Spirituali-Tea! ~ A Secret Garden for Women

www.CenterEatonChurch.org
Center_Eaton_Church@yahoo.com

"sa'lon: a fashionable assemblage of notables (such as literary figures, artists, or statesmen) held by custom at the home of a prominent person." *smile* Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.

SPIRITUALI-TEA! is a tea party and salon group for women to celebrate friendship, beauty, and discussion, to enjoy fellowship and community, to support one another as women, and to experience the peaceful joy that comes from sharing all things tea. We call it a "Secret Garden" because we are a private ladies' group where we agree that whatever personal items may be discussed will remain confidential.

The group will pursue various women's discussion topics, where everyone's ideas, feelings and thoughts are important. A LUSCIOUS menu will be served at each tea, including savories, scones, sweets and a variety of teas. (See sample report below for a typical example of our tea fare)

Spirituali-Tea! is held on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7 P.M., at Center Eaton Church fellowship room, and sometimes at other locations. By reservation only, and a donation of $12 per person to help defray the expense of food and drink.

Katy Meredith and her grandson, Josh Shepherd, created a beautiful garden setting with their talent and creative flair. Delicious food was served for this brunch tea, along with a luscious variety of teas and coffees. The program consisted of:

1. A delightful trio of little Katlyn Lamar, Jillian Jones and Emily Williams, performing "I'm a Little Teapot".

2. A devotion by Rev. Carole using the theme A Secret Garden of Spirituali-Tea. We all discussed the importance of women friends in our lives.

3. A beautiful tea was served, with a lush Teacup Exchange Theme:
-Almond Butter Tea Sandwiches with shaved chicken and peach chutney
-Trout Almondine with lemon-herb aioli on english muffin
-Toasted Smoked Gouda and Baby Swiss on Raisin Bread
-Avocado and Pancetta Tea Sandwich with roasted red pepper cream
-Sour Cream Scones with blueberry and lemon curd
-Brandied Chocolate Truffle Cakes with strawberry beaujolais sauce
-Variety of teas, including Darjeeling, Oolong, White Needle, and Ginger Peach. Also served were Kona and Columbian coffees.

What a beautiful array of teacups we had! The exchanging of teacups was enjoyed by all. The teacups are a reminder to simply ask the Universe "Fill My Cup" and She will.

The Teacup Exchange is an annual highlights of Spirituali-Tea! ` A Secret Garden for Women. We shared a very special time, met new friends and slowed down from the busyness of life to a relaxed pace as we soaked in our Goddess Goodness.

If you missed the exchange this year, I encourage you to make a real effort to attend it in April next year. You will be blessed beyond measure! ~ CBS