All I Do Is Drink Tea Now // May Newsletter
yes, with milk because I'm easily influenced and very posh
Helloooooooo!
How are you? I hope time where you are is normal, and it’s not already May. If you’re new to reading here, welcome! This newsletter is a little different than my others, and while I have you, want you to know I’ll be writing on this site more often. So if you see me in your inbox again soon, know it’s more likely a story than a bunch of silly gifs.
Coronation Day is tomorrow so I’ll hop right to it — Chris and I went on holiday to London and I’m forever changed.
(Why London? Chris had a work conference, and we have a big anniversary coming up, and grandparents were willing to watch the kids. It made no sense not to go.)
HIGHLIGHTS:
I went through a VERY serious Henry VIII’s wives phase a decade ago so to stand where Anne Boleyn was beheaded and then see where she was buried (the tan church in the background) felt very … meaningful? Crazy? History is wild. Do you smile? Grimace? (I went for a mix of both.) How does one pose at beheading spot?
CROWN JEWELS - Unfortunately, not allowed to take pictures, (I’m a rule follower and have ZERO interest in getting yelled at by a Beefeater) And yes, as with so much that we saw, there’s the whole issue with colonialism and origins of those jaw-dropping gems, but Chris and I went back thrice to see the crowns and scepters before we moved on. Of note: the King’s crown was not on display — it’s getting fitted for the coronation!
Speaking of…
Westminster Abby: I don’t know how else to say it. Churches that are four times as old as America bring me closer to God.
Attending an evensong service at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
I could post 1000 more pictures - the rosetta stone, changing of the guard, the Banksy graffiti, (go see IG if you want, and I’ll likely post our itinerary on the blog at some point). But all of this is to say: Take the opportunities available to you; walk around with no agenda; find yourself delighted.
AND THEN: Come home and soak up the fact that your teenagers started to realize just how much you do for them while you were away. Bake scones immediately. Make all the kids sit down for tea time every afternoon and when they ask, “How long are we going to do this?” reply “Forever!” in a British accent whilst pouring milk into your cuppa, wearing a scarf, and eating a biscuit.
And Now For Some Links
If you, too, share a mild obsession with the Tudors, I invite you to read how going for a walk in the English countryside after your dog dies (which might be the most British thing I’ve ever heard of) led to the unearthing of a near priceless 500-year-old gold necklace linked to Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon.
I have a new appreciation for the monarchy and a new perspective on Harry after this trip and YES I WILL BE UP AT 5AM DRINKING TEA TOMORROW MORNING: How to watch the coronation.
Un-London Related
“I think the way forward is to make sure we put our convictions in proper places.”
Hits too close to home.
“There are so many versions of who we could have been.” Cue all mothers of teenagers’ tears in 3, 2, 1…
Three spots left in my (only) summer writing workshop. Join me!
To Round Us Out
Cheers!
“Do you smile? Do you grimace?” Omg, I laughed out loud at this 😂. Love you, Sonya!
I’m so glad you were able to go to London! What a wonderful time to visit and definitely keep drinking a cuppa each day! ❤️😁🫖🇬🇧