Tea-The Perfect Brew and Decaf Too!

 

Tea has been a favorite drink from royalty to the working class for centuries.

As part of  the 'Living the Victorian Life' series it was only natural to begin with tea.

 

Brewing the Perfect Pot of Tea:

1. Start with your favorite blend of tea leaves.



 2. Place tea leaves in tea strainer.

 3. Temper the teapot (this is done by swishing hot water in the pot and then emptying it before adding the tea strainer).

 4. Fill tea pot with hot water.

 5. Steep tea for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you like your tea.

(I like my tea strong:).

 6. Once steeping is complete remove tea strainer with leaves.

 7. Pour tea into your favorite cup and enjoy!

 

 Decaf Tea:

To decaf tea follow steps 1-3 above.

At step 4 add the hot water and steep for approximately 30 seconds.

Remove tea strainer with tea leaves and empty liquid from the tea pot.

Replace the tea strainer in pot, pour hot water in pot until full and continue process as shown above:).

 

To make your tea experience special try the following:

Use your favorite tea pot and tea cup-even if it is the good china-that's what makes it special!

Brew a favorite blend of tea. I prefer Harney and Sons loose leaf teas which are available online and in some retail settings (generally tea bags are tea dust and don't provide the perfect pot of tea).

Flavor tea with sugar, cream, or honey. For fun, try a flavored creamer (I like vanilla creamer in  flavored teas-a dash is all it takes:).

Invite a friend to join you:).

 

 

Blessings,

 

Kim

 

 



Living the Victorian Life-A new series

I contemplated starting another blog about living the Victorian life in a modern day world.

But with all I have going on I didn't need another thing added to my already busy days.

So I decided to do a weekly post on this blog, since anything Victorian does relate to Truer Words, about how to live a simpler, more genteel life in the current world.

 

And so I will start with the relaxing beauty of taking tea:).

 

First, start with a nice blend of loose leaf tea.



 

Next, stroll through the gardens for fragrant blooms.

 

Brew the tea (be sure to use the good china:), place blooms in a favorite vase or container, and sit down to a relaxing cup of  tea.

Tea paired with a favorite magazine or a good book can make an afternoon relaxing and enjoyable.

Of course, I would be happy to recommend a lovely historic novel...

 

I will be posting later in the week about brewing the perfect pot of tea (including how to decaf it:).

To order the delicious chocolate and coconut Soho Blend from Harney and Sons teas visit:

http://www.harney.com/soho-tea-blend-chocolate-and-coconut.html

 

Just a few words about this tea...

It is scrumptious!!! As soon as you open the package the chocolate aroma makes your mouth water.

The subtle hints of coconut intermingled with the chocolate flavors makes this more like desert than just tea:).

Emma's World-Parasols!

Ladies in the Victorian and Edwardian eras used parasols to shade their delicate skin and eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.

The following parasols date from the 1860s to the early 20th century.

 

 

For more pretty parasols visit:

 

http://pinterest.com/victorianparlor/parasols/

Hair Work-Table Work

 

This post shows table hair work.

Table works creates three dimensional hair jewelry using weaving patterns often found in books of the era.

 This antique weaving table is part of the Charleston Museum collection.

 

Three dimensional hair brooches in a bow pattern.

The gold fittings were ordered from catalogs in the 19th century.

 

Watch fob of hair with gold findings and locket.

 

 Table hair work bracelet with gold findings bedecked with a crystal.

 

 

Hair bracelets in different designs.

 

 

Thanks for joining the posts this week on Victorian era hair work!

 

Blessings,

 

Kim

Pallet Hair Work-Love Tokens

 

There is a certain romance in the exchange of a lock of hair from a loved one.

This piece shows neatly woven hair for the background of  a love knot created with the hair of another.

The photo of a gentleman graces the opposite side, probably the provider of the dark hair.

No doubt a lovely young lady wore this brooch on her collar proudly displaying the image of her true love with a token of love hidden behind it.

Intricately woven hair beneath the glass of this delicate piece.

 

A commonly seen pattern called prince of Wales curls embellished with gold thread and pearl beads.

 

 A tiny example of woven hair beneath the center glass of this ring.

 

An unusual pattern using hair from two people and finished with a pearl bead at the flower center.

 

 Variation of prince of Wales curls.

 

Tomorrow I will share table hair work!

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.408541622589527.1073741828.218735014903523&type=1

 

Blessings,

 

Kim

Hair Work Pallet Work

This post focuses on pallet hair work.

Hair was worked on something like an artists pallet and was generally flat to be placed in jewelry settings.

The first few pictures are mourning pieces combining hand-painting and hair work to memorialize a loved one.

 

The next two pieces are most likely love tokens also done as pallet work.

Pallet work was used in brooches, rings, and pendants.

 

 

The pieces featured in this post are property of the Charleston Museum.

The Artistry of Hair Work

This week I will be posting on the art of hair work, a popular pastime in the Victorian era.

As creepy as this may sound I would bring to the attention of all the mom's out there that one of the first keepsakes from a child is usually a lock of hair:).

Ladies would weave hair collected from themselves, family and/or friends into wreaths or bouquets.

Some added beads, or if the piece were for mourning, a photo of the deceased.

Hair work is not always for mourning!

It was also used as love tokens.

The book pictured at the beginning of this post contains patterns that the ladies would use to create these beautiful masterpieces.

Most often the finished creation was housed in a shadow box frame.

Hair work could also be displayed beneath a glass dome.

Many a Victorian lady spent evenings in the parlor working on hair work.

However, with the outbreak of the civil war this pastime went by the wayside inn this country as most women had to take over the duties of men who were off fighting in the war thus eliminating the time to partake in such activities.

For those interested in learning more about hair work in jewelry the book by Jeannine Bell is a must!

It provides information and photos about hair jewelry as well as tips for collecting this amazing art form.

 

Blessings,

 

Kim

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