After reading the book, SANDY'S TEA SOCIETY, and reading all the teaparties on the website, I decided to host my first teaparty! Not only my first teaparty to host but also my first teaparty to even attend!

I have the privilege to work for Sandy Clough at Sandy Clough Studio. Sandy and I both decided it was time to form a Sandy's Tea Society group in the area where we live. So, I volunteered for the job. I was very fortunate to be introduced to Rebecca Pemberton. She has always wanted to open a tearoom but has been unable to find a suitable location for this endeavor. With her knowledge of tea and her love of cooking, she was the perfect partner to help host a tea party. I, in turn, love to attend to the details of decorating and add the special touches.

The teaparty was planned for a Saturday morning in October and the menu would feature items that would make a nice early lunch. We invited both Rebecca's friends along with my friends. My 18-year-old daughter, Julie, also decided to join in and invite several of her friends, all seniors in high school, who had never attended a tea party before. She decided it would be fun to add a feather boa and antique hat to her dress to really get into the mood!

I decided to turn my family room into a "tearoom" by moving out the seating pieces and replace them with tables and chairs. We were expecting 17 people for the teaparty - a rather ambitious number for my first party! There were 3 separate tables covered with lace tablecloths and each set with a different service of old china. I filled old china pieces with fresh cut roses from Sandy's rose garden. A nametag was made for guests from a Sandy Clough pin with a ribbon attached to sign their name on. The theme of the Friendship Tea was "Make New Friends, keep the old, one is Silver and the other is Gold". I found this in the back of the Sandy's Tea Society book and decided it was so appropriate because of the mixed group. I made a bookmark with this verse for each guest and on the back was a spot where they could list the name and telephone number for their "new" friends.

After enjoying our tea, Sandy Clough spoke about Sandy's Tea Society and it's goal to have women take time for friendship. She explained the personalities of each girl in the book and how they are very much like each one of us. We had to each pick which character we would most identify with. We then enjoyed getting to know the ladies at our tables and filled out the bookmarks with the names of our new "friends".

Taking the time out for friendship and tea was most enjoyable and memorable! One of the things that I really appreciated about the tea was the fact that older and younger women attended, and our combined friends enjoyed splitting up at tables (not only at the table of the friend who had invited them). Also, it was wonderfulf that Julie and her friends were so open to a new experience with "older" ladies and were totally comfortable and natural. We are all looking forward to the next "tea party"!