Indholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2007 i TeaTime

With two important holidays rapidly approaching, our test kitchen professionals have been very busy developing and testing a variety of recipes to help you entertain with ease. From our staff comes all you need to know to present wonderful teas for your family and friends. Simply follow their directions and prepare tea foods that are as delicious as they are beautiful. Sometimes the most memorable occasions are those that happen spontaneously. A few years ago, a group of carolers stopped by to joyfully proclaim the season, and as our way of saying thanks, we invited them in for hot apple cider and homemade cookies. Inspired by that evening, we asked Loren Wood to create a perfect menu for an after caroling tea. This holiday season, we can plan ahead and…

Q. Do you rent rooms? When the merchants come, can they stay in a room at your tavern? A. Well, they can if they have enough money. Renting rooms is not the primary object of a tavern. The primary object is really to rent space. But if you have enough money, as perhaps Mr. Washington might have, then you can rent a room. I do have some small rooms available for that. But you have to make a decision. Do you want to be away from the fireplace in wintertime (there is no fireplace in the small rooms) or would you rather stay with those in the main public room and enjoy what heat comes from the fireplace? Q. When do you serve tea at your tavern? A. We serve…

When Elizabeth Carlos bought a lot on Waller Street in Williamsburg in 1772, the town was already three years old and Christiana Campbell had been operating her tavern next door for about a year. Elizabeth’s snug frame dwelling was a modest storyand- a-half, with a simple façade—a small front-door stoop and two nine-over-nine windows flanked by wooden shutters. Two pedimented dormers to provide light to rooms on the upper floor punctuated the steeply pitched wood shingle roof. Elizabeth, a seamstress and milliner, lived quietly, using needle and thread to provide a source of income for herself. A surviving manuscript account book details the purchase of ribbons, thread and fabric from Elizabeth Carlos in 1777. Evidence suggests that she conducted her business in her home. Although the diminutive cottage did not…

Cover/Enchanting Details Cover and Page 10: Tea set in the “The Holly and The Ivy” pattern by Portmeirion~available at Replacements, Ltd. Dessert plate in the “Botticelli” pattern by Haviland, USA~available at Bromberg’s. Lindsay’s List Page 12: Tea set and cake stand in “Original Circles” pattern by Daisy Dog Studios~available at Daisy Dog Studios. Teacup-motif stationery wardrobe~available at Christine's. Teapot necklaces~available at Dee Sharp Designs. Children’s Tea & Etiquette by Dorothea Johnson~available at Dorothea Johnson Productions, Inc., Emma Lea’s First Tea Party by Babette Donaldson and Come to My Tea Party by Sandy Lynam Clough~available at Amazon.com. Clear glass teapot and cup and saucer set and blooming teas by teaposy~available at teaposy.com. Tea bag carrying case~available at Neiman Marcus. Scented soap and candle in “Moroccan Chamomile Apple Blossom” by Pacifica~available at…

Q How can I trim my Christmas card list? AGo over your list, and omit names of people with whom no meaningful relationship exists. Send cards to out-of-town friends and relatives, and plan to extend local greetings by telephone or in person. In our electronic age and with rising postage rates, you may also extend a greeting via email. Send a final card to acquaintances and suggest keeping in touch by email. Q Is it appropriate to send a Christmas newsletter to close friends and family members, detailing the events in my family’s life over the past year? A Yes, you may send a newsletter via U.S. mail or email. However, keep the tone friendly and do not exaggerate accomplishments of family members or give health updates. Q When one…

Figs have long been favored as a symbol of abundance and elevated to gastronomic heights by a legion of devotees. Fourth-century Greek poet Alexis of Thuria once waxed lovingly of them, describing the lush fruit as “that God-given inheritance of our mother country, darling of my heart, a dried fig.” From a baker’s perspective, the flavorful fig is the perfect add-in for a scone because it contains a natural humectant, which helps extend the shelf life of baked goods. Figs deepen the flavor profile as well, producing a moist scone that will satisfy even the sweetest tooth. These Orange Fig Scones, still warm from the oven, are delicious with no more adornment than a dollop of cream and a fragrant cup of tea—and even more so with a bit of…

The town of Williamsburg, Virginia, presents a myriad of impressions—simple architecture, earthy paint colors, gardens that replicate those found here in the 1700s, small dwellings perched like dollhouses on streets where George Washington and his contemporaries walked, and the quick twilight that comes as the sun settles behind the College of William and Mary at the west end of Duke of Gloucester Street. Withstanding the hazards of decay, destruction, and fire, eighty-eight buildings original to the eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries still stand, examples that made possible the restoration of Williamsburg. Through efforts begun in 1928 by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Junior and the Reverend W. A. R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church, the living history village remains true to the settlement founded in 1699 as one of America’s first…

I heard the bells on Christmas Da_ Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat, Of peace on earth, good-will to men! — HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW There was a time when the sounds of the season could be heard in every neighborhood and on every corner as the holiday drew near. Caroling parties would travel from street to stoop in hopes of sharing the joy of Christmas through the ageless songs that herald its coming. And as is so often the fashion, everything old is new again. Caroling parties are a returning trend in communities across the country—a poignant reminder of the power of nostalgia and the magic of Christmas. Why not help preserve this precious tradition by organizing your own caroling event? All that’s needed…

the holidays are without question the busiest time of the year, which makes the respite of teatime even more precious. The attributes of this stolen hour are amplified in the whirlwind of Christmas activities—a soothing cup of tea, a heavenly bite of this or that, and someone to share it with. But like all good things, a little advance preparation is needed to pull it all together at a moment’s notice, especially now, when family, friends, and neighbors tend to drop by, perhaps to bring a yuletide gift, a tin of cookies, or simply good tidings of the season. And while a pot of tea takes only minutes to prepare, an accompanying plate of treats requires more than a minute to finesse. SAVORIES Filling your refrigerator and pantry with a…

Look closely at the flowing script that adorns these lovely tea wares. The words are from the seventeenth-century English carol “The Holly and the Ivy,” which inspired the artists at Portmeirion to create this timeless design. Enduring emblems of Christmas, holly and ivy are time-honored symbols of endurance, prosperity, and gratitude— the abiding sentiments of the season and an integral element of cherished traditions. Like the carols we memorize or the china we hand down to our children, such customs are meaningful because of the connections they create and the emotion they impart. As the holiday season unfolds, consider the yuletide traditions that matter most to you and take time to pass them along to someone you love.…

“I’m dreamin_ of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write. May your days be merr_ and bri_ht And may all your Christmases be white.” — WHITE CHRISTMAS There is perhaps not a single song that better captures the spirit of the season than “White Christmas.” The late songwriter Irving Berlin was inspired to compose his most enduring musical legacy after spending a lonely Christmas in Beverly Hills, separated from his family. Set against the idealized backdrop of glistening treetops and sleigh bells in the snow, the song tugs at the heartstrings and paints a vivid picture of the longing for the human connection that seems especially keen during the holidays. Whether simple nostalgia or utter magic, Christmas more than any other time of year seems to evoke in…

Dining reservations for all Colonial properties are booked through a central office. Call 800-HISTORY (800.447.8679). December 2 – Grand Illumination The signature event of the holidays begins at 4:45 p.m. with music provided by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums on multiple outdoor stages. Candles are lit at 6:15 p.m., and impressive fireworks displays are launched at three locations: the Governor’s Palace, the Magazine, and the Capitol. Musical entertainment continues following the fireworks. December 2 – Holiday Tea A light three-service tea will be presented at 2 p.m. at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern. Call for other tea service dates and reservations. December 5 and 6 – The Williamsburg Inn A White House Tea will be held at 2 p.m. with former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier. Call for reservations. December…

The colors of autumn are not duplicated in any other season. Unlike the riotous hues of spring or the spectacular tones of summer, the shades of the harvest season are earthy, brilliant blends of cinnamon, maroon, persimmon, mustard, chocolate brown, and more. And just in time for Thanksgiving, nature’s glorious excess of color is the perfect source of inspiration when dreaming of an autumn tablescape for Afternoon Tea, a luncheon, or dinner. With the shades of fall as your guide, you, too, can create an unforgettable table scheme—one that will speak to the season and showcase its natural beauty.…

well-dressed tea table is incomplete without a stunning centerpiece, but make the table-topper as delicious as it is decorative and guests will be doubly wowed. Not only a feast for the eyes, a topiary made of homemade truffles is a conversation starter and a palate pleaser. To craft your own, you will need to prepare our Snowflake Truffles at least one day before assembling the topiaries. Made from only a handful of ingredients, these sugary confections are perfectly suited for the task. To create the topiaries, simply refrigerate the truffles overnight, and using a foam form as the base, attach the candies with toothpicks or wooden skewers to cover. As a special treat and crowning touch, consider making an extra batch or two of the truffles, and send guests home…