One of my more obscure tea-themed collections is old booklets pertaining to opening a tea room. This one, "Secret Recipes of Famous TeaRooms," was offered by the Lewis Tea Room Institute as a marketing brochure for their program.
One of its recipes that especially intrigued me was this one for the "Frozen Teapot Dainty." If you double-click on the image you should be able to read the whole page, and the part I liked best was where we're told "teapot-shaped molds for dainties may be ordered from any can factory or tinner." I seem to have misplaced the number for my local can factory or tinner, so if you would like to share yours that would be great! ;)
It's interesting to note that at one time, opening a tea room was one of the few occupations a "respectable" woman could aspire to, and here Mary Catherine Lewis seems to be encouraging readers to give this career some serious consideration. There's no date on this booklet, but I'm guessing it's from the 1920s or 1930s. And meanwhile, if you should ever run across a teapot-shaped tin ice cream mold, please let me know!
One of my more obscure tea-themed collections is old booklets pertaining to opening a tea room. This one, "Secret Recipes of Famous TeaRooms," was offered by the Lewis Tea Room Institute as a marketing brochure for their program.
One of its recipes that especially intrigued me was this one for the "Frozen Teapot Dainty." If you double-click on the image you should be able to read the whole page, and the part I liked best was where we're told "teapot-shaped molds for dainties may be ordered from any can factory or tinner." I seem to have misplaced the number for my local can factory or tinner, so if you would like to share yours that would be great! ;)
It's interesting to note that at one time, opening a tea room was one of the few occupations a "respectable" woman could aspire to, and here Mary Catherine Lewis seems to be encouraging readers to give this career some serious consideration. There's no date on this booklet, but I'm guessing it's from the 1920s or 1930s. And meanwhile, if you should ever run across a teapot-shaped tin ice cream mold, please let me know!
Maybe I should study this booklet and start a new career.♥♫
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing at Marilyn's comment because I thought the same.
ReplyDeleteWhen we travelled out east one summer in Canada, many women offered tea with a sign outside. It was inviting you in to tea at their dining room table or on their deck where they would serve you tea and a scone or piece of cake etc. They did need a licence to do this but it's been in the back of my mind ever since.
Think of all the (older) women who'd love to gather for tea around a table, even if they didn't know the others. It wouldn't take long to make new friends.
Judith
This looks like a little treasure! Respectable.... yep, that's me!
ReplyDeleteMorning Angela- Just wanted to let you know that my MIL shared her copy of your book with some of her nurses and I have a standing order for 5 books- but they all want them autographed- so can I stop by to have them signed? :-)
ReplyDeleteHow fun ... and funny!! I've always wanted to run a quaint B&B that served afternoon tea daily. I think perhaps I'm a throwback! :)
ReplyDeleteI am with you on wanting that dream too, Denise.
ReplyDeleteAngela, this is a wonderful post, loved reading the old stuff - don't we get the feeling we just don't belong in this era sometimes?
Then again, if we didn't we wouldn't have wonderful blogs to fill our eyes with lovliness, our minds with information and our hearts for caring............so perhaps not.
Thank you for your wonderful blog!
What a fun little booklet! My friend recently stumbled on a little book (literally very small, it could fit in a shirt pocket) he picked up for me called "Tea Room Profits" it contains all kinds of interesting little tidbits. I'll have to blog about it sometime. I got to visit a new tea room this past weekend while visiting a friend in Pasadena, California. I wrote about it on my blog, you'll have to pop over and have a peek when you have a moment.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, Angela!
It would be fun to find some of those teapot-shaped molds, for sure!
ReplyDeletenow this was so cool!! What a neat booklet with such cool history on tea rooms, just awesome.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! I love it that you collect and share these sorts of things.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure. Now I will be looking for a teapot tin and books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing - I love these old tea books and pamphlets. I see I'm not the only one who's ever dreamed of opening a tearoom, lol. My sister and I sometimes fantasize about opening the "Two Sisters Tearoom," and a tea-loving friend and I talk about it as well. Wish it was easy as this booklet seems to think it is!
ReplyDeleteLove the look of this booklet. I like them too and I always feel like I've found a treasure when I find one. Joanie
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating. I wonder if she was teaching "students" on an apprenticeship basis at her establishment? Very interesting subject. I guess now tearoom owners must go to culinary school.
ReplyDeleteDear wonderful ladies who have shared their thoughts in this comments section. I loved reading each and every one of them. Today morning I have woken up desiring something vintage, may be a story or a recipe or a tea set. Strange desire, isn't it �� It happens often may be I am also from throwback times ��. This blogpost has certainly send me.to the dream world.of having a tea room. Thanks for this beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteAs a child my mom and I would have a tea party everyday after kindergarten. That was in 1968.
ReplyDeleteI still have the tea pot and one cup and saucer.
I started that tradition with my two daughters and then on to 5 of my 6 grandchildren.
I became Madame FeFe when my girls were little for them and their friends.
My niece had a birthday party with Madam FeFe and I’ve had birthday parties as madam FeFe with my grandchildren. It has been so much fun for young and old alike.