Southern Belles Take Tea in the North

Eight of the ten Southern Belle Tea Tour participants met at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, MI today for Afternoon Tea at noon.  Had it not been for hurricane Irma, we would have been in Marietta, GA touring the Gone With the Wind Museum and having Afternoon Tea at the Vineyard Café before departing for Charleston, S.C., but Mother Nature's agenda trumped ours.

Only two of our group couldn't join us and for good reason - one lives in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, and the other lives in Marquette, Mi - in the Upper Peninsula, nine hours away.  I'm sure they were with us in spirit.  Teresa drove from Napoleon, Ohio to be with us, and treated herself to a two-night stay at the beautiful, luxurious Royal Park Hotel.

It's a custom at the hotel to wait in the library before being taken to the gallery where the Royal Tea is served.  While we waited for everyone to arrive we took some pictures.

[Lori and Teresa]

[L-R: Lori, Me, Teresa, Barb, Linda, and Louise]

Tea hostess, Mary Kuhn, escorted us to our own private tea room - much cozier than being out in the gallery.

Mary explained our Mighty Leaf loose-leaf tea options.  We got to pick three for our table - Pear Caramel Black Tea, Green Tea Passion, and Masala Chocolate Truffle Herbal Tea. 

Mary took a group photo for us.  Sandra is on the far left and behind her is Cheryl.  Since Cheryl got hid by the hat brim, I'm glad I got one of her by herself. 

There's something about a hat/fascinator that appeals to people. While we were having tea and chatting away, two different people [a man and a woman - both young], stepped inside the room to compliment us, and asked if they could take our picture.  The man even wanted to be in the picture with us!

The food on the three-tiered server tasted as delicious as it looked. 

~ I selected Green Tea Passion ~

Savories were Smoked Salmon BLT on Rye; Hickory Smoked Chicken with Pear Chutney in a Phyllo Cup; Cucumber with Herb Cream Cheese on White Bread; Rosemary Puff Pastry with Roast Beef, Cheddar and Horseradish Cream;  Egg Salad Tomato Bruschetta; and Aged Cheddar Cheese Creme Brulee garnished with a Date.

Hot Hors d' Oeuvres were Chef's Pear-Almond Brie En-Croute and Spanakopita.

Freshly baked English Fruit Scone with Clotted Cream, Lemon Curd, Honey and Preserves.

Desserts were: Orange Cheese Cake Pop; Raspberry Tart; Shortbread Cookie; Dark Chocolate Decadence; Cranberry Orange Bread; and Chocolate Covered Strawberry.  These went home in a carry-out container for my hubby, because by now I was stuffed.

We sat around the table from noon until 3:30 when Mary politely nudged us out.   We had such a lovely afternoon together which I'll share in tomorrow's post. One of the ladies in our group called our time together "magical."  We would have had fun on the tea tour too because this was a very compatible group.  Tea lovers are the nicest people!

I pray everyday that I won't sin in word, thought [which includes covetousness], or deed, but every time I'm around Teresa it's difficult. ;-)  When she came on the Michigan Tea Tour last year she had an adorable blue and white felt purse that a lady in Poland makes and sells on Etsy.  Since Teresa lives in Ohio and goes to different tea functions than me, she graciously gave me the contact info and I ordered one.

Now look at the adorable beaded teapot purse she came with today!  My prayers are really being tested. ;-)  I won't be ordering this designer purse because it's beyond my budget, but I'm happy for Teresa and glad we all got to ooh and aah over it.  

To be continued...