If Teacups Could Talk: Sharing a Cup of Kindness with Treasured Friends

I have been collecting books about tea time for a number of years. This book is my favorite of all of them. The illustrations are gorgeous, the entire book is a visual joy. It inspires us to put some ritual into our lives, to slow down, take time, enjoy beauty & calm, serenity, and one another. Another book that inspires in the same way is by Alexandra Stoddard, Living a Beautiful Life. Emilie Barnes encourages us to put the tea kettle on the stove to boil the water, which gives time to set a lovely tray, cut a fresh flower, do the things that delight the senses. The same goes for making fresh scones - there is time to do so while waiting for a friend to drive over. I love her idea of collecting a variety of tea cups & saucers, displaying them, and inviting guests to look over them all and select the one that delights them to use while enjoying the tea. The narrative simply adds to the pleasure of the book. There is something for everyone & all ages, for one or a crowd. If you can only get one book about tea, this is the one!

This book is about tea, but it's also about the spiritual refreshment that the tea ceremony offers. Interlarded between recipes and hints about making the occasion of taking tea special, the author, Emily Barnes, offers her view of how taking tea can become a spiritual, even a religious experience, one in which the participants can reach out to their friends, family, and God. This is a gentle book that does not proselytize, but rather offers a new outlook on a very old tradition, the tea hour. The illustrations are charming, the recipes are tempting, and the spiritual awakening is optional and a bonus.

It is hard to explain how good this book is. It shows you how a tea party can always fit into your life if you want to make time for it. Barnes gives you a little piece of her life with every chapter and shows you how the wonderful ritual of tea helped to make that time more precious. Then she gives you an idea for a party complete with decorating ideas, menu, and the recipes. Some of her ideas are for a solitary tea for yourself, tea for just you and a friend, on how to throw a Tradional Victorian tea, tea parties for children or adults with a nursery theme, having a tea party picnic, and having a garden tea party. And if that isn't enough, the whole last chapter is nothing but tea party ideas. REALLY, I recomend this book! I have read it five times in the last three months I've had it. The way the text and stories are told sets my soul at ease and I forget what is going on for the moment. Which is exactly what should happen as you sip you cuppa! It's just a glimse of beauty that we all need in our lives. Happy reading!

The author and illustrator did a wonderful job putting the book together. There are so many good ideas for tea parties, including lots of recipes in each chapter, and the illustrations (in color) are beautiful--as delicate as a china teacup! I love my book, and would recommend it as a great gift to a special friend with whom you enjoy having tea.

I became intrested in holding tea parties two years ago and have recently begun to hold tea parties for groups and now plan to start a business doing this! I have used this book as a referance many times. I have read many books from the library on tea time and this is by far my favorite, so far. It has recipies, sentimental insperations, grace acts, decorating and planning tips AND a well writen brief history of tea and how to choose and prepare tea. It is beautifully illistrated in an understated way. Great Read for any Tea Time lover.