Yesterday I visited a friend I hadn’t seen in a month or two. We dressed up and went to a new tea house/art gallery in her town. It was a lovely old converted barn.
We had afternoon tea with sweets and little finger sandwiches. Their desserts were so good and you could tell were made on premises with actual ingredients. We were served in real China tea cups and pot. They were all mismatched and it made it charming. There were starched white linen tablecloths. We even had to pour our tea through strainers, which made it more fun and the tea better tasting. We had Earl Grey (I adore bergamot, one of the main elements of Earl Grey that gives it it’s wonderful aromatic bouquet).
My friend looked adorable and when we later went to a large antiques Market, one of the proprietors said, “Oh, it’s the Vintage gals again. We haven’t seen you in awhile”. We smiled at that, having been remembered. But, I suppose wearing dresses and looking ‘put together’ in our small ocean-side towns draws attention, good attention I might add.
I should have been good and brought my camera, but quite honestly I just forget. I went out without a thought about it. I feel bad now, but at the time I was just living a day. This past week I have been taking rather a little break from the computer and technology. It isn’t permanent, I assure you, but I just needed it. No concerns about what to write or share, no worries over the camera and downloading images, no scanning or dog earring magazines, just simply living. It was rather nice. And I think I needed it as a sort of cleanse from this past month and into the coming Autumn.
I hope in my doing so I haven’t lost many readers, but if I have, what can I do? Nothing. I am here to share and enjoy what I do. I love writing and I do, mostly, enjoy sharing images, ideas, tips, and such of the time. But, I wanted to see what it felt like without it being there. It felt like normal life. Yet I also see now, as I type this, that it also felt like a holiday and now this seems ‘work as usual’. Though I am sure you will scold for their being no pictures of my Vintage day out, nor any good recipes for tea things and so on.
I hope you all have a lovely day and I will close here with this helpful video from 1946 (arranging the Tea Table). Happy Homemaking.
No worries! I check you regularly for new posts, and if I need a 50s fix I go back through the old ones. Everyone needs a break once in a while. Work - paid or volunteer shouldn't be all consuming. We need balance. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Monica. Your heart has to be in it for you to enjoy what you do. And still, everyone needs a break now and again.
ReplyDeleteYour afternoon tea sounds lovely. I enjoy Earl Grey tea for the same reason. It has a lovely aroma.
Take care,
Christine in Canada
I pop in every few days or so to get my 50`s gal fix, you haven`t lost me as a reader :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day you spent, it`s wonderful that you can take a little time for yourself and your dear friend.....
Cheers,
Mom in Canada
No worries here either.
ReplyDeleteI think it's essential to take little technology breaks.
LPM
I seldom comment but stay a faithful reader!
ReplyDeleteYour tea video was absolutely lovely. When I watch those old films I always feel that we have lost something essential with the appearance of fast food culture and the disapperance of the homemaker. How different that tea party is from the modern way of entertainment when people eat from paper plates with plastic forks. Sometimes I'm afraid we are heading into the new dark ages. Thank you for your efforts of promoting a more refined way of life.
I'm glad you had a nice relaxing day. and thank you for letting my in-laws tag along for a bit! I had my camera at the house, but never think to bring it...a habit i am trying to break! we'll just have to be sure and document the next time!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear from you and know that you were out enjoying yourself. I was afraid your new tenants had been a problem or you heard from the old nasty ones! Sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday.
ReplyDeleteSarah H.
The day you have at the tea house and antiques market sounds wonderful:) I really wish i had friend around me that were into the same kind of things like that as i like..... I love reading your posts and always stop by for my vintage fix!
ReplyDeleteKelly, In England
I just visited your site again after enjoying awhile ago but for some reason post wasn't working for me then so will attempt again. I can relate to feeling like I am immersed in the 1950s and technology burn out also, as I have been spending a lot of time creating a family website, which is mainly for uploading my late father's journals. I uploaded 1955 and am in the process of putting up 1956. You might enjoy these also as they really take me back in time when I read about these bygone days. http://weepingwillow.us
ReplyDeleteI'm glad for your "camera-free" day. Frankly, no need to apologize! :o) As one who forgets, on a very regular basis, to have a camera along to take pictures when I go places, I can certainly understand. My phone does pretty well, but it really isn't quite the same thing, is it?
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Betty, thanks for the link sharing your father's journals! You've made an interesting site. Your family is so lucky. I can't wait to read it all.
ReplyDeleteSarah
I'm glad you had a relaxing day. When you post vintage stuff it really inspires me. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteRosana from Canada
Sounds like it was a wonderful afternoon tea.
ReplyDelete