It’s Always Tea Time

So a while back we had a tea party at our church for an event.

Different people were given a table, in which we could make our theme whatever we wanted. I was given a table and my theme was books! After all:

Anyways, I just realized I forgot to post the pics from it. So I thought I would now.

My centerpiece was a collection of nice hardcover classics stacked on top of each other, with a hollowed book on top that a tree branch came out of. Clipped to the tree was tea bags for each person to choose from.

I then chose six of my favorite classic books in which the characters have tea time or talk about tea. With each table setting I tried to embody the book.

Setting 1: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, 1814

So for the first setting I made sure to pair it with a very simple cup, as Fanny is not only a poorer relation, but she is a girl who likes simple things over the grandiose and showy. I laid out a copy of the book cover in front of the table setting, and then had this quote on the table.

Then the cutlery:

I put a white bow because Fanny would be the type to have a simple adornment like that, instead of extensive work on her dress.

I also added the gold cross as that is a huge part of the scheming by Maria Crawford to get Henry and Fanny matched up. When Fanny asks to borrow a chain for the gold cross her brother gave her, Maria sneakily gives her one that Henry gave her; so when Henry sees it he thinks that Fanny has decided to embrace his attentions, (i.e. gave him the green light).

For more on Mansfield Park, go to A World of Teas

For more Jane Austen, go to Free, for Lack of a Better Word, is Good

Setting 2: Emma by Jane Austen, 1815

The second setting I choose Emma. For this I had a gold and cream cup and saucer; the fanciest one I could find as Emma was rich and from an old family. She would have the finer things.

I laid out the book cover and this quote from the novel:

For Emma’s cutlery I wanted something a bit showier and fancier. I made a hair clip out of a red flower and gold fan charm. I thought this would encompass the character of Emma.

For more on Emma, go to Baby Jane Austen

For more Jane Austen Quotes, go to I Can’t Pretend, I Have to Be

Setting 3: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, 1859

This was the table setting I choose for myself as I figured I would probably be the only one at the tea party who has read this book. And I was right. I don’t know why people don’t read Wilkie Collins anymore. This one of my favorite mysteries, as our main character comes upon a woman in white who holds a warning, leading him down a very twisted path. As the story continues, different characters become the voice of the book, until we reach the conclusion and discover who this woman in white is and what she is trying to stop.

I set up a copy of the book cover, and in front of it had my absolute favorite tea quote:

Seriously, if you aren’t here I am starting without you.

Anyways, the silverware:

This was the first one I put together going with a magnifying glass as this was a mystery, and adding a cameo afterwards. I thought it would be a great symbol of the time, along with the white silhouette of a women being reminiscent of the woman in white.

Setting 4: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1865

The fourth setting was an Alice in Wonderland theme. The cup I choose for this was one designed to be a rose, while the saucer a leaf. This was to symbolize the Garden that Alice has a not so fun time in.

I set up a copy of the book cover, and in front of it had this quote:

Then I designed the napkins thusly:

The watch of course for the White Rabbit who is always running late, and the creamer for the Mad Hatter and March Hare’s obsession with tea and their endless tea party.

For more on Alice in Wonderland, go to Disney Lesson

For more on Lewis Carroll, go to Can’t Go Back 

Setting 5: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie, 1911

Second to last we had Peter Pan. The cup I choose for this one had strawberries on it, and I choose it because I thought it was something that Wendy would have liked.

I laid out the book cover and this quote:

For the setting I went with something a little more basic, a red feather. This feather was supposed to be the feather Peter wears in his hat.

For more on Peter Pan, go to My Teaddiction (Tea Addiction)

For more on J. M. Barrie, go to Fan-do or Fan-don’t. There is No Fan-try

Setting 6: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, 1950

For the last setting I went a little more modern than the others. This one’s tea cup had a winter scene as the world of Narnia is stuck in a cycle of :

“Always winter but never Christmas”

I laid the book cover and this quote:

This quote is from Mrs. Beaver, but for cutlery design I went with Mr. Tumnus and Lucy’s tea time. I had two tiny tea cups tied to symbolize their tea for two.

For more on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, go to Simply Fantastic

For more on C. S. Lewis, go to Going on a Treasure Hunt

For more on my love of tea, go to My Trip to Teavana

For more book-filled posts, go to A Book Only a Reader Could Write

Fan-do or Fan-don’t. There is No Fan-try

So you all know how much I love Star Wars

But I will not be taking about it today. Instead I will be talking about things I fandom over. Maybe this post will induce you to join me.

If you only knew the power of the Fandom!

7th Heaven

What can I say about this show? Out of everything I ever watched or grew up watching; this was one of my favorites.

It is the story of a minister’s family, Reverend Camden, in small town Glen Oak, CA; and the trials, tribulations, fun, and everything in between that they go through.

One of the reasons why I enjoyed this show so much was because I am a preacher’s kid (p.k.), so I could completely relate to everything they had the characters go through. It was pretty real, except for the fact that the church has no youth group and the kids are never expected to help out in church.

But the issues they face and the way the characters relate or rebel to the ministry; was spot on. The only thing I didn’t like was the last episode as it ended on a cliffhanger, and the last season was horrendous. They should have just stopped.

If I had to pick a favorite character, when I was younger I loved Simon (David Gallagher). But now as an adult, I’m mad about Matt Camden (Barry Watson).

He was hot, kind, smart, adorable, the perfect older brother, perfect boyfriend; just a total dream guy.

And if you rewatch or watch the first season, he is the pre-Jared Padalecki long-haired, tall, handsome actor. Just check out that hairdo.

I was so sad when it ended as it just didn’t mark the end of a series, and characters I love; but it was such a huge part of my childhood. It is always hard saying good-bye to something like that.

For more on 7th Heaven, go to She’s Still Preoccupied With 1985

Series of Unfortunate Events

To remember when this book came out? It was an amazing series and I just loved it. I enjoyed how their was always good out of bad and the whole mysteriousness surrounding the V.F.D.

I even went farther than just reading the series, but going as far as reading The Beatrice Letters and The Unauthorized Biography of Lemony Snicket.

I loved the series up to #10, The Slippery Slope, but after that the book was horrible. And when the revealed everything in #13 The End I was so disappointed.

But like 7th Heaven this was a huge part of my childhood, and I was so sad when it ended. However, I will be passing this on to my nieces and nephews.

For more Lemony Snicket, go to I Hate Those Kinds of People

Sherlock Holmes/ Sherlock

So I am a HUGE fan of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, I’ve been reading them since I was a child and watching almost every version created. What can I say, I love Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

 

Go here to see who your biographer should have been.

So my friend loved this TV show and tried to get me into it. I had started watching it, but saw the first episode on TV and thought it wasn’t quite right in how I picture Sherlock.

So I waited a few years, and then decided to watch it from the beginning. From there I realized it was pretty good. 

I thought that all the episodes were great except A Scandal in Belgravia, Irene Adler was just too weird.

But Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were just perfect as Sherlock and Dr. Watson. I liked how Sherlock was a bit more rambunctious and impulsive, as his age and the wisdom that comes with it haven’t been reached yet. I liked how Dr. Watson was more active; not always instantly catching on to what was happening but taking part in trying to help solve and protect Sherlock.

For more on Sherlock, go to England Dreamin’ On Such a Summer’s Day

Sleeping Beauty

I mentioned quite a few times how much I love this movie. I think it is a great plot, Aurora is an amazing character, and Prince Phillip the perfect prince.

In fact I loved this film so much I was Aurora twice for Halloween, and my sister and I used to act it out all the time. I would be Aurora:

And she would be Maleficent.

We would have to have Barbies or stuffed animals be the rest.

One of my favorite songs/scenes is Once Upon a Dream. So one of my favorite scenes from this movie is when they sing and dance to Once Upon a Dream. I remember I used to act this scene out by myself and with my barbie dolls. It was the first song I have ever memorized extremely quickly.  I used to sing this song ALL THE TIME. Just couldn’t stop.

Yep, just one amazing film.

For more on Sleeping Beauty, go to Waiter, There’s Some Disney in My Jane Austen

Spider-man

I am a huge Spider-man fan. I grew up watching the Spider-man hour in which the showed Spider-man and His Amazing Friends along with the ’90s cartoon. I loved that cartoon as it totally and completely captured everything I love about Spider-man. The sass, the fact that he is constantly struggling to go to school and provide for his aunt, trying to have a life and friends while be a super hero. Dealing with all this responsibility.

From this I moved to the comics and become a major fan and nerd.

I have read the Spider-man Encyclopedia like 20 times. I own the ’60s (and best) comics. I just love this guy!

If he existed.

None of the films have really done him justice (I hate Andrew Garfield), but Spider-man will always be one of my major loves. And guess what? He’s perfect for me!

To see who should be your superhero BF click here.

Yep he’s one of the best superheroes ever!

For more Spider-man, go to Oh What A Night

I’m hoping that this will rise in you a desire to check them out.

For the previous post, go to The Strange Case of a Fangirl and Her Fandoms

And Stay tuned for part 22

For more Peter Pan, go to A Pirate’s Life is the Life for Me

For more Disney posts, go to A Little Monkey Business: Chinese New Year

In other news, this is my 700th post!

Only took five months to reach this milestone.

For the 600th post, go to There Are Thirteen Chairs at the Table…And That’s Unlucky: Mystery of the 13th Guest (1943)

For the 500th post, go to Fantom of the Opera

Second Star to the Right

Day 27) Your Favorite Disney Hero

Peter Pan

So yeah, I was a huge Peter Pan fan. I loved him so, so, so, so, so much. I always wished he would come over to America and visit me, taking me away to Neverland. But sadly he never, ever came. Other kids wished for Hogwarts letters, to go to Camp Blood, etc; I  wished for him.

I used to read the illustrated classic as a kid, just like I did with Phantom of the Opera, and the day I bought the actual book I had to read all the way through.

We were at a restaurant and instead of talking to everyone, I was like nope I’m reading.

Anyways, so I love Peter Pan and I love how he has red hair, that is just perfect and how I had always imagined it. Now I know that Peter isn’t the most humble of characters, as he is boastful, egocentric, cocky, etc. Peter is mainly an exaggerated stereotype of a boastful and careless boy. He is quick to point out how great he is,  (such as when he congratulates himself for Wendy’s successful re-attachment of his shadow). In the book and play, as well as both films, Peter symbolizes the selfishness of childhood, shown in Barrie’s work through constant forgetfulness and self-centred behavior.

But he has a lot of good points too. He really loves and cares about his Lost Boys and Wendy. He might not always put them first, but he does care about them. And he always knows the right thing to say.

Plus he’s brave, kind, funny, and always up for games of make believe and imagination.

Amen to that!

Yes, Peter, I’m the same way. I hate saying goodbye.

For more on Peter Pan, go to Disnified Horror

For more Disney animated films, go to Oh Oh De Lally

For more on Disney, go to I Could Kiss You

For more on book-y posts, go to My Precious

For more on films based on books, go to Friday Night Fun

For more of my favorite quotes, go to Beautifully Miserable