Tea Time Magazine - May/June 2014

This was the scene in Sweet Remembrances a few months ago when photographer John O'Hagan visited the tea room for a photo shoot for Tea Time magazine.

Flash forward to the most recent May/June 2014 issue, and this is the end result: a beautiful six-page spread featuring seven tea rooms in southeastern Pennsylvania, including Sweet Remembrances.

It is such an honor to be included in this national magazine devoted to everything tea. In addition to congratulatory phone calls and private email messages from friends and tea room guests, several of my blogging friends have shared their enthusiasm for this article: Linda, at Friendship Tea Blog shared earlier this month, while Angela at Tea with Friends shared most recently. Phyllis posted her thoughts on her blog Relevant Tea Leaf.

If you would like to see a few additional photos that were captured by the photographer, check out this slide show at Tea Time magazine.

A special thank you to Linda and Angela - they both suggested a visit to Sweet Remembrances when editor Lorna Reeves inquired about tea rooms in PA. A sincere thank you to Tea Time editor Lorna Reeves, to senior photographer John O'Hagan, and to writer Karen Callaway for including our little corner of the world in this Hoffman Media publication.

First Friday Feast

It happened again last week! The kitchen was happily turned over to the culinary talents of Chef Steve and Karen Dunlap of Mountainside Supper Club this past First Friday. They prepare a complete four course dinner, offering three entrée selections in addition to salad, soup, and dessert.

Specializing in farm to table catering using locally grown and organic produce and meats, they are happy to share their sources for the evening's fare. 

 The next First Friday Dinner is scheduled for May 2nd with availability at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. We request advance reservation and entrée selection at time of reservations. The menu for May is posted here.  BYOB, if you like. Downtown Mechanicsburg businesses are open later on the First Friday of the month, so plan on visiting the local merchants and enjoy dinner either before or afterwards. What a great way to spend an evening! Your local small business owners will thank you!

Lemon Cheesecake with Raspberry Drizzle

Easy from Seed - Chervil

Chervil has a subtle anise taste that is wonderful in sauces, dips, rice dishes, eggs, or salads. Like
cilantro, chervil is strictly a cool-season annual; crops can be grown in spring and again in fall. In mild-winter climates it can be grown throughout the winter. Sow in a large pot or directly in the ground in spring or late summer

When to start: Sow repeatedly in spring, and again in late summer into fall.

Where to plant: Plant in part shade, in fertile soil.

Planting depth: Cover seeds with a dusting of soil.

Care: Provide consistent moisture.

Container growing: Chervil’s delicate beauty lends itself to container growing. Sow seeds in a large

pot—10-inch or larger diameter. Use the same pot for a hot-weather plant, such as a pepper, eggplant,
or annual flowers.
Harvesting: When the plant is about 6 inches high, cut leaves as you need them.

Hint: Chervil imparts a subtle anise flavor. Its flowers are lovely, and attract beneficial insects.

 

And they're off!

A trip to Kentucky would not be complete without a nod to the horses.  Lexington KY is known as the  'Horse Capital of the World' and located right in the middle of this bustling city (the second largest in KY) is Thoroughbred Park. These lifelike bronze racehorses are impressive to say the least. Racing towards the finish line, you can almost hear the sound of their hooves pounding the track. 

The foals tucked amongst the greenery are peaceful. The mares are grazing in the distance while the race is ongoing.

 This beautiful and impressive artistry is attributed to talented sculptor Gwen Reardon.

Greentree Tea Room, Lexington, KY

The Traveling Tea Friends journeyed to Lexington, KY to partake of a luncheon tea at the Greentree Tea Room, 'where tradition meets style'. The luncheon tea is served Wed. thru Sat. at noon, by reservation. Spring was just beginning to make an appearance, daffodils and pansies were abloom, but a chill was still in the air.

They feature a monthly themed menu, and since we were here in March, it was an Irish inspired menu. They offer one tea that fits the theme, and it was an Irish Blend Tea, which is a blend of blacks typically including an Assam and yields a hearty bold pot of tea. Our server was attentive in keeping the teacups filled.



Back Row: Mary, Angela, Maureen
Linda,, Lori
Nancy, Phyllis, Lynn

The pristine place setting sets the scene with green napkins to complement the table setting and in keeping with the theme. Bowls of whipped butter, and Fayette Cream (their version of Devon Cream for the scones) quietly announced the joys yet to come!

Linda and Nancy (we first met as room mates during a trip to London in 2007)
 

The first course: Potato Leek Soup, thick rich and tasty. Followed by an Irish Oat Scone with Blackberry Jam & Fayette Cream. Loved the oat topping!

A nice hearty portion of Spanakopita was served next with a rich cream sauce. Layers of spinach and Phyllo and creamy goodness added a good base to this luncheon tea.

Following the entrée, we were invited to the buffet table in the other room where we could select the sandwiches and miniature desserts. There were Corned Beef squares, Poppy Seed Egg Salad and Benedictine Tea Sandwiches.

Benedictine Sandwich - cucumber, onion, cream cheese, tinted green
 

The miniature desserts included Bailey's Fudge (oh so rich!), Pistachio Cupcakes, and Greentree French Filled Wafers. The luck of the Irish was definitely with us!

Mary, Phyllis, Maureen, Angela at the Buffet Table

Here's my sandwich and dessert plate after going around the buffet. Such a pretty assortment of tea delights!

We all enjoyed our special afternoon at Greentree Tea Room.

Kentucky Blend

Sitting, sipping, reminiscing about the recent Traveling Tea Friends gathering in Kentucky. It was a special time with special friends. Linda, our hostess, gifted everyone with a beautiful English Bone China mug. We would start our mornings with a pot of freshly brewed tea in our new blue mugs. One of my purchases from our recent visit to Elmwood Inn Fine Teas was their Kentucky Blend, a premium blend of Chinese black teas from Yunnan and Anhui Provinces. It's bold, it's black, it's full-bodied - a perfect cup for a pick-me-up morning! And a great reminder, sip-by-sip of a memorable getaway.

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas - Danville, KY

The Traveling Tea Friends gathered in Kentucky for a tea themed adventure last month. One of the 'must see' destinations included a visit to Elmwood Inn Fine Teas in Danville. Elmwood Inn originally began as a tea room in 1990 operated by Bruce and Shelley Richardson. Although they closed the tea room, their contribution to the world of tea continues in the many cookbooks they have published, their speaking engagements around the country (including a program at Sweet Remembrances in 2005), and their retail/wholesale tea business.

Their upscale retail establishment offered an exciting tea tasting and shopping opportunity for our group of travelers. The upper walls exhibit the beautiful photography by Bruce Richardson which captures the many faces of tea and tea gardens around the world.



Lori and Phyllis at the tea tasting counter.



Linda, Shelley, Nancy, Bruce

We shopped, we tasted tea, we stopped for photographs, and we sat and listened as Bruce shared his stories about tea. We shopped some more, we admired the beautiful array of tea accoutrements including tea pots for brewing various types of teas. We peeked into the myriad collection of cookbooks and books published by Benjamin Press (a publishing company named after their son).




The gift shop offers a special area for tasting teas. Bruce shared about some rare Hawaiian tea he has for sale and also spoke about a Puerh cake he is holding until it ages. Our group enjoyed the selection of teas we sampled and the congenial welcome we received. Bruce shares his tea thoughts with his own blog, The Tea Maestro where he proclaims Tea is not a commodity. Tea is a lifestyle!





Angela, Maureen, Patty, Melissa, and Bruce

Boone Tavern Kentucky Derby Inspired Tea

The Traveling Tea Friends consisting of a group of bloggers and friends gathered in Berea, KY for a fabulous adventure coordinated by Linda Jennings who writes the Friendship Tea blog. Our lodging for the week was at the stately Boone Tavern Hotel of Berea College, named after the Kentucky explorer Daniel Boone. Of note, Berea College is a working college where approx. 50% of the staff employed at the restaurant and hotel are students. Linda also shared that the beautiful solid wood furnishings in the guests rooms have been built by the students.



Melissa, Lynn, Phyllis, Lori, Angela

Our stay at the tavern included a Kentucky Derby inspired afternoon tea that was developed by Pastry Chef Liz under the expert guidance of Linda Jennings. For several months, Linda has been working diligently with the staff at historic Boone Tavern to introduce and create special tea themed events at the tavern and instruct them on the preparation and presentation of Afternoon Tea including the proper brewing techniques for loose leaf tea. They have successfully hosted a Holiday Tea, a Valentine's Day tea, and are preparing to present their Kentucky Derby tea later in April. We were fortunate to preview this delightful tea in the Skylight Room, a private dining area at the tavern.   

Maureen, Patty, Mary, (not shown: Linda, Nancy)

Our attentive hostess Rachel kept our tea cups full of hot tea. They proudly serve specialty tea sourced from local Kentucky tea business owner Bruce Richardson of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas. We were offered Earl Grey Black Tea with Lavender, the Mayor's Cup a full bodied blend of three single-estate teas from Darjeeling, Assam and the Sri Lankan highlands, or Cherry Rose Green Tea.

The first course began with a sampling of their famous Kentucky Spoonbread plated with a variety of field greens. As described by Rachel, it is similar to cornbread in taste, but is more soufflé-like.

A bowl of warm Kentucky Burgoo was served next. This very traditional hearty stew is made with chicken, pork, or whatever game you have on hand along with a good assortment of vegetables in a rich broth which makes a very tasty sampling of true Kentucky fare.

Our individual plate of Savories featured  Liz's Spicy Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Fancy Deviled Eggs, Mini Hot Browns, and a Tea Biscuit with Country Ham, Apricot Jam and Arugula. Each one very tasty!

The three tiered serving tray with Scones and Sweets was presented to a round of oohs and aahs! On the bottom tier: The "Lily" Scone with cranberry and orange zest with triple sec and a triangular Plain Scone.

Lily Scone and Plain Scones

More tea, anyone?

White Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Raspberries

The top tier included Chocolate Bourbon Tartlets, Mini Race Day Bites, and Mini Cupcakes with Mint julep Icing. Double yum!

And Decorated Horseshoe Sugar Cookies completed the Derby Day selection.

                   We thoroughly enjoyed our Afternoon Tea at Boone Tavern! Can't you tell!?

Angela of Tea With Friends shared her experience here.

Linda of Friendship Tea shared her photos and commentary here.

Maureen of Tea and Talk shares her photo collection here.

Phyllis of The Relevant Tea Leaf is blogging this week about her journey.