Talking tea in Senoia

Last Thursday night, I had the pleasure of speaking about teatime to members of the Senoia Area Historical Society. The meeting was held at the society's headquarters house. It was quite rewarding to be speaking at the house when, 25 years ago, I was a young reporter writing about the society's efforts to restore the house and turn it into a museum. Today, it is a reality! Here I am visiting with SAHS member Jane Hutchinson Arnold.

The historical society is having a "Tea on the Porch" fundraiser on Saturday, where I will help judge the Hat Contest, so my talk on "Traditions & Teatime" was supposed to help get everyone in a teatime mood. I arrived early and am so glad I did, because I went around the museum snapping a few photos I thought you might enjoy seeing, like the pretty blue teawares that were decorating two mantels in the room where I spoke!

Aren't these pieces lovely? I so enjoy seeing all the different patterns of the blue teawares.

The historical society has done a magnificent job with their museum, and I thought it quite fitting that one of the first things you see is an old movie projector which pays tribute to Senoia's role as a television show and movie mecca locally. Which shows were filmed here, you ask? Perhaps you've heard of "Driving Miss Daisy" or "Fried Green Tomatoes"? And I happen to know at least some of you are big fans of "The Walking Dead," which has created lots of buzz in Senoia in recent years!

I didn't see any zombies in the museum, thank goodness, but I did see lots of terrific exhibits, including this one featuring vintage clothing.

I couldn't help noting this beautiful gown is an "Afternoon Tea Gown," which certainly put me in the mood to think about afternoon tea on a southern porch this Saturday! Oh, and one more tidbit from the evening that I must share. Before the meeting began, I enjoyed a conversation with a lovely woman named Gloria and her daughter who were visiting the museum for the first time. Gloria is from England, and when I told her about my visit there earlier this year, she mentioned playing on the grounds of Windsor Castle as a child, and how she and her friends would actually climb the tower back in the day! Can you imagine? I had so much fun talking to her, and after the meeting she invited me to a Christmas tea she will be hosting at her home. (And yes, I'm planning to go!) It is so, so fun to meet new friends over such a delightful topic as teatime!