"Are You Drinking Tea from a Bag???" (quote from Maggie Smith, the Dowager Countess)

"Ring for Carson."  "Yes, M'Lady."

It's time to indulge in a delicious "dish" from Downton Abbey, my all-time favorite TV show, along with the lovely movie that's sweeping the big screen.

For six seasons we sat mesmerized in front of the television, soaking up all the grandeur, glamour, and engrossing family drama centered on the aristocratic Crawley family and a disappearing way of life at their majestic estate called Downton Abbey.  We fell head over heels in love with all the characters, both the aristocrats upstairs and their delightful service staff down.

So, I'm musing, what would it be like to be invited to tea at Downton Abbey (I could just swoon at the thought)?  And what would be considered proper etiquette for this invitation to tea?  As Mr. Carson, the butler, says:  "If you are tired of style, you are tired of life."

1.  Dress appropriately!  No tennis shoes or jeans (duh!).  A lady can wear her hat at the table. However, she should remove her gloves before the tea service begins.
2.  No slouching!  Seriously, sit up straight, for goodness sakes.  Avoid leaning forward to drink.
3.  No slurping!
4.  No blowing on hot tea to cool it down!
5.  Don't raise your pinkie finger up!  So gauche!
6.  Don't dunk the biscuits!
7.  Never, ever microwave the water for tea!  Always put fresh water in the kettle and bring it to a rolling boil.
8.  Women should always sip from the same spot every time to avoid lipstick marks all around the cup!
9.  Don't call the delightful tea biscuit a scone!  The correct British pronunciation is "sconn."

How to correctly prepare tea:
1.  Warm the teapot (add a little bit of boiling water, swirl it around, and then pour it out).
2.  Add 1 tsp. of loose tea per person.
3.  Add 10 oz. of freshly boiled water (per person).
4.  Steep tea 3 or 4 minutes (not too long or it becomes bitter).  Strain.
5.  Tea is poured first.  Then add sugar or thinly sliced lemons (or both).
6.  Milk goes in after tea (never add milk and lemon together as it may curdle).
7.  The hostess should always pour (or the person who is closest to the teapot when it is brought to the table).

Shhh, don't tell Mrs. Patmore about the easiest, most delicious "sconn" hack (my grandgirls can even make these by themselves).  I use Trader Joe's mixed berry scone mix and add a generous handful of chocolate chips.  You just add water!  Serve them warm from the oven with butter and raspberry jam. Even the royals will be impressed.