"Afternoon Tea"

Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy. (Psalm 126:2, RSV)

"Afternoon Tea" is, by tradition, a time for reflecting on one's day while recouping a little energy and possibly chatting with a friend----or, as in this instance, a daughter.
Conversation steeping over a hot pot of tea, A ceylon black tea for me and Buckingham Palace tea for her.  Sugar for both of us---nothing artificial here.

No cream to mask the flavor, just a hint of milk. No lemon either---we save that tartness for sweet tea, the iced variety, that has NO place at a British inspired teatime. No verbal raspberries, sour grapes or tartness, even in our conversation, just lots of sharing and laughter.

Tiers of savories and sweets, from tea sandwiches and cheese straws to scones with clotted cream and jam (Even spiced almonds and a little meat shaped ball on that tier) along with tea cookies and chocolate covered strawberries.  

A genteel time. A time of being, not doing. No electronic devices needed, except to show a few pictures. No interruptions.

So similar to my quiet times of conversations with the Lord. An uninterrupted time. A time of true sweetness, nothing artificial----the milk and meat of the word at my fingertips. A time to "be" in His Presence.
A time to taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)

Tea With Thee---a TEA-rrific way to spend a morning.

High Tea*---a tea-lightful way to spend an afternoon with "my" daughter. Both are refreshing!

*Memphis version of a more formal afternoon tea---a yearly Mother's Day event at  the Woman's Exchange