A very Festive Afternoon Tea

December is a month for holiday teas, although we scheduled fewer events this year, we held our popular annual Holiday Craft and Festivi-Tea this past Sunday. As our guests arrive, they place their order for tea. While they are creating their craft, guided under the tutelage of Susanna, the kitchen crew is busy brewing pot upon pot of tea, ready to pour when the craft is completed. The tea began with a Holiday Coleslaw laden with green cabbage and savoy cabbage, green apples, pecans, craisins, red onion, and a delicate dressing.

Sandwiches included a Cranberry Pecan Triangle. Sliced Turkey with orange marmalade on rye bread, toasted Crostini with Apple and Brie (oh, yum!), Sweet & Savory Pimiento Cheese on Pumpernickel with a thin layer of strawberry jam, Sliced Prosciutto with homemade fig preserves, and a Benedictine Sandwich with cucumber and onion, parsley garnish and a cutout tree topper.

Oven fresh scones featured our Traditional English Cream Scone (always!) and White Chocolate Apricot Scone served with sweet cream, apricot preserves and a portion of fresh fruit including pomegranates.

A dessert medley included Pumpkin Cheese Cake, White Chocolate Shortbread Cookie, and a Chocolate Cup filled with mascarpone cheese and a chocolate raspberry sauce in the bottom of the cup. Fresh raspberries were added to this festive trio of desserts.

The tearoom is decorated for the holiday season with festive touches here and there. Holiday events are scheduled throughout the month, although not as many as past years. Covid decided we needed to limit the number of guests at our teas this year, and although social distancing and mask wearing change the festive atmosphere ever so slightly, the joy among our guests attending the holiday events is still evident.