There is the murmur of a revolution across the lands. The tastes of the people are being tempted and their changing palette is beginning to be heard. From coast to coast, shore to shore the chatter abounds in …wait for it …

…in favour of the humble cup of tea!!!

I kid you not! All over the world, through all the ranks, this beverage is slowly gaining in popularity and now, in many a dwelling for many a lady, it is the ancient rite of the Afternoon Tea Party they aspire to attend, not the forever popular luncheon. (Although, having said that, I do doubt that particular social activity will ever slip from the top 10 list )

The traditional tea party complete with the pretty cup and saucer made from the most delicate English china, served, of course, with scones oozing strawberry jam topped with whipped cream! The latter just soo deliciously decadent it was only a matter of time before it made a lip-smacking sticky fingers comeback. Very very happy it has

And, serendipitously, to reiterate my point, wandering down the length of my hallway this afternoon I ran into my neighbour, SS, who (and I am not making this up ) invited me across the hall for Afternoon Tea! Say What??? Wasn’t I just talking about that? So not what I expect in the cosmopolitan city that is NYC! Or maybe it is??? Mmm…

Tinerate, on a cold wintery afternoon there is no other pick-me-up quite like a expertly steeped steaming cup of tea to warm the cockles and raise the spirits.

Wait! What am I saying??? I drink tea all year round in every season through any conditions! In the cold it warms and in the heat it cools! Why it cools is completely beyond me. Mmm, anyone…???

Anyhoo, I’m pretty sure it’s a fact. Especially so as why else would the tradies working in the blistering heat of the outdoors or the stockmen herding the cattle on our farms serve tea at smokko? And not once, but twice a day! Yes! Morning smokko at 10.00am (religiously, trust me!) and again at Arvo smokko at 3.00pm.

Work stops, billy’s on the campfire (or, bringing it back to the urbanscape, thermos is at hand) and the men sit around to enjoy a refreshing cuppa before getting on. Very civilised especially for a bunch of jackaroos, if you ask me

Anyhoo, the tradition of taking tea is well documented and although it may have originated with the Brits, the rest of us quickly caught on and now, even in the coffee-loving USA, there are T Bars and Tea cafes  all over the place.

Tinerate, afternoon tea is a wonderful excuse for some pretty pampering, even if served in a mug with a smiley face on the side 

Ah yes, any excuse for a cuppa

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo