Building traditions. My grandmother loved tea and every time I would visit she should have the kettle whistling on the gas stove and smells of freshly baked fried hotcakes greeting us at the door. When she served tea it was with a sense of relaxed formality, I remember feeling like a princess drinking from fine bone china with my little finger crocked just so. The land of make-believe and “pretend tea parties” came to life with real homemade cookies, cucumber sandwiches, and tea.
My Grandmother wanted to teach us the importance of tradition. The love that my grandmother put into serving tea and her philosophy that the value wasn’t in the family heirlooms she used, but in the building of memories is what I hope to pass on to my daughter.
A few months ago I was going through some boxes, deciding what would go to the Cottage. It was in a well-traveled storage box that I rediscovered some of my Grandmothers teacups. After generations of use, some were chipped or missing a saucer. But, they all brought back memories of the importance of traditions and passing them along to our children.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
So last week, I took my Grandmother’s china to Sweet Pond Cottage to create a little impromptu Tea party for my daughter. We laid down some linens, flowers, and served scones, lemon curd, and heart-shaped sugar cookies. I know someday when she uses my great-grandmothers China she”ll be able to tell her children about the tea parties she had with me. And life will come full circle once again.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
This was one of my favorite tea sets that belonged to my grandmother. The delicate pink design highlighted with rich golds, I used the soft colors as inspiration for the table runner and flowers.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
We made homemade biscotti and honey sticks from a recipe my Grandmother passed on to me…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Floral patterns seem to be the perfect compliment to a tea party. And cookies were served with love…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The teacups and plates were always my Grandmother’s favorite, as a little girl I can remember being fascinated with the tiny gold feet, they seemed so perfectly regal holding up the delicate pink cup.
It seems that most of us are always in a hurry, rushing from one place to another. At the Cottage, time stands still. We enjoy sharing memories with our daughter, teaching her about traditions so that she can do the same for her children. I hope you are inspired to create your own traditions to share with family and friends, and may your life be filled with rosy sunsets.
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