Tea Time is always 4 o’clock

Our Mad Tea Party

Our Mad Tea Party

Our Odyssey group discussed The View From Saturday, by E.L. Konigsburg, during tea.  We enjoyed tea sandwiches: cucumber; watercress; apricot and brie; and pear, cream cheese and walnut.  Also on the menu were a variety of desserts: petit fours, cannoli, ruggelach, and lemon poppy seed muffins.  Delicious!   After tea, we divided into teams for a rousing Academic Bowl game.  Can you answer these questions?

  • What are the first two letters of the Greek alphabet?
  • Who is baseball’s all-time hit leader?
  • Who was the first Spanish explorer to reach Florida?
  • Who was the first president to live in the White House?
  • What do the acronyms POSH and TIP stand for?
  • How many quarters are in twenty dollars?
  • Who is the father of Jacob and Esau?
  • What is the sequel to Alice in Wonderland?

 

 

 

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7 thoughts on “Tea Time is always 4 o’clock

  1. Dear Mrs Donofrio,
    I apologize I could not make it to the tea, but it looks like you had a good time. This is my last night in Scotland. I hope you received the three postcards I sent you. I am having trouble with my password and I cannot get on to my blog. I may just have gotten it wrong. I am excited to go back to school and see the friends that have not transferred. I wrote to my author but have not gotten a reply and you will probably be happy to know that I have read A LOT of books over summer vacation. Now you have a red dot from Edinburgh, Scotland and I am going to check in tomorrow from London airport. I have kept a journal and have a bunch of stuff to tell and show you. See you soon!

    Dia

    • Hey Claudia!
      It is so good to hear from you, especially all the way from Scotland! I loved the photo you sent of Cawdor Castle. I have been to Scotland, but sadly, never saw the home of Macbeth.
      We did miss you at the tea, but there will be lots of other fun activities this year. I am anxious to see and hear all about your travels. Thanks for the red dots!
      What was the highlight of your trip?
      See you soon,
      ~Mrs Donofrio

      • The highlight would have to be the military Tattoo. It is part of a huge festival that takes place every August. Bands come from all over the world to play here. One of the main events is a bagpipe band. Each group in the piper band wears a different tartan kilt. Each tartan has a pattern that is singular from the area of the UK from where they live. There were rows of pipers and they would march around to form patterns and lines. After the pipers, bands coming from a specific country to represent summer, winter, spring, and fall. The bands went in turn and when one finished, another would come on. There were dancers from each country as well. My favorite band was from New Zealand. The band played Gangnam Style. Several band members put downl their instruments, put on sunglasses, and danced along to the song. New Zealand’ s dancers were really good too. They did a kick line and made really cool designs. At the end, both the dancers and band members formed a giant N E. The Tattoo even had a gro of motorcycle stunt people…. That we’re all under 17!!! The youngest was 6, and they built human pyramids, rode backwards, side cycle, and the two youngest rode in a rode on a tiny cycle with a sidecar. When the two kids rode around the stadium, the sidecar was lifted into the air! They rode diagonal all the way around. After everyone was finished, they all came on the stage and fireworks went off. The lone piper played the last song of the night in honor of those who had fought in battle. All in all, it was a spectacular night. Did you have fun over summer vacation?

        Dia

        • Wow! I have never heard of anything like this, Dia. One question I have is why do they call it a Tattoo? That’s an interesting name for a large band concert with a large concentration of bagpipes. Will you be able to bring some of your photos to school? I would love to see them and vicariously experience all the sights and sounds of Scotland. How did you like the Scottish accent? Was is difficult to understand?
          I had a good summer, too, but not quite as exciting as yours. We went to Cooperstown, NY, and also to Plymouth, MA, for a bit.
          I’m looking forward to seeing you next week. Have a good flight. God bless!
          ~Mrs. Donofrio

  2. Hi! Checking in from London! Almost home… Only 2 more flights to go. The next has movies!! What is the longest flight you’be ever been on?

    • I flew to London and also to Dublin. I visited Dublin with my family when I was in high school. I went to London the summer after I graduated college to take some graduate classes at Cambridge University. That was one of the best summers of my life. I learned a lot, met some really interesting people, and developed independence. I agree with Mark Twain; “travel is broadening!” I can’t wait to hear about your adventures. See you next week!
      What movie did you get to watch on the flight? How was the food?
      ~Mrs. Donofrio
      P.S. Thanks for the red dots!

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