Don’t worry.   It’s Just Life has not been overtaken by the Russians.

A recent change to Google settings has prevented many folks from leaving comments on my blog due to the increased awareness of security.  I joked with my IT manager (my son) that I was sure the Russians were going to take over my blog and use it for nefarious shenanigans.

Of course the conversation digressed and I was absolutely POSITIVE that Putin is looking at Teapot Tuesday and going to infiltrate my friends and readers somehow.  So rest assured that my blog now has that sacred “S” after the http and you are all safe.  Sorry it took me so long to get that accomplished but now you can comment away freely without fear of lack of security.

Today I thought I would share a little blast from the past.  Enter this little booklet that my sister gave to me that she found in a stash of stuff she had tucked away.  Who knows where these things come from but when anyone sees anything tea related (as well as llama related, book related, googly eyes related, the list goes on and on) they think of me.  That makes me smile. This gem is copyrighted from 1939 by the Tea  Bureau out of New York City.

I am amused by a lot of the text and the pictures.  The booklet is geared for the American tea hostess and urges the American hostess to become “acquainted with modern smart fashions in American tea drinking.”

Apparently, according to their research, Americans drink “rivers of tea”.  Now I am not sure what a river of tea consists of now but apparent in 1939 the United States was  the world’s second largest importer of tea and Americans consumed a whopping 20 billion cups annually.  I had to look up some stats for today and according to The Tea Council in 2017:

Americans consumed over 84 billion servings of tea, or more than 3.8 billion gallons. About 86% of all tea consumed was black tea, 13% was green Tea, and the small remaining amount was oolong, white and dark tea.

It appears the river is growing.

The booklet goes on to describe tea drinking as :

1. A social trend
2. A Collegiate activity where tea was on the training table menu and was used as a pick me up.  “Smile”
3. Tea in the office became a norm around the “rest pause” at 4 pm
4. The national obsession with skiing encouraged tea drinking and a new drink – the Ski-Ball- was created. The Ski-Ball was a hot spiced tea served with sugar in a mug like glass with cloves and lemon and a cinnamon stick used as a muddler.
5. Smart spots created “tea bars” where folks could gather for a spot.

Oh the things that can be learned from reading a booklet from 1939.  Favorite word of the day appeared to be “smart” as everything described was smart as in a smart hostess or smart ways of serving various types of tea.

The booklet goes on to describe the different kinds of tea and the benefits of tea (mainly digestive) that have led Americans to embrace the beverage.  Of course with this rage over tea comes recipes that will accompany the teatime.

For Casual Tea a Beignet Souffles perhaps while a Debutante Tea just screams for a plate of Madeleines.

The Collegiate Tea might have Croute Savoyarde while the Bridge Tea guests might love Stuffed Clams.

Let’s not forget the Cafe Society Tea where Pineapple Fritters might be found.

The He-Man’s Tea shows off with a Hot Melted Cheese Sandwich.

The Bride’s Tea might feature  Honeymoon Frozen Chocolate as the perfect accompaniment.

I don’t know about you but I am thinking my cup of tea is definitely lacking something now. I need to up my game and whip up a quick recipe of Chicken Crumpets to go with my afternoon cuppa.

Do you have something special with your cup of tea?  A cookie or biscuit perhaps? Please let me know in the comments section .  We have a few days left to Comment for a Cause for UMCOR Hurricane Florence Relief.