Thursday, September 15, 2011

A Mad Tea Party

Do you ever feel as if you are in the midst of a MAD TEA PARTY? 


Sometimes the demands of work, school, kids, traffic, entertaining, money, chores, and errands jumble our heads as if we were the flamingos the Queen used for croquet mallets in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 

 "Off with her head!"
~The Queen of Hearts

When life pulls us in each and every direction, we can't help but crave some peace and rest.  

 "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
~The White Queen

Don't get me wrong, I think a mad tea party would most definitely be an exciting event to attend... but lately I find myself craving a quiet little tea party with only one person on the invite list.  

 "Who in the world am I?  Ah, that's the great puzzle!"
~Alice




I just finished reading a biography on Lewis Carroll, who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. 


Lewis Carroll's real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson.  As a teacher, clergyman, poet, author, mathematician, and photographer, he was truly a fascinating man of the Victorian period.  The biography is called The Mystery of Lewis Carroll by Jenny Woolf in case you would like to check it out.  It was an interesting and educational read, and I definitely recommend the book.  


In recent years, I have become more interested in Alice and its author, perhaps because I feel I can relate to the unexplained chaos of Wonderland.  

"We're all mad here." 
~Cheshire Cat


Tonight, I have the house all to myself... I think I will heat up the kettle, and make myself a warm cup of chai tea ;-)

If you are interested in hosting your own MAD TEA PARTY, there is a great article in the Halloween edition of Better Homes and Gardens magazine that gives loads of clever and quirky ideas.

"Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it's getting!" 
~White Rabbit

~Jess

30 comments:

Cheryl said...

I have always found Alice in wonderland sooo confusing, which got me thining when I read your post, yes you are right the mad tea party, the confusion the jiggly, wiggly way the story goes is exactly how our lives get.

Becky said...

I agree with Cheryl up there,lol.Maybe if I read about the author I will get a better idea for the story line.

I love magazines much more than books.I like the variety of them.I will check out the Better Homes and Gardens,I like reading articles about the fall holidays.

Happy Weekend to you!

Deidre said...

I loved Alice in Wonderland, but never really got that into Through the Looking Glass.

Have you read The Room - one of the only books that Jack has in it is Alice. It's fascinating to see his interpretation of it.

georgia ~ gi gi said...

Happy Friday Sheri :)
I do hope you will have a nice relaxing night and enjoy your tea.
ps, I will look forward to your dog post :)
xo
gi gi

georgia ~ gi gi said...

oh and I love your Cheshire Cat cup, so cute!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Thanks for telling us about the magazine. I will definitely look for it! Your post is so cute, and I do believe that I am in touch with your emotion here!!!

Elaine said...

A mad tea party.. Alice in Wonderland was a favorite.. loved the painting the rose red bit.
Love the cup

Uniquely Ella said...

I always loved Alice in Wonderland. Enjoy your tea.
xxx

Beatnheart said...

Great of you to keep us informed and looking at things we perhaps wouldn’t..
Thanks for your welcome visit

BeautifulDees said...

Yes a mad tea party is what is seem's at time's.We all need to stop and rest sometime's and it is okay.
Thank you for your dear comment...it made my day.
Love,Debbie:)

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Sheri,
Love your mad tea party and I can so relate for the past month. My days are all running together and I am busier then I can say since vacation.
I love Alice In Wonderland and I would enjoy to read about the author. Thank you for sharing this. Your pic with the stacked cups is awesome. I can see this as an art print.

Hope you are enjoying your evening to yourself with chai tea. Sounds perfect.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Unknown said...

I saw the magazine! i wanted to buy it...LOve their ideas...the BEST. Loved your post. Love Alice :)
Happy week end!
Xo

Cindy Adkins said...

Wow, that is so interesting!! and I love your pictures. I closed down my Whimsical Musings Magazine (by accident!) and don't know how to get it back. But, Cindy Adkins Whimsical Musings is still up and running!!
Have a great weekend and Happy Pink Saturday!

xo
Cindy

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Oh I just LOVE me some "Alice in Wonderland!" I had always told myself that I'd love to throw a "Mad Tea Party" just for fun. ;) But yes, you are right - life can be like a "mad tea party" with all the chaos...especially if you live in a big city like Los Angeles! lol Love this post - always loved Lewis Carroll & his story about a little girl lost through the looking glass... Hope you and your girls have a marvelous weekend!!!


XO's,
Jessie

Kim-A Creative Spirit said...

Thanks for popping in over at A Creative Spirit.....

I love all the quotes and the lantern picture made me smile. I love bright colored lanterns.

Unknown said...

Love your coffee mug! Hope you had a relaxing time home lone. I was home alone also and it was wonderful!

Unknown said...

I'm just having a cup myself! :) Sometimes my whole life seems like a mad tea party! :P You just have to take a break. Enjoy the moment.

~Liz

lvroftiques said...

I'm glad to hear you got some of the quiet down time you were craving. I loved all of Alice's adventures, and I'll be looking for the biography on Lewis Carroll. Life certainly has been a wacky tea party lately! *winks* Vanna

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Sheri,

I SO AGREE WITH YOU..after coming from a totally splendid summer off, going back to the whirlwind of the classroom and education system is hard on MY SYSTEM and all I want to do is have my own tea party......I SO AGREE.

Thank you for coming to see my AUdreys. I don't know how I will launch off my wares during this busy school year, but I guess I do it little by little..I need a TEA BREAK!!!!!

PEACE! Anita

Denise Adorian said...

So nice to meet you,thank you for visiting me and your comments.Your post is darling and interesting.We seem to have alot in common.Love to be your new follower.Thank you for asking.-Denise

Red Rose Alley said...

Deidre,
I have not read Room, but I just read a review, and it sounds really interesting! Thanks, I will have to read it.
~Jess

Mapi said...

Hello Sheri

What a lovely surprise leaving me a message on my blog. Thank you for your nice words.
Hope to hear from you again, you have a lovely blog too.
Sending you some Dutch love
Mapi

Becky said...

Hi Sheri!Well thanks a bunch for liking my blog.I appreciate it.have a great new week you and the girls.

Daniella said...

There are several people who host Mad Tea Parties in blog land. Maybe your other comments tell you this too!! I don't know where they are exactly, but I will tell you as I see them if you want?
You post is adorable!! so are all 3 of you!!
xxDaniella

Karen said...

Hi Sheri,
very cute post. Alice in Wonderland is such a memorable book to me. Thanks you for reminding me of that.
Best to you,
Karen

Vær våken said...

Hi! What a great post! I think I prefer a quiet little tea party myself :) Thank you sooo much for putting me on your favourite list. That is so sweet of you...and makes me happy! Have a BEAUTIFUL day, my friends!

Love, Kristin

Anonymous said...

I love this, Sheri, it put an instant smile on my face. I recently watched Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp, listening for every inspiring quote. Did I mention I love to collect them? Couldn't agree more with The White Queen. ;) Oh, and I too lean toward a quiet tea party but sure would love to enjoy a mad one, especially with my favorite bloggy neighbors such as yourself. ;)

Enjoy a marvelous Monday!
Marcia

Red Rose Alley said...

Daniella,
Yes, please let us know if you come across any other "Mad Tea Party Bloggers". I would love to read about them!
~Jess

magie said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a lovely comment :)

I love Alice in Wonderland..I find it so magical to read. I especially love the mad tea party bit. I will have to see if I can find the book 'The Mysteries of Lewis Carroll' in the library..it sounds like a very interesting read.

Enjoy your cup of tea (very cute Cheshire cat mug by the way!!).

I'll be back to visit your blog again :)

GardenOfDaisies said...

It is nice to be able to escape the reality of this crazy world with a nice hot cup of tea and a favorite magazine or good book.