A delightful tea with the Sisterhood of Beth Shalom

Getting ready for afternoon tea on the road.

Last month, Barb's TEA Shop served up tea and a tea etiquette presentation to one of the most delightful group of ladies we have had the pleasure to meet, the Sisterhood of Beth Shalom. At the invite of member, Linda, and held at the beautiful home of another, Marylyn, the venue was wonderful and it felt to us as though it was designed purposely for such an affair. Rachel put together tea preparations in the large kitchen while I was directed to a corner between the living and dining room for my presentation set-up.

Rachel setting up tea in the kitchen. We served earl grey, green and herbal.

 While Rachel and I brought the tea and prepared it, the afternoon tea fare was a group effort from the members of the Sisterhood and it was as pretty as it was delicious. Tables were set in the dining room and living room with ample extra seating in couches near the fireplace.

Great set-up for afternoon tea. Ladies gathered in living room and dining room.

The afternoon kicked off with a membership meeting and a summary of their impressive philanthropic efforts.  To be part of this afternoon was truly an honor as well as a lot of fun!

Lovely tablescape  in corner of large dining room.

We even met up with an old friend, Lisa, who along with husband Frank, owns Chazzano Coffee (where I had my absolute favorite cup of puerh tea ever!) as well as making new friends, including Bobbie Lewis who writes a blog "Feed the Spirit". She captured the afternoon tea event wonderfully in a recent blog entry.   Here's a link to her article, which includes not only a scone recipe, but a bit of controversy about "milk in first" or "milk in last":  Tea Time with Scones.

A portion of afternoon tea fare including essential scones.

An amazing afternoon tea with an amazing group of women. Thanks for letting Barb's TEA Shop be part of your day!

Packing up the Tea Garden for another year

In February the TEA garden is planned

Back in June I wrote about what was to be the beginning of my tea garden at our place in northern Michigan, Pemberly Pines. In an area that is in a Plant Hardiness Zone of 4 (for comparison purposes, northern Alaska is Zone 1 and southern Florida is Zone 11), the gardening season isn't very long, but what time we do have, we certainly make the most of it. The tea garden flourished this summer and provided some very enjoyable tea times with family and friends.

My husband, Chris, built planters to be placed in the tea garden.
We planted herbs and flowers and added some teapot decor.
I labeled most of what I planted except for whatever was in the
big redwood planter. The seeds grew like crazy, but I was never
quite sure what they were.

Chris made the planters and transports plants in the tractor

Planting herbs, flowers and mystery seeds.

Tea garden tiles bought in February look lovely without snow

Not sure what I planted in here, but it really took off.

By August, the tea garden was in full bloom - just in time for our family reunion. In between paintball, outdoor movies, and golf, there was still time for a tea party.

Mystery plant? It's like a chia pet!

Herbs held on and hoping they return next year.

Having tea with Rachel and sister-in-law Cara in August

Pemberly also treated us with a bumper crop of blueberries - great with tea time

Last weekend, we were back up to Pemberly Pines with good friends, Rik and Carol, for our annual color tour of northern Michigan. We also walked the grounds of Pemberly and it was clear it was time to put the tea garden to bed. Rik took this picture which best captured the end of the tea garden for another season.

Seasons changing at Pemberly and the tea garden will take a hiatus.

It's time to switch from iced-tea by the pond to earl grey by the fireplace.  I'll have a few months to figure out what to add to next year's tea garden and maybe figure what's growing in the redwood planter.