St. Patrick's Day Afternoon Tea

The tea room was abuzz with activity on St. Patrick's Day as we served Afternoon Tea and listened to favorite Irish tunes played by Sasanach, our favorite fiddler. The first course featured the Emerald Isle Salad, leafy greens, Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese, blueberries and Kiwi slices.

The sandwich course included a miniature toasted Reuben on Rye, Rolled Asparagus Sandwich with a honey, curry, lime spread, Irish Potato Bites with Kerrygold Skellig Cheddar and Corned Beef, a Wee Cottage Pie, and a Guinness Biscuit with Irish Chive Cheddar, Apple, and Pecan Filling.

We offered a few seasonal tea blends from the Larkin Tea Company such as Shamrocks & Shenanigans which is a chocolate strawberry flavored black tea and Irish Whiskey Cream, a smooth black tea, for the discerning taste.

The next course presented held a Spotted Dog Irish Soda Bread Scone and a slice of Orange Marmalade Tea Loaf. These were served with sweet cream and peach butter alongside a skewer of pineapple and green grapes.

Lastly, the trio of tasty desserts offered were a Chocolate Guinness Cake with a creamy frosting, Irish Cream Cheesecake with Lemon Curd and Blueberries, and the Leprechauns Special Green Cake with gold dust. Yum!

  The lively tunes of Sasanach  had us all toe tapping. 

Visit Sweet Remembrances Facebook page for a short video taken live during our tea. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

A Tea Affair - Lititz, PA

With special thanks to our very thoughtful tea room customers, our family enjoyed an Afternoon Tea at A Tea Affair in Lititz, PA last October. Upon arrival, we were seated at our table to discover a plate of scones and jelly waiting to be enjoyed. Our waitress took our tea orders, and we passed the scones.

We were offered a choice of their Broccoli Quiche, or the Soup of the Day (a warming butternut squash soup). Both were served alongside a house salad.

There are several options to select from the menu, including a Luncheon Tea, a Garden Tea, a High Tea, or the Children's Tea. We opted for the High Tea as we like to sample as many tea treats as possible. The tiered tray was presented after we finished the soup and quiche. The tier had a variety of four tea sandwiches, their signature crème brulee, and four pastries.

The sandwiches included a fresh and delicious assortment that included cucumber on rye & pumpernickel bread, egg salad, strawberry cream rounds, and a petite tomato caprese round. The Crème Brulee, well, that was simply divine.

And the pastries included a French madeleine, a small layered chocolate raspberry cake, coconut macaroon, and the most beautiful decorated tea cup sugar cookie. It was simply too pretty to eat. It was the crowning touch to a lovely tiered tray. The Afternoon Tea experience was quite enjoyable. Many thanks to Barb, Ann, Barbara, and Raegene. Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.

National Margarita Day!

Trying to find the best way to celebrate National Margarita Day? Have we got a suggestion for you! This refreshing pie highlights the traditional flavors found in the tasty Margarita. This Margarita Pie provides the perfect way to celebrate this special day! The pretzel crust gives a nice salty edge, while the lime juice, tequila, and triple sec highlight the pie. Fluffy, salty, sweet, and celebratory all in one easy to put together pie. According to a national survey, 76% of the population enjoys drinking Margaritas. Let's take our own survey to discover how many people enjoy Margarita Pie. I'd wager it's closer to 96%! Anyway, Happy National Margarita Day! Salud! 

Margarita Pie
1-1/4 c. finely crushed pretzels
2/3 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. sugar
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/3 c. fresh lime juice
3 Tbsp. Tequila
2 Tbsp. Triple Sec
1 c. heavy cream, whipped
Lime slices for garnish

Butter a 9-inch pie plate. Combine crushed pretzels, butter, and sugar until blended. Press firmly on bottom and sides of the prepared pie plate. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

In a large bowl, blend sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, tequila, and Triple Sec until well mixed. Gently fold in whipped cream. Spread evenly into prepared pretzel crust.

Cover lightly, and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with lime slices.
Serves 8.

A Taste of Spain

Last year, Susanna and Angelica prepared a plant based themed dinner for a family celebration, A Taste of Spain. The first course featured Tomato & Cannellini Frijol Dip accompanied with three cheese crackers and an Olive Tapenade Espanola served with Cauliflower whole grain chips. Both of these appetizers were an excellent prelude to the evening feast. And, as you can see, we were eager to dive right into these colorful and flavorful dips.

The next course included Spinach with Chickpeas that were delicately seasoned with Maldon salt flakes and infused with fresh ginger, garlic, and red chili pepper. Lots of flavor in this medley. Marinated Carrots rounded out this course.

A variety of 'small plates followed which included a Spanish Vegetable Stew (Pisto),

followed by a potato omelet (Tortilla Espanola) edged with Goddess Sprinkles of Roses, (look closely), toasted cardamom and allspice berries.

 Dessert must have happened quickly, no time for photos, but there was a three layer chocolate berry cake and a golden cannoli cake (from a local bakery) to round out the gustatory delights. Kudos to Susanna and Angelica for finding a host of delicious, healthy recipes to prepare, present, and savor. It truly was a feast beyond compare. There is eager anticipation for what this year holds for said family celebration.

January - National Hot Tea Month - 2023

Take the opportunity to pour yourself a cup (or two or three or) of hot tea during the month of January, and celebrate National Hot Tea Month. Even though we are experiencing milder than usual weather in PA this month, a pot of properly brewed tea (with a cookie alongside) is the perfect solution to the winter blues.

“There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.” - Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living

“Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book.” -Bill Watterson, The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book 

“Tea! Bless ordinary everyday afternoon tea!” - Agatha Christie

What are you drinking during National Hot Tea Month?

Epiphany - Three Kings Day

 And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. - Matthew 2:11

Epiphany, or Twelfth Night is the perfect time to join the kings in a symbolic gift giving. A small token of tremendous significance, I tuck a bit of the precious gums into a golden sachet that will mail easily. For presentations, I spray small jars with gold paint, fill with frankincense and myrrh, then attach a label-card. To release the ancient perfume, melt bits of resin in a discardable tin on low heat or place it in the hot wax gathered around the wick of a burning candle as you enjoy the waning holiday season. It is the essence of Christmas.

Excerpt taken from Mrs. Reppert's TwelveMonth Herbal

Frankincense and Myrrh and the TwelveMonther Herbal are available at The Rosemary House.

A Year in Review - 2022

January - Herbs, Teas, and Gifts. Our specialty at The Rosemary House

 

February - Happy Valentine's Day Tea and Décor

March - Happy St. Paddy's Day!

April - Seeds arrive, and herb plants, too. Welcome Spring!

May - Penn State Graduation Day on Mother's Day. Congratulations, Angelica!

June - The Queen's Tea

July - Happy Fourth of July

August - Vacation in Tennessee, lunch at Graceland with the family.

September - the Fairy Festival after Labor Day

September - the Tea Festival in the gardens

October - Happy Halloween!

November - Holiday Teas begin after Thanksgiving

December - Merry Christmas! Family Time in Hershey.

Another memorable year - it's hard to pick just one photo to capture the experience of each month! Looking forward to 2023, a year full of herbs, teas, and adventure!

Alfred's Victorian, Middletown, PA - Afternoon Tea

This stately Victorian mansion, built in 1888, and located in Middletown, PA was our destination for a celebratory end-of-the-year Afternoon Tea. In operation since 1970, it has been declared a National Landmark. Alfred's Victorian Restaurant offers fine dining throughout the week, and Afternoon Tea on Saturdays. Our gathering of family and friends, all instrumental in the operation of Sweet Remembrances, enjoyed an afternoon tea hosted by owner, Robin Pelligrini. The spirit of the holiday season was prevalent in the decor throughout the mansion.

Once seated in the Burgundy Room, we were presented with several pots of a black spiced plum tea. Salad was the first course and consisted of crisp lettuce greens, apple pieces, dried apricots, nuts, and a delicate poppy seed dressing. Two varieties of warm scones, cinnamon and apple spice, were presented in a wicker basket and placed at each end of the table. Cinnamon butter and a fruit spread accompanied the scones. When our teapots emptied, we were served Nutcracker Sweet and later, Snowflake. 

Individual plates with a variety of tea sandwiches came next. The cucumber tree in the center of the plate stole the show. It was surrounded by a fresh cinnamon swirl bread with a cream cheese filling. The mixed rye and pumpernickel bread held sliced cheese and a savory onion filling. The petite fillo cup was quite tasty with a cheese and jelly combination, and the deviled egg was garnished for the season.

Desserts completed the offering with a Mary Berry Cherry Cake. Assorted smaller treats were also on the plate; red velvet cookie, snowman macaron, and a gingerbread truffle snowman.

 It was a special holiday treat to be able to sit down and enjoy the companionship of family and friends.

Not only do we appreciate our family and friends, but we are thankful for all of our customers that visit The Rosemary House and Sweet Remembrances throughout the year. May 2023 be filled with joy and good health, much happiness, flavorful herbs and spices, and endless tea times, too. Happy New Year!