Wednesday, June 05, 2019

I See the Tea is Here...



...Let us go and have some! 

painting: Tea Time by An He


Hello Ladies,

Thank you for your participation in the previous post discussion about dignified dress.

The comments are great food for thought, as I prepare to make yet another video on the subject.

I was thinking about tea time, and how ladies used to dress up for it.

And, also, did you know that in prominent tea rooms they will not even allow you inside if you are not appropriately dressed?  In many places you must wear skirts and hats! 
I remember when I had a tea room on this beautiful farm-with-a-view.  
The older women of the time, (about 25 years ago) dressed in such a lovely manner, and the clothes were still available, and if not, Goodwill provided the out of date styles that were so elegant.

However, the younger women, teen agers, wore atrocious clothing, and so immodest, we were happy they were seated at the table so that their extremely short skirts and shorts were never in full view.  I asked a mother how she coped with that. She answered, "With clothing, I found it isn't worth the fight."
I found out the father was not happy with the daughter's choice of clothing either, but they didn't want loud arguments in the home, as the daughter would put up an awful fight and act persecuted and demeaned.

People act so militant about immodesty. It is their "right" so they put it in your face and if you don't accept it, you will be attacked.  Eventually the most kind-hearted ones just erase the whole conflict from their minds and try not to notice.

What is sad, is that these funny outfits that make girls look poverty-stricken, are in the richest western countries in the world.
And in India, where many people are extremely poor, the women wear the most beautiful garments, some, with a total of 6 yards or more cloth wrapped around them. The colors are vivid and often have shiny metallic threads woven in it. 

What is a woman to do?

The first thing that you can really do that you have total control over, is to cover yourself appropriately. Without even an argument, you can do that, and your influence is greater than you know. Even if you live out in the country or take a trip to the sea, you can dress in a complementary way to the nature around you. And, you can feel good about yourself by doing it, and find yourself walking with a lighter step.

The older women need to be a good example, and rather than complain about the current way of dressing, improve themselves and their manner of dressing, so that they can be a better influence.

I thought we should take a rest from all the intensity of the discussion yesterday, to stop and have some tea. I saved a place for you with your own pot of tea, here:


Carrot-Chive Tea Sandwiches

Two large carrots, peeled and grated
Two or three tablespoons whipped cream cheese with chives (feel free to substitute if you need to, with mayonnaise) You can also use your own chives, about a tablespoon 
Loaf of sliced white bread (unbleached)
softened butter, about one cube

You may also use homemade bread, thinly sliced.

Butter both sides of bread, at least half the loaf. This keeps the filling from leaking into the bread and making it wet and soggy.   If you have left over filling, you can use more bread.
Mix the grated carrots with the cream cheese or mayonnaise 
Spread filling to the edges of the bread on one  piece and cover with the other piece of bread.

Cut into rectangles, triangles or fourths.
There is no need to remove the crusts, as the bread is very soft.


Chicken Basil Tea Sandwiches

Following the previous instructions, use fresh chopped basil or dried basil instead of chives, and mix cooked chopped chicken with the filling.

Spread on bread as in previous  instructions.

I will try to have some here to show you soon.





5 comments:

magnoliasntea said...

Thank you for sharing tea with us and for taking the time to share how to make the sandwiches. You're such a gracious hostess. :)

Our girls are grown, now, but they still cover themselves well as we taught them early on that they must be careful in everything they do, especially in their dress. We, also, homeschooled them. That makes a world of difference. We didn't homeschool them because we had plenty of money. It was a real sacrifice, but we were willing to make it in order ensure they learned appropriate lessons and made like-minded friends. I pray others will consider the same for their children.

Lydia said...

Magnolia, We hope others will know they can homeschool their children, and they don't need a lot of books or equipment; they just need to love their children enough to guide them gently to the truth and to good sense, wisdom, understanding and good judgement. If I had to do it again I'd toss the books and spend more time in real life lessons!! Of course I would eventually write it all down and it would become a book so there is no getting away from books ha!

Songsparrowgarden said...

Lydia the ongoing subject of modest dress is refreshing indeed, as are the precious photos you attach and the subject of tea - - all of which I dearly love. I wish I had the same gorgeous locks of thick hair those lovely ladies have . . I neglected to receive that gene at birth.

We don't have any tea rooms in my area. . . only bars for people to drink and trash their minds which they clearly do not value. We did have a tea room for a short time . . but you had to be a large party - - like a bridal shower or some such and book an appt. for same. They closed between 2 and 4 pm. I was the only person wanting gentility. . but I couldn't get in as I didn't have a large enough 'party to book for'. . . just a party of 1 wanting a simple cup of tea. I do miss the old fashioned values.

Recently a friend I treasured for years and years canceled plans with me we had made months ago. With my husband ill and me still working full time, my personal time is limited and I looked forward to our getting together with great anticipation. She emailed me early in the week to tell me she would not be meeting me but would be going with another 'friend' to the destination I would be at. I was shocked as this would have been 'our time together' to visit and catch up. Then, when her friend canceled, she canceled with me completely, the day before the planned event. I was shocked and disappointed. Now I'll never makes plans with her again as I've lost trust in her. This is someone I thought had old world morals and values. and cared for me as much as I cared for her. Clearly not. Things are always subject to extreme change . . not it seems, for the better.

Lydia said...

Songsparrow: The Victorians had ways of making their hair more thick. I notice when I eat more fish and seafood my hair is thicker and my skin is healthier.

Lydia said...

songsparrow: sometimes people have grand plans and create social situations and invite someone and then it all gets too overwhelming for them so they back down. Or they change their minds when they see someone they like better. Its been that way since forever. But when they act like that, it frees you up to go on to other interests which may develop you better.