Third Annual Jane Austen Birthday Tea
The Southwest Florida JASNA group held their third annual Jane Austen Birthday Tea on Saturday, December 9th at the home of JASNA Member Karla Benton. Karla graciously provided her lovely home, which has numerous framed Regency prints, that the members enjoyed viewing.
Regency Wedding Cake
The attendees also enjoyed a variety of sweets, sandwiches, and teas generously provided by some of the members in attendance, and Karla provided the crowning touch with an authentic Regency cake.
We also enjoyed a lively discussion of Regency food and tea led by Anja Carlson and tasted her special blends from her Regency Teas line.
A Toast to Jane Austen
Jerry Vetowich toasted Austen and her achievements with a wonderful reading of a toast to Jane written by Zoe Kaplan and each member shared his or her favorite Jane Austen passage.
To Jane – on Her 242nd Birthday (December 16th, 2017)
Today is the day Jane is 242;
But she’ll only admit, well to 239!
Still the years have been kinder than ever she knew,
And she’s come to this point full of fame, and just fine!
Her works are more touted than ever before,
Her light and her sparkle continue to shine;
Her books and her films come to mean more and more,
Her vintage just bubbles – the rarest of wine;
Few authors just burgeon long after they’re gone;
Few charm and enchant, create wisdom and spells;
But Austen keeps rolling, keeps pilling it on,
And her world reputation just deepens and swells.
So here’s to our Jane, whom we love and admire
More and more every year, as we now make our toast;
May she always continue to cheer and inspire,
May she always continue to please us the most!
To Jane
Zoe Kaplan