-A Re-Post of "A delightful Afternoon tea in the Park".

It was a delightful afternoon of tea in the park.

  I had to wear my new Colonial bodice to see how comfortable it will be in re-enactment. 
As you can see, with the right shoes, hat and Colonial accessories, the bodice will do quit fine.



Good Morning Sunday!

I love the way the Sun came through my bedroom window this morning. It made me get up and thank God for another day. I was feeling so sad yesterday and the snow did not help.
 It was quit early and I decided to enjoy a wonderful gift a dear friend from Jamaica sent to me. I wanted to wait for a special day to try it out. I think I will make this day special and enjoy it.
It was so delightful. It's a must try. She also sent me another treat that I will try tomorrow. I am a lucky girl!

An Enchanting Sleepover at the Hictoric Hearthside House.

First, I must tell you a little about the Hearthside House.

The Legendary Tale of Stephen Hopkins Smith

Popular folklore surrounding the construction of Hearthside states that in the early 1800’s, Stephen Hopkins Smith, a fellow in his 20’s, began to court a young lady from a “prominent Providence family”. Smith was a member of a noted Lincoln family that made its living in the local agricultural industry. Although he was a Quaker and lived the simple life, he circulated in the social circles, which is how he met the woman he set his heart on marrying. She was a little cautious about their future together though and told him that while he was an attractive man, she was looking for a gentleman suitor “of substantial wealth who could provide a lifestyle she was used to”. The Smith family was far from wealthy. But one day, in answer to his prayers, Smith won a lottery, netting him a jackpot of $40,000----an equivalent of $8.6 million by today’s standards.

Smith kept his winnings a secret, and schemed to build a breathtaking home to sweep “Miss Prominent” off her feet. Construction on Hearthside got underway in 1810 and was completed in 1814. Meanwhile the courtship continued. When the house was done, Smith took a horse and buggy and went to Providence and asked the girl to come with him for a ride. As they approached the bend of Great Road, the girl clapped her hands and said, “What a beautiful house, but who would ever want to live way out in the wilderness.” Smith was heartbroken. He drove her back to Providence and never called on her again. In fact, he never married. This story has been told through the years and even made it into the publication, Ripley’s Believe It or Not. It was referred to as the “Heartbreak House”, due to its rejection by the woman it was built for.

I, a women of Providence came to fall in love with this house. I dreamed of being that women who excepted his love and moved on to be the Mrs of this beautiful home. Being an adventurer of dreams, I became a docent and caretaker of this 200 year old historic mansion, who's ownership fell in the hands of the town of Lincoln.
An organization was formed strictly of dedicated volunteers, called "The Friends Of Hearthside" care and preserve this home.
This weekend, a few of these hard working volunteers had the pleasure and honor of enjoying some quality time with a sleepover in the house. What a true Victorian Experience!
Saturday evening we came together and enjoy a night cap of Champagne and good conversation.










Gentleman David enjoyed his pipe by the fire place, as Mr Talbot always did as the one of the owners in 1904. His photo is on the fireplace mantle.













While he was relaxing, Lady Margaret sit at her desk and wrote a letter to her beloved.

After poring myself a wonderful cup of Apricot tea, I retied to the  Ladies Polar  to enjoy being entertained by Sister Marline at the piano.

All accomplished young women had to learn to play the piano or some instrument of comfort.
We spent the whole evening enjoying each others company and the morning was quickly approaching. It was time to retire, so into our bed clothing and

  lock up for the night. David and I made sore the house was locked and all was well in Hearthside.!

I can say for all , we had a most enjoyable time which we did not want to come to an end!

The Importance of Tea Etiquette


It is my honor each year at the American Girl Doll Tea Event to be the guest speaker on the Taking of Tea Etiquette.

I enjoy giving etiquette lessons to young girls and their dolls at the Tea Party. It is so important to start them at a early age on the proper way to act in public with good manners and upbringings.

Daily Corset wearing!



You all know that I wear a corset all the time. Well, the funniest thing happen to me today. 
I went to the state office to drop some documents and set off the alarm. The officer was quite puzzled and asked me all kinds of questions. 
You would think I was a Victorian terrorist.
 
 So finally, I whispered to him that I was corseted and he smiled. He said he didn't know that women still wore those things. He respectfully waved me through.

Recapping the Year of 2014

Before the year is up, I would like to recap and highlight some memorable times.

Once again I have learned so much about myself and what I want for the future. I have been able to teach others and grow at the same time.  Folks have enjoyed my Victorian interpretation and have respected my style of life.
 I sent much happy and rewarding hours in research to find other amazing people with the same passion for the restoration of the historic lifestyle, as myself.
 I have meet so many new friends that have been very inspirational to my growth..

 I had a very wonderful year inspiring young girls to embrace the social graces that life has to offer. . Teaching them good manners, to be graceful and to respect their appearance is something that will be useful throughout their lives. It has been very rewarding to me as well as my family. This young lady is my new adopted grand daughter who has embrace history and it's lifestyle.

I would like to sent Christmas greeting to my faithful readers and  assure you more adventurous stories to tell you in 2015.


RE-CAPPING "What's Happening with Lady Estelle Tea corner....good bye to 2014


 These lovely photos are taken at the Downton Abbey Tea, hosted at the Historic Hearthside House in Lincoln, Rhode Island. ...I was Mrs P,




 These photos were at a young girls birthday party. It was on a very warm July afternoon in her back yard, I brought my tea sets, pots and everything needed to enjoy a summer's tea.




It was a great Year.

September Tea Travel

 I am happy to say my tea time travels are on it's way. I have decided to visit as many tea shops and salons as I can. Will be looking t...