The Little Girl is stirring in her room, and/but I’m determined to have a cup of tea all to myself before I say Good Morning. She and I had a good-enough visit at 4 a.m., so I’ll leave the cheery greeting to her Granddad, and steal a few more minutes to myself. Other than the wee-hours waking and a shocking abundance of energy, she’s a remarkably cheery and adaptable Two, and between the two of us and Daycare, we’re having a good week. I won’t pretend it’s not tiring and rather all-consuming, but we’re both happy to have her to ourselves and get to know her better (she lives in a different city than we do, so we don’t have the easy opportunities for visiting that we do with three of our Littles). Something I could never have done pre-Retirement (and I can see that for some, that’s a good reason to keep on going to the office! đ
The Fine Bone China mug, pictured above, makes me smile when I reach into the cupboard in my son’s new home (a charming post-war, with a large backyard just begging to be brought back to order, and apparently well-loved by the local deer — we hosted two yesterday afternoon). I bought two of these for him almost fifteen years ago. His sisters had all moved out of the nest, and his dad was working in another city during the week, so he and I had what I remember as some very special times. I would generally bring him a cup of tea to wake him for school in the morning — and he could cajole me into making his favourite breakfast sandwich a bit later — but he’d also often return the favour if he was up first (generally, I think, with a conviction that if he brought me the tea, I’d be awake to make his breakfast).
As I said, the mug is one of a pair. One was unofficially assigned to his buddy A., who stayed over on our little island fairly often. It used to amuse me to see these two young men sitting at the table with their botanic-design, Fine Bone China mugs in the morning, tea grannies the both of them.
And it charms me no end to be in his kitchen now, to spoon out the loose tea that he’s bought specially for our visit, a smoky variety because he knows we like that, to brew up a satisfying cuppa, pour it into a mug with a bit of history, and defiantly, slowly sip the last of its bright, aromatic heat as a high-pitched voice chatters away to her Granddad in another room.
But even a stubborn Nana has to admit defeat eventually. Bottoms-up, and the mug is empty. Someone and her Bunny have come in to tell me a story. You and I can chat soon, okay?
All the little moments that link here and there, now and then….
Exactly…
I can just see your son sitting with that cup…
đ
A very sweet story well told. Enjoy your visit. Mary
Thanks Mary.
My husband and I laugh every time they say in the British TV shows on PBS, "I'll put the kettle on," or "Would you like a cup of tea." Seems to quaint to me, but apparently it's a thing. And tea for breakfast? Incomprehensible!
It's very much a thing with me, something I was brought up with (my dad grew up in north-coastal Yorkshire, and missed bringing my mother a morning cup of tea in bed on very few mornings of their married life). From my perspective, it's difficult to see the reason for amusement, but I don't mind being quaint if I get to have my morning tea đ
What charming memories! I'm sure they somewhat made up for the 4 am pow wow!
Almost. . . đ
Such wonderful memories, and now you're making new ones with the next generation. Retirement is agreeing with you!
Two-year-olds are exhausting, especially for grandparents. The upside is that they are so adorable. Love the story about the mugs.
Yes, thank goodness she's cute!
Oh,sweet memories :-),"petit madeleine"disguised in a beautiful cup
Dottoressa
Don't you find that those "petites madeleines" exist everywhere these days, and often where you least expect them and in surprising forms!
A charming cup & charming memories . Yes Anita , tea is rather a ritual here . I love all the teapot , milk jug ,sugar bowl , cups & saucers of it & in bad times it occupies us to put the kettle on . Can't bear the taste myself though – coffee every time for me đ
Wendy in York
Oh dear! Are you sure you just haven't found the right blend yet? I sense all my ancestors stirring in graves across the ocean to read these words!đłđ. In fact, of my four, only two still drink tea, and one of those two saves it for the afternoon or evening, preferring coffee in the morning. And the other drinks Green Tea more often than black. . . .
Ha ha , my dad was almost obsessed with tea of all varieties & eventually gave up on me . On visits to tea drinking aunties my hubbie had to down my tea too – stealthily- so as not to offend !
đ
Ahh — but the reverse of those 4am night interruptions will be the relief and bliss of bedtime next week when you climb in happy in the knowledge that you don't have to sleep with one ear open!
Love that memories are evoked by such pretty and ladylike mugs — I should have thought of that years ago as my son's equivalent is a solid red mug proudly displaying his allegiance to the Arsenal football club!
Hope you have a wonderful visit.
Ceri in London.
Yes, that's true, Ceri, although I'm not new-mom-exhausted, so not quite tired enough to be able to get back to sleep. This morning, she slept "too long" and I was anxiously awake between 4 and 6 wondering if she was alright, but not daring to disturb a sleeping babe…. (and yes, I'm secretly pleased I snuck the "pretty" mug in, early days. . . )
All-consuming is about right. A 4 am interlude does somehat draw on the energy bank for later in the day. We haven't offered overnight care yet. Kudos to you and Pater for being up for it! I think you did well to finish a cup of tea in solitude! I hear a voice calling, 'Where's Grandma?' as soon as she arrives and have quickly realised that no room is too small for a companion to join me for a running commentary.
I think I was very lucky to manage that solo cuppa — this little one is actually quite content to accept Granddad's company if I'm busy, and I've decided the ego's not bruised at all by that đ I can listen to the running commentary from another room.
Sweet and adorable post! I am up at 4am, too, but due to insomnia, not a precious two-year old who needs cuddling.
Love that you share these real moments.
Charlene H.
Hope you manage to settle back into a good sleep routine. You've had many interruptions of late with your travels and now with concerns about a little one's surgery. Take care.
Very truly lovely.
I could easily drink my morning cup of Lapsang from a pretty cup such as that one. Glad you're enjoying your visit đ
Pearl
Ooh, you like the smoky stuff as well (although I don't do straight Lapsang until later in the day — we drink Murchie's Russian Caravan, smoke amplified with a bit of Lapsang, in the morning. . . and with milk)
I've been a fan of the smoky stuff since I first tasted it in Murchie's Queen Victoria blend. I need to get some more Lapsang soon; perhaps I'll pick up some Russian Caravan as well…
The Littles are always such fun to hear about. I have an image of the two young men with their fine bone china.
it still makes me chuckle, Mme.