2013 in Review

Thank you for visiting my blog throughout 2013.   It's been a year filled with wonderful tea events, and I thought would be fun to revisit some of them.  Pour yourself a cup of tea [to help with the sensory overload] and come along with me!

Posted January 11, 2013 

Tea Downton Abbey Style at Sweet Shalom Tea Room in Sylvania, Ohio

~ Tea friend, Teresa W. in her Edwardian Tea Gown ~

 ~ Melt-in-your-mouth Scones! ~

Posted February 11, 2013

A Chinese New Year's Tea at Great Lakes Tea & Spice in West Bloomfield, MI

~ Green Jade Soup with Yunnan Black Tea ~

~ Crispy Shrimp Won Tons ~

~ Curried Shrimp Noodles, Mandarin Fried Rice, and Tea Smoked Salmon ~

~ Almond Cookie, Five Spice Shortbread Cookie, and Ginger Tapioca Brulee ~

Posted March 13, 2013

Wearin' o' the Green for Afternoon Tea at O'Mara's in Berkley, MI

~ O'Mara's specialty - Irish Cream of Potato Soup ~

Yummy Savories!  My girlfriend and I haven't missed one of their monthly themed teas since we attended the March tea.  They are fantastic!

 ~ My girlfriend, and tea buddy, Lori ~ 

Posted April 15, 2013

Cristy Bennett's Daffodil Delight Tea in East Lansing, MI

~ An opening toast with Bartlett pear juice ~

~ Wedge of Chicken, Broccoli, and Three Cheese Strata; Ginger-Carrot Soufflé; and Lemony 'Sangria' Fruit Salad ~

~ Individual Lemon Chiffon Pie ~

 Posted May 16, 2013

I coordinate two teas a year for the ladies of my church.  May 11th was the 6th Annual Ladies' Spring Tea with the theme, "Hats off to Spring!" held at Sycamore Hills Golf Course in Macomb, MI. 

~ Hat Centerpieces ~

~ Hat Cake ~

~ Hat Program ~

~ Hat Favors ~

~ Delicious Meal ~

~ My Daughter, my Mother and Me ~

Posted June 14th 

J.L. Hudson's Tea at Longacre House in Farmington Hills, MI

My Hudson's memorabilia display case, and the hat I'm wearing is from Hudson's too!

 ~ One of Hudson's signature desserts was the Hot Fudge Ice Cream Puff ~

Posted July 1, 2013

Afternoon Tea at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester MI

I blogged about this tea, and the hotel linked to it on their website.  It was my most read post in 2013 with 1,061 reads at present.  Gotta love free publicity! ;-)  It was my pleasure to write about our Afternoon Tea there.

I took the month of August off from blogging, but there were five tea events that occurred that month, which I blogged about later.  One of them was Afternoon Tea at Sweet D's Confections and Tea Room in Linden, MI [posted Sept. 11, 2013].

 ~ Darjeeling Tea - Perfect for Afternoon Tea! ~

~ Savories and Fruit ~

~ Desserts ~

And "Whim Wam" - English name for trifle - concluded the tea meal.  Are you surprised that my New Year's resolution is to lose some weight in 2014? ;-)

~ Tea Friend, Barb Gulley, Detroit Examiner's Tea Editor ~

Posted on September 9th
Susan Branch book signing at Schuler Books in Walker, MI [near Grand Rapids]

What an exciting privilege to meet Susan and her husband, Joe, in person!  Susan's book is laced with tea, and pure pleasure to read and re-read!

~ Susan and Me ~

~ Joe & Susan's fun van! ~

Can I please post two events for September?  My granddaughter, Tiffany, and John's engagement.  Posted on September 3rd and September 16th, 2013.

~ Establishment where John popped the question. ~

~ Gorgeous Ring.  Very good job, John! ~

~ Congratulations to the happy couple! ~

~ Engagement dinner that I had for them. ~

Posted October 29, 2013.

My annual birthday tea for my sweet daughter, Lori.  This year's theme was "Gone with the Wind." 
  

~ Invitation Cover ~

  

~ Menu ~ 

~ Tablescape ~

~ Savories ~

~ Dessert ~

Posted November 19-21, 2013

"Hints for the Holidays" hosted by First Church of the Nazarene in Northville, MI

~ Just a few of my favorite tablescapes out of 32! ~

I hope you're still with me for December's post of 12/2 - Afternoon Tea at Historic Holly Hotel in Holly, MI

~ Roasted Rib Loin En Croute ~

~ Pumpkin Mousse Tart ~

~ My girlfriend, Sandy, and Me ~

I wrote 249 posts in 2013, so it was very difficult to pick just 12 events out of so many, but I think you can tell it was a year filled with wonderful memories of family, friends, and, of course, tea!  

In May it was my honor to receive membership into the Tea Bloggers' Association [July 9th post].  Their badge is proudly displayed on the side bar of my blog.

On September 22nd I made the decision to begin writing a Sunday devotional called Sunday Reflection.   I am very grateful for the opportunity to share a few words each week about my wonderful Lord and Savior.  

And now I'm off to await the dawning of a New Year... with teacup in hand!  May God Bless you each one!

The Best of Tea,

   Phyllis