling little girls. 

Though we know they won't remain tiny, we are still surprised that they're not!  This time of slowing down, even for an afternoon, helps us see our daughters now--when they're just a bit taller, a little more graceful, and on their way to a lot more independence from us.

Are you Attending?

If you didn't receive an Evite, no problem.  Just click on the snapshot of our invitation on the right (like the one below) to tell us that you're attending and bringing us yummy treats!

We'll soon be dining on petit fours, sipping delicious tea, and simply enjoying the company of our young ladies.  In the meantime, get yourself counted, bring out the secret baking ingredients, and sign up to help transform St. Michael's all-purpose room for our big event.

Picturing Pretty

When 35 degrees is considered balmy, one is definitely in need of Spring!

Do mark your calendars for this year's Afternoon Tea for our Daughters, and picture in your mind a pretty day, warm and sunny, and perfect for wearing light sweaters and tea dresses.  That day will be here soon.

Sunday, June 7
2:00-4:00
All-Purpose Room, Junior Building
St. Michael Catholic Church

What the Mommies Made

Tea Cups for Posterity

The moms who started the annual Afternoon Tea also created a tradition of passing on tea settings to  their daughters.  The experience of slowing down to sip a cup of tea with one's mom is memorable enough.  Imagine sipping it from a tea cup that she just gave you!  

Consignment stores and antique shops are great places for tea cup finds.  There are the occasional "Made in Occupied Japan" collectibles, the popular Royal Albert tea cups, and the Chinese porcelain tea cups with lids.  Or perhaps great-aunt Louise left you a tea set from Germany? What a perfect time to give your daughter a cup and saucer that will remind her of her heritage.

In a few more weeks, we will be hosting our Afternoon Tea for our daughters.  Be sure to wrap the tea cup, saucer and plate for your daughter and remember to bring a complete set with cutlery for your other guests.  Picture it--colorful and elegant tea cups, beautifully dressed young ladies, and you!

A Call for Helping Hands!

Tea Time Cupcake from Buzz Bakery

Transforming an All-Purpose Room into a beautiful Tea Room requires many helping hands--decorating hands, lifting hands, sweeping hands.  We've created a sign up just for that purpose with key words that will tell you if we will need decorative items to borrow or food items for you to make.  Click the sign up button on the right.

Tea Time with our Daughters

What's so special about Tea Time?  For many busy homeschooling moms, it may not happen at all, or often enough.  Yet instinctively, we know that if we can just have that special hour or two to slow down, we can have a lovely time with our daughters--to listen to them, to share some of our own stories with them, and to simply enjoy the age they are, whether eight or twelve or sixteen.

This year, we are happy to help you create special memories with your daughters.  You will have an opportunity to bake them extra-special treats, to serve them fragrant cups of tea, and to feel like elegant ladies with them.

Please mark your calendars for this special Afternoon Tea with our daughters*.  We will enjoy delicate finger sandwiches and tasty sweets, calm ourselves with some chamomile and peppermint tea, as well as listen to our guest speaker, Mary Lenaburg.

An Afternoon Tea with our Daughters

Sunday, June 1, 1:45 - 4:00

All-Purpose Room, St. Michael Catholic Church 

7401 St. Michael's Lane, Annandale, VA 22003

*This event is for daughters who have made their First Communion and their mothers, aunts, or grandmothers.  Moms, there will be a sign up for items to be prepared for the event.  Look for a follow up e-mail with details.