A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

The excitement of Christmas is inextricably linked to well-loved tradtions:  decorating the tree with glittering baubles and colourful lights, hanging capacious stockings by a blazing log fire, and wrapping up warm for Midnight Mass in a snow-covered village church.  But there are other, lesser-known customs that take place around this sceptred isle at Christmastide:  some stretch back into the darkness of pre-Christian times; others are recent inventions that combine fun with charitable aims.  What they all have in common however is spectacle, goodwill, and for those who practise them - simply the Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without them.

I am thrilled to share with you the following traditions from English Home Magazine.  

BOXING DAY MEETS

There are few sights more stiring than that of an English fox hunt:  mounted followers resplendent in scarlet coats; magnificently-muscled hunters, straining at the bit to gallop over hill and vale; and baying hounds twitching to pick up the scent of their quarry.  December 26 marks the biggest day of the year for most hunts, which nowadays chase scent-drag trails instead of foxes.  

TOM BAWCOCK'S EVE, MOUSEHOLE

At Christmas time in the 16th century - so the story goes - the inhabitants of Mousehole (pronounced 'Mowzel') in Cornwall were facing starvation.  Stormy weather had imprisoned boats in the harbour and food stocks had dwindled to almost nothing.  But Tom Bawcock was not going to be beaten.  He braved the waves to land seven different kinds of fish to make a huge 'stargazey' pie; and just in case the hungry villagers doubted his success, the pie was baked with the fishheads poking through the pastry.

His feat is celebrated on December 23 when the landlord of The Ship bakes another stargazey pie, and elderly villagers are handed fish-shaped biscuits, to the accompaniment of songs by the Mousehole Male Voice Choir.  

A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

The excitement of Christmas is inextricably linked to well-loved tradtions:  decorating the tree with glittering baubles and colourful lights, hanging capacious stockings by a blazing log fire, and wrapping up warm for Midnight Mass in a snow-covered village church.  But there are other, lesser-known customs that take place around this sceptred isle at Christmastide:  some stretch back into the darkness of pre-Christian times; others are recent inventions that combine fun with charitable aims.  What they all have in common however is spectacle, goodwill, and for those who practise them - simply the Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without them.

I am thrilled to share with you the following traditions from English Home Magazine.  

THE MUMMERS

"Roast beef, plum pudding and mince pie - who likes that better than King William and I?"  chant the Marshfield Mummers: the Old Time Paper Boys every Boxing Day, as they take to the streets to perform an age-old play complete with sword fights, violent death and hope-filled resurrection.  They are part of the mummers' tradition, with roots in medieval times, where troupes of actors stage fold-plays featuring characters such as Father Beelzebub, good St. George, and the evil Turkish Knight.

The Marshfield Paper Boys, with their rich west-country accents, earned their name thanks to the elaborate costumes they make out of coloured paper.  Farmer Dick Knight has performed with them for 60 years: "At one time, almost every village in England would have had mummers but Marshfield is probably the only one where that custome has never died."

WASSAIL

"Waes Hael", the Saxon for 'good health', was a midwinter drinking toast of sweet, spicy punch, shared in a communal cup that became known as the Wassail bowl.  In early times, carol singers would 'wassail' door to door in return for gifts of money at Christmas and New Year.  By the end of the 17th century, when cider-making had become a staple industry, the wassailing ceremony was also practised in orchards to guarantee a good harvest.  

Stay tuned...more tomorrow...

21 DECEMBER - ST THOMAS' DAY

A Traditional Christmas in England

ST THOMAS' DAY

21 December

Once the day when adult members of each parish would give small amounts of money to their poorer, elderly neighbours.  This was known as 'Thomasing' or 'Mumpsing'.

Merry Christmas

THE CHRISTMAS CALENDAR

Discover a key date in this festive season

Historic beginnings

11 November

A day of feasting and jollity which coincided with the annual slaughtering of livestock in preparation for winter.  In the 4th and 5th centuries this feast day was in preparation for the strict Advent fast that began the following day.

From English Home Magazine

Enjoy this Christmas Season

Tis the season

Tis the Season....

I will be sharing some fabulous tidbits about the Christmas as I did last year.

I hope you all enjoy.  I will begin tomorrow with November 11......more later......

Featured in TEA in TEXAS - November/December Issue

I am thrilled to be featured in TEA in TEXAS, a travel and lifestyle magazine about people, products, and unique events for tea lovers and travel enthusiasts.

TEA in TEXAS

FOR THE HOLIDAYS SHARE YOUR LOVE OF READING

It’s that wonderful time of year for celebrating! Thanksgiving offers us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our many blessings. Hanukkah and Christmas usher in those long awaited, and much planned for, special times spent with family and friends. If part of your celebrating includes gift giving, you are in luck. The following new ‘tea reads’ will not only captivate you, but they will also likely find themselves on your gift lists.

The Art Of The Social Graces
by Bernadette Michelle Petrotta
In the hustle and bustle of today’s society, it often seems that etiquette has become a ‘thing of the past.’ However, tea parties offer the perfect opportunity to teach proper tea protocol not only to ladies ‘young in age,’ but also ladies ‘young at heart.’ The charming book entitled The Art of the Social Graces, by Bernadette Michelle Petrotta, is an excellent resource for your personal library. This compact, easy to read book includes detailed illustrations for table settings as well as helpful hints for entertaining at parties, whether small or large, informal or formal. Of special interest to tea lovers is the included section on Victorian Afternoon Tea where Petrotta shares “instructions on making the perfect pot of tea, illustrated tea settings, and dining etiquette for scones, savories, and petits fours.”

The Art of the Social Graces shares a brief history of etiquette which will provide readers with an understanding of why it is an important part of our everyday lives. The information presented on introductions, invitations, table settings, graceful dining manners as well as how to choose appropriate attire enables readers to be gracious hosts and/or guests no matter the occasion. “Whether you are a homemaker, business professional, or student… it will empower readers with confidence and learning essentials that will be life changing.”

Ms. Bernadette Michelle Petrotta is an author and small business owner, married, and has a son. In 1996 she founded the Polite Society School of Etiquette which offers “a variety of courses, speaking engagements, seminars, individual training, and instruction at private dinners and tea events.”
If your ‘cup of tea’ includes traditional teatimes and love of things international, the following two books will have a special appeal.

NORTHWEST TEA FESTIVAL - OCTOBER 6th & 7th, 2012

The Puget Sound Tea Education Association

I am so excited to be speaking again at this fabulous event.  I will be speaking on tea etiquette.  I have provided information below regarding the festival.  Their website is http://www.nwteafestival.com/

Come visit us
- October 6th & 7th 2012 -
Be a part of our celebration of the exciting world of tea.

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The Festival is a fun and educational event about the multifaceted world of tea.  Our goal is to provide experiences covering all aspects of tea, from the cultural to the historical and the sensory to the scientific.

 

Bringing together authors, industry experts, buyers, retailers, artists, and educators, we hope you learn something new and expand your enjoyment of this most fascinating of beverages!

About PStea --
The Puget Sound Tea Education Association

In 2007 the PStea organization came into existence to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the introduction of tea to Europe. The first tea from China arrived in Amsterdam in 1607 changing forever the drinking habits of Europe and, ultimately, the Americas.
To commemorate this anniversary, five Seattle based tea companies -

• Barnes & Watson Fine Teas
• The Perennial Tea Room
• Teahouse Kuan Yin
• Village Yarn And Tea
• Tea Geek

- all came together and created an organization whose goals are to expand the knowledge about and promote all aspects of tea, from the cultural to the historical and the sensory to the scientific.
With a vision of an organization providing information and education on tea in all of its cultural formats as well as its variety of styles. The Northwest Tea Festival was begun as the first step in this process. It is our goal to expand our educational focus to regular programs throughout the year - dinners, tea tastings, trips to countries of origin - all of these are potential endeavors of the PSTea. We invite you to join us and share and expand our vision.
The Northwest Tea Festival is brought to you by The Puget Sound Tea Education Association (PStea). 
Bringing together authors, industry experts, buyers, retailers, artists, and educators, we hope you learn something new and expand your enjoyment of this most fascinating of beverages!
Our founding members are:
Deborah Barnes, Village Yarn & Tea
Michael Coffey, Tea Geek
Marcus Gramps, Teahouse Kuan Yin
James Norwood Pratt, author of New Tea Lover's Treasury
Julee Rosanoff, Perennial Tea Room
Ken Rudee, Barnes & Watson Fine Teas

AMAZON RATING ON THE ART OF THE SOCIAL GRACES BY BERNADETTE M. PETROTTA

THE ART OF THE SOCIAL GRACES

RANKED #1 IN TABLESETTING

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,961 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

• #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Tablesetting
• #9 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Business & Investing > Reference> Etiquette
• #25 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Reference > Etiquette

I am thrilled to see all of my efforts come to fruition.  I worked so very hard on this endeavor and I am pleased so many of you are purchasing my book.  Thank you so very much. 

ETIQUETTE - IT'S A GOOD THING - Weddings - "From this day forward" are words of promise.

Weddings, Customs, & 

Beautiful Summer Weddings

Enduring customs are part of the romance of weddings and the beloved custom of Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue is surely worth observing.  

SOMETHING OLD - Weddings are an important rite of passage; an old piece of jewelry or family Bible symbolized the bride's connection to her past.

SOMETHING NEW - The bride journeys from her old life to her new one, with a token of her future - something new to ensure prosperity.

SOMETHING BORROWED - Long ago it was deemed lucky for a bride to borrow something from a happily married woman - to borrow a bit of her good luck.  Costly veils were the favorite "Something Borrowed."

SOMETHING BLUE - Since the days of the biblical Hebrews, blue has been a color associated with spiritual loyalty and devotion.

AND A SILVER SIXPENCE IN HER SHOE - Bridese, please note: Two major symbols of wedded life combine here.  The sixpence (or in America, a dime) represents future wealth, and the shoe is an ancient symbol of authority.

The Art of the Social Graces would make a fabulous wedding gift.

See introductions on yesterday's post.  Very informative.

ETIQUETTE - IT'S A GOOD THING

Introductions

Introducing people is an integral part of good manners. People feel much more comfortable after being introduced. Sometimes it could get embarrassing if one cannot remember a person’s name; however, there is nothing wrong with asking someone to refresh your memory by asking his or her name. 

Formal Introductions   Present the person, who is younger, has less prestige, or who is not the guest of honor, to the person who is older, has more prestige, or is the guest of honor. Examples: Present your friend to Dr. Birch. “Dr. Birch, I would like you to meet my friend, Christopher.” Present your friend to your mother. “Mother, I would like you to meet my friend Robert.” Present a woman to a man. It is also customary for men to stand up for women. Women may stand if the person introduced to them is older.

Introducing Yourself   It is your job to let others know who you are, whether in a formal, informal, or work place setting. Often someone else will introduce you, but sometimes it will be up to you. When it is, be sure to enunciate clearly, “My name is John Smith. I am pleased to meet you.” Or, if this is a work situation, “My name is Jane Smith, Human Relations Manager of Acme Corporation.”

Introducing A Number Of People   When introducing a number of people, clearly state each person’s name, preferably in the order in which they are standing to avoid confusion. If you are a member of a group being introduced, nod your head when your name is mentioned and make eye contact with the person being introduced. If you are introducing a group and do not know everyone’s name, ask each member of the group to introduce himself or herself.

Please visit my website (www.PoliteSocietySchool.com) for my latest book, The Art of the Social Graces.  

I hope you have enjoyed my tip of the day.  Have a fabulous weekend and remember to be gracious and kind.  

QUEEN ELIZABETH JUBILEE CELEBRATION

LONDON - A bone-chilling rain-damped weather, crowds estimated at more than a million lined the banks of the Thames today to celebrate the Queen's 60th year on the throne.  What a fabulous Royal Day - a thousand boats glided through the historic heart of London.

The Queen is 86 and her Prince Philip is 90.  They still look so happy together.  They waved to crowds and the crowds shouted "God save the queen."

So what can be better than watching the royals all day??  Well, let me tell you.  Go shopping on the Buckingham Palace website.  Everything is gorgeous, stunning, and once in a life time keepsakes.

Enjoy!

The Art of the Social Graces

Flowers are the jewels we can all enjoy.  Bring them into your home and into your life.  Indulge your passion with a touch of refinement.

Etiquette Tip for the Day

BE KIND

BE GRACIOUS

and

BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR DAY

I am moving up!!!!!

My book is selling and getting fantastic reviews.  Another thank you to all of you out there.

www.PoliteSocietySchool.com

This is a great time to get The Art of the Social Graces to give to graduating students or even for yourself.  It will give you everything you need to set a beautiful table and will offer other helpful guidelines while attending summer parties or barbecues or even weddings.

Au revoir my friends......

Learning to speak french!!!

What was I thinking..........  I thought I would start learning french due to the fact that so many etiquette words are in french, hence the word "etiquette."  It is a very interesting language.  Every other word is an exception.  But I am not giving up.  I feel so international!!

I am hoping in the future I will be able to speak to my darling son's girlfriend and her family in french.  They live in Europe and, of course, speak at least four or five languages.  But they mostly speak french.  My son now speaks french too.

Well back to my french.

Au revoir,

Bernadette (By the way - my name is french)

Also, any second now my book will be available on the NOOK.  I am so excited!!!!


One more thing.  Did I mention I got a kitty.  Her name is Emma Elizabeth.

From a kitten to a cat......                     the love of my life......

She is such a good girl.....

Afternoon Tea at Le Reve

Wonderful afternoon at Le Reve.  Andrea, owner of Le Reve, scheduled the afternoon tea.  She and her assistant Elizabeth were so gracious and helpful to me.  I taught a tea etiquette class and was just thrilled to enjoy tea with the ladies.  It brought back memories for me as I used to enjoy afternoon tea at Vintage Tea Leaf in Long Beach, CA less than two years ago.  I, along with several ladies, met at Vintage once a week.  We met at the same time, discussed the same subjects, and mostly sipped the same tea, but we all loved it.  And I do miss Vintage and my friends.

Interestingly enough, the class was for my tea students, but I must say I might have gotten just as much out of the class.  Afternoon tea with your closest and dearest friends is something to cherish.

Thank you Andrea and Elizabeth.

Come join me for tea!

Afternoon Tea—Last Friday of Each Month

Le Rêve is bringing an old-world tradition to Queen Anne serving “afternoon tea” with a French-inspired tasting menu. 

Our “afternoon tea” will include a delicious French-inspired tasting menu with an assortment of tea sandwiches, pastries and fresh fruits of the season.

Join us for tea time!

Last Friday of the Month

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

$45 per person

Our Afternoon Tea menu includes:

-       Tea of your choice served with cucumber and egg salad sandwiches

-       Miniature quiches

-       Eclairs, petit fours and assorted French cookies

-       Fresh fruit

Reservations are required due to limited seating.

NORTHWEST WOMEN'S SHOW

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND!!  

MARCH 2-4, 2012

CenturyLink Event Center 

1000 Occidental Way S

Seattle, 98134

25,000 Attendees

400 Exhibits
Please attend my class:

Etiquette Class at the Women's Show - Bernadette Petrotta of Polite Society School will teach you: Common Courtesies, Introductions, Professional Life, Appropriate Attire, Graceful Endings & Dining Manners

The Northwest Women's Show, has been held in Seattle for the past twenty four years and draws up to 25,000 attendees.   With over 400 exhibits, up to five stages, local and national celebrities, strong local and national support, The Northwest Women's Show has become a successful regional tradition.   

Our past events include: 

Wholesale Heaven, an event that started in 1983 which included sales reps, importers and manufacturers in the clothing and gift industries.  It was hugely popular for many years.  Open to the public. We REALLY miss this show!

Victoria Tea Festival

North America's Largest Tea Exhibition was fabulous!

I was so welcomed and so humbled by all who attended my tea etiquette class.  I was also very happy to be part of the signature fundraiser for Camosun College Child Care Services and to be part of this destination event for the city of Victoria.

I appreciated the commitment and the support of all of the volunteers who assisted me in my presentation.

2012 EXCITING NEWS!

Well this has been a busy new year for me.  I have been in the process of publishing and revising my etiquette book.  It should be ready in about one month.  I will keep you posted.

Also, I will be speaking in Victoria, Canada at the VICTORIA TEA FESTIVAL on February 18, & 19.  It is one of North America's largest tea festivals and will be held in Victoria's historic Crystal Garden.  4,000 Greater Victoria residents and visitors are anticipated to attend this weekend tea extravaganza that presents tea from every possible angle.

See website below for more information:

http://www.victoriateafestival.com/