At Home With Friends

Teatime
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Getting out and about to pay afternoon calls on one's friends and social connections was a pleasant duty for Victorians.
Hostesses, on their "at home day" were sure to provide a cake, sandwiches and of course tea. Guests supplied polite chatter and, just possibly, a scintillating bit of gossip!

Now that calling cards are a thing of the past and friends connect through email, we tend to look back on those stuffy parlour formalities with amusement. And maybe some envy?

Imagine having time just to sip and visit and nibble, to catch up on the doings of sons and daughters? So why not borrow the best of an old custom and annouce your own "at home afternoon?"

Simply get out pretty teacups and those little linen napkins you rarely use. Then brew the tea and light the candles. Friends are coming to call.

I copied these paragraphs from a book (I can't remember which one!) a few months ago.
Do you have a friend that you could invite over for a visit this week? Maybe someone you've known for a long time or someone you've been wanting to get to know better.

The print can be found at www.art.com