Hello sweet friends. Welcome to the inaugural “Tea on Tuesdays”, I am so excited that you are here!
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23
When you live in the South, summers are normally hot and humid! With temperatures in the high 90’s and heat indexes soaring to 110+, my drink of choice for now is a tall glass of sweet iced tea. Hot tea…coming soon!
You will find Mary’s link for beautiful iced tea inspiration at the bottom of this post!
It was an extremely hot late afternoon when I was photographing in the garden. Ice was melting in the glasses and condensation was wetting the tablecloths. Not to be deterred, I took breaks in the air-conditioned Sunshine Cottage and cooled down with… you guessed it…a glass of sweet iced tea!
I have often used this old green depression glass pitcher with ice catcher for serving sweet tea. With a little research, I found a similar one that was made in the 1930’s by Anchor Hocking.
“Reverie” (my wedding stemware) by Noritake is a nice size glass for holding iced tea served with lemon balm from my garden! The lemon balm gives a subtle taste of lemon without overwhelming the tea. I prefer it rather than a slice of lemon.
As you can see, hydrangea paniculatas are in bloom and are a lovely backdrop for tea. Table linens are an April Cornell “Jacobean garden” breakfast square tablecloth that was paired with vintage lavender napkins and under-cloth!
Etched Fostoria sherbet glasses were used for delicious blueberries and raspberries topped with yogurt. The 1930’s saucers underneath are Copeland Spode “mayflower” with a lovely lavender border and floral center. Bordallo pinheiro dessert plates and Noritake “reverie” salad plates complete the stack.
It has often been said that ice-cold sweet tea is the table wine of the South. When our son was a junior in high school, I was a chaperone for a junior/senior five country European trip. I remember our first dinner meal in a restaurant, our son and others in the group asked for sweet iced tea. Of course, they didn’t serve sweet tea and ice was hard to come by. You were fortunate to get a couple of cubes in a soft drink. When we arrived back at the Atlanta airport, the first thing he wanted was sweet iced tea!
Pitchers often become vases for flowers…like this “baroque” by American Atelier. It has actually contained more flowers than tea. Little lambs and limelight hydrangeas cut from the garden along with garden catchfly (a perennial wildflower) make for a simple but sweet arrangement.
“I have learned there is no such thing as commonplace when you have a screened-in-porch, family, sweet tea and company.”
~Mary Hughes
It was unbelievable that I never had an insect visit my table. Perhaps it was just too hot for them?
Oatmeal raisin cookies and banana-walnut bread were served on a green depression cake plate. You might notice that I have used several pieces of green depression glass on my table. As a young bride, I started buying depression glass in colors of pink, amber, and green. It was vintage, affordable, and easily available. It also made for pretty serving dishes. I still have all the pieces that I collected several decades ago with green depression being my favorite.
To quote Southern Living magazine, “ Southern-style sweet tea is freshly brewed black tea that’s sweetened with sugar while hot, chilled until cold, and served over ice. Change any of those variables, while you might have a nice drink, it’s just not classic Southern sweet tea.”
Most of you know that I enjoy using pieces that have a story or memory attached. The two-tiered stand was used often by my beloved Mother who was known for her fabulous baking. The stand was always full of delicious sweets for Christmas and holidays. Even iced sweet tea deserves to be served with scones. The lemon raspberry scones were perfectly suited for iced tea…
…as were Black-Forest ham and sharp cheddar tea sandwiches along with home-made egg-salad served in phyllo cups and topped with our homegrown cherry tomatoes! RM has grown delicious tomatoes this summer and I thought they deserved a place of honor! You do know that some say tomatoes are a fruit while others say tomatoes are a vegetable! What do you say?
It seems I can never have tea without macarons. Someone recently asked if I made them. I took a macaron class several years ago at Sur La Table and discovered they are not easy to make, very time consuming, and RM isn’t a fan. So it makes sense to buy them. Our local bakery has some really good ones…lemon, lavender, and pistachio!
“I knew then that sweet tea embodies all that is good about the South and its hospitality. Life’s too short not to enjoy, and it’s too short not to have sweet tea.”
~Rick Bragg
Long-time readers know that I am a coffee snob and now for a little secret…I am also an iced tea snob. I like to know I am drinking tea, so I like it strong. Here is my perfect recipe for:
Sweet Iced Tea
3 family size Luzianne tea bags (specially blended for iced tea)
2 Twinings Earl Grey individual tea bags
3/4 cup granulated sugar (RM says 1 cup sugar)
8 cups of spring water
Place tea bags in a large glass pitcher. Bring 5 cups of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan or kettle. Pour immediately over the tea bags making sure they are submerged. Steep for fifteen minutes and remove tea bags, I always squeeze the bags. Stir in sugar until dissolved and stir in remaining 3 cups of water. Refrigerate until cooled and serve over ice. A sprig of mint and a twist of lemon or lime can be added!
Many of you follow Mary and love her creativity. You will not want to miss Mary’s tea post by clicking the link below!
Mary @ Home Is Where The Boat Is
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled day with a cup of hot tea or a glass of sweet iced tea!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, I would never have guessed from your photos that the heat index was in the triple digits! Everything looks so crisp and beautiful in your garden and at your table from the beautiful April Cornell “Jacobean garden” tablecloth, white blooms of your hydrangeas to the pretty pop of green from your depression glass. I love the combination of lavender and green at your table and how your macarons blend perfectly. 😊 So many delicious teatime treats at your table too…don’t you love the convenience and petite size of Athens Phyllo Shells? Perfect for sweet or savory fillings. As always it’s a treat to join you at the table and to share a glass of tea with today. Hope you manage to stay cool, Happy Tea on Tuesday. ♥
Thank you, Mary. It was so wonderful to get a soaking rain this morning. The sun is out now, so it will be hot and sticky. I so enjoyed sharing Tea On Tuesday’s with you ♥️
What a perfect setting for Tea on Tuesday! Your table and garden backdrop blend seamlessly, gorgeously. I am such a fan of your Reverie, and wince each time I see it, knowing I gave away so much of that pattern. {sigh}, it’s truly the only pattern I feel that way about from my purge. I love that it’s your wedding china. Green depression glass is also a favorite of mine. Yours complements the Reverie so well. The AC lavender and Spode plates are so pretty! And, of course, the foods and tea are not to he overlooked! I’ll have both the tea sandwich and egg salad cup, a slice of banana bread and macaroni, and a glass of tea, please! Yum! Happy Tuesday!
Rita, I feel your pain over the Reverie. I still love it almost fifty years later. I did break a couple of the tea glasses and replaced them many years ago! I regret that I sold my Franciscan everyday china. It looked so dated when I sold it, but would love to have it back. I would love to share a glass of tea with you, someday, maybe!
Sip sip hooray! Pam, I’m so happy to be a part of this inauguration. The depression glass is simply beautiful. Oh, the reverie (😘)…the history arcing the delectable delights (RM’s tomatoes~yes to whatever it’s is, fruit or vegetable). Just yesterday, after having a dear friend here for a night from Arkansas, I made us a glass of cold lemon balm ice tea. I have found an organic lemon balm tea I keep in stock (so wonderful for our digestion!). She was surprised as it would be typically offered as hot. We are 100 today and 100’s ALL week again. This is the 3rd straight week with barely a 1/2 inch a rain. I’ll enjoy tea with you! Love and hugs always sweet Pam. You brighten my day! 💛💛🤗🙏🏻
It warms my heart that you joined me this morning, Karla. Your sweet thoughts brighten my day. I feel your pain with the heat and humidity. I was awakened at 3 am with thunder, lightening, and glorious rain. We desperately needed it and my garden is so thankful. Sending prayer, love, and hugs 🙏🏻💛🤗
💛💛💛
Pam I want to come to tea in your garden…so so pretty and I agree with our dear friends Rita…and Mary…your table does not look hot and drippy at all. Beautiful job. I love your AC tablecloth and your use of lavender and green…oh my!!! I, too collect Depression Glass, particularly the Green Cameo of which I have a setting for 12 with lots of serving pieces….I couldn’t resist adding Pink Cabbage Rose, Yellow Florintine and blue bubble glass although I believe Depression Glass expert, Gene Florence would disagree with me on the bubble glass being true Depression glass. :(. He might classify it as a late ‘comer’ to the party. I have several of his books and he is quite the sticker of what is and isn’t true depression glass. ;( Yours is lovely and brings out the colors of your beautiful garden.
Awe Sweet tea…..who doesn’t love Southern Sweet tea? Your recipe is pretty much like mine…I always loved the beginning of summer cuz Mom would add a bit more sugar to our already ritual of sweet tea with our meals. I tried to wean myself away from sweet tea (long ago) by choosing to drink it with no sugar. It is just not the same is it? All your tea treats look wonderful and I don’t make Macarons either. LOL Have a great and wonderful day….just look at what the Lord has made!!!!! Hugs and Blessings!
Kari, I always enjoy your visits. Wow, you have a wonderful collection of depression. I never collected any more after the first two or three years of marriage, but love what I do have. Yes, I do love sweet tea and it would always be my choice. But, I have learned to drink it unsweetened so as not to add those calories. I agree, it is not the same. Enjoy your day, my friend!
I am thrilled to see the first of many posts for Tuesday Teas! Your gardens for the backdrop is the icing on the cake! What a delight. And the cake (your tea time table) is nothing but a richness of sweet desires! The stunning AC linens, the lavender vintage napkins, the green depression glass, the tea sandwiches and egg salad deliciousness are all such beautiful accompaniments for an afternoon sweet tea!
What a lovely morning of such beauty as I sit on my front porch with my iPad. Thank you Pam! Happy Tuesday dear friend! 💜
As always, thank you for your visit! It would certainly be fun to share tea with you, Nancy. Hopefully, some day. Enjoy your week, dear one💜
I have a pitcher like that in style, but it is the clear one with etched flowers on the side. It was my grandmother’s and she made her sweet tea in it. I used it for a spoon and spatula holder on my counter for a long time when it the handle cracked. Love the table.
Thanks so much for visiting, Carole!
I am very impressed you set your tea table outside, and it looks so fresh and summery! Being a Southern “import” from California, I quickly learned that sweet tea is the drink of choice in the South and you better not mess with it! Iced tea is the perfect summertime sipper, and dining on finger sandwiches and small bites is a lovely way to eat light and beat the heat. I love your pretty linens, special serving pieces and the variety of goodies to eat! I love seeing the matching macarons, so pretty! Lovely Tea on Tuesday!
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna. Southerners love their sweet tea, I grew up on it. There was always a pitcher of sweet tea in our frig. Every time I have messed with my sweet tea, hubby and son are not happy. I stick with the tried and true. Wishing you a Happy Tuesday!
Pam, I so enjoyed my visit this morning! Everything looks just beautiful. The entire setting is a feast for the eyes. All of the goodies look delicious as well. Sweet treats, eggs salad, and fresh garden tomatoes are my favorites. Wishing you a most lovely day my friend!
Thank you, Shannon. I am so glad you could join me in the garden. Happy Tuesday, my friend!
oh yes please to homemade sweet tea with lemons and sprigs of mint. especially now when it’s all hot and humid. i’ll take mine inside by the air conditioner … and dig out some favorite depression glass collection to enjoy it in.
I don’t blame you for choosing the indoors. Thank you, Linda!
Beautiful Pam! You could charge admission and many would love to attend. Your food looks delicious. I will try your sweet tea recipe. I’ve never mixed kinds of tea bags. We actually drink unsweetened tea now. Our excuse for more dessert. I sometimes drink half and half when I am feeling needy of a little sugar.
Your setting is indeed lovely but I relate to the high temps and humidity. You have to condition your camera because for those that don’t live in the south it immediately fogs up.
LOVE your new series. Gorgeous table cloth.
Bonnie, I have to set my camera in a shady spot outside about an hour before using it, otherwise it dogs up. Thanks so much, we received much needed rain this morning!
I never comment. I should because I love everything you do. But now every Tuesday will be my favorite day! So enjoyed this!
Sharon, thanks so much for reading and commenting. You made my day!
Pam, Your Tuesday Tea table is gorgeous! I love the pretty crisp linens. Your Reverie glasses are a favorite and the green depression glassware is as well. I use a vintage pitcher for both tea and lemonade. This year, with the extreme heat, both are going fast! The food looks delicious too. That bowl of tomatoes looks tasty. I can’t imagine trying to keep things looking so tasty and fresh in this heat while trying to capture the photos. Great Job! Stay cool sweet friend! Clara ❤️
Thank you sweet Clara. I love using a vintage pitcher for tea. We received much needed rain this morning, I hope you did. Stay in and stay cool, Clara ♥️
Pretty and yummy all together. Your beautiful table and inviting treats and the lovely background of your garden make for such a beautiful place to enjoy. We are sweltering up here in Illinois with high temps and humidity too. Have a beautiful week Pam. xoxo Kris
Thank you, Kris. I hope your weather moderates soon. We did get much needed rain this morning!
What a beautiful tea table! I love the cups but yes, you are so wise to serve it iced on a day like these of late! As always, a gorgeous setting. I love making macarons, though I haven’t done them in a few years. Around here (and with no air/con) you pick your season carefully. If it’s too humid, it can be an epic fail. I didn’t think they took too long (after the first try when learning) but they are a bit fussy! And you can get far more flavors at the patisserie! It all looks wonderful!
Jeanie, thank you. I never tried making macarons after the class, just never tried. I know yours would be wonderful! Enjoy your day!
Such a lovely tea party. Pure perfection! The AC cloth and napkins are so beautiful for your table. Love the green depression pieces. The food looks delicious and such a variety. Love your Mother’s tiered plate. I have one green depression piece from mother. My brother loved it so much..he got most of it. Sweet tea here every day! This has to be in Victoria!
Dianne, thank you for your sweet comments dear friend. I always look forward to your visits!
Pam, I love everything about your beautiful table and especially how you incorporate your mother’s things given to you. Southern Sweet Ice Tea made strong is a must for me. But, I like my coffee strong too. Not so strong that you could stand a stick up in it but strong enough that I know I have a cup of coffee! LOL! I have wanted to try my hand at making macaroons but mercy they just look too difficult for me to take that much time to make. And to be honest, I am not a fan of them. But, I have a little granddaughter that loves them. Maybe a trip to our local bakery is in store for me. I hope your week is wonderful to you dear Pam. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you, Cindy. I feel the same way about coffee. Take your darling grand to the bakery for macarons. Happy Tuesday, dear one!
Oh this is lovely Pam – such a gorgeous table in your beautiful yard! I’ve never tried sweet iced tea, but you made it sound so delicious, I’m going to try your recipe. It’s supposed to be hot (for us) today, so perfect timing. 🙂 Love the inaugural tea day post. Happy Tuesday my friend!
Thank you, Barbara. I hope you enjoy the sweet tea. Happy Tuesday, my friend!
I was born and raised in my hometown of Ocala, FL. We are true Southerners and very proud of it. Even though we have been one of the fastest growing areas in the nation since the 70s, we work hard to keep our Southern charm and hospitable ways with the influx of folks from all over the country.
I grew up drinking “sweet tea”, however, I never heard of mixing the Lipton black tea with the Earl Grey. Actually, I don’t think many of us even knew about the Earl Grey flavor of tea back then. HaHa
Anyhoo, I wanted to share a little tip that I recently learned from another “Ocala home-grown gal.”
After adding the tea to her boiled water, she steeps it for 10-15 minutes and, after adding the sugar and mixing, then she adds ICE CUBES (equivalent to the amount of water we normally add) to the sugared tea.
This process puts a little “sparkle” to the flavor of the tea and with this process the tea DOES NOT CLOUD UP when put in the refrigerator; which is always a problem if the sugar is added to the tea AFTER it has cooled down.
Loved your Southern “High Tea” posting.The tablescape, flowers, menu and beverage were enchanting. And it was nice to hear someone confirm that we have had very hot weather, for a very long time. Especially to us long time Southerners, the climate might be a bit cyclical, but overall, hasn’t changed much. 😉
Thank you, Deb. I only started mixing Earl Grey in with Luzianne a few years ago. When I married I had never heard of Earl Grey😂 It is my favorite for hot tea.
Deb, I hit send before I was finished. I have made the tea and added ice as you described. Southern Living suggests adding a little baking soda to keep the tea from clouding. I haven’t tried it, so I don’t know. I agree about the heat. It is always hot in the South during summer. Thanks so much for your lovely comments. You have a standing invitation for tea the 3rd Tuesday of every month!
Love the delightful Tea Posts! Keep ’em coming! You girls do a great service to your community! Thank you!
Thanks so much, Martha. I am so glad you came to the tea party. You always have a standing invitation!
Pam, I am so glad you chose sweet tea for your first Tuesday Tea. It truly is my very favorite beverage! If my doctor told me I had to give it up, he would have a fight on his hands!! I am Sweet Tea snob too and judge a new restaurant by the very first sip. Like you said, Luzianne is the only acceptable teabag. Your table looks beautiful and blissfully cool. Like the sign I made for my kitchen says… Sweet Tea, Wine of the South!
Hi, it’s Deb. Oops! I realized I said Lipton tea in my comment earlier and must correct it. I absolutely agree that LUZIANNE is the PREFERRED Southern tea bag! 😉
Hi Deb! Love Lipton for hot tea but Luzianne sure makes delicious sweet tea! Cheers! Roxanne
Definitely, Luzianne!
Roxanne, I can visualize sitting on your screened porch drinking sweet tea and having wonderful conversation. Thank you dear one!
Oh Pam. I laughed about Seth asking for sweet iced tea the moment he touched southern soil. I remember doing that several times. Ah, to be in the South on a hot summer day sitting on a screened in porch drinking iced tea. I learned how to drink unsweetened ice tea after moving to Colorado and now prefer it that way. BUT not one to ask a southerner to drink tea unsweetened. We were in one of the English owned Caribbean island and had Tetley tea and since then it is my choice for iced tea. All of your tables are beautiful and especially this lavender one with the depression glass. I have some of my mothers and added to it through the years. The scones look tasty and I’m about ready to make some and serve them with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Thank you for this unforgettable post.
Thanks so much, Alice. I started drinking it unsweetened and it is ok, but I grew up on my Mama’s sweet tea. Yes, scones with clotted cream!! I hope every day is an improvement.
Pam we are happy to be some of your first guests at The Tuesday Tea party.
You know how to set a very inviting tablescape. Love those dishes and that table cloth is lovely.
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
I am so happy you all joined me and thank you. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam, this is such a respite! It is actually in the triple digits here day after day. One of the hottest summers on record, and it started early in May. Seeing your gorgeous garden setting and this table filled with yummy delights makes me want to sprout wings and fly in for teatime. Love the April Cornell linen. The lavender and green is gorgeous together. Ice tea is definitely a staple for us in the summer!
I’m thrilled you and Mary have started this wonderful series. Fabulous idea!
Thank you, Sarah. I know the heat can really get to you day after day. I wish you could fly in for teatime. Stay inside and stay cool!
Except for the heat I would love to be having tea with you at this lovely setting!
Yes, it is summer in Alabama!
You are ONE BRAVE SOUL for being out there in that stifling heat! Even Southerners who are accustomed to high temps are having a rough time! The consolation prize is that you set a tea table that is beyond reproach!
Tomatoes are definitely a fruit, but I’ve never consumed them as such. Reminds me of that line in “Sweet Magnolias” when Ouiser Boudreaux says something about growing tomatoes as a Southern woman’s obligation!
We have visited Southern states many times, and sweet tea is definitely THE drink! As a consummate weight watcher (because just looking at something makes me gain weight!🙄), I never get to drink it. I hope you’re enjoying enough to cover me!
This is an outstanding…absolutely OUTSTANDING…table setting!!!!!! Just above and beyond beautiful! I don’t use enough purple. You’ve made it the standout star here!
Thank you, Alycia. I have to limit my sweet tea intake. I love purple/lavender, but don’t use it enough. Yes, the heat and humidity can be brutal in the south, but am so thankful for air conditioning. Happy Thursday!
Wonderful tea time! How cozy and beautiful! How delightful and inspiring… Thank you dear Pam.
Pam, congratulations on your inaugural Tea on Tuesday post! The table is beautiful and I love all the vintage and sentimental pieces you have chosen. The AC tablecloth provides a lovely foundation for your settings and your gorgeous garden is the perfect backdrop. The food sounds delicious as does the iced sweet tea. Your table must have been a true labor of love seeing the temps there – oh my goodness! Thanks for this new series and all the inspiration. Stay cool down there sweet lady!
Looks like a wonderful party is about to happen.
Thank you for your visit!
Everything looks beautiful. I would love to have tea in my garden if it looked as pretty as this 🙂
We love sweet tea, too! There is nothing else quite like it. I love how you always serve it in such beautiful glasses and goblets. It makes it look all the more appealing. So wonderful to have time to visit with you this morning, sweet friend.
Thank you for your sweet comments, my friend!
Absolutely lovely, Pam! It’s a miracle you survived setting the table in the garden with the intolerable heat — but you’d never know you did by looking at the refreshing result!! I’m glad to see such pretty Depression glass used regularly. I love the delicate touch of elegance it adds.
Thanks so much, Sandra. I enjoyed pulling out the depression glass for the table.