Tea time

I'm sitting here tonight...far later than I should still be awake.  I've gotten in the habit, somewhat, because the new job requires me to be up later.  Most days, when I get home from work, I am still a little too amped up to sleep right away.  So...much later nights.

But tonight, part of it is that I just don't want to go to bed.  I don't want this family holiday to be over.  My oldest, Schmoops, has been home since Sunday night.  Tomorrow she goes back to 'school', and back to her host family, until the week before Christmas.  I know it won't be a long time, but it has just been so nice having her at home with me, I don't want it to stop again.  She and I are just so...in step with each other.  We know what the other needs before either of us has to ask.  We work well together, and we have even more fun together.  I just miss that time.  I know that, as she continues with the program she's in, and as she continues to be more and more independent, that time is going to be less frequent and more precious...like right now, when I just want to be near her.

I've become interested in the idea of tea lately.  I think...while coffee does have some of the same ritual associated with it...tea is altogether different.  Coffee, you want done quickly.  You need to get the caffeine into your system, and you don't want to sit around and wait for it to be ready.  Yes, you can have nice chats over a cup of coffee, but really?  It's not a 'slow down and pace yourself' kind of drink.

Tea, on the other hand, is a wholly different thing.  If you are really a tea die-hard, there is the process of warming the pot, putting the tea leaves into the tea ball while you heat the water, steeping the tea in the boiling water, and then, pouring it into the readily prepared pre-warmed pot.  There are fine china cups, tea cakes, cubes of sugar and lemon or cream.

Tea is just...an elevated event.

I've been looking for a place around here that does high tea - and it's not easy to find.  There is a place that does a version, but not exactly what I'm looking for.  I'm thinking more on the line of Russian Tea Room...high tea...truly getting dressed up and taking the time to truly relax and enjoy.

Maybe I'm just looking for life in general to return to that place...one of relaxed, easy conversation.  Tradition.  Ritual.

Maybe I'll find time for a little getaway somewhere that DOES have a tea room...just me and the Schmoops.  Right now, that sounds like the best 'getaway' ever.  Well...at least since 2006.