Hello and welcome dear Wonderland guests.
I have a tale for you.
Of course it is true, and real to be sure, but some things you simply must see to believe…
You see, grown Alice woke up one day to a memory deep in her heart.
A memory of a place so magical, she was certain she had been there at least once before.
She remembered it the way one recalls a dream, in flashes of visions and feelings that seem so ardently real.
And so, she set out to the place where it all began…
A picnic under a big tree, where she read books and dozed.
Memories began to flood back…
A table, a certain time…
But what to do, when both clocks stop at a completely different hour?
She recalled stacks of plates and teacups, as she began to dream once again.
What was this place, she wondered?
And why did it beckon her so deeply, as though it was where she was meant to be?
She took one last sip of tea on her delightful picnic…
And sat back to watch the shapes of the clouds drift by.
She felt her eyelids getting heavy, and right away she was taken back to those vague memories, of that place of utter enchantment.
But, no sooner had she started to doze off, when she heard a rustle in the shrubs.
She turned her head slowly, and saw a bottle and a key strewn about.
Oh my she thought, I have indeed been here before!
She had never been more sure of anything in her life.
Although her memories were from her childhood, she stepped back into the moment as though it was today.
She was sure she had seen this Drink Me concoction before.
As she sat up dazed and in complete wonder, a white rabbit emerged from his burrow.
She could hardly believe it!
It was at that moment that her mind became flooded with with vivid images.
She knew just what to do.
She took a sip from the bottle and grabbed the key.
And just like that, she went right back in!
Crawling carefully through the rabbit hole, and then slowly falling, like a feather…
Her dress billowed in the air, and when her feet touched the ground -
She knew it had been this place she had been dreaming of all along.
She pinched her arm to make sure it was real, a grown up Alice, returning to that place buried in her most fantastical dreams.
Wonderland!
Yes, that was it, that is where she had been before.
Up the little hill and through the garden, a Mad Tea Party was in full swing.
Everyone was there, with laughter and endless tea pouring.
Oh hello Alice, why yes, hello Alice! Said everyone.
We've been waiting for you, where have you been? They asked.
Well, I'm not quite sure, said Alice.
Then she went on to say, rather quickly and awkwardly –
I do know that I grew up you see, and it's been many years since I've been here.
I was out for a picnic and taking a nap, when the white rabbit appeared with a potion for me to drink, and…
Wait there, said the Mad Hatter!
You have not been gone for more than 3 minutes Alice, of what do you speak?
Yes Alice, of what do you speak, asked everyone at the table.
Alice knew, she was in a place where dreams and magic never end, where time stands still.
And so, she smiled and said, oh yes yes you are correct!
It was perfectly clear then…
She had stepped right back in –
Could it be that she was, Alice in Wonderland?
She knew by now not to ask such silly things in this place of magic.
So, she grabbed a seat and a big beautiful tea cup, and asked you and you and you to join her once again.
And here you are!
She knew not to question the happenings of Wonderland, but to enjoy being here instead.
Please, take your cup, and have a sip…
A deliciousness unimaginable shall grace your lips!
One lump or two?
Tea and milk will always do!
It is always time for a Mad Tea Party, wouldn't you say?
And more importantly, how do you do?
There were the most exquisite teacups stacked so high –
And treats that would melt in your mouth.
A spoonful of magic helps the medicine go down you say?
Oh but wait, that is another fairy tale altogether.
In Wonderland you can drink the stars!
Twinkle twinkle little bat…
Just make sure you never lose your way through the Looking Glass, I say dear girl!
It was a tea party feast, everyone was happy, and time was no matter.
They felt content and fulfilled, with a joy only a child can feel.
They laughed at absurdities and embraced everyone's differences.
Nothing matters here, but the trueness of one's heart you see.
As golden hour descended upon the party…
Fireflies twinkled in the trees.
Alice did not want to go, and continued to wonder to herself, how she would ever get back here?
She asked around, does anyone know?
The magic was so beautiful, she did not want to have to let go.
However, she felt herself feeling so tired again.
She had eaten far too many treats.
She rubbed her eyes, and searched for her watches…
What time could it be?
And then she realized, she was back at her picnic under the tree, where this all began so many years ago.
She felt utter joy in her heart, because she got the one answer she had been searching for her whole life.
The question she carried with her since the last time she was here.
The question of her heart being…
How do you get to Wonderland?
The White Rabbit, March hair and Mad Hatter (even the mouse) shouted the answer to this question when she asked them.
How do you get to Wonderland you ask?
Why dear girl, all you have to do is BELIEVE!
And so you see, the Mad Tea Party and all of its magic is always there for you.
When you are a child it is easy to believe, then you grow up.
But, one day your grown up self becomes in touch with that child-like place deep in your heart again.
And that, that is how you can always get back to Wonderland dear friends.
It's all up to you!
Allow yourself to dream and believe.
Of course, I know you do if you are here my fellow dreamer.
And so, Mad Tea Party 2021 is my gift to you!
Stay as long as you'd like, get comfortable and have seconds and thirds of everything.
Stay all day, stay all weekend, come back any time.
We are here to enjoy each other's company kindred friends!
Speaking of…
Below is a list of all our friends who are hosting their own little event.
Please visit them, tell them I sent you.
Lots of LOVE!
Vanessa
Thank you for being my guest and for believing!
The party shall continue throughout the weekend, I shall post fun videos and other tidbits over on Instagram.
Mad Tea Party Participants
(blogs and Instagram accounts)
Please give everyone a chance to post throughout the day
Vanessa | A Fanciful Twist (@afancifultwist) • Instagram
bobby pin bandit (@bobbypinbandit) • Instagram
Delights of the Heart (heartsdelights.blogspot.com)
Marilyn (@marilyntea) • Instagram photos and videos
Sarah (@moonforeststudio) • Instagram
Betty https://gossamertearoom.blogspot.com/
Betty (@gossamertearoom) • Instagram
https://ziglernews.blogspot.com
Mary – Home is Where the Boat Is
SHERRY'S CABIN – Blog (sherryscabin.com)
Butterfly and Bungalow Cottage (@butterflyandbungalow) • Instagram
https://butterflyandbungalow.blogspot.com
Jennifer Hayslip (@jenniferhayslip) • Instagram
WhatAmberLoves_Home (@whatamberloves_home) • Instagram
Heidi Steiner (@steinerbears) • Instagram
https://laurasfavoritethings.blogspot.com/
Diana | Book of Secrets (@bookofsecretsblog) • Instagram
HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL (hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com)
Sarah Anderson (@sjpa48) • Instagram
Laycie Ewing (@on.mulberry.street) • Instagram
Teacups and Ponies (teacupmosaics.blogspot.com)
Haley Kral (@hkral11) • Instagram
Melanie Ann (@mannmcreations) • Instagram
Ms Misantropia (@msmisantropia) • Instagram
Elaine (@sweet_new_england) • Instagram
Adriana Esqueda (@adrianaesqueda) • Instagram
Rosalia (@reyofshine) • Instagram photos and videos
Misha Dawaioser (@dawaioser) • Instagram
https://bohemianvalhalla.blogspot.com/2021/07/what-i-missed-hosting-mad-tea-party.html
Thank you to everyone who is here with us!
It has been a joy of my heart to have you as my guest once again.
Please feel free to visit all of our tea parties from the past, right here <3
ps: Contact me right away if your name is not on the list but you signed up to join <3
Participants, please unblock your accounts so everyone can see them if you are set to private.
pps: A little video I made for our party <3
Vanessa, your 10th annual tea party is a true delight. I have long enjoyed your beautiful imagination and details of the charming tea parties you create and share. Your garden space delights time and again. Thank you for hosting us and for keeping this tradition alive. I had fun joining in again, even though I went a completely different direction this time. You will find my Fanciful Tea at https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2021/07/down-rabbit-hole-its-fancifaul-tea-party.html
Hope to see you for a cup of tea and a sweet treat.
As always, you bring forth such delight and magic that it makes me smile and sigh. Tea cups, garden paths and a golden hour streaming through the images. You do my weary heart and soul much good by sharing this beauty. I adore this about you! â¤ï¸ðŸ§ðŸ«–ðŸ°â¤ï¸ Now that I feel light-hearted, I’m off to share in the other festivities.
What a delightful tea party. Thanks for inviting me to join in the fun, and for the reminder that grownups can go to wonderland too.
You can come over and have tea with me by visiting my post here: http://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2021/07/mad-tea-party-2021.html
This is an absolutely beautiful post! The “Drink Me” potion is so tempting. How lovely it would be to return to the magic of childhood. Just believe! Thank you for hosting, Vanessa. 🖤
Here are my tea party links:
Blog — https://bookofsecrets.blog/2021/07/24/welcome-to-our-mad-tea-party/
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/p/CRtWs-mrCMD/
Dearest Miss Vanessa,
I loved every moment of your beautiful party! Thank you so much for bringing us all together again here to party with you!
Sending biggest hugs,
Betty
Here are the links to my party:
Blog- https://gossamertearoom.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-very-mad-teeny-tea-party.html
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/p/CRtX3sWDRaX/
So Beautiful, Delightful Vanessa! Refreshing and calming, the story, dishes, colors,
mood, love it all, Your Tea has lifted my Spirits !!!! thank You, so glad you hosted for 2021 !
https://plumfieldhousegardens.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for all the magic and joy you share Vanessa! I’ve always adored your tea parties and this one is no exception! Such gorgeous photos and a feast for the eyes from the garden flowers, stacks of beautiful teacups, pouring tea to the sweet White Rabbit hole. I’m keeping my fingers crossed there will be a Halloween party this year. 🙂 🖤
Here is my link: https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2021/07/24/were-all-mad-here-in-the-potting-shed-for-a-wonderland-inspired-tea-party/
Yes, I did say I would play at https://heartsdelights.blogspot.com, plus @marilyntea on Instagram. My posts are up and hope you enjoy.
I always, always love your Mad Hatter parties. Thanks for doing it again, it was great to dream awhile.
Thank you so very much Vanessa for hosting this over the moon, fabulous Tea Party. I’ll be spending the day,the weekend enjoying everyone’s the tea party. Your party is divine!SWOON.
I will be joining in on my Instagram account. Instagram.com/steinerbears
https://www.instagram.com/steinerbears/
oh my, your post is so beautiful it’s making me tear up! i love visiting with you anytime but mad tea parties are something special.
my own little party can be found here:
https://laurasfavoritethings.blogspot.com/2021/07/lets-have-some-tea.html
love, kisses & magical wishes…
~*~
ps…hugs and kisses to Matty
Thank you so much for hosting, Vanessa! I enjoyed your post and your video. Your posts are always eye candy, and this one is exceptional. The zinnias! Be still my heart. I think zinnias are the most cheerful flower, and they always fill my heart with joy. Thank-you for inspiring us with your sweet, charming imagination. Lovely party!
xo,
Ricki Jill
I love this so much! You’re always such a great storyteller with both your words and your images.
I adore being here to follow along.
Thank you for hosting again this year! I’ve added my post just now: https://whatamberloves.com/2021/07/24/mad-tea-party-2021-mymsmellow-in-wonderland/
My daughters and I laughed and laughed and laughed while playing as Hatter! So fun. 💜
We hope you’ll stop by to see the highlights of how we spent the evening having. —AmberHH
V, I have always loved your amazing tea parties. Your imagination is insanely wonderful!!! You should write and illustrate children’s books. I loved the video at the end too! xoxoxoxo Jen
DELIGHTFUL!!!!!! 💖💫💕An incredibly welcomed escape! Thank you for reminding us just how close Wonderland is🥰â¤ï¸
Hi Vanessa
This was just the most enchanting tea party. I enjoyed it so much* but I always enjoy your tea parties. You my dear are pure magic****
love deezie
Vanessa!
Thank you so much for all the work you put into these fabulous tea parties. I’ve been to every single one you’ve hosted, although not always participating.
Thank you, as well, for helping us to keep our dreams alive. xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
I loved it. You have the prettiest teacups! Oh! Loved the green drink me bottle and how one can drink stars in Wonderland! So magical. Thank you so much for inspiring us. Your party was completely beautiful even the tea pouring out of the teapot! Happy Mad Hatter Day!
I posted mine on Instagram and on my blog.
Thought I posted this yesterday, but I don’t see my comment, so maybe I didn’t. Anyway, my party post can be found here: http://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2021/07/mad-tea-party-2021.html
Enchanting, I’ll be here all Day now visiting Mad Tea Parties, what a Delightful way to spend a Rainy Day!
It’s been so long! You do not disappoint and everyone else is wonderful too!Keep making the majic and thank you all!
I did finally get a Mad Tea Party Post together and forgot how to link up, it’s been so long since a Blog Party was Hosted… or I participated.
https://bohemianvalhalla.blogspot.com/2021/07/what-i-missed-hosting-mad-tea-party.html
Can’t recall if this is the right or wrong way to do it, it’s been Delightful to go visit everyone whose Blog has a Mad Tea Party Hosted, tho’ I couldn’t figure out the Instagram ones so much, since I hardly ever use that site. Thanks again Dear Vanessa for being the Hostess with the Mostest and throwing another Magical Bash!
Just stopping by again to say what a great time I’ve had over the weekend visiting everyone’s wonderfully mad tea parties.
Tori
http://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2021/07/mad-tea-party-2021.html
I know I commented, but I can’t see my comment, so I’m trying again. Hope it works this time.
What a wonderful party, and a fantastic story to go with it. Thanks for hosting, and inviting me to tea.
You can find my party here: http://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2021/07/mad-tea-party-2021.html
Tori
Magical and absolutely divine . What is the teacup right at the top, teal and gold colored ? I’ve searched high and low , it looks like my grandmothers.