Serving food is not necessary. If you don’t have time to prepare food, don’t worry about it. Do the best you can.
However, if do have time, boil some water for a pot or cup and enjoy your favorite tea, a cookie and click the link to join us.
I am happy to tell you we have followers joining us from around the world.
If you have time to and can be more elaborate with your tea menu, here are a few suggestions.
An Afternoon Tea Menu Fit for a Queen
Favorite Tea (loose or teabag)
Scones (see my favorite recipe below) with clotted cream and jam (butter, if you prefer)
Finger Sandwiches (limitless options: cucumber, salmon, egg salad, ham with brie, etc,)
Assorted Petite Sweets (fruit tarts, cookies, pastries, macaroons, etc,)
The Best Scone You Will Ever Eat
Claridge’s in London is known for their afternoon tea.
A few years ago, I invited about twenty or so over for afternoon tea to honor the Downton Abbey movie. I served the scones mentioned below. They were outstanding! The best I have made.
I am sharing the recipe with you today. The ingredients are easy to find….most likely you already have them in your pantry.
From ‘Claridge’s: The Cookbook’ by Martin Nail and Meredith Erickson/Mitchell Beazley Publishing
Ingredients:
11 1/2 ounces (330 g) plain flour, plus extra for dusting
2 1/4 ounces (60 g.) caster sugar (white sugar works well)
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 1/4 ounces cold unsalted butter, cubed
2 1/2 ounces (70 g.) raisins (optional; I like currants when I can find them)
3 3/4 ounces buttermilk (110 ml)
3 ounce whole milk (90 ml.)
3 3/4 (fluid ounce) 110 ml.) whole milk
1 beaten egg with a pinch of salt for the egg wash
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, then add the butter and rub into the flour mixture with your fingers until you have a fine crumb (you could also pulse this five to six times in a food processor to achieve the same sandy texture, but it’s almost as fast to work by hand). If you’re making raisin scones, stir the raisins in now. Transfer to a smaller container, cover and leave to rest in the refrigerator overnight, or until thoroughly chilled.
The next morning, preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transfer the butter and flour mixture to the standing mixer. Slowly mix in the buttermilk and milk until the dough comes together.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to form a circle, about 8 inches (21 cm.) in diameter and 3/4 inch (2 cm.) thick, then cut out 12 scones using the pastry cutter. Transfer the scones to the prepared baking tray.
Using a pastry brush, carefully brush the tops with the egg wash. We like to let our scones sit out for 20 minutes at room temperature to give the baking powder a chance to activate before we bake them.
Bake until evenly golden, about 12–13 minutes. Leave to cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm.
To serve: We strongly suggest serving these only on the day of baking. Leftover scones can be frozen and will remain good for up to three weeks: as needed, defrost completely, then reheat in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit.
Enjoy and see you next week. And don’ t forget to register for the tea. Here is the link again.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
As an etiquette expert (or an aspiring one), there are many business lessons we can learn from Audrey Hepburn’s life.
Since you are apart of our community, I bet you are a fan of Audrey Hepburn.
Those of us that are interested in etiquette most likely adore her. Audrey’s sense of style and beauty is alluring and so fascinating.
I was glued to this movie about her life. Warning- this documentary isn’t all about glamour, Hollywood and style.
This documentary about Audrey’s life gets real about her personal life. She was ten-years-old when the war broke out. She moved to different countries and her father left Audrey when she was six-years-old. This was devastating to her because she adored him.
After many obstacles in her life, Aubrey still triumphed and had loving relationships with her two children.
Here Are 3 Lessons and Traits We Can Learn from Audrey Hepburn
After watching this documentary, there were three character traits that really stood out to me. I think we can all look to Audrey when we are thinking about our own professional development goals.
Revolutionary: According to the dictionary, “revolutionary” means, causing complete and dramatic change.
Audrey had a real love for ballet and wanted to become a ballerina. She realized this was not going to happen for her. She did a pivot because one day she had the chance to become an actress. She made a comment that she had enough skills and “they”, meaning producers and directors, had “enough to work with”.
Vulnerabilities: Audrey had a very tough childhood. As I mentioned above, she was ten when the war broke out. Her father left when she was six. She was married and divorced twice. Her second marriage to an Italian physician was especially challenging.
She was resilient. She found happenings and love with Robert Wolders who was her constant companion until her death in 1993.
I loved seeing her son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, talk about his mother.
Transformational: We can all learn from Audrey as she was driven and seized the moment even though certain things-like becoming a ballerina, did not work out for her.
Can you imagine if she did not go down the path of becoming an actress? She tried. Audrey succeeded.
The documentary is narrated in certain parts by her granddaughter, Emma Ferrer.
You can find, Audrey, The Documentary on Amazon Prime.
Here is a FREE Guide to Help YOU Start a Business Teaching Manners to Children
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Oh, the pleasures of afternoon tea. Can you relate?
I bet if you are interested in etiquette certification, then you understand the benefits and pleasures of afternoon tea.
If you listed out your top 5 favorite ways to relax and enjoy life, would afternoon tea be on your list?
If not, what in the world! You need to add this to your list.
Trust me.
So much can be learned and created over afternoon tea.
I can remember my first “real” adult tea. I was invited by a girlfriend to have tea at The Ritz Carlton in Atlanta. The tea was life changing! Truly. Afternoon tea has been a ritual of mine ever since that day when I was a young lady in my twenties…newly married and starting my career.
I can remember the music, the setting and my very first scone. I grew up in the south and tea was served over ice and very sweet and served during most every meal. It was the gold standard.
And sitting down at The Ritz with all the beautiful things…tea pots, white glove service and the prettiest petit fours – life changed.
Can you remember certain moments like this in your life? If so, do share. Send an email to me and let me know. I am all ears!
Here is How You Can Incorporate Afternoon Tea into Your Daily Life
Relax and Enjoy a Cup: You don’t need your task list or an excuse to have a cup of tea. Take a quiet moment for yourself and be with your thoughts. Simple sit and enjoy. Use your favorite cup or mug. I like to use a a teacup to make it a bit more special during this dedicated time. And yes, I switch out my favorite tea cups depending on my mood.
Favorite Indulgence: Now is the time to enjoy that special chocolate you have been thinking about. Like wine, you can pair tea with many of your favorite treats. And adding chocolate to this special time is one of my absolute favorite ways to have a cup of tea.
Creativity: Make a pot of tea, take out your favorite teacup and sit with your notepad and let your imagination go down many different paths. There is something about a cup of tea that sparks many ideas. If you have a project….work related or any other type of endeavor- brain storm with a cup of tea. If you are thinking about becoming certified to teach etiquette, now is the time to get your creative juices flowing.
Journal: Journaling is a meaningful way to spend your time. Whether it is a gratitude list or anything else that is on your mind-get your thoughts in paper. Of course, with a cup of tea.
Etiquette Certification and Pleasures of Tea
When you become certified to teach etiquette to children, teaching charm school and afternoon tea becomes a popular request from parents and other organization like Girl Scout Troops and Jack and Jill Clubs of America.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Dr. Borba, “We Need to Teach Children How to be Human”
You may have seen Michele Borba, ED.D. on the Today Show giving parenting advice. As an etiquette expert, you will want to add this book to your reading list.
I was lucky enough to see her speak at a school in Philadelphia. You can tell she is the EXPERT and one of the most passionate advocates for children and teens.
If you have not seen her, spend some time on You Tube to see and witness what I mean.
If You Are Currently Teaching Manners to Children or Waiting in the Wings, You Will Want to Add This Book to Your Reading List.
Thrivers: The Surprising Reason Why Some Kids Struggle and Other Shine
Dr. Borba says Thrivers are made not born.
Even before the pandemic, children were stressed, lonely and overwhelmed. According to Dr. Borba, we have focused so much on testing and being competitive, we have lost touch and not taught children how to be human.
When I read this….it caused a moment of pause. It is a profound statement and one I believe to be true.
Here is the good news. Character strengths can and must be taught to children. Character strengths are as important as academic success.
Dr. Borba Lists Character Strengths As:
Self-Confidence
Empathy
Self-Control
Integrity
Curiosity
Perservance
Optimism
The book is filled with proven strategies you can easily teach children from preschool through high school.
I like how Dr. Borba gives us ideas on how to weave these skills into our everyday lives. We don’t always need worksheets or lectures.
By reading this book, we learn how to find meaningful ways to nurture the seven character strengths by modeling, discussing and pointing them out.
I do hope you add this book to your “etiquette” library.
As always, thanks for reading and being a part of the manners movement.
Here is a FREE Guide to Help YOU Start a Business Teaching Manners to Children
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Lisa Richey provides etiquette programs to businesses, schools, and individuals.
