My son and I have been taking tea.

Not every day. Not every week. Just every other once in awhile.

I was inspired to start this ritual by an article I read at Ambleside online.

We began looking for the necessary pieces. I found a blue floral teapot at a thrift store. Then I found little cups and saucers at a rummage sale.

We started looking at the tea when we went grocery shopping and picking out different flavors.

My son already loved tea. He and Grandma often visited and drank Earl Gray (What little kid likes Earl Gray?!)

A month or so ago, I found Christmas cups and saucers at the thrift store. Then I cleaned out some bins and found a creamer and sugar bowl.

So nothing matches and yet each individual piece is actually quite delicate and pretty. The best part is I have spent a total of $7 on all the pieces.

Every couple of weeks we have tea. Usually on Monday since that is our “whole day off”.

This past Monday, we had a Christmas tea. We tried Celestial Seasonings Gingerbread Spice tea (YUM!) We baked some quick bread and when it was ready we sat down to tea.

We sliced our warm bread. Put the kettle on and waited for a cheery whistle.

Little Boy set the Christmas tea cups on the table and chose a CD of Christmas carols to play. He dug the game Trouble out of the game cupboard and we were set.

The kettle whistled and soon the aroma of luscious tea filled the kitchen. We decided to add milk to the tea. It’s a bit spicy.

We munched on warm bread and played a rousing game of Trouble.

Lots of laughing. Lots of memories. Lots of nourishing of mother and son.

Christmas carols filled our home. Laughter filled our hearts. Tea filled our tummies.

I use these teas as a time to connect. A time to slow down and just be with each other. Of course they are also to teach manners.

There was a bit much slurping and belching this time.

“I can’t help it I’m a boy.” he told me. I decided to giggle with him. We’ll just work harder on manners next time.

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