Friday, 24 June 2011

Mad Hatter's Tea Party 2011


She felt a twinge in her back as she pegged out the sheets. From inside the house she could hear shrieks of laughter as the children were playing a game: based on previous experience it sounded like there would be much to clean up later. The wind brushed against her cheek and sent a lock of hair over her eye, and as she flicked it away the sheet fell. Fortunately there had been no rain recently, and the dry earth didn't stain the fresh laundry.

Although hanging out the washing took much longer than shoving it all into the tumbledrier, she always preferred to do it as it gave her a few minutes to herself among the flowers .The garden wasn't perfect, she could see clumps of weeds in every aspect, but it was pretty and slightly wild. There was always an air of magic out here, and today was no exception with birds singing and bees buzzing...in fact there was a very loud buzz just near her ear.
She flicked it away but it came back even louder.
"Shoo" she said.










The bees were insistent, it almost seemed as if they were talking to her.
"Come and play with uzzzz...come and play..."
Was it the bees? Or the echo of her children running in the garden.
"You never have time to play with uzzzz..!"
It must be her children, that was their constant refrain. She impatiently swiped at the bees - rather too violently, and hit herself in the face. "Idiot!" she labeled herself, and then felt a bit woozy: had she clouted herself that hard?  She slumped onto the grass and closed her eyes...and suddenly it went silent.
Ahhh...peace! she thought.
As quick as that thought ran through her mind the peace was broken. There was an even louder buzzing, almost as if hundreds of little raspy voices were shouting at her
"Open your eyes!"
She did, and gasped.
Instead of her garden she was sitting in what could only be described as a bee hive! She was surrounded by hundreds of bees. And opposite her...not a bee, but a man. A man in a hat.
"Felicitations, and cavalcades of joy!" he exclaimed.
"Pardon?"
"Salutations"
"Sorry, but where am I?"
"Oh, for goodness sake, lady, just go with the whimsy! No questions: only fun and merriment."
"I don't just go with things, I meticulously plan and consider situations. I have a checklist of things I need to do before I can even leave the house. I never consider whimsy, and I certainly do not act spontaneously !"

A bee appeared with a bowl of small cakes.


"Madeleine.." it buzzed.
"Go on!" said the behatted man. "They're very good!"
The impossible magic of the situation persuaded her to take a cake from a stranger. She placed the whole little treat in her mouth.
"Mmmm!" It tasted of rosebuds and Summer. She imagined she were growing very tiny, or maybe getting bigger, or was she just melting away? She ate four more!
















As she grinned a whole table full of cakes and dainties appeared in front of her.























"Dive in" suggested the man.
She looked at the delicious array in front of her. "Well, why ever not?" she said, and closed her eyes, grabbing the first thing her fingers touched: a lemon and raspberry muffin. It was quite delicious!





























"I know!" The man in the hat said, as if he could read her mind. "The best you have ever tasted?"
She nodded in agreement while her eyes settled on a honey cake.
"It's a little known secret, but the bees are the best bakers in the world!"










































And they certainly were - she tried each and every pastry, pie and sweet treat laid out in front of her, without ever feeling full.
Eventually the table was empty, and she lay back and sighed. The hum of the buzzing was sending her to sleep, and as she drifted away it seemed to take on a different tone...they were singing a lullaby for her.

Awaking with a start she found herself on the lawn, the children still raucously screaming, the birds still singing,   and the bees still buzzing.
"Ah well!" she sighed "Whimsy can't last for ever. Back to work!"
As she passed the dining room table, her arms full of sheets now dry, her eyes fell on an object that certainly hadn't been there when she went outside:

She retraced her steps to the back door, peeped out and whispered: "Thank you bees, until next year" and blew them a kiss.
xxx

You can spy on last years Mad Hatter's Tea Party here.

PS: There seems to be an awful lot of Mad Hatter's Tea Parties about today - you can find out why if you head over to A Fanciful Twist.

59 comments:

  1. Such a lovely tea party.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely party! I'm really gonna eat a lot of cake today. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. amazing party!!!! thanks so much for inviting me!!

    http://apinkdreamer.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-summer-party-in-pumpkinland.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my gosh, that's made a lovely start to a grey & rainy saturday morning. Beautifully written story & I want to eat every cake & desert. Yuuuuuum xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for letting me attend your lovely tea party.

    Your cakes all look gorgeous, I especially like the honey one though.

    We all need to remember to have a little bit of whimsy in our lives. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm a newbie here what a lovely blog you have!

    ReplyDelete
  7. OH goodness this party of yours is going to give me the most delicious dreams - I just know it!

    I hope to see you at my party for a spot of tea!

    Tabitha of
    http://pabkins.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a delightful party. Love all that you staged here. Your attention to detail makes a perfect party.

    I too have a party and gifts for all who visit. I do hope you can make it by!

    Follow this link: http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2011/06/tea-party.html

    Sweet day to you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the yellow and the bees! Thanks for inviting me over.

    http://pixiepages.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-tasting-extravaganza.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Natasha, your spontaneous trip to whimsy was delightful! Maybe I should hang sheets out to dry too! Beautiful photos and fun!
    Hugs,
    Terri
    http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh wow, love your post. you are a great story teller!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a beautiful Tea Party!
    Delicioso !mmmm
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  13. I certainly had a wonderful time at your tea party! The cakes were spectacular! Sorry if I lingered over them a bit too long. Thank you for your hospitality. Have a magical day! Twyla

    ReplyDelete
  14. You know I wish I had time to revisit last year's party, but I must buzz away. Please come visit and remind me. http://dogsmom.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/dreaming-madly-of-tea/

    Every detail was bee-vine (devine.)

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a clever twist on the tea party. I loved the story of the magical stolen moments and the bee treats look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a wonderful thread you have spun and lovely pictures, your sweets look so tasty.
    You are invited to join our first mad tea party and enter to win a door prize!
    http://exclusivelyyoursltd.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-mad-tea-party.html#comments

    ReplyDelete
  17. what a delicous tea party! the best bakers, indeed! with all that honey it's no surprise!
    thank you for a lovely visit
    cheers lisa

    ReplyDelete
  18. So sorry I am late
    For this important date.
    I'm still making my way down the list.

    With too little time
    I'm leaving this rhyme
    For I'm adamant about wanting to persist.

    All this running about
    Has left me dry in the mouth.
    Might I have a cup of tea?


    Your cakes of rose
    and those of almond
    Are so tempting to me

    Oh my, the time
    It goes so fast
    I must be on my way

    But fear not friend
    I shall return
    Please……Have a beautiful day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi!

    what a cute Mad tea party post!
    I love your decor and your madness!
    I have enjoyed your party very much!

    from so far away

    Visit me anytime...

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have enjoyed your party very much!
    Happy UnBirthday to You !
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna
    http://daylily777-myenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party.html

    ReplyDelete
  21. How bee-utiful theme!! Love it all, those sweets look soo yummy!! Impeccable fantastic decorations! Love love love that Bee Sign!!

    Thanks for inviting me to your bright Mad Tea Party :)!

    xo,
    Karla
    www.dreamaginarius.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello Natasha,Lovely Party,I had a wonderful time.Goodies were great.Please drop by and stay awhile if you like.Denise

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh my goodness, that is just too sweet!! I need to go to a party like that at least ONCE in my life!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I want to have whatever it is in those little jars with the cream! Yum!

    Have a mad party!
    Erin :)

    http://www.fairiemoon.typepad.com/weathertop

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is beautiful! I love bees. Your cakes are yummy! Thank you for the invite

    ReplyDelete
  26. Lovely and Delicious Tea Party. Glad I came over.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love this story and I definitely did embrace the whimsy and had a lot of fun :) The treats look delicious - especially those muffins!

    Thank you and thank you to the bees!

    I'm also taking part in the Mad Tea Party blog hop and hope that you'll visit my party to have some fun there too :)

    http://modernwomans.blogspot.com/2011/06/welcome-to-my-english-tea-party.html

    ReplyDelete
  28. I just love the bee theme!! And all those goodies look super yummy.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mad Bee Tea Party... ♥ it!

    ReplyDelete
  30. My what a lovely story! Thanks now it is time for a nap!

    Wende

    Visit me soon at
    http://creativeartseatables.wordpress.com/2011/06/25/mad-tea-party-with-a-southern-twist/

    ReplyDelete
  31. A very lovely story indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a lovely party, I had such a nice time with you and the bees! All of those treats look absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for inviting me :) ~Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  33. A beeautiful story to bee confronted with when I visited your party! Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I had a lovely time at your party. All the sweet treats were wonderful. So much to see and do with so little time. thank you for inviting me. Pleaase visit my Tea party at.
    momentsinaney.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Gorgeous treats! Love all the yellow treats! Thank you for inviting me to tea. I hope you'll visit my tea party as well.

    http://scrapvamp.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011.html

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ooh, such yummy treats! It is always nice to have a little moment of whimsy!
    Thank you for having me.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a wonderfully mad tea party with so many delicious treats to enjoy! Thanks for sharing, Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wow! A beautiful and yummy party post. Love your blog :) Hope you enjoyed the festivities!

    Roisin x

    http://childofdanu.blogspot.com/2011/06/running-behind.html

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh my dear I did make a pig of myself I fear! I just couldn't stop eating you see. Those cakes...those goodies...the smell...the icing...I could not stop myself from just being piggy. I had a good time. I hope you invite me again! *smiles* Norma

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your tea party was BEE-utiful!!!! Thanks for sharing all your yummy treats with us!

    Hope you'll pop on over for a visit with me!
    http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-mad-tea-party.html

    Thank you again for a lovely time...enjoy all the festivities!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your blog is such a delightment, and your Mad Tea Party, super lovely!! Loooooove the bee buzz!! Your treats look scrumptious! Thank you for being such a super yummy part of wonderland!! Warmest, A Fanciful Twist ;)

    ReplyDelete
  42. ohhh your party was all the buzzzzz and then some...love all the sweet treats they are all so delicious & devine...but the favorite of mine is the bEe, its as sweet as can bEe...have a honey of a night ~ sweet dREaMs! Marlene

    http://honeycombcottage2b.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ooooo! Your tea party and story was delightful!
    I must come again to your blog.
    Please come to my Mad Tea Party too, I am having three giveaways!
    Cheers!
    Teresa in CA

    ReplyDelete
  44. What a wonderful party! thanks for the invite. I'd love your recipes for those tiny cakes with powdered sugar, if you share are they almond?

    what a feast you made and a lovely table indeed!
    Please visit my party, I have a giveaway, that is right in with your theme a bit. :)
    Susan

    http://piecesoffatesusan.blogspot.com/2011/06/fanciful-twists-mad-tea-party-2011.html

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love this blog; it is so fanciful and imaginative and just delightful! Love, love, love.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great slice of whimsy in this post to have w/ my TEA...great party! http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-for-pink-saturday.html

    ReplyDelete
  47. oh, the yellow is so pretty i love love love the table setting and the story-how nice of you to give bees their due!

    i also learned the words "peg" and "tumbledrier" :)

    and i covet your tablecloth.

    this was a nice visit. happy mad tea partying!

    Rhonda Roo

    ReplyDelete
  48. Such a wonderful and magical to-do, thank you for inviting me over to share your tea and enchantment!

    Though I'm running tardy, I hope you'll come visit my party!
    http://thewhimsicalcottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/fawn-and-goat.html

    ReplyDelete
  49. what scrumptious treats! i wonder what are in the jars? honey yogurt, perhaps?

    ReplyDelete
  50. A party with the bees, that is a sweet thing, sweet like honey. :) A beautiful party indeed.

    If you get a chance, please come for a visit.
    http://fromthemindofalphabetsy.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011.html

    <3

    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  51. Those bees are, indeed, quite the sweets makers! I wouldn't have been able to help myself either...heehee!!

    Love the presentation....just gorgeous :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. A beautiful spread!! I totally enjoyed your party
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  53. mmmmmmmm se me ace la boca agua jejeje me gusta tu blog un beso te seguimos :D

    http://ohbambina.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  54. So sorry I am running late to your party. I have been following that crazy white rabbit and he has no idea of the concept of time!!

    Your food looks simply divine!! All the yellow yumminess is making me super hungry! And where ever did you find those cute yellow striped straws??!!?? Thanks so much for inviting me!!!

    XoXo,
    Kristal

    My party:
    http://stateofgracegoods.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-2011-jorney-to-gyspyville.html

    ReplyDelete
  55. Cute!! Thanks for having me! If you haven't already, be sure to stop by my party, too!

    http://58cherries.blogspot.com/2011/06/jump-down-rabbit-holea-mad-tea-party.html

    Nicki
    58Cherries

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am soo soo late, but thankyou for inviting me :)

    what a fantastically buzzy time I have had, and yummy cakes too:)

    I would love you to drop on by my party for some tea & cake :

    http://madame-mels.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party.html

    mad madam me :)

    ReplyDelete