Inauguration Day

Today, January 21, 2013, marks the 57th Presidential Inauguration Day.  The Inaugural luncheon menu provided by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies included such delicacies as Lobster Tail and New England Clam Chowder for the first course.  Hickory Grilled Bison is the main feature for the second course, and good ole Apple Pie with Sour Cream Ice Cream accompanied with Artisan Cheeses and Honey comprise the final course.  The hustle in the kitchen must be amazing!   The service in the dining room, meticulous.  Would you rather be in the kitchen or seated and served?

(Note:  Photo taken at Miniland USA in Legoland Florida.)

Outside the Cup

This trio of mints from Minteas.com were tucked in my Christmas stocking.  Fun little tea leaf shaped hard candies, all touting specific benefits such as relaxation, fitness or simply to stay well, demonstrate how the tea leaf has jumped from the cup to other products to enjoy its healthful benefits.  If you look around, you'll discover green tea is in many things from shampoo to soap to candy.
This colorful package of Japanese green tea candies was another gift from my pen pal.  Individually wrapped candies, I can enjoy the unique flavor of matcha while on the go.

Celebrating National Hot Tea Month...

 ...with international black tea.  This colorful assortment of individual tea packets of Flavoury Tea was part of my holiday gift box from my Japanese pen pal, Mikako.

There is just enough English on the box to discover that they are black tea with an assortment of different flavors from the Nittoh Black Tea company. 

Yesterday I sampled the Caramel Strawberry tea which was very nice and smooth with the caramel noted to be the predominent flavor.  On occasion, it's nice to enjoy the convenience of a tea bag. 

Super Scone Sunday

We recently celebrated Super Scone Sunday in the tea room.  This special event is typically held several times during the winter months, and features a variety of oven fresh scones, assorted toppings, and fresh fruit.  Hot tea of course, pots full of properly brewed hot tea.  The tables are decorated in winter blues, and the hot water is coming to temperature.  Won't you join us for some tea and scones?  Our next scheduled event is Sunday, January 27th.

 Cinnamon Chip Scones, Traditional English Cream Scones and Lemon Pecan Scones rounded out the selection of tasty treats for this event.  We'll have a different assortment for the end of the month, along with tasty toppings that included Sweet Cream, Cinnamon Honey Butter, and Raspberry Preserves.  Yes, please!

London's Afternoon Teas

This lovely little book, written by Susan Cohen, features the best of London's exquisite tea destinations.  A mini travelogue it conjures a desire to hop a plane and sample the tea venues featured in the book.  This Christmas gift is an enjoyable and easy read.  Pick any page and transport yourself to afternoon tea in London.  A girl can dream!

Or, simply recall vivid memories of trips taken years ago.  The Ritz, yes, memorable indeed.Afternoon tea at the Orangerie at Kensington Palace, enjoyable.  The Dorchester, celebrated a very special birthday here with family.  When they learned it was my birthday, I was presented with a tin of chocolate truffles. Such indulgence! Delightful!





Thirty one premiere destinations to take tea in London, and I've been to a few of them, alas, not all.  This little book features beautiful colorful photography, important details such as the address, website, proximity to the underground, and places of interest.  Informative information is also included about each tea spot.  Such fun!


Recipes are included in the back of the book, but not many.  It's not meant to be a cookbook, although it does feature many traditional items you might find at Afternoon Tea in London, such as Salmon & Cucumber Sandwiches or Victoria Sponge, and of course, Scones.

Published in 2012, this is current and up-to-date information.  Thanks to sister Susanna for finding this little treasure and tucking it under the tree for me.

New Year's Resolutions

Is it possible?

to keep these resolutions?

                                        it might be a long year!

(Three of the four Reppert sisters.)

Happy New Year!

Farewell 2012!   Hello 2013! 

Many towns in our area lower an item during the count down to the New Year.  Hummelstown lowers a lollipop. York drops a white rose.  Harrisburg lowers a strawberry and Dillsburg has a "pickle drop".  In Mechanicsburg we have a Wrench Drop since our town was named for a settlement of mechanics who repaired Conestoga wagons in the early 1800's.  The celebration, held on downtown Main Street was originated by local Mechanicsburg Area School District graduate Sheldon Rodgers for his Eagle Scout project.

Happy New Year!

Cookies and Mrs. Claus

We welcomed family to our home over the holidays, and were quite excited to see a Facebook posting by one of the new local bakeries in town, Oooolala With a Kiss for a drop-in cookie craft scheduled for Christmas Eve day.  Mrs. Klaus welcomed us to the bakery where the kids could select a large snowflake sugar cookie, liberally frost it with red, white, or green icing, and then decorate it to their hearts content with a wide variety of sprinkles, sugar decorations, M & M's, and more.  It was quite fun, and the perfect way to keep the youngest ones entertained as the excitement for Santa's arrival was continuing to build throughout the day.  Several of these cookies were enjoyed after dinner, and a few were specially placed for Santa, along with a carrot or two for the reindeer.  Such fun!  The celebrations have since concluded, the cookies are long gone, the family has all safely returned home, but the memories of special times and festive moments continue to dance in our heads.

Naughty or Nice?

Merry Christmas!

'Twas

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!

A Happy Christmas to You!

May you find Happiness and Joy within your heart this holiday season.

Cookies for Santa?

It's soon cookie making time at our house.  One of the younger kids has been asking when we will make cookies.  It's on the agenda for Thursday, and she won't let me forget!  In the meantime, you might consider this easy little treat (found on Pinterest!) for a substitute for cookies on your tea tray this year.  Bake a batch of brownies, cut rounds from the baked brownies, and top with a thin pointy strawberry.  Pipe icing around the base of the strawberry, and a dollop on the top, and you have some cute little hats for Santa and his elves.

Any soft icing will do, but I'm happy to share the recipe I used.

















Icing:
1 c. Crisco
1 stick margarine
1/4 c. evaporated milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 lb. confectioner's sugar
Cream Crisco and margarine until blended.  Add remaining ingredients and beat well, approx. 5 minutes until light and fluffy.  Keep icing refrigerated.