Brightening a Dreary Day

Victorian Evening

by Thomas Kinkade

March and April  bring cold, wet, dark days in many parts of the world, it seems. The weather casts a gloomy shadow on everything in and out of the home, and so today I wanted to "cast light upon gloomy days" by creating a bright tea ceremony for someone. It is tempting to save the tea cups rimmed in gold and the pretty table cloths and place mats for a special occasion, but they are needed the most on dark days.

We seemed to forget the season and the inclement weather while taking tea. 

Placemats with a reproduction 19th century painting. 

I used this this Victorian lady tea-time lamp instead of candles, on the table.

Pulling out the best and the shiniest tea vessels created even more light, and of course, Yorkshire Gold was served: nothing but the best on this celebration.

Printed on these teacups is the wild rose, the state flower of Alberta, Canada, and also a prominent flower in Alaska. 

If you want a tea confection but not the sugar and carbs that accompany it, try making this Honey Almond Cake. 

It may be tempting to trivialize the tea time ceremony, but without it, the hours of the day can get away without any distinct memories attached to them. As small as it may seem, this event becomes the most important occasion for some people. There are those who would scorn the refinement of tea time, but they are missing out on something that is quite restful and healthful. Many is the time someone has said, "I don't know what it is about it, but having tea with you made me feel there was some light in my life on that gloomy day." There is a history being created while friends take tea together, and a warmth being spread in the home.