The Doors of Spain

The ancient doors of Spain are impressive.  Each one beautiful in its own right, leaving to the imagination of the passerby what treasure might be hidden behind that door or what story it would tell if given the opportunity.

Most of these photos of archaic doors were captured in the historic city of Segovia where close, narrow streets beckon you to discover their secrets.



This modern door (right) is hidden in the mountains of eastern Spain, in the region of Catalunya.  A special excursion to a horse farm helped us discover this hidden portal.

Sunny Spain - Colorful Windowboxes

A group of eight of us (family and friends) had a memorable opportunity to visit Spain this summer. 

Sunny Spain!


It's important to remember to look up while strolling the streets and sometimes narrow passageways of the various cities of Spain in order to enjoy the beauty and blooming color that is perched above in the assorted window boxes. 

From Madrid to Toledo to Segovia to Barcelona, we were thrilled to capture the myriad assortment of blooming window boxes.

Tea Cup Love

The White House in Oakhurst, NJ

Members of the Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association recently gathered in Oakhurst, NJ for their summer meeting.  Currant president of the Association and business owner of The White House in Oakhurst, Kirsten Kristensen hosted the special event.  Members enjoyed a morning welcoming reception of a nice assortment of Sticky Fingers scones accompanied by cream, curd, and jelly, and a variety of hot teas.

The presidential theme is appreciated in each room throughout the building.  A wide variety of collections are on display, including a hall featuring individual portraits of every President.

Kirsten considers herself a Tea Coach, and is quite happy to introduce her customers to the exciting world of tea through special tea events, or through personal one on one education.


The gathering of tea business members was a 'pot luck' event, and these pictures capture a mere portion of the wide variety of organic menu items featured at this event.  Shown here are Lapsang Souchong infused Deviled Eggs, Egg Salad Sandwiches, and Tomato, Feta and Chick Pea Salad with pistachio nuts.










There was a delicious Capresse Salad prepared by the Tea and Hat Lady, and Susanna shared Quinoa stuffed Cherry Tomatoes. For a comprehensive look at the menu, visit Darlene's blog, The Tea Enthusiast's Scrapbook, as she has highlighted everything that was served at this luncheon.

Fairy Festival - Countdown!

Soon!  Very Soon!  The fairies will be flittering about the gardens again.  Mark your calendars... and make it a point to frolic in the fantasy!  Visit the Fairy Festival website for detailed information and daily schedule of events.  We'd love to see you!

In the Kitchen

Does tea have a prominent spot in your kitchen?

or perhaps, coffee?

Carlos Bake Shop

Carlos Bake Shop is located in Hoboken, NJ and is the home of the TLC television show "Cake Boss".   On a recent trip through New Jersey, we thought we would stop and pick up a few goodies from the bake shop for fun.  Angelica is a fan of the show and this would be a little surprise trip.  This photograph is taken in such a way that it does not show the 1-1/2 hour line that forms both in front of the shop and across the street, even requiring a ticket to stand in the line.   No, we didn't stand in the line, since we were heading home and because we have a good baker in our family.

ATAA Afternoon Tea

Earlier this summer we hosted a gathering of tea friends, united by the Yahoo Group Afternoon Tea Across America.  This on-line tea discussion group is comprised of friends sharing their love for tea: tea rooms, tea time, specialty teas, and any thing else that encompasses the world of tea.  It's a friendly gathering of tea enthusiasts, chatting about what makes them happy.  Proving that the world is getting to be a smaller place, the Internet has connected tea friends in many ways.  And Sweet Remembrances Tea Room recently offered the opportunity for friends to gather around the tea table.

Nancy Reppert from Pennsylvania, Rose Turner Jory from Virginia and Linda Jennings from Kentucky and family members joined around the tea table for an afternoon of fun and laughter. 

Our tea time started with a Lettuce, Raisin, and Walnut Salad with a Raspberry Dressing. 












The tea tray, laden with as assortment of tea sandwiches, oven fresh scones, and gluten free desserts, produced smiles from those in attendance. AJ and Angelica were happy to be a part of the tea time gathering as they are both critics of good tea and connoisseurs of good scones!









Conveniently, both Rose and Linda were in Hershey for different conventions.  It inspired the special gathering at Sweet Remembrances and the opportunity for Internet friends to connect.  Conversations flowed with ease.

Nancy and Linda were roommates during a London vacation several years ago, so it was extra special to reunite again this summer.  Linda writes the Friendship Tea blog and shared about her experience at Sweet Remembrances in this earlier post.

 

Ellen Sall - Finders Keepers

The Philadelphia International Airport provides the opportunity for a variety of local artists to share their creativity through rotating art exhibitions that change throughout the year.  In an ongoing effort to introduce a variety of cultural and educational experiences to the many travelers that pass through the airport, many unique displays can be discovered here.  One of the featured artists this summer is Ellen Sall, a Philadelphia resident that combines her passions for collecting junk into an expressive art form, creating clever totems and lamp posts. A member of Dumpster Divers of Philadelphia, Ellen gives new life to once loved but now discarded items.  Her creativity captured my eye as she incorporated teacups, pots, and such into her unique assemblages.

 

Time to Reflect

Another little scene from our wanderings around the Tate Farm, Cross and Bluebird Tea Room.   Around every corner was another little vignette to be taken in and enjoyed and reflected upon. 
. . .and time to pray.

 

Cross & Bluebird Tea Room - Historic Tate Farm

This fun little welcome sign greeted us as we arrived at The Cross & Bluebird Tea Room where we recently enjoyed a private tea luncheon at this lovely tea room. Although this tea room closed as of the summer of 2015, we have pleasant memories of an enjoyable family time spent here.

After everyone was served tea, with delicately cut lemon slices,



















Peach Scones were presented with a generous portion of cream, lemon curd, and jelly.  It was a fun way to start our special luncheon.

Chilled Cucumber and dill soup in vintage dishes was the next course.

Mushroom Quiche with a chilled asparagus salad was the featured main course.  And for dessert, a sinfully delicious chocolate cheesecake.


A stroll thru the gardens completed our special afternoon get-away.

Historic Tate Farm, Hunterstown, PA

Historic Tate Farm, located just outside of Gettysburg, PA was owned continuously by the Tate family from its original log cabin beginnings in the mid 1700's until 1996.  The current owners now operate a lovely farm house style tea room with beautiful gardens to enjoy.















This is a water feature garden with quite a variety of perennials and water plants. They also had a larger four square herb garden and a vegetable garden as well.

Tea rooms and gardens.  Always a good day.