Southern Tea Time Getaway - Day 2

Day 2 of our trip found us back on the van at 8:30 a.m. for a four hour ride [258 miles] to Woodstock, Georgia where we had 1:30 p.m. reservations for the Queen's Tea at Tea Leaves and Thyme tearoom.  

We began every morning on the van with a brief devotional from Sarah Young's book, Jesus Calling.  It was the perfect way to start our day.

Teresa, one of our traveling companions from Ohio, made each of us tea journals that included the trip itinerary, information about the places we would be visiting, and a page to review each tearoom.  She's a very creative and talented gal, and we were blessed to have her with us.  She enhanced our travels in many ways as you will see in my posts.  

The Southern Belle on the cover of the journal [or Crinoline Lady] was the logo for the cancelled trip, but it was perfect for the journal cover.  Teresa brought along her bone china teacup that she searched over a year for on E-bay to match the logo identically.  It was too late for implementation when I got the idea that I should have made Magnolias the logo for this trip [as in Steel Magnolias].  I ordered the DVD to watch on the van but FedEx temporarily lost it, and it didn't arrive until we were on the road.  

When we crossed the Tennessee state line into Georgia we stopped at the Welcome Center for pictures and a potty break.  What a lovely Welcome Center - the nicest of our entire trip!

The vignettes inside the Welcome Center told us our time in Georgia was going to be just peachy!  

After our respite, we were back on the van for the remaining 2-hour ride to Woodstock.  Upon arrival it was picture taking time outside the tearoom.

[Photo courtesy of Tea Leaves & Thyme Website]

Three wonderful Georgia ladies were waiting to join us for Afternoon Tea.  Angela McRae [Tea with Friends blog] who I felt like I knew long before I met her in 2012. It was the first meeting with Joy Breedlove and Angela Renals, but we were kindred spirits.  Joy has been a faithful follower and supporter of my blog since it began in 2012.  In my 1,540 blog posts I could probably count on one hand the times she hasn't left a comment.  Every blogger needs a Joy to cheer them on!  Angela Renals is the creator of Destination Tea, a wonderful online tea directory providing up-to-date listings and reviews of tearooms and Afternoon Tea venues in the United States and beyond.  A blog is at the website as well.

  
Back row L-R:  Angela R. and Angela M.

Front row:  Joy and Me.

Standing in the photo below is Kim Jordy, the owner of Tea Leaves and Thyme.  The popular Atlanta area tearoom opened in 1997 [this is its second location since they outgrew the first one], and Bruce Richardson bestowed the honor of featuring them in his Great Tearooms of America book.

The staff were ready and waiting for us.

 ~ We started off with a friendship toast of Sparkling Punch ~

I think Teresa took the photo below of Angela McRae and me, and as soon as I saw it I said, even though separated by miles, good friends pick up right where they left off.  [Which for us was last summer when Angela and her hubby passed through my area on their way up to Mackinac Island and stopped at my house for lunch.]

Pictured below was the Tea Menu.  I ordered Snowflake Tea - a black tea flavored with coconut and almonds.

Our soup and salad came out first.  I ordered Sun-dried Tomato accompanied by Mixed Greens with a Citrus Vinaigrette.

Our wonderful server, Diane.

Then came the three-tiered server.  Fresh Fruit and three Scones [Cranberry, Pecan and Vanilla] were on the top tier. 

The middle tier held the savories:  Pimento Cheese on Brown Bread, Cucumber rounds on White Bread, Ham on Wheat Bread and Pineapple Cream Cheese on Marble Bread.

The bottom tier held the desserts:  Chocolate Trifle, Lemon Squares, Chocolate covered Strawberry, and Blueberry Muffin. 

L-R Standing:  Lori, Me, Angela R. and Angela M.  Seated: Joy.

The tearoom has a lovely gift shop which we were happy to shop in!  

[Photo courtesy of Destination Tea]

Angela M., Angela R., and Joy all came bearing thoughtful gifts.  Angela McRae blogged about her Frances Virginia Tearoom Cookbook in her May 11, 2018 post, and when I inquired if it was still available, she brought me one of her copies. 

Joy gave me a tea-themed note pad, tea-themed napkins, and a bag of Savannah Grey loose-leaf tea from The Tea Room in Savannah which we visited.

Angela R. gave me a replica tea bag filled with tea and other useful information.  A tutorial on how to make them can be found at her website.  Thank you ladies, for your thoughtfulness and kindness!  

While I was still inside the tearoom, the ladies in our group had fun with my hubby waiting outside.  He was such a good sport the entire trip, and was so kind and helpful to all the ladies. 

After we said our goodbyes to the three Georgia ladies, we piled back into the van and traveled 17 miles to the Drury Inn & Suites in Marietta, GA where we spent the night.

The day still had one more treat in store - Mary Mac's Tea Room in downtown Atlanta... tomorrow's post.

As I type these posts it's with gratitude to God that the dates of our trip were before Alberto, the first named storm of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, made landfall causing flooding, high winds, and possible tornadoes. We're thankful to be back home safely. Prayers for those impacted by the storm.