Tea

A cup of tea may temporarily satisfy the palate, but a tea time can satisfy the soul if you take the time to unlock the beauty that is possible there.
~Sally Clarkson, Seasons of a Mother's Heart

What Mrs. Clarkson is speaking of here is a moment in a mother's day, those very necessary heart-feeding moments we so desperately need sometimes. Time to sit and sip, with lovely things surrounding and quiet pressing close.

But I take this quote to heart for my children as well. How my little ones light up when the mention of tea is made! Cambric tea served in a lovely cup, whether held by a little girl or a big boy, is always quite welcome.

When school is starting late, when Mama is snappish and just doesn't know why, when little ones are tired and slow and weepy... cambric tea is our answer. It is an occasion, our tea time; served on a tray with lumps of sugar and a favorite snack, somehow the tears disappear, the mama softens, and the reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic suddenly become manageable.

Sapling Academy's Cambric Tea

• Heat water in a teapot to boiling.
• Have a child choose a flavor of tea and place one tea bag in a quart mason jar.
• Cover tea bag with boiling water, fill to the neck of the jar.
• Place teacups and saucers in a tray.
• Place one sugar cube or one half teaspoon of honey in the bottom of each teacup.
• Fill each teacup halfway to three-quarters full with tea.
• Stir sugar or honey until dissolved.
• Fill teacups to desired fullness with milk or cream. {This will cool the tea, so remember: for younger drinkers, half tea and half milk is best. Older ones will enjoy three-quarters tea to one quarter milk.}
• Cover mason jar with lid and refrigerate remaining tea 'til next time.
• Serve, share, sip, and smile.

Now, who would have thought tea would have a prominent place on The List? I never did. But prepared this way, and served lovingly, it just has an effect on us.

Enjoy!