Forney House Bed & Breakfast/Tea Room

The Royal Tea Club of York PA hosted a private event at the Forney House Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room in early November of last year. Susanna and I are members of the Royal Tea Club, and we try to attend an event or two during the year. We were thrilled that our calendar was open for this adventure and we journeyed south to Hanover, PA to join fellow members of the club for friendship and fun over a pot of tea.

The tea room is divided into several rooms, and we were seated in a parlor that held a large table set for eight.

Once we were seated, the wait staff offered an assortment of flavored teas. They carry 'True Honey' tea which features honey infused black flavored teas. There was a Ginger Lemon Zest and also Honey Almond black tea. Large pots were placed at each end of the table

The first course was a hearty butternut squash soup, their vegetarian option. Warming and flavorful, it was a good way to start our Afternoon Tea. They also offered a Chicken and Dumpling Soup which looked tasty, too.

A salad bowl with fresh mixed greens, craisins, pecans and a lovely light poppy seed dressing was offered next.

The tiered tray came laden with an assortment of delicious tea time treats. Sandwiches, scones, and desserts to be shared between four of us. It was a bountiful display of seasonal treats, all meant to be savored and enjoyed with hot tea.

The sandwiches included an Egg Salad (or chicken salad) Croissant, Veggie Spiral, Cucumber Tea Sandwich, and Pepper Jam with a Wheat Cracker.

The scone was a glazed Orange Scone with clotted cream and orange curd.

And dessert included Pumpkin Nut Roll, Italian wedding cookie and Spice Cupcake with ginger buttercream frosting.

This was their menu for November 2021. It looks like they change the menu monthly. 

We had a lovely visit here, and savored all the tea time treats with friends.

The tea room is lovingly appointed with treasures throughout the rooms. Here's a look at some of the tea time décor

National Hot Tea Month - January

We enjoy tea all year long, but we are quite happy to acknowledge and celebrate National Hot Tea Month in January. The bone chilling month of January is quite appropriate to be featured as hot tea month. 

Have you heard the old Chinese adage that muses that three cups of tea a day keeps the druggist away. Have you had your three cups today?

Tisane, or "herb tea," is not a true tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, but rather a blend of various herbs, flowers, or spices. Herbal teas have long been enjoyed for their healing and rejuvenating qualities. Ginger is said to be calming for digestive discomfort.

The spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort, and refinement." -Arthur Gray

"Come along inside. . . we'll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place." - The Wind in the Willows

"Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world." - Tien Yuheng

"Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea." -Reverend Sydney Smith

"If you are cold, tea will warm you; If you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you."  -William Gladstone

Happy National Hot Tea Month!

A Year in Review - 2021 - Happy New Year!

January is a cold month in Pennsylvania, with off and on snow, but the Camellia sinensis tea plant in the garden grows strong and tall through it all. January is also the planning month where Susanna and Nancy outline the next special events and activities for the new year.

February, the month where we highlight Valentine's Day, and showcase roses and chocolate and everything pink and red throughout the tea room. 

While March is of course for St. Patrick's Day and the luck of the Irish. This year we also included a program by Debbie Hartman of Thyme with Debbie featuring Flatbreads and Spreads. We will be contacting Debbie to see what she will offer in the new year. We enjoy her easygoing teaching style, her demonstration of special techniques, and of course the tasting of her delicious creations.

April marks the beginning of the growing season and a wide variety of herb plants line the porch waiting to be transported and transplanted to their new homes. It's always an exciting time when the plants arrive! In April, Susanna teaches a class on Herb Gardening, and there was a class on Springtime Tonics. Both educational and informative!

May Day is fun, secretly posting a basket of posies on the neighbor's door, waiting for them to be surprised with the colorful bouquet. Of course, Mother's Day Tea is another highlight for May. May is always a busy month as we celebrate National Herb Week. Parsley was the herb of the year for 2021. We are looking forward to celebrating the Viola, Violets, Pansy, and Pansies, the herb of the year for 2022.

We honor the Queen in June with our annual Queen's Tea celebrating her birthday, even though her true birthday is in April, the Queen deserves to celebrate twice! Weed walks, Making Herbal Medicine, and Growing a Healing Herb Garden were a few of the classes Susanna held during the busy month of June.

July was a family road trip to New England where we visited the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden and discovered the giant trolls, the keepers of the seeds constructed throughout the garden. Such fun! Trivia Night was popular in the tea room as an evening activity along with our Taking Tea and Tarot Reading.

August included a day trip to the Magic Garden in Philadelphia. Love the creativity found at this unique location on South Street. We're always on the lookout for sources of inspiration!

September is our festival month, first we celebrate the fairies, elves, wizards, and trolls that hide about the grounds. This is such fun, and you're invited to frolic with the fairies on September 10th and 11th, 2022. Check out the website closer to the date for a current list of activities.

The end of September we are the host site for the PA Tea Festival where all things tea are shared, from tea tastings to demonstrations, lectures, and small sessions, the world of tea offers much to discover. In 2022, we hope to see you Friday, Sept. 23rd and/or Saturday, Sept. 24th. Our tea festival website will keep you updates.

Halloween Teas are the theme in October. Spooky, and hauntingly delightful tea time treats are created for these special events. Of course, the gardens are decorated for the season, too.

The end of November is the beginning of the holiday tea time season with our annual holiday teas that kick off the day after Thanksgiving. Holiday tea cups, teapot napkin rings, and all things red and green make the tea room joyful and delightful until the end of the year.

December is a month of holiday teas in Sweet Remembrances, and plenty of shopping in the Rosemary House. At the end of the month, family and friends celebrated at a candlelight tea catered by Faith. Here's to a year of fabulous memories, and to another year of herbs and teas.

Thank you for all of our customers, friends really, that join in our activities at the tea room and in the gift shop. You inspire us to create more special events and 2022 promises to be a year full of unique opportunities! Happy New Year!

 

2021 Grand Finale Celebration

Earlier this month, we celebrated 2021 with a Grand Finale Afternoon Tea. Holiday reds and greens completed the table scapes. A festive menu announced what was to come. There was definitely a festive holiday spirit throughout the tea room. 

The event began with an Amuse Bouche, or as it translates from the French, 'to amuse the mouth', a precursor to the meal, something to get your juices flowing. It included two small Artichoke Truffles (thank you ME for sharing the recipe), coupled with a Parmesan Crisp, fresh parmesan cheese shavings, and a balsamic drizzle all graced with a fresh sprig of thyme.

The First Course featured a chilled Avocado Soup topped with freshly snipped chives and a burnet leaf.

The Second Course was a fresh Pear and Pecan Salad with Parmesan Balsamic Dressing. It included spring onions and fresh basil in the dressing, and was topped with Parmesan cheese and sugared pecans.

The Third Course was a nod to Afternoon Tea Time Treats and boasted a Greek Feta, Cucumber & Olive Toast, a miniature Turkey and Cranberry Filling in Petite Fillo Cup, a Puff Pastry Holly Leaf with Basil Pesto and Feta Filling, and a Poppyseed Chicken Salad in a Fillo Cup.

The Fourth Course was a refreshing interlude which included a Double Berry Wine Cooler.

The Fifth Course were warm Savories and featured Cranberry glazed Meatballs, Hot Cheddar Mushroom Spread and Crackers in a small serving spoon, Almond Bacon Cheese Crostini, and Chicken Almond Canape garnished with a fresh sprig of Rosemary (for Remembrance). 

The Sixth Course was our Traditional English Cream Scone with Sweet Cream and Lemon Curd served alongside a skewer of Red and Green Grapes.

The Seventh Course held a trio of sweet delights including a Merri-mint Trifle, Snowball Cookie, and a Crème Brule Truffle.

The Eighth Course was a round of liqueur served in milk chocolate or dark chocolate shot glasses. We offered an Orange Cream liqueur or Susanna's Spiced Apple Brandy liqueur. Milk was also an option. Families and friends created special memories at this Grand Finale end-of-the year celebration.

And throughout the afternoon, elegant harp music plucked by award winning harpist Mary-Kate Spring Lee of Seasons filled the air.

Annual Holiday Workshop & Afternoon Tea

There are certain annual traditions held in the tea room, and the Holiday Workshop and Afternoon Tea would be one of those special events that occurs in early December. This year our guests created a festive holiday gnome made using a pinecone (sprayed white on one side for the 'beard') with a felt hat and fuzzy nose. The 'demonstration' gnome has found his new home in one of the tea room Christmas trees. As guests arrive, tea orders are placed before beginning the craft. After the craft is complete, all supplies are whisked away, the tables are quickly set, tea cups are filled and the afternoon tea begins. 

The first course featured a Pear and Pecan Salad with white cheddar cheese, red onions, fresh pears, and sugared pecans all dressed with a Maple Dijon dressing

The sandwich array included an Apple, Cranberry, Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich on white bread, a Hot Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Crostini topped with fresh parsley, a triangular Turkey, Provolone & Avocado Sandwich, Marinated Greek Veggie Medley in a Phyllo Cup, and Basil Pesto filled Puff Pastry Holly Leaves.

Scones for the day included our Traditional English Cream Scone and a triangular Cranberry Pecan Scone served with Sweet Cream and Raspberry Preserves alongside fresh fruit.

And the dessert medley concluded the day with creamy Pumpkin Mousse in a Chocolate Cup, Cranberry Bliss cake, and a White chocolate Peppermint Cookie. This joyful afternoon of crafting, friendship, tea, sweets and savories has become a holiday tradition for many. Afterwards, a quick stop next door at The Rosemary House offers some aroma therapy and the opportunity for some Christmas shopping, too.