Afternoon Tea at Two Cottages and Tea

I imagined it would be a day to remember.........

  

Nancy from Two Cottages and Tea graciously opened the doors of her country cottage, finely decorated with collectibles and unique treasures, perfectly set for 14 guests with fine china, linens and silver.  My contributions were the sweets and savories, and love of serving others.

 

Here's what transpired when two tea-loving friends

have a dream of hosting a tea together.  

 

 





 

 

 

 

 



 

Nancy has used some treasures in creative ways. 

Her mothers purses hang from a shelf above the bed

made up with a chenille spread and vintage linen pillow cases.

 

 

A cup of tea, roses, and Max Lucado.... a quiet moment for yourself.

 

 



 

Whether it was a party of two, three or four,

seating was available for an afternoon of conversation and comfort.

 



 

Though the sky was cloudy and the air was cold outside,

the atmosphere indoors was warm and friendly.

 



 

Guests were served apple soup and cheddar cheese crackers

Chicken Salad on Jewish rye

Garden cream cheese and cucumber on white

Olive cream cheese on olive bread 

Scones: Cream, and cranberry orange with mock Devonshire cream and raspberry jam

 

 

Teapot sugar cookies

Cream Puffs with lemon filling

Date orange bars

Mini white cakes

 

 

Before the afternoon ended, Nancy and I shared our life-long love for tea, collecting vintage belongings, and enjoyment of hosting and serving others.

 

 

  Guests were invited to view the kitchen area where Nancy's creative decorating continued.



"Thank you.  Thank you very much.  This has been a delightful afternoon.  When can we come back again.  Everything was delicious." 

 

With grateful hearts and hugs we thanked our guests for spending an afternoon in the country at Two Cottages and Tea.   While we were clearing the tables, washing and drying the dishes, and sharing the remaining food, we realized it - yes, it was a day to remember.

 



 

 

 

SereniTea-sb and Friends meet Two Cottages and Tea

 

We've been talking about doing this for almost a year.  We've been planning since July.  We set the menu in August.  Now it is September 22, and Nancy at Two Cottages and Tea has graciously opened her little red cottage so that 14 of my tea friends can share the most amazing experience of having tea in the country. Perhaps many more will enjoy tea there in the spring.

Nancy and I have had tea parties of our own, as we strive to share the experience of delectable foods, dishes, linens and tea.

She with her shabby sheek, transfer wear, and cottage in the country, and me with the love of tiny foods, table settings, serving others, and of course, tea.

 

 

 

Here I am, enjoying tea at the cottage, the beginning of the Holiday Season 2012

 

Thank you, Nancy, for opening your doors to an afternoon of tea at the cottage. It's going to be an day to remember - You are a great inspiration!

  

Happy Baby Boy Celebration - the birth of another Grandmother! Update - He has Arrived!

This is a special day for Breanne.  She will be showered with love and gifts as we gather at her baby shower.  Breanne is the daughter of a friend of mine named Sue.  And since Breanne is having her first baby, my friend will also become "Gramma Sue"  just like me.

Sue asked me to make some tried and true tea foods, since Breanne wanted a tea party setting for her shower. My granddaughter, cousin, and I will be helping to serve today, too. Someone else is bringing scones, so these are the foods I made:  Cheese biscuits that will be served with fruit salad; cream puffs that will be filled with pickle and ham sandwich spread; mock Devonshire cream to be served with the scones; and two types of sandwiches.  I made egg salad on white, and olive cream cheese pinwheels on blue bread.  We have a local bakery that makes the colored Pullman bread, cut lengthwise.

Here is what I wrote for Breanne:

When your mom and I planned the menu,

we had no other idea for the meaning of the

foods, than those that would be tea party favorites,

 and enjoyed by the guests at your baby shower.

As I prepared the foods though,
 this is what came to mind: 

First, you've got to have a menu –

 that's the plan that God has had

from the start for your child.

 

When making the cream puffs,

I thought about your little bun in the oven;

how the cream puff starts out so tiny and

 with the right temperature and time,

 it grows into something unique –

 that's you're little child.
 

Next came the cheese biscuits.

 I thought of the many times

you will be snapping photos

of your first little somebody.

 Say “Cheese!”
 

There are egg salad sandwiches on white bread.

 You never serve fancy sandwiches

with the crust on.

And that's life – it can get kind of “crusty”,

 so as children we are welcomed

into the arms of our parents

who love us and comfort us.

Little blue pinwheel sandwiches.

Your child starts out, a little boy.

 Love him when he is little,

 love him when he is grown.

 You will discover how much your heart

will grow in size when you become a mother.

Tea is far more than a beverage –

it is an experience.

Whether I am alone,

or sharing a moment with a friend,

 or serving a tea party -

it's what happens when you take time out for yourself.

 Don't forget to do this from the start –

 take a moment every day –

you're going to need that to stay you.

May God bless you, Breanne, as you open your heart and arms to a precious little boy.

Best Wishes!

Reed David arrived 5 weeks early, and is progressing well.  Thank you, Lord!