"Tea at Downton" by Elizabeth Fellow

Tea friends are the best at sharing great shopping tips, and I got a fine one recently when Joy e-mailed to let me know that the Kindle version of a book on my Amazon wish list was available that day for free! I had been debating whether to order a paperback book or the e-book version of Elizabeth Fellow's "Tea at Downton," and of course I claimed a free e-book as soon as I heard about this deal!

Fellow includes information on the origins and history of teatime as well as the proper way to make a pot of tea. She writes, "Traditionally the pot would have been placed, by the tea boy, in front of the hostess in order that she could serve to her guests. If however something occurred to stop this happening, then the person closest to the pot should offer to take over. The traditional way to do this is to ask the question 'Shall I be mother?'"

I'd heard of asking "Shall I be mother?" before, but I must say I have not heard of having "a tea boy." I don't know about you, but I'd much rather have a "tea boy" than a "pool boy." (If we're daydreaming about house staff, I mean.) Fellow refers to Downton Abbey's staff by noting that we can learn from Mrs. Patmore, who "would make use of what she had" when cooking, and I quite agree! Recipes in the book include traditional teatime fare such as sandwiches, scones and sweets, and for the Downton fan it's quite fun to consider whether to make Lady Mary's Smoked Salmon and Dill Sandwiches, Mrs. Hughes' Cheese and Egg Sandwiches, The Countess' Lemon Curd, Anna's Egg Custards, Mrs. Patmore's Yorkshire Curd Tarts, or Carson's Sunday Afternoon Parkin (a soft cake). Now that I'm up to speed on all the "Downton Abbey" episodes, I am eager to host a Downton-themed tea next winter when the show returns to PBS. If that strikes your fancy as well, you can check out this e-book, currently selling for $2.99, here!