I don’t remember exactly how old I was or the
name of the store. I don’t know what I was doing there or who I was with or
what I was wearing. I have no idea what time of the year it was. How’s that for
an auspicious beginning to explaining where the setting for a book came from?
Well, better
than you’d think. No, wait, I’m the author, so I’ll be a little less arrogant
and say more logical than you’d think. (This is still arrogant, to tell the
truth—logic and I are enemies from way back.)
The place in
general was a big department store in Indianapolis, and the place in particular
was a tearoom. I had lunch there. I don’t know what I ate or drank, but I
remember the clink of shiny, unspotty flatware against thin china with gold or
silver around its rims. I remember that the waitress—who wore a starched and attractive
uniform—held up a pie plate as a shield against splashing when she poured hot
beverages into pretty cups that fit women’s hands. I remember real cream in
glass pitchers and ice tinkling in sparkling glasses of water with slices of
lemon in them. I remember cloth napkins and table covers, though not what color
they were.
I
remember—and here’s the logical part—how I felt when I was there. I was a
country kid who was happy to be one. Elegance had had no part in my life and it
wasn’t anything I’d missed. But I liked that hour or so of thin china and crisp
linen napkins and quiet socialness. Elegance. It created a restful place in my
tempestuous adolescent soul that I went back to time after time over the years.
When Lucy
Dolan’s rusty blue van broke down in front of the Victorian house belonging to
the woman she’d driven to Taft, Indiana to visit, it was the last straw. If Lucy
had been the pulling-her-hair-out and wailing “why me?” sort, she’d have done
just that. Instead, almost before she knew it, her restaurant experience
combined seamlessly with Gert Taylor’s business savvy and Tea on Twilight was
born. The tearoom had cloth napkins and table covers, thin china, shiny
flatware—sound familiar? It had, in the little river town, just a touch of
elegance.
But then
Boone Brennan, Gert’s oh-yeah-gorgeous nephew, comes to town for the summer,
and he’s not at all sure how he feels about tearooms. Or about Lucy Dolan.
Jar
of Dreams will be released by Carina Press on January 14. It’s
available for pre-order at
http://www.amazon.com/Jar-of-Dreams-ebook/dp/B00A22UVXC
or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jar-of-dreams-liz-flaherty/1113832196
or http://ebooks.carinapress.com/9FAA186B-F22E-4C59-B2B2-DB2848E16899/10/134/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=10728942
To celebrate the release of this book I
truly love and hope you do, too, I’m giving away a cup and saucer to one
commenter. All you have to do—aside from leaving your email address—is answer
this question. (I know, there’s always a catch, isn’t there?) What do you consider a touch of elegance?
***Liz's winner is Pat Cochran! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing information. Thanks!***
***Liz's winner is Pat Cochran! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing information. Thanks!***
Sipping tea from pretty china cups is definitely elegant, I always thought that wearing a little black dress and grandma's pearl necklace while doing so was too :D
ReplyDeleteOh, me, too. Love the little black dress. I've never had one, but have had a multitude of tailored black skirts!
DeleteOops my email is: devapajo (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteSipping tea from china is elegant but also having linen napkins and fancy napkin rings. Serving the tea in a china tea pot.
ReplyDeleteDebby236 at gmail dot com
I love the china tea pots, too, and my mother-in-law collects them!
DeleteElegance is dressing with style that is yours alone and is unique and special.No sloppy attire nor unkempt appearance. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI think special is the most important criteria in elegance.
DeleteA touch of elegance to me means being treated with consideration and kindness and being taken out for a lovely afternoon latte and pastry to a wonderful cafe in Europe. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely.
DeleteA touch of elegance to me was sipping single malt whiskey from cut crystal glasses that were shaped like thistles. The glasses were heavy, felt wonderful to hold in the hand, and were from Scotland. I loved the experience and purchased a set in later years.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Oh, that's wonderful--I'd love to see the glasses!
DeleteElegance is having a wine waiter opening a bottle of bubbly and pouring it into a crystal wine glass. The table set with real chinaware, real silverware, and table linens. Not affordable on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteWhen I want to treat myself on a more regular basis, I bring out my china teapot, tea leaves, tea strainer and china cups and saucers. Pure bliss. Brings back lots of memories of tea at my granny's place. She used to read tea leaves for us.
Oops ~ kaeleetwo @shaw.ca
DeleteHappy New Year!
I think treating ourselves is important.
Deletelinen napkins, soft music playing, china cups/saucers...
ReplyDeleteMmmmm...
DeleteHaving manners is at the top of the list for me. It all starts there.
ReplyDeletelenikaye@yahoo.com
I like that.
DeleteA touch of elegance for me is a strand of pearls or diamond studs to complete my outfit.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
Pearls are just...nice. Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteI have a similar memory but it was the tearoom at Lazarus in downtown Columbus. I went with my mother to meet my Aunt Bernadine for high tea. I remember wearing a dress, shiny black shoes and gloves. All the ladies had gloves and hats. That was elegance, at least in the eyes of the small girl I was then.
ReplyDeletecarolyncam2001@aol.com
Me, too. I went to a funeral with my sister-in-law once. She wore a hat and gloves and even though she was the only one there who did, she was also the most elegant.
DeleteHi Liz,
ReplyDeleteWe have a tearoom is town called The Ruby Pear. It is where I first saw a tea cozy in use. :) Good luck with your release. Was this the Pickle Jar one?
Elegance for me is having your car door opened by your husband, and being patient enough to wait for it. :)
Hi, Morgan! Yes, it's the pickle jar one, and thank you. :-) I like it when Duane opens doors for me, too.
DeleteWearing a dress and stockings. Heels. Setting the table with my fine china and china cups and crystal goblets. Linen table cloth and napkins. And did I mention I'd even wear a dress and stockings?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Jackie L.
joyfuljelat(((gmai)))dotcom
Hi, Jackie. I so seldom wear dresses and heels anymore, and I really don't know why--other than the whole pantyhose thing. :)
DeleteI love a placemat and napkin for a picnic. A nice hat can also add classic elegance to a shopping trip or a church dinner. I love dressing up for elegance.
ReplyDeleterrbcpa at bellsouth dot net
I've always thought cloth napkins at a picnic were nice--kind of decadent in an elegant way. :-)
DeleteIn an unusual twist, I attended three events which had touches of elegance that surprised and delighted me. I could become very attached to exquisite, shiny ice sculptures, waitresses in black delivering appetizers from a tray, and men in tuxedoes helping me into black stretch limousines. Who knew? :)
ReplyDeletecathy underscore shouse at yahoo dot com
Hi, Cathy. I could deal with all those things!
DeleteA touch of elegance that means the most to me would be soft romantic music playing in the background. I love joining a friend for a good cup of tea and conversation. Followed by a little chocolate mint. Mmmmmm.... Good memories. Congrats on your book.
ReplyDeletegrandmabkr at yahoo dot com
Uhmmmm...chocolate mint. Thanks, Brenda!
Deleteelegnace? Snort. What's that? I DID used to collect cups like these, though. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteI think the cups are elegant. Also think a mane flying on a running horse is. Don't you, D? :-)
DeleteNo need to enter me in the contest. I just wanted to say the book sounds fantastic. I preordered!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda--what a great thing to read on New Year's Day!
Deletea lace tablecloth & linen napkins always adds a special touch.
ReplyDeletesallans d at yahoo dot com
Lace tablecloths bring back memories. My grandmother always used them, covered with protective plastic sheeting!
DeleteThere's a teahouse that my mom, sisters, and I go for special occasions. I love the elegance and the peaceful atmosphere there. I've even got Jordan hooked and Kristen is finally coming for my birthday at the end of the month. I think every young lady should experience an English-style tea at least once in their life.
ReplyDeleteThey're kind of addictive, too!
DeleteA touch of elegance for me is a spa day (massage, manicure, pedicure) followed by some time in natural hot springs topped off by White Pear tea. So rejuvenating!
ReplyDeleteAh, Marian. Sounds delightful!
DeleteGrace and style that shine through. This is true for whatever the subject may be.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
They do, don't they, Mary. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI so remember going to the Ayres Tearoom with my Auntie Marge--we both wore dresses and white gloves and hats. Thanks for stirring up that memory, Liz, and for what's it worth, if you can get back to Indy--the Tearoom still exists in the Indiana State Museum. It looks just as it did when we were kids and they still serve tea in the fine china from our childhoods. I'd love to go with you!
ReplyDeleteOh, Nan, we should do that!
DeleteOne of the highlights of senior year for
ReplyDeleteall JDHS Carlton Cadettes (drum & bugle
corps) was the Spring Tea at the home of
the school's counselor, Mrs. Carlton. For
us, it was the epitome of elegance. It
was Sunday best wear, hats, white gloves,
finger foods, and fine china. It was ab-
solutely stunning!
Pat, it sounds like such a great memory!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. I love Tea Rooms and I collect vintage Tea Pots . There is just something so elegant about having tea and going the whole nine yards. Tea Service, lace tablecloth and antique silverware etc. My 25 year old daughter drinks her tea in a beautiful tea cup and says she loves the "fancy feeling" of it.:)
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I agree with your daughter, Carol. Even though I more often use a mug, I love the fancy feel! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteA touch of elegance is candles and crystal. I love this conversation and the books looks awesome. Can't wait to read it. kkakins at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karla. I love candles!
DeleteWearing a beautiful hat to a function does it for me. You just feel 'different'...and it makes people wonder why you are wearing one.
ReplyDeletepepper.phillips@yahoo.com
Oh, yes, it does, but they're very respectful of it, too!
DeleteA touch of elegance is wearing gown and high heel :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, very!
Delete