Marina reading Emma

Katherine reading Emma The Etiquette Cat to her daughter, Marina

Marina really loves Emma!  She asks her mum to read it everyday.  

Nothing brings me more happiness than to see children enjoying my darling Emma.  I would like to take credit for the book but Emma provided the entire story.  She is the most adorable kitty.

Reading Emma...

Emma the Etiquette Cat:  Meet Emma

I love to see children reading Emma.  It brings me so much joy.  

POLITENESS

Politeness

Politeness is very very important.  Politeness makes it easier to make a good first impression in social or professional settings.  Someone who speaks to others in a courteous manner is more likely to make a good impression.  Being polite is especially important when communicating with customers and colleagues.

Confucius emphasized that virtues are not enough without politeness.  He viewed them as inseparable and saw courtesies as coming from the heart and when practiced with all the heart, a moral elevation ensues.

So when in doubt, be polite.  

What is "Etiquette?"

WHAT IS ETIQUETTE

To the French we owe the word etiquette, and it is amusing to discover its origin in the commonplace familiar warning - "Keep off the grass."  It happened in the reign of Louis XIV, when the gardens of Versailles were being laid out, that the master gardener, an old Scotsman, was sorely tried because his newly seeded lawns were being continually trampled upon.  To keep trespassers off, he put up warning signs or tickets  -  etiquettes  -  on which was indicated the path along which to pass.  But the courtiers paid no attention to these directions and so the determined Scot complained to the King in such convincing manner that His Majesty issued an edict commanding everyone at Court to "keep within the etiquettes."  Gradually the term came to cover all the rules for correct demeanor and deportment in court circles; and this through the centuries it has grown into use to describe the conventions sanctioned for the purpose of smoothing personal contacts and developing tact and good manners.  

The Court today has ceased to be the arbiter of manners.  We now focus on moral virtues in general.  In particular - friendships.  So even though it is important to use the correct fork, knife, or spoon, it is just as important to be polite in all circumstances of social intercourse.  Social etiquette as well as professional etiquette are equally important.  Being on time for appointments, not interrupting, listening, dressing appropriately, shaking hands, no arguing or gossiping... are all at the heart of a system of rules of conduct based on respect and self control.  

The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea Book

The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea Book

From the book:

Making A Perfect Pot Of Tea

The round shape of the teapot was designed by the Chinese who used a muskmelon as a model.  The shape is different from a coffee or chocolate pot.  The rounded lower portion or body of the teapot is rounded to insure the tea leaves have the proper room for expansion during the infusion process.  The lower placement of the spout on the vessel allows for the tea to be poured without interfering with the leaves.

The make a perfect pot of tea, boil fresh cold water in a kettle.  Cold water is essential because it has more oxygen content and gives the tea a fuller flavor.  While the water is boiling, warm the teapot with hot water.  Once the teapot is warmed, pour out the water and put in the tea leaves.  Use one teaspoon of tea leaves or one tea bag per cup of tea.  Place measured amount of tea in a tea sock, a basket infuser, or a disposable paper tea filter.  Metal should not be used.  No metal should touch the tea while it is brewing.  Once the water has reached its desired temperature, bring the teapot over to the kettle and pour the water into the teapot immediately.  (Boiling water drops in temperature the moment you lift it from the flame).  Cover the teapot with a tea cozy or place the teapot on a hotplate that is heated by a candle.

Always brew by the clock, not by the color.  Every tea has its own distinct character.  Different teas and herbal infusions require different steeping or infusion times.  White, green, and oolong teas steep for about one to two minutes while black and chai teas and herbal infusions steep for about three to seven minutes.  Steeping time also depends on several factors such as the tea family, the leaf size, and the amount of twist or roll in the leaf.  Most tea merchants include brewing instructions on their labels.  Every tea will taste better if it is "brewed rather than stewed."

Enjoy a fabulous cuppa,

Last four Seasonal Essentials!

12 Seasonal Essentials

THE FESTIVE SCENTS #9

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH #10

THE NATIVITY #11

THE CAROLS #12

Christmas simply would not be Christmas 

without these traditional accompaniments.

#9 - THE FESTIVE SCENTS

Of all our senses, it is our sense of smell that is believed to be the most powerful in activating memories of bygone times.  Little wonder, then, that many enjoy filling their homes with the scents of past childhood Christmases.  From generation to generation, we pass down a tradition of using clove-studded oranges, bundles of cinnamon, eucalyptus and the fresh smell of pine to set a magical olfactory ambience.

#10 - THE QUEEN'S SPEECH

On Christmas Day, people across the land stop their activities to tune into HM The Queen's traditional annual message to her subjects.  The time was chosen because in 1932 when King George V began the tradition, this was deemed to be the best time to reach most of the countries in the Empire live by shortwave radio from the transmitters in Britain.  Today, the speech is pre-recorded and shown on television, but the importance of tuning in remains as strong as ever for most.

#11 - THE NATIVITY

As a charming re-enactment of the birth of Christ, this event reminds everyone of the origins of this most important of Christian celebrations.  Earnest children dressed in makeshift costumes stumble through memorized lines, whilst adults hold their breath to catch every word, and parents smile or even shed a tear of pride.

#12 - THE CAROLS

Lilting lyrics are sung with gusto from door to door, around the piano or in church at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.  The compositions bring people together in musical nostalgia, and everyone has their favorite carol, be it We Three Kings, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen or Silent Night.

Thank you English Home!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

THE PUDDING

12 Seasonal Essentials

THE PUDDING - #8

Christmas simply would not be Christmas 

without these traditional accompaniments.

This rich concoction of alcohol-soaked dried fruits, citrus peel, nuts, suet and spices has long been the grand finale to the Christmas feast.  Home-made on Stir-up Sunday (the last Sunday before Advent), the pudding often conceals a silver coin (traditionally a sixpence), which is said to endow good fortune upon the diner who finds it within their portion.  The pudding is usually doused with brandy, whisky or rum, which is set alight to create a flaming spectacle before serving.

Thank you English Home!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.