The Emilie Loring Collection

Thank you, everyone, for joining us here for tea!

September 7

Our final installment comes from Emilie Loring’s home state of Massachusetts.

An Inspirational Tea in Massachusetts

Cindy writes: “Seven of us gathered around the tea table to celebrate Emilie Loring’s birthday and her writing career. Patti Bender’s biography and a stack of Emilie’s books were on the corner of the table amid the tea cups and sweets and right next to the guest of honor, my 93 year old mother, Pat, who is a voracious reader.

“Since not all of the guests knew each other, as hostess I had them go around the table and give us the story of their lives. We all listened, laughed, and admired the courage it had taken for them to get to this place in their lives. One guest said it was as if we were learning about the characters in a book.

“Some of us had read Give Me One Summer and I had some quotes planned for the time we would actually get around to our book discussion, but the party was to break up sooner than we expected.

“My mother was so pleased with our gathering and the women who had raised their teacups with her, ladies ‘who still believe in the Ten Commandments; the comfort and healing of prayer; in large doses of humor in their daily lives and the working and efficacy of the Golden Rule.’

” ‘Thanks for the lovely world, God,’ she whispered.”

“And thanks to you, Patti for getting us around the table together!”

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midnight EST, September 5

Our third installment takes us to Minneapolis, Minnesota and to Hinton, Oklahoma.

Emilie Loring Tea in Minneapolis

Nancy writes: Our tea turned into a full, delicious dinner including Jordan Marsh Company muffins!
Thinking of all of you EL fans worldwide!

With joy, 
The Isaacson sisters and daughters in Minneapolis, MN
Karen, Nancy, Lori, Kristi and Kari

Oh my, ladies, this looks like so much fun! Is each of you dressed as the character on your book? I love the cheerful colors and bright smiles! Extra points to you for including Happy Landings!!! Thank you!

Oklahoma Family Supper and Tea Party

Elizabeth writes: “I wanted to do something special since today was Emilie’s birthday. My husband Tim, Mom Leilani, sister Beverly, and Mother-in-law Virginia and myself were present.

“We did it as a supper tea since all of us had either work or appointments to be at earlier in the day.

“I served BLT sandwiches, Cowboy BLT sandwiches and Pimento Cheese sandwiches. I made a puff pastry with Brie that had a pear & cranberry topping (the recipe was in this months Victoria magazine). My Mom made her creamy potato salad.

“Dessert we kept simple with 3 different mini cookies and strawberries, blueberries, grapes and blackberries.Two of us drank tea, one had hot chocolate, and two had a Coke.”

“The flowers were from my garden and also store bought. I used our wedding china which is Noritake Amenity.”

“We all enjoyed it so much! I forgot to get a photo of us all together, but I did get photos of the table before we sat down to eat.”

Is anyone else getting hungry while reading this? What a sumptuous supper and tea for Emilie’s birthday!

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7:00 p.m. EST, September 5

In this second installment, we hear from Debi and Kate.

Two Birthdays to Celebrate!

Debbi writes: My sisters and I had our Emilie Loring tea this afternoon and we celebrated our Mother’s 98th birthday also on September 5th (she passed away in August 2023).  

She gave me my first Emilie Loring book on my 13th birthday and I still have all of my books – my favorite two – Keepers of the Faith and Rainbow at Dusk.  

Happy Birthday to Dorothy and Emilie!

Emilie’s Great-Granddaughter

Kate writes: “Happy Birthday, Emilie!  

“Celebrating her today with a chocolate raspberry pastry and fresh fruit, black tea, and in the background a beautiful watercolor painting by Emilie’s son Selden.  Setting aside some time to read Stars In Your Eyes or The Solitary Horseman!”

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2:30 EST, September 5

We start with the earliest time zone in our readership, Lichfield, England.

Next come my tea atop Blue Hill Mountain and my mom’s tea in our Wisconsin lake house. We did ours early, so I could be free to post your teas today!

Greetings from Lichfield, England

Pamela writes: “We shared a lovely Cream Tea in this village in the Midlands of England. 

“The indoor venue was on hand due to the rain clouds above. We didn’t mind, because it added to the nuance of the occasion.

“With the gaiety of the afternoon, we discussed and came up with the inevitability that our beloved Emilie will soon be taking the immortal William’s place in the annuals of literary genius!

“Thoughts?”

I’m smiling to imagine that conversation. Yes, it will have to happen! 🙂

Atop Blue Hill Mountain

Friends since kindergarten, Donna and I ascended the Blue Hill Mountain Trail and assembled our tea at the summit. It was a perfect day to make the hike–blue skies, seventy degrees, and a cooling breeze.

A passing hiker noted Emilie’s photo on the cover of Happy Landings and asked, “Is that someone who should be present but isn’t able to be?” Exactly!

We had a nice talk about Emilie, her connections to Blue Hill, and the books that best capture the local atmosphere. I love when these moments happen and new readers discover Emilie Loring.

Our tea tasted so good after the hike up–and what’s not to like about wild blueberries, cheese sandwiches, and chocolate eclairs? Another hiker sipped from her water bottle and said wistfully, “I wish I’d thought of that!”

Next time, we’ll take extras for sharing!

Tea with History Behind It

My mom, her caregiver, and my husband enjoyed tea inside our Wisconsin lake cottage. My Swedish great aunt made the hardanger-embroidered tablecloth, and the china plates, cups, and serving dishes belonged to my grandmother, who lived in the cottage before us. Mom’s enjoyment, at ninety-seven, is always a treat to see. Inspiring, don’t you think?

Also, whenever I use tea bags, I remember the observation of Emilie’s friends, Louise and Lizzy Hallett. When first they were given a cup of hot water with a tea bag in it, Louise observed, “Lizzy, I believe there is a mouse in my tea.”

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Keep those teas coming! I’ll announce on Instagram and our Facebook page when I update–or just check back this afternoon, evening, and tomorrow morning!

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