Afternoon tea in northern Michigan is an elegant affair!

Afternoon tea at Pemberly Pines, an elegant affair in  northern Michigan woods

Afternoon tea is always an elegant affair. Whether it's at the London Ritz or the middle of the woods in northern Michigan, there  are certain elements which must be included: beautiful environs, fancy teapots, delicious scones and excellent tea. It goes without saying, fantastic company just comes with the package.

Last month, we held a few afternoon tea outings at our northern retreat, Pemberly Pines. Our first tea took place the first weekend in August during our family reunion. This is where we literally house a dozen and a half relatives under one cabin roof. We're fortunate in that this gathering is not just one side of the family, but both my husband's clan as well as mine.

Biannual reunion with both sides of the family, aka Paintball &Afternoon tea

This gathering is a biannual event that includes, paintball, boating, campfires, barbecues, sightseeing (this year, Coopers Ville)  and, of course, the grand finale - afternoon tea.

Paintball, the "Opera Games" occurs before afternoon tea

It's a last day event and those remaining ladies of the group take a moment for a relaxing - and, yes, elegant - afternoon tea.

A side trip to Coopers Ville, a western town in Lewiston. Serving tea anywhere!

While the London Ritz has sparkling chandeliers and a four string quartet playing in the background, at Pemberly Pines, majestic evergreens  serve as a backdrop with chirping (okay, maybe a little "squawking") birds serving as our piped-in music.

Cara serves up some scones and her own version of nanaimo bars. Dee-lish!

This year, we had the usual suspects (Rachel, my sister-in-law Cara, and me), along with my mother-in-law, the other Barb Gulley.

Serving some Earl Grey to my mother-in-law, Barb Gulley

Of course, we used a silver tea set along with china cups and plates and served up gourmet scones and bars. Even though we're miles away from bright lights/big cities, there's no need to scrimp on luxury.

It was a wonderful way to end a delightful family reunion.

The Durling's photography skills gave us some fabulous photos of the tea garden

Our second tea in the tea garden was at the end of August with our bff's, (aka "the gang"). We enjoyed a long weekend with our friends at Pemberly Pines where we hiked, dined and played cards. To be sure, no visit is complete without a stop at the tea garden. Rik and Carol took some beautiful pictures before we set up tea time.

Carol, Pam and Barb in the tea garden before tea time

Afternoon tea time can take place anywhere - London, New York or an address in northern Michigan that doesn't even show up on  GPS.

We're thinking we need to update our "Gulley Cabin Rules" to include, "take in afternoon tea under the pines". Perhaps we'll also add, "don't forget the essentials: silver tea set, china tea cups, scones and linen napkins".  Fantastic company is always a given.

Cabin rules need to add tea time!

Tuesday Tea and Tomes: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Lisa See and Barb Gulley at the DIA 

Earlier this year, Barb's Tea Service presented several "Tea from China" events to local libraries as part of their "Everyone's Reading" collaborative program with this year's featured book, "Shanghai Girls"  by Lisa See.  It was my introduction to this author's series of  fascinating novels which are influenced by her paternal family's Chinese-American history.

Shanghai Girls is the story of two sisters, Pearl and May Chin and their journey from pretty, carefree girls from a well-to-do family in Shanghai to young women in California, surviving war, debt, and racism. In the span of twenty years (1937 - 1957), the sisters share a bond that endures jealousy, sacrifice and perceived betrayal.  A true page-turner, it left me - and other adoring fans - grateful for the sequel, "Dreams of Joy".

Lisa See speaking to a filled auditorium at the DIA in April

We also had the opportunity to hear Lisa See speak at the DIA this past April. As captivating as her books, she told her own story of growing up as part Chinese American and her interest in pursuing the stories of her father's side of the family.  Those roots can be traced to some of the earliest Chinese immigrants to the west coast and the author sees herself, both literally and figuratively, as the face of today's America:  generations of diversity and the blending of cultures.

Barb's Tea Service presents Chinese Tea at the Baldwin Library: Rachel, Pam and Barb

We recommend reading this book with a cup of delicious Chinese tea. Among our favorites: Silver Needles, Dragon Well, Milky Jade Oolong and Keemun. We served all of these at our Chinese Tea events, as well as demonstrating components  of the Chinese tea ceremony and the art of drinking from a gaiwan.

Chinese Tea at Canton Library with Rob and Rachel of BTS

Whether you peruse this book in that comfy corner of your home or at a relaxing tea room, Shanghai Girls is an excellent read.

Enjoying some Chinese tea at Socra Tea (located near the DIA)

For more information on BTS' Tea from China program, see the article Try Chinese Tea at 'Everyone's Reading' event in Canton covered by the Observer & Eccentric, March, 2016.

Bon Bon Bon Chocolatier: It's good, good, good!

Learn to be a chocolatier at Bon Bon Bon

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Bon Bon Bon, a chocolate confectionery in Hamtramck, lives up to its name: it is good, good, good. Pair it with tea and it is mervilleux. Learning to craft such decadence, c'est magnifque!

Barb and Rachel with Alex (center), owner of Bon Bon Bon 

Bon Bon Bon's flagship store offers classes in chocolate making under the direction and passion of owner and skilled artisan Alexandra Clark. Knowing this was summer school we'd embrace, Rachel and I signed up for a session in July. We were lucky to get in as these classes sell out quickly.

My first box of Bon Bon Bons from Matt for Mother's Day

I first heard about this wonderful boutique business in May, from Meg Provenzino, owner of  Socra Tea - our favorite Detroit tea room. Meg referred us to Bon Bon Bon when we contacted her for some more R & D  for  upcoming tea and chocolate events. (Bon Bon Bon uses Socra Tea's Earl Grey in two of their special chocolate truffles, "London Fog" and "High Tea".)

Adding Earl Grey and other fun ingredients to our bon bons

That same month, coincidentally, my son, Matt, gave me a box of Bon Bon Bons for Mother's Day (they have a retail shop in the Chrysler Building where he works). They were amazing and the contents of the gift box were emptied quickly but savored slowly - usually with a cup of tea chosen for perfect pairing.

Rachel at our work station, ready to unleash bon bon creativity

Having sampled so many of  Bon Bon Bon's sweet delights, I couldn't wait to get some hands on training.

Holding up granache, ready to be poured into chocolate shells.

It was a fun class where we learned to temper chocolate and prepare ganache filling. Each duo worked on a specific recipe and after we completed our lot, we were given the opportunity to get creative and experiment with numerous ingredients. Of course, I made a few with earl grey, but we whipped up exotic concoctions with a variety of unorthodox, but crazy delicious, ingredients.

At the end of the training, each team shared their chocolate creation with the rest of the students. We came home with a dozen truffles based on Bon Bon Bon recipes, along a a couple of our own design.

Rachel pipes granache into the shells.

A good time, with homework we could sink our teeth into!

Bon Bon Bon located on Evaline in Hamtramck, soon to move to new location

Bon Bon Bon is located on Evaline Street, but will be moving down a few blocks in the near future to a new location on Joseph Campau.  Check their website for retail stores and classes at bonbonbon.com. (Keep in mind, classes do sell out fast!)

Admittedly, we're overachievers when it comes to studying up on chocolate. Rachel and I enrolled in a Chocolate 101 class at the Hershey museum in 2014 and spent months matching chocolates with select teas to bring out the best flavors in both.

We'll be hosting several Chocolate and Tea events in 2017. Stay tuned to barbsteaservice.com for more information!

Overachievers: studying tea and chocolate regularly

Serious students at Hershey Lab, Hershey PA

In honor of Afternoon Tea Week in England: Our top five tea favorite tea rooms in London

Gorgeous and scrumptious pastries are part of Claridge's afternoon tea

According to the Mirror, my special Denver tea lady, Penelope C, and my husband's "share" of Harrod's facebook status,  it's "Afternoon Tea Week" in England.

Although this is the last day of Afternoon Tea Week in the UK, it doesn't mean  the celebration must end. Quite the contrary, whether at the London Ritz or in the northern woods of Michigan, getting together for tea with friends and family is always a special occasion.

However, with all the recent notifications of this delightful week, the end of Afternoon Tea Week coincided with yet another media alert - my facebook "On This Day".  It popped up this morning with pictures of my trip to London in 2011 with my daughter, Rachel. Of course, it included our trip to The Orangery, a lovely tea room on the grounds of Kensington Palace.

I needed no further prompting. In honor of Afternoon Tea Week, it is time to list BTS' favorite tea rooms in London.

1. The London Ritz

Delicious tea far, fine music and wonderful pomp and circumstance

It doesn't get much better than this. This was the first tea room I visited in London (over ten years ago) and it still ranks as my all around number one. To me, it is the quintessential afternoon tea venue with all the right pomp and circumstance.

Formally attired waiters parade around tables with silver tea pots on trays as a string quartet plays soothing tunes in the background. Everyone is at this luxurious venue for a jolly good time, guests and staff alike.  Back before the days of Instagram and selfies, I was hesitant to ask our waiter to take our picture in such a tony place. Taking a cue, however, from a little less self-conscious group at a neighboring table who held up their camera, I summoned a request for a photo op and was granted one from our warm and courteous server.

If you are looking for great food, fancy decor and elegant ambiance with a nod to a bit of fun and theater, the London Ritz has it all.

2.  The Orangery at Kensington Palace

Dessert table, filled with tasty treats, is at the center of The Orangery tea room

Located on the grounds of Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Di and now the residence of Prince William and Kate, this gorgeous tea room is sleek, modern and bright. Rachel and I came here in 2011 when she spent a summer in London for a study abroad program.

The tea fare is delicious and there is an emphasis on rich, indulgent desserts - which, in my opinion, is a good place to focus. It's also the first tea venue where we sampled tea from Tregothnan, England's only tea plantation. Like the tea fare, it was very good, indeed!

Rachel  outside the gardens of Kensington Palace, the Oragery is left of the palace.

3. Brown's Hotel

Browns Hotel is all luxury and refinement

Luxury and refinement define this lovely tea room. Dark paneled walls, heavily upholstered seats and impeccable tablescapes exude a hushed sophistication that draws from its history of serving high society for decades. In the Gilded Age, the Browns Hotel, along with Claridge's, were the places to stay for wealthy American mothers scouting Lords for their daughters. I came here with Rachel the summer of her study abroad, but I assured her, it was only for afternoon tea.

Sophisticated ambiance and a dessert cart!

Another great feature of this hotel's afternoon tea, is the dessert cart. Brown's Hotel serves a full afternoon tea, which consists not only of scones, savories and tiny pastries, but also your choice of slice of cake or torte which comes to the table via a pastry cart.

4. Claridge's Hotel

Soaking in the rich history of the hotel with Matt, Rachel and Chris

Claridge's Hotel houses another tea room that is of the same ilk as Brown's:  beautiful, elegant and rich with history - and  also with a history of the rich. The tea fare presentation was exquisite, almost too pretty to eat (although we managed quite well).  Service is first class and, although the venue's vibe is a bit busier than Brown's, it's still a tea room that delivers an experience worthy of any Lord or Lady.

We visited Claridge's last September and were charmed by staff, decor and the tea room's distinctive mint green and white striped china.

5. The Wolseley

Enjoying a cream tea at The Wolseley after social media notification

Through the magic of social media, we were directed to The Wolseley last September after I posted pictures of our visit to Buckingham Palace on facebook. My great Denver tea lady friend, Penelope C, made a comment to that post that we should go to The Wolseley.  We checked our map ap, and we weren't too terribly far. Although it was a bit impromptu for a full afternoon tea, we stopped in for a cream tea and were not disappointed.

Scones and tea were devine

The decor is a mix of modern and classic with black walls, crystal chandeliers and dark marble table tops. Silver tea services are brought to the table with gleaming white china plates and cups. Our scones were devine as were the colorful macarons.

Pretty and delicious macaraons came with tea

I loved every tea room I visited in England and I enjoy afternoon tea no matter where I'm at. Afternoon Tea Week serves as a reminder:  tea time is always a memorable occasion whether at the Ritz or in the middle of woods in northern Michigan. It's all about time together with family, friends and lots of good tea!

Celebrating Afternoon Tea Week in the woods of Michigan 

Afternoon tea at Heavenly Scent

Heavenly Scent Herb Farm in Fenton offers afternoon teas in the garden

Delicious scones, tasty tea and sweet desserts served on pretty, vintage china in a colorful garden with a nearby waterfall and faeries all around.

If that sound like paradise, it is - more specifically, afternoon tea at Heavenly Scent Herb Farm in Fenton.

This month, my cousins, Dianne B. and Kathy F., and I had the pleasure of taking part in an outdoor tea event at Heavenly Scent. Our hostess was Kathy Matthews, who, along with husband, Steve, own and run the working farm.

Sipping our refreshing iced tea in the cool shade of the outdoor pavilion

We were served a full afternoon tea, by Kathy, and her top-notch assistants, in an outdoor pavilion that provided shade and comfort on hot August day.

Dianne enjoying her tea next to the waterfall

Because of the heat, iced tea was served which was delicious and refreshing. Tea fare included two types of scones, a mint fruit salad, a chicken salad croissant and a divine parfait dessert that had my name on it!

Delicious mint fruit salad and chicken salad croissant.

Cream and curd for scones - all divine!

Two different types of bumptious scones were served

Dessert - so good, I put my name card on it!!

The outdoor repast concluded with a fun craft activity. We were all given ribbons and beads to make a friendship bracelet.  Kathy demonstrated the "magic" that makes the ribbons lock together. It requires two people to twist the strands, hence the name of this special bracelet.

Kathy demonstrates how to make a friendship bracelet

My cousins Kathy & Dianne, sisters as well as friends,  team up to make a bracelet

After our afternoon tea, we strolled the grounds which includes a faerie garden and an outdoor reception area perfect for weddings (which they do host here!).

Sign as you enter the faerie garden

Faeries and their tiny accommodations are hidden all over

Lovely grounds filled with blooming flowers

Great site for a special event, even weddings!

There's a wonderful gift shop inside that is stocked with a full-range of miniature accessories to outfit your own faerie garden. There's also a lot of fun tea products and unique home decor items.

Do your faeries need a Ferris wheel? Heavenly Scent has you covered.

The gift shop sells a variety of items, including tea

 My cousin, Dianne, had suggested our visit this month after she had been to their holiday tea last winter.  It was an absolutely wonderful afternoon in paradise. Gardens of flowers and herbs, scrumptious food and tea, and excellent service - Heavenly Scent has it all!