There's Nothing Like a Cup of Tea

There's Nothing Like a Cup of Tea...

Perfectly-Steeped

Charlotte’s Tea is a fund-raising event held at 1810 Carter House, Kingston, NB every August.  The tea is named in honour of a lady who was keen on history, loved desserts, and made a fine cup of tea! Charlotte Amelia Henderson Miller Fullerton was born on August 16, 1916, in Holderville.  She lived most of her life on the Kingston Peninsula and contributed generously to the local historical society.

Charlotte Amelia Henderson

Charlotte’s Tea features an array of delectable desserts lovingly prepared and served by local women. An extensive selection of specialty teas complements the wide assortment of sweets. Patrons are encouraged to come back for seconds… and thirds!

Extensive Array of Sweets

Charlotte’s Tea is brought to you by her peeps---daughters, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, nieces, grand-nieces, grand-grand nieces, son-in-law, neighbours, friends. That’s the crew behind the selling of tickets, the picking of berries, the baking of desserts, the sweeping of floors, the setting of tables, the steeping of tea, the washing of dishes, the laundering of tablecloths, the singing of songs, the laughing on the back deck. The list goes on.

Some of the Crew:

(Joan, Barb, Beth, Gail, Treva, Kathy)

Those of us fortunate enough to have known Charlotte, may recall some of her memorable sayings which reflect her character, values and wisdom. Every quote has a story, of course.


“Is that child hungry?” (Whenever she heard a child crying.)

Charlotte and Emily

 "There’s good in everybody."

Goodness

“Your tongue will hang you.” (Directed to some of her daughters...not mentioning any names...)

Daughters: Gail, Barb, Janet, Kathy

 “I don’t know what I would have done without my sisters.” (During a time of personal crisis.)

Charlotte and her Sisters

(Betty, Mary, Jean, Gladys, Charlotte, Margaret)

“Would you mind bringing in an armload or two of wood?” 

Filling the Woodbox

“If you can’t say anything nice about that person, don’t say anything at all.” 

Aesop and Charlotte

“You know where the molasses cookies are.”

Famous Cookies

“Let’s remember, we’re all immigrants.” (Commenting on controversy over refugees.)

Remember?

 “I’ll give you a quarter if you can find the…” (flashlight, flyswatter, telephone book, etc.) 

Lost and Found Reward: $.25

 “While you’re on your feet, would you mind…” (As her mobility deteriorated.)

Barb and Charlotte

“Things will be better in the morning.”

Bagheera and Charlotte

“The spirit’s willing, but the flesh is weak.” (As she aged.)

Matthew and Charlotte

  “Now, let’s all sit down and have a cup of tea.”

There's Nothing Like a Cup of Tea...

There’s Nothing Like a Cup of Tea

In our busy working day
Time just seems to slip away
Man, he works from sun to sun
But women’s work is never done.

Cleaning, sewing, making bread
Keeping our dear family fed
Toiling in the kitchen there
Full of worry, full of care—

How we long to stop a bit
Rest our bones and simply sit—

Chorus:
Oh, there’s nothing like a cup of tea
To bring us back to sanity
It’s a sign of such civility
To simply sip a cup of tea.

How bracing to sit in the afternoon
In a clean and polished and shining room
We lose our troubles as you can see
By brewing ourselves a cup of tea.

Words and Music by Carolyn Murray, 1984

Plan to join us next August at 1810 Carter House for Charlotte's Tea. 

...Until Next Time...