“Tea Celebrations“...With Lemon Please

     My mother, lovingly known as Bean or Grandma Bean,  was a well known coffee-holic. Her knowledge of coffee was legendary and she was one of those rare people who could take a sip of coffee and tell you it’s country of origin. But, that being said, she enjoyed her tea as well. Earl Grey, Moroccan Mint or Irish Breakfast were her teas of choice.

     There is something decidedly comforting about a hot cup of tea. A fragrant steaming brew cupped between your hands on a chilly winters day afternoon or shared and enjoyed with a friend over conversation, and healing when you feel under the weather. As the author of this book shares, the making of tea is really a mindfulness practice, a ritual to be savored and mastered, never rushed, the beauty is in the details.

     So I wasn’t too surprised to find this small charming book amongst Beans cookbook collection, “Tea Celebrations - The Way to Serenity” by Alexandra Stoddard. Published in 1994 by the William Morrow and Company of New York, NY. Immersing oneself in this book offering is much like sitting down to tea with the author,  imagining the aroma of Jasmine green tea swirling up from its pages as she shares her philosophy on living a beautiful life. My Mom shared much in common with this author. The gift of making people feel welcome and cared for, that beauty doesn’t necessarily mean formality  and fine china with “hand painted periwinkles” to quote Hyacinth Bouquet, a comical British television character.  There is serenity to be found in the intent and preparation. There is a time for roses in a crystal vase and other times where daisies in a mason jar are just perfect. There is a grace in the movement you create from setting the intention to brewing the tea to baking and serving your guests or your self. It’s a gift to your self and to your friends and family. Why do we starve our selves of daily beauty? Of moments of quiet contemplation?

     Bean used to say her favorite time of the day was dawn, she would rise before the sun and enjoy the quiet and her solitude. She would brew herself a pot of coffee, fill her favorite mug and go out to her sun room and watch the sun rise over the mountains. This was her ritual. This was Her time. Being a caregiver to my father for years through a number of strokes, time to herself, let alone a serene moment, was a luxury. As Alexandra Stoddard asks “isn’t serenity ...the result of creating meaningful rituals, the ability to go through a maze of experiences, face the labyrinth, and emerge tranquil? Rituals give daily life a sense of sacredness and purpose.

    Though not entirely a cookbook “Tea celebrations” includes recipes for various foods to serve with tea; cookies, tea sandwiches, scones, loaves, cakes and muffins and so on. Primarily the author sets about sharing her love of tea and the ritual of tea as she first discovered it as a teenager traveling with her aunt around the world. She discusses tools, teas, pots and trays and finally there are chapters on Tea for One and Tea for Two, Tea in the Garden and one dedicated to Tea Parties.

      Tea for one is of course learning to “listen to ones self” and honoring your Self and making time to hear yourself think in this busy world.  Tea for two is listening to someone else. Sharing the process of the tea ritual “soul meets soul in reverence and affection”. It’s about Being with another person without interruption, spending precious time together, it’s about valuing each other’s presence. I dearly treasure those times spent with my Mom having a cup of tea on the patio, watching hummingbirds flit around us and having deep conversations about life, spirituality and nature.

     That brings us to tea parties which immediately brought to mind a memorable bridal shower tea that Mom and I held for a dear friend. Living in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains at the time we held a creek side tea for fifty women, many of whom we had never met. Held in the back yard next to a wide flowing  creek we set up tables under the Aspen trees. Each table was draped in heirloom linens while an antique white rattan sofa and chairs was bedecked for the bride and her attendants and family. We had combed local thrift and antique stores for extra tea cups and tea pots so each table had its own unique look. We brewed three teas, baked scones and pastries, made a selection of tea sandwiches and nibbles and the centerpiece was my grandmothers crystal punch bowl filled with a luscious peach trifle!  It was truly a beautiful and memorable afternoon. I’ll never forget how the sunlight flickered off of the water, the quaking Aspen leaves and the crystal. A fitting scene to celebrate a beautiful bride.

Lemon loaf.

     My mother during our childhood had a special place in her heart for lemon infused baked goods; lemon cake especially, lemon bars, lemon meringue pie, etc. So much so that one of my now adult brothers runs and hides when lemon cake is offered! So because his sister has a warped sense of humor the recipe I chose to try from this cookbook was Lin Shay’s Best Lemon Bread (I love lemon anything to this day!)

Best Lemon Bread

1/2 cup butter, unsalted (1 stick)
1  2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 cup whole milk
Grated rind and juice of 1 whole lemon
1 cup chopped pecans (optional) I chose not to use them
3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Butter 2 loaf pans and set aside.

In large mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy and light.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Sift together the flour and baking powder. Stir 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into the milk. Gradually add the flour and milk to the sugar mixture alternating ingredients and mixing well between each addition. Fold in lemon rind and nuts if using.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pans and bake one hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Mix remaining lemon juice with the confectioners sugar and pour over the loaves. Allow to cool  in the pans. Oil foil or waxed paper lightly and wrap the loaves tightly. Set aside for 24 hours.

Adding eggs one at a time into sugar and butter mixture.

Zesting lemon.

Folding zest into batter.

     Thinly slice and serve. It’s quite delicious! I paired it with a Jasmine green tea and a chamomile herbal tea in the evening.

     Recently I purchased a new kettle my self. An Italian stainless tea pot that has both beauty and form and functionality. I must admit I find comfort in its weight as I fill it in the morning and smile when I see it sitting on the stove waiting for that next tea moment.

    So in the words of the author, “ Put the kettle on. Make yourself comfortable near a window. Sip and let the world boil down to just this cup, this moment, and let the warmth slowly spread from your fingers throughout your whole body to your soul. Reflect, analyze, dream, and plan. For now, the world is right here.”