A Tea for Two (or Three, or Four...)

As much as I love singing and reading, if there’s anything I love more, it would be tea parties and costume parties. Well, and Jesus, but we’re talking earthly things here. I love the idea of putting on a costume and getting to be someone else for a few hours. And I’m pretty sure I was born holding a teacup with my pinky extended. Shoot, we have an old home video of me, at age 6, putting my 2 year old brother through the rigmarole of a proper English tea. 

So perhaps you can imagine my excitement when my church girls’ group leader planned a tea party with one rule: everyone must wear a hat and gloves from the 1930s, 40s or 50s. I, with my penchant for overdoing things, decided I needed more than a hat and gloves. I needed a whole costume. I pulled out all my finery: hats, gloves, pumps, dresses, pearls, and a red wax crayon. Yes, you read that right. You’ll see why later.

(Warning; picture-heavy post!) :-)

Our day started with tea and a brunch.

I haven't a clue what the pattern of these dishes is, because they belonged to our girls' leader's mother, who graciously hosted our party. But they were beautiful.

Aleta, our girls' leader, who gets props for corralling 4-6 teenage girls weekly, for about 5 years altogether.

The blogger and the photographer

My goal was a look from the 1940s. The dress was probably literally made in the 70s, and, yes, I can tell you a thing or two about wearing double-knit on a sunny summer day. Oh, sweet Moses. But I figured some pumps and wearing my hair up with the hat would push me towards the quintessential Peggy Carter. 

My good friend, and amazing photographer, Janine, borrowed the hat from me, but assembled her own outfit. She was working towards the 1950s.

 

This goofy gal and I are what we've dubbed "best homies." We impress ourselves, you know. I helped Alex find a few pieces, and she did the rest of the work building a 1960s outfit. I think it worked for the most part, but, Alex, if you're reading this, YOU STILL SHOULD'VE CURLED YOUR HAIR. That is all.

 Sweet Michaela and bubbly Rona

They didn't have specific decade-themed outfits because of late miscommunication (that'd be MY fault), but I thought they looked adorable.

My dear, dear friend Alecia. She is a living, breathing Jane Bennet Bingley, and I am not kidding you. We decided that, without even trying, she looked about 1930s-ish. 

Ziona, who has the brightest smile. I can't find a picture of her with her long black gloves. They were the perfect touch to her 1950s outfit.

We were starving, but you have to pose for pictures before you eat. Right? Of course right.

Brunch consisted of scones with jam and butter, and an assortment of teas. 

This crew had no trouble finding topics for conversation. 

After brunch, the hostesses cleared the table to make way for a late lunch. We girls cleared outside to take pictures.

After fixing our faces in the bathroom, of course. ;-)

 See that? There's the red wax crayon. I don't exactly own lipstick, and, well, it was convenient. Made for a good joke the entire day.

 The sun was SO bright, it was hard to look nice. But, hey, at least it let us wear our sunglasses.

Oh, yeah. It was pretty windy, too.

While our hostess finished dinner, our girls' group leader shared a devotion about becoming the women God would have us to be.
Our part was to make something original out of dough.

Then she ever-so-graciously washed each of us girls' feet.

After a short prayer, DINNER.

This consisted of fruit salad, sweet tea, egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches and Doritos.

 

 I don't know if it is possible, but I think we had more fun at dinner than we did at brunch.

 Dessert held the wonders of cream puffs, tiny eclairs, and assorted Dutch chocolate cookies.

And then, just like that, our lavish party was over. It was loads of fun. I have been blessed with so many friends with whom I can laugh and be silly just as easily as talk and be serious.

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
~Proverbs 31:30 



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