The Royal Reception ~ A Gala Affair

It was a spectacular day culminated by a very special evening. Not enough pictures were taken and I'm not certain the pictures would have captured the festive feeling of the event anyway. The guests at the Royal Reception wore a marvelous variety of hats and fascinators. It was as exciting to see their head pieces as it was at the actual wedding. Fortunately, a few pictures of the evening tea were take, and I share both the menu and the pictures here. Enjoy!

The Menu ~ Spring Asparagus Soup with Fresh Dill; Mixed Salad Greens, Regal White Violets, Fresh Chive Cream Dressing, Herbed Croutons;Curried Chicken Pie, Ham & Dijon Puffs, Apple Rosemary Blue Cheese Knots, Sweet 'n Savory Strawberry Cheese, Toasted Pecan Crowns; Royal Tea Scones, Lemon Pecan Scones, True Devon Cream, Orange Curd, Lemon Verbena Jelly, Fresh Oranges, Strawberries, Kiwi; and A Match Made in Heaven:Will's Chocolate Biscuit Cake and Kate's Petite Raspberry Wedding Cake
Mimosas, to toast the happy couple ~ May they live happily ever after!

Note: Thank you to Marcella Farina, the Tea and Hat Lady, for granting permission to share her photos of the salad and the sandwich plate.

Quiet Anticipation

The Royal Reception ~ A Gala Affair at Sweet Remembrances takes place this evening. The beautiful blushing bride and gallant nervous groom softly spoke their vows, promises made, bells peeled, and pomp and circumstance capped the occasion. Tonight, we'll celebrate in our own special way. Can you see the sapphire and diamond ring mimicked in the centerpiece?
The tea room is dark now, the kitchen a hustle, the culmination to our Royal Week will begin in a few short hours. Hopefully, photos to share tomorrow!

Best Wishes and Congratulations to William and Kate!

May they continue to enjoy happiness from this day forth.

Ladies-in-Waiting Tea

SereniTea Wednesday was transformed into a Ladies-in-Waiting Tea to honor the upcoming Royal Wedding. Our guests received a printed menu that featured Wedding Herbs and their symbolism on the cover, a recommended tea list on the inside cover, and the menu for the day.

Windsor Castle Tea, Queen Catherine Tea (Kate will become the 6th Queen Catherine) and Chai Tea were our teas of choice. Chai was selected as it is the most popular beverage among Kenyans, and handsome William proposed to blushing Kate in Kenya.

Pear & Walnut Salad with

Parmesan Balsamic Dressing, Basil & Sweet Violets

Hot Artichoke and Marjoram Baguettes

Pimiento Cheese Royal Crowns

Sliced Turkey with Rosemary Biscuits

Cucumber with Herbed Butter

Kensington Palace Scones

Lavender Scones

Cream, Curd, Pineapple Sage Jelly

Orange Slices and Strawberries

Lady Di's Diamonds

Scottish Thistle Shortbread

Kate's Favorite Sticky Toffee Pudding

Much the way Kate's wedding cake is laden with symbolism using the Language of Flowers from the Victorian era, our menu also featured symbolism. Rosemary for remembrance, lavender for luck, basil signifies good wishes while sweet violets represent faithfulness. Kate's wedding cake will include the four flowers of the home nations, the English Rose (hope, prosperity and unity), the Welsh daffodil (chivalry and rebirth), the Scottish Thistle (bravery, courage, and loyalty) and the Irish Shamrock (unity and good luck). There will be 16 different blossoms that all have special meaning including the bridal rose for happiness, the acorn and oak symbolize strength and endurance, the lily of the valley for sweetness and humility, English Ivy for marriage, and of course Sweet Williams for perfection and gallantry. Although many of these plants and herbs are not edible, they are being made out of decorators icing and marzipan.

Bridal Vignettes

In anticipation of royal wedding week, decorative vignettes have been tucked throughout the tea room. When you first enter the main hallway, you encounter this collection of royal photos complemented with a wispy cloud of wedding veil.Photos of Wills and Kate are predominant, along with a copy of an oil painting by Sir James Gunn, completed in 1950, entitled Conversation Piece at The Royal Lodge. The original portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. It features King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II, seated) and her sister Princess Margaret during tea time. The small commemorative plate honors the Coronation of Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953. It is a piece of Royal Albert bone china, crafted in England. In the main dining area is this wedding vignette that features portraits of Wills and Kate accompanied by assorted wedding memorabilia.
And of course, a pearl tiara is at the ready for the many royal celebrations taking place this week. Let the festivities begin!

Fairy Tales Do Come True

It started with a fairy tale, many years ago. We were fascinated then and entralled now with this new chapter. Royal Wedding Blends are popping up all over the place, as they did back then. All roads lead to Westminster Abbey.It's the place to be on Friday, April 29, 2011.
If you can't be there, will you join the millions that will be watching on TV? Over 750 million were tuned in for Charles and Diana when they wed at St. Paul's Cathedral. Will the number parallel or exceed that amount this year? Count us in among the millions!
The bells on Big Ben will toll at 11:00 am to signal the beginning of the Royal Procession. Commoner Catherine (Kate) Elizabeth Middleton will marry His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis)with all the pomp and circumstance a royal fairy tale wedding can include yet regal and romantic and perhaps overwhelming as well.
Truly, the stuff of which fairy tales are made.

Victorian Bridal Tea & Program

We are celebrating the Royal Wedding in several ways this month. Our kick-off event was this past Sunday and Monday, April 17th and 18th where we honored Queen Victoria and the devout love she shared with Prince Albert at our Victorian Bridal Tea.
It was our pleasure to welcome Victoriana Lady Lisa Lewis to Sweet Remembrances. Lady Lisa displayed a traveling museum of vintage bridal clothing that she has been collecting since she was 15 years old, with thanks to her Grandmother for providing her with the importance of sharing and caring for these historical treasures.
A Victorian Afternoon Tea was served and included Victorian Chutney with Cream Roses and Crackers, Olde English Sausage Rolls, The Royal Crown Salmon Pate, To the Queen's Taste Brie & Apple Crostini, The Duke of Orange Pecan Sandwich Rounds, Queen Adelaide Ham & Chicken Salad, The Earl of Sandwich Asparagus & Egg Yolk ButterTraditional English Cream Scones, Prince Albert's Apricot Coriander Tea Bread, Devon Cream, Lemon Curd, Raspberry Preserves, Orange Slices and Pineapple CubesThe Royal Ladies Fruit Cakelette, and Victorian Sponge Cake
White Wine Syllabub.

Following the Afternoon Tea, Lady Lisa presented an entertaining and informative program on the entire outfit that any fashionable Victorian Bride would include in her ensemble. Quite an amazing array of layers. For additional Victorian events, pictures and history, please visit Lady Lisa's blog.Thank you Lady Lisa, and also John Grant for joining us. We are pleased you were able to present another program at Sweet Remembrances, and look forward to your return visit next year.

Happy Easter!

Well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter

That maketh the leaf and the flower come out.

~Bertran de Born

The Easter Ham

Our traditional Easter dinner highlights the ham.
Marj orders a double smoked ham from the Pocono area of PA. It's the best! Brother-in-law Phil, with the willing assistance of the two youngest in the family, studs it with cloves. It has become an annual ritual. Dandelion Salad, Steamed Asparagus, Baked Potatoes (sweet or white), Ham and Bunny Cake. Simply delicious. But oh,
what a ham!

Gather ye dandelions

while ye may.It's time to harvest the dandelions for the annual spring salad. Dandelion Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing is an Easter tradition in our household. When our Mother prepared the salad, she featured the dandelions as the centerpiece of the salad. However, over the years, we've increased the amount of bacon and eggs to top the salad, but still keep the requisite dandelions too. The virtues of Dandelion are many but we are sure the bacon dressing negates the benefits. Dandelion leaves are a fabulous diuretic. Dandelion is so rich in potassium that it ends up being a potassium sparing diuretic. In fact, many who use dandelion leaf as a diuretic end up with a net gain of potassium! Dandelion root is a bitter herb, that is often roasted and used as a coffee substitute. The root is also effective for making your digestive system work efficiently. When I think of how many millions of dollars have been spent to eradicate this amazingly useful plant it makes my head spin.

Hot Bacon Dressing

4 strips bacon (or more if desired), finely chopped

1 egg, well beaten

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. water

1/2 c. vinegar

Cook bacon until crisp. Drain fat. Mix egg, sugar, water and vinegar and add to bacon, cooking slowly and stirring constantly until thickened. Pour hot dressing over tender dandelion. Top with slice hard boiled eggs. Serve immediately.

Easter Time ~ Tea Time

This sweet little Easter collectionfeaturing bunnies taking tea was a window display in Fortnum & Masons in London. One afternoon, several years back, friend Linda of Friendship Tea, and I were walking the streets of London in pursuit of anything tea and happened upon this display. Isn't it a lovely composition? Wish I could pop in and order their Afternoon Tea.

Easter Ideas

It's time to think about Easter! And here's a basket full of Easter treats that would be enjoyed by the whole family.

Using the basic rice krispie and marshmallow recipe, shape the mixture into either nests or eggs. Fill the nest with green tinted coconut and spring colored candies or miniature jelly beans. Nestled in an Easter basket, these are fun for everyone.

For the egg shaped krispies, dip them halfway into melted chocolate and sprinkle with colorful jimmies. Allow the chocolate to firm, and nestle the eggs in another basket.

A very special thank you to niece Elizabeth for sharing these Easter treats with us.

Tea cup Thursday

or, Bathroom Decor: tea room style!These colorful permanent floral arrangements in large tea cup planters decorated the women's bathroom in The Stone Mansion in Baltimore, MD. Decidedly colorful and cheerful, they fill a large space in a rather spacious bathroom. And conveniently, since they are in tea cups, they fit in for Miss Spenser's celebration of Tea Cup Thursday!

Tea by Julia Faye

The opportunity to visit a tea room and enjoy the talents of another tea room owner is always a joy for us. This past Monday we had the chance to visit Tea by Julia Faye, a tea room and tea store located in The Stone Mansion in Baltimore, MD. Susanna and I savored the time we spent here. The annual Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association seminar was held in the stately Stone Mansion. Following the programs, we were escorted to the tea room for a delicious repast. The first course featured spicy Maryland crab soup and a salad with a delicate creamy dressing that complemented the soup.The three tiered tea tray is always such a delightful presentation, no matter what tea room you visit. The top tier held a sweet blueberry scone and a savory cheddar scone. The middle tier, laden with tea sandwiches, included a creamy cranberry chicken salad in a half croissant, sliced turkey and cranberry on raisin bread, cucumber & tomato with a creamy spread, and bruschetta with diced tomato and feta. Each tea sandwich provided a delightful taste sensation. The bottom tier held the desserts which included a cherry cheesecake, a miniature red velvet cupcake, sweet potato tart and a fresh fruit skewer. Yum! We're both eagerly anticipating another tea room visit! Although we don't know when or where yet, we'll be sure to make it happen!

~The Buffet Table~

A few quick pictures of the buffet table were snapped before the Author's Reception started.A colorful array of assorted tea party treats (menu posted here) greeted the visitors at this special event.It was a pleasure to honor our father, Byron Reppert, at this very special event. We welcomed many guests to this reception, including long time customers and past employees of the Rosemary House. Family friends traveled a distance from NJ and MD to surprise him. And the oldest guest, a long time resident of Mechanicsburg, turns 101 this year! Congratulations Dad!

Author's Reception ~ Byron L. Reppert

~You're Invited to the Author's Reception~

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Sweet Remembrances Tea Room

118 S. Market Street

Mechanicsburg, PA

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Mechanicsburg Postcard Series Book Available

Vintage Mechanicsburg Memorabilia For Sale

Please Join Us!

The Menu:

Strawberries & Mascarpone Cheese

Mayor's Magic Mustard with Pretzels and Cheese

Asparagus & Egg Yolk Butter Sandwiches

Queen Adelaide Triangles

Cucumber & Boursin Cheese Rounds

Herbed Vegetable Bars

Apricot Coriander Bread

Carrot Cake Mini Muffins

White Chocolate Cups with Raspberry Mousse

Rosemary Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Fruit Punch or Hot Tea

Tea cup Thursday - Tea Leaf Reading

This tea cup, a recent acquisition from a friend that is downsizing her collection, is the newest addition to my collection of tea leaf reading cups.Tasseography is the art of tea leaf reading, a form of fortune telling. This cup features a wide assortment of shapes and symbols within the cup, such as an owl, snake, dagger, arrow, frog, and fan. Each symbol can be interpreted to have special meaning. The designs offer a visual cue of the shapes that might appear in the brewed tea leaves. The saucer has the twelve symbols of the Chinese zodiac, each associated with an animal such as the dragon, the rabbit, the snake, etc.Alas, I don't have experience in reading tea leaves, or foretelling the future. I simply enjoy collecting this style of tea cup, and have a wide variety of different fortune telling cups.

Although there are no markings on the bottom of the cup, the saucer is marked Canonsburg Pottery Co. Made in the U.S.A. C-Genevieve Wimsatt.

Mystery Tea Cup

A friend recently purchased this unique handleless tea cup and saucer.She shared her cup with me and inquired if I was familiar with this style of cup. Upon closer inspection, you can see these holes around the base of the cup. The interior cup portion is suspended in the middle.

Not having seen this style of cup before, I posted the photographs on an Internet tea group that I belong to, specifically, Afternoon Tea Across America to see if they had any thoughts. And indeed they did. Mary suggested that the holes in the outer layer create a cooler area to hold the handleless hot cup. Ruth commented that it is a pretty pattern, but not an older one as the maker's mark is a recent design, within the last 5 years. Martha discovered it to be a Hankook fine bone china, and that the cups are double walled to protect your hands from the hot liquid and that those are ventilation holes at the bottom of the exterior wall. Mary Jane considers this to be a wonderful treasure, similar to one she has. All thoughts and comments are appreciated from this generous group of tea enthusiasts. They are happy to share their knowledge, post recipes, and simple contribute to the ongoing conversation about tea. Thanks to this fine group for helping us to discover a little more about my friends cup.