Savannah Belle Martin, a phenomenal
woman she was. Mississippi born—a true Southern belle in mind as well as
spirit. She was Oklahoma bred, hospitable to a fault. She raised me, my
brother and my sisters in none other than Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
She was our grandmother. Aside from the normal rearage of
bestowing love and God-fearing discipline that was tempered with
understanding, she raised us with a twist—to appreciate the finer
things in life. What could be finer than the appreciation of the
time honored tradition of tea?
There we were, the typical youth, complete with knee scrapes,
bloodied noses, measles, homework, stickball, double-dutch, Marvel comics, boys and
Barbie—Savannah made time for the regimen of "tea".
Her tea socials were the talk of our old Philadelphia
neighborhood. Once a month her club members would gather at our home
to discuss whatever it was their club discussed (for the life of me
I couldn't say exactly). All the women were adorned in beautiful
hats, the season having a bearing on style—speaking the latest
gossip after the business at hand was discussed. Then there
was tea and more gossip. There would be quite a spread. The
beautiful Royal Doulton fine bone china and sterling silver in
Hope Chest baroque pattern made its way to the starched
linen laden dining table and sideboard upon which stood a regal
sterling silver tea and coffee service.
The mouth watering finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, petits fours, Devon cream,
lemon curd, marmalade, preserves, and other pastry delicacies were
served and very much enjoyed. My sisters and I had a part in the festivities dressed
in our Sunday best and serving. We loved every moment. My brother
loved the
leftovers. As the oldest girl, it was 'my job' to keep all the
silver polished to the highest gleam possible. Not one speck of
tarnish was to attach itself to any piece in Savannah's silver
collection—her china; not a chip, or there would be consequences!
You be the judge, look into those eyes!
My dear grandmother not only left me her beautiful china and
silver; she also bestowed upon me a legacy to continue the tradition.
Join me, tap into your anglophile, and keep taking tea!
Traditionally yours,
Sylvia
Emery
