News and Articles
July 2004
The Daily Home Talladega, Sylacauga-Pell City, Alabama
Dear Millie,
When I gave my niece a graduation gift, shouldn't I expect an acknowledgement by a thank you note?
Dear Reader,
Yes, a thank you note should be sent promptly (within a couple of days) of receiving the gift. If it takes you longer to write a note, that does not get you off the hook. As quoted from Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, "It is not officially yours until you have said "Thank You".
These two simple words are very powerful. One of my favorites is the poem, "It's the little things we do or say, that make or break the beauty of the average passing day. Hearts, like door, will open with ease to very, very little keys, and don't forget that two of these are "I thank you", and "If you please".
Dear Millie,
Does High Tea mean it is the most prestigious form of taking tea?
Dear Reader,
The term high tea is often misused by persons who like to make afternoon tea seem more fashionable and sophisticated. Consequently, both consumers and dispensers of tea often mistakenly tack the word high onto what should be called simply tea or afternoon tea. Often confused with afternoon tea, high tea is not a dainty affair, neither is it synonymous with highbrow. The distinction is important if you wish to convey a certain degree of style. High tea is NOT finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets. That, of course, is tea and afternoon tea.
High tea originated during the Industrial revolution in the nineteenth century, and was the main meal of the day for workers returning home after long hard day in the fields, shop, factories and mines. It is a hearty, simple, sit down meal. Typically, High Tea would include a meat dish, everything is placed on the table family style, and dishes are passed from guest to guest. The menu would consist of hearty and traditional foods such as meat pies, Welsh rarebit, sausage, cold meats, breads, cheese, jam, butter, relishes, desserts, fruits, and tea. Today, high tea may also be offered in the form of a buffet supper and alcohol may also be served.
Dear Millie,
When you are taking tea are you suppose to hold your pinky finger up?
Dear Reader,
Raising your pinky (little) finger while drinking a beverage dates from the 11th century, before the widespread use of eating utensils. People ate with their hands; the cultured class with three fingers, commoners used five fingers.
Today, however, we don't eat with our hands, so neither should we raise our pinky finger while drinking a beverage or in eating. To do so would earn a place in the Tea Drinkers Hall of Shame!
Dear Millie,
I feel awkward when I drink tea and have a tea bag. What do I do with the tea bag?
Dear Reader,
You are not alone. When your tea bag is served with a small teapot of water and cup and saucer, you should remove the paper wrapper, place the tea bag in the teapot and let it steep until it reaches the strength you prefer. Now pour a small amount in your cup to test the strength. Don't pick up the tea bag by the tab on the string and bob it up and down to hasten the process. This appears tacky and gives the look of impatience. Do not remove the tea bag from the teapot. The wrapper may be folded and placed next to the saucer holding the teapot or ask for a saucer for sugar wrappers and milk in plastic containers.
Common mistakes made with tea bags include removing the tea bag from the teapot and placing it on the saucer. This looks messy and you will have a puddle of tea in your saucer which will produce a dripping teacup when you lift it. Do not drain a tea bag by winding the string around a spoon. These actions will place you in the Tea Drinkers Hall of Shame.