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Monday, August 30, 2010

Tea With a French Twist


We're all familiar with the traditional English tea.



But do you ever think of the teas of France? My inspiration comes from an article in the September '93 issue of Victoria Magazine.



As I learned, a French tea is likely to include savories as well as sweets, and the beverage is often taken in bowls as is a latte or morning chocolate.


A complete table with linens will be set even in small wayside cafes.



Most of us in the states make tea a party-like event rather than a daily ritual.



So next time you plan a tea, maybe French style would be a fun way to go.



I got these latte bowls a few years ago from Dean and Delucca. They seem cumbersome for anything but breakfast in the summer, but when the chilly weather sets in, it's a great feeling to cradle a steaming bowl in your hands.



My teapot is heavy American porcelain, and the teacup is old cafe ware by Mayer named Oakland. It's the only one I have of my bits and pieces. It's perfect for the new season with it's acorns and oak leaves.


I also use this vintage Portuguese majolica tile as a trivet this time of year. The thistle pattern is one of my favorite motifs. And the color is so yummy!


And my centerpiece includes a vintage transferware bowl of a few lemons that I am in the process of drying. I began in the spring, and they are not yet as hard as they need to be, even in this desert air! When they are finished they will be hard and brown.


I enjoy any chance to get out my French monogram table linens. They are a nice contrast to the smooth silk Quaker Lace tablecloth underneath everything. I love the subtle touch of red.









My creamer and sugar is Royal Albert English bone china. I wish I had some fall colored Limoges to go with it!





I'm joining Kathy at A Delightsome Life for Victoria-A Return to Loveliness, Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday, and Martha's Favorites and Terri's Artful Affirmations for Teacup Tuesday, and Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday!

Thanks so much for stopping by for tea! Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

33 comments:

  1. Loved it! Such a beautiful table setting...and I love those old Victoria issues!

    Julie

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  2. Jacqueline, this is so inviting & elegant ... love the linens. Victoria does a smashing presentation.

    Have a beautiful day ~
    TTFN ~Hugs, Marydon

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  3. Loved it! I too am feeling the sense of transformation in the wind - Fall is not too far away. I have a book on French tea - just love how the different countries do tea. It should be part of our everyday life. We should take moments to sit, relax and enjoy the day. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post. So glad to see you with me this week at A Return to Loveliness,
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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  4. Such a lovely tea setting. All of the linens are just stunning. Everything is gorgeous. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  5. Love your post! You have such pretty vintage linens..

    Wanda

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  6. I love the idea of "tea" from steaming bowls, and your monogramed linens are just the perfect match. I need to read up on the French version.
    xo,
    Debra

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  7. The old cafe Mayer cup and saucer is lovely! Perfect for fall.
    All your photos are beautiful. I especially love all the old lace in them.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  8. Dearest Jacqueline,

    This is just such a delightful walk down memory lane with those old Victiria issues!.., I love all things to do with tea and beautiful tablesettings and linens!

    Your tablescaping vignette this week as always, is simply exquisite!..,

    Please do come join us for tea this week as well dear lady; we always so enjoy having you partake!

    Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee

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  9. That's a nice and beautiful post about French tea. I didn't know about the bowls, that's interesting. Your linens and lacy tablecloth are so pretty.

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  10. Dearest Jacqueline,

    The way your name is written, one would think you must have some French connection... So speaking about a French Tea, most people don't know that it were the Dutch that did ship the tea to The Netherlands in 1610, to France in 1636, and later sold it to England in 1658...
    This is on page 12 of French Tea by Carole Manchester

    Sunny greetings from Georgia,

    MariettesBacktoBasics

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  11. Love all the textures and tones...stunning and tasteful...great linens....hugs...Cleo

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  12. What a beautiful table -- you have some lovely things -- the linens, those cups which would be great in the winter for a big breakfast coffee with lots of warm milk!

    The French enjoy tea as much as the English -- but it is different!

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  13. I love the colors and textures. Drying a lemon, does it not get all yucky sitting out? Does it still smell good sitting on the table?

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  14. Beautiful photos. Your Oakland teacup is so sweet. I like its simple elegance and your thistle trivet looks like a piece of expensive chocolate, but I am curious as to what you will do with your lemons once they are dry? Take care.

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  15. Jacqueline,

    Lovely post. Loved the *linen* French look. I'm so happy Victoria Magazine is back. Thanks for having us for this wonderful tea. Well done and happy tea day!

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  16. Oooh la la! Merci for sharing an international post with us :) Love the french linens especially. Stopping by from Tea Cup Tuesday.
    -marie

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  17. Nice post. Love the old tea pot. I would love to have some transferware in this color...but I have NO room left for it.

    Lemons? I never heard of this. What will you do with the lemons after they are dried?

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  18. You inspire me so! The other day I happened upon a blog and thought of you. Tea Blog http://englishtea.us/
    Brenda

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  19. I find taking tea in bowls to be amusing, as I think a pretty delicate tea cup is a major part of tea time!! ;-)

    Beautiful post and photography!

    I'm off to see if I have this issue!

    Katherine

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  20. Your tea setting is lovely. I like your American teapot and the pretty Mayer cup. Your linens are beautiful too.

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  21. Lovely textures, and I'm always a fan of white on white. The Dean and Delucca cups are quite wonderful. I can think of a number of uses for them. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

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  22. Everything about your tea time is lovely. All the subtle shades of white and beige,not too fussy, but just enough frill to beguile. Love it!

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  23. What a beautiful post from the china to the roses to the linens...
    Charming!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  24. Thanks for the French flavor. Love those roses. It was a lovely post. Connie

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  25. I love the beauty and simplicity of your tea set and swoon over Victoria!
    Happy Tea Tues on Wed. with a "French Twist", Theresa

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  26. Very pretty! I love your majolica tile!

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  27. Hi Jacqueline...

    Ohhh...what a lovely tea you have set! I found the information that you gave about the French tea...very interesting! I didn't know that! I do believe that I would enjoy a French tea...that is for certain! While I was in Paris in 2005...I missed having French tea altogether, however I had some of the most fabulous dining experiences while there!

    I just adore your pretty teapot and the teacup with the autumn theme! Ohhhh...and I always just "swoon" over all of your fabulous linens!!! You have sooo many pretties, my friend! Thank you for sharing them...as well as this lovely French tea with us today!!! I'm coming over from the Centerpiece Wednesday party!

    Have a wonderful Wednesday!
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  28. Gorgeous! Right out of Victoria Magazine! Those linens are so beautiful. I love the transferware. Thank you for linkingup to Centepiece Wednesdays and sharing your ideas.
    Karin

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  29. OOOOH, LAAAAAA, LAAAAAA! Fench tea sound and looks so much lovelier than English tea! Beautiful!
    Yvonne

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  30. Hi: Every thing looks so beautiful and classic. I was going to do my home in blue for September, however, I think cream is the way to go. Thank you for the inspiration you always give me. Blessings, Martha

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  31. You just can't beat Victoria magazine and vintage linens! Nice textures...

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  32. Loved it!

    Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio
    http://www.myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/

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  33. Delightful! I am crazy about linens like that,also loved the D & D coffee bowls.... you have lovely taste!

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