Tea and Scones on the Patio

A lot of tea lovers are avid gardeners, but I'm not one of them.  I'd much rather be in my kitchen, cooking or baking.  My hubby does all our yard work.  Unbeknownst to him, I snapped the photo below while he was doing some upgrading in our backyard patio area.  I'm in awe of other people's beautiful gardens, but we only grow day lilies and hostas since they don't require a lot of care.

Yesterday was sunny skies and 70 degree temperatures, so I decided to do an outdoor blog post.  

I made a batch of coconut scones, and am sharing the recipe with you.  The recipe began as a basic Land O' Lakes scone recipe a few years ago, and I kept experimenting with it until I developed a coconut scone recipe.

Coconut Scones

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/3 cup macaroon coconut [finely chop shredded coconut in food processor]

1 teaspoon coconut extract

1 cup white chocolate chips [coarsely chopped]

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine first four ingredients in bowl.  Cut in cubed butter until mixture resembles small peas.  Add remaining ingredients stirring just until mixture is moistened and holds together. Wrap in Saran plastic wrap, and let rest in refrigerator for  30 minutes.  Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface [or between two pieces of parchment paper] and roll out to about 1/2 inch thickness.  Cut into circles with 3-inch biscuit cutter [or size of your choosing].  Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Brush tops with egg wash, and sprinkle with coarse sugar.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until a light golden brown.    Enjoy!

Sometimes I serve them with coconut cream pudding instead of mock Devonshire cream.  I reduce the amount of milk called for on the package directions to get a stiffer consistency.

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Today I'm joining Bernideen's Tea Time blog for Tea in the Garden

J.L. Hudson's Mezzanine Tea Room China

When I was on my recent blogging break, vacationing in Florida, I received an E-mail from my good friend, Angela, at Tea With Friends blog.  She knows about my Hudson's Department Store passion, particularly pertaining to the Mezzanine Tea Room, and she wanted me to know there was a listing on E-bay for four platters from the tea room.

I immediately contacted the seller to inquire about them, and received a reply saying they were purchased at the estate sale of a 90 year old lady in Ann Arbor, MI, and the deceased lady's son said they came from Hudson's Mezzanine Tea Room. 

At Restaurant Ware Collector's website I discovered that the dishes, made by Syracuse China, appeared in a 1946 Syracuse China catalog, accompanied by a photo of tables set with the dishes taken in the J.L. Hudson tea room, validating the estate sale claim. So I placed an opening bid of $24.95.  Since we were traveling home when the auction ended, I had no way of placing any counter bids, or knowing whether I had won until the auction was over. Imagine my excitement when I went online in our hotel room, and found out that no one had bid against me, and the platters were mine!

Once home, my research continued. Syracuse China sold to Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio in 2009, but they gave all their archives to the Onondaga Historical Society.  On July 2nd I e-mailed the Society to see if they had the 1946 catalog, and if I could get a copy of the tea room photo that's in the catalog.

A research specialist contacted me saying there's a $30 an hour charge to look for information, plus the cost of the photo, if they're able to find it. I mailed my check, and am patiently waiting for their response.  IF I obtain the photograph, it will be the only one of the tea room I have been able to locate as Target Headquarters  [owner of Hudson's archives] have none.

Obtaining this photo will be a huge asset to the cookbook project.  I'll definitely let you know the outcome.  I'm so grateful to Angela for letting me know about the e-bay auction.  Tea friends are the best!

Utica Outdoor Antique Market

Michigan had nice weather this past Saturday, so my hubby and I went to the 20 year old Utica Outdoor Antique Market, which is held three times a year in May, July, and August. 

We arrived around 9:30 a.m., and it was already filled with people [the market opens at 9:00 a.m.].  I didn't count the tents, and I don't know how many vendors from around the country participated, but there were a lot.  The tents pictured below are only a fraction of them.

I wasn't looking for anything particular, but one vendor had two clear glass egg cups that I collect @ $2.00 each, so I bought them.  I've blogged about them before - I use them for individual servings of clotted cream or jam, or sorbet between courses.

Just before we finished looking at all the wares, I spotted a Johnson Brother's Rose Chintz teacup for $10.  I have no intention of starting another dish collection, but I thought one in my teacup collection would be fun, and the price was right so I purchased it.  Wouldn't you know... the next vendor over had six of them, and she included a dessert plate with her cup and saucers for the same price of $10.  How was I to know?  So I missed out on getting a trio! This china always reminds me of blogging friends Sandi [Rose Chintz Cottage] and Angela [Tea With Friends] because they both have it.

When I got home I made some tea and drank it in my new teacup - Green Bohemian Raspberry tea.  It went perfectly with the lemon cake I baked.

For Michigan readers, the next outdoor antique market is September 6th & 7th.  

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Today I'm joining Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday
and Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Sunday Reflection...

One day I'll be just a memory for 

some people.  Jesus, help me do my best to

BE A GOOD ONE!

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, 
and glorify your Father who is in Heaven."  Matthew 5:16  [NASB]

[Precious Paternal Grandmother, Hazel Bowman]

May God bless your week!

Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian Hotel

Having Afternoon Tea in the Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian Hotel [at Disney World] has been on my wish list for some time, and I finally got to go during our Florida vacation. As you may recall, my thoughtful children gave me money for Mother's Day to have Afternoon Tea there.

The resort hotel is beautiful, and their Afternoon Tea was lovely. Tea is served in traditional British style, daily from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Lori [my daughter] and I had reservations for 3:45 on Wednesday, June 25th.

  ~ The Resort Hotel Entrance ~

~ Driving onto the Hotel Grounds ~

The Grand Floridian website says "Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication." It truly is elegant, sophisticated, and beautiful!

 [L-R] Me, a Hotel Greeter, and Lori 

~ Close-up ~ 

We got there a little early, and our reservation ran 15 minutes behind, so we had time to admire the beautiful hotel lobby, listen to the entertainment, and look in two gift shops.

Live entertainment is provided from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.

The soloist was taking a quick tea break. She wanted to hide her teacup for the photo, but I told her the teacup was perfectly fine. She sang songs requested by hotel guests.  

Below is the waiting area for the Garden View Tea Room at the far end of the hotel lobby.

~ Tea Signage ~

Beauty and the Beast character, Mrs. Potts, is inlaid into the tile floor near the tea room. There was also one of Chip, but I didn't photograph it.

At 3:59 our name was called, and we were seated at table #10.  Our server was Patricia J. [I received a print-out with this info, which is how I can be so specific.]  

Patricia took the burgundy linen napkin from our teacups and placed them in our lap. Then she put the strainer into the cup.

~ Menu ~

Both Lori and I ordered the Buckingham Tea because it didn't come with champagne. Since we don't drink alcohol, we didn't want to pay for it. ;-) Our tea was $25.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

The tea we selected was Mad Hatter's Tea Party blend. It was so good that I bought a tin in the gift shop to bring home. The tea strainers were just for aesthetics and ritual, because the tea was decanted before it was brought to our table. [I peeked inside the teapot. ;-)]

  

I was amazed how hot the cozy kept the tea.

At one time the tea room used Royal Albert Old Country Roses china, but they've switched to a different pattern that is similar.  Don't tell, but I peeked at the bottom of the teacup too! ;-)

~ The Teacup Station ~ 

I thoroughly enjoyed spending this time with my sweet daughter.

We each got five tea sandwiches. Curried Egg Salad on Marble Bread; Regular Egg Salad on White; Salmon Salad on White; Pear and Gorgonzola Cheese on Wheat, and Cucumber on White.  There was also an Onion Tart that I wasn't sure I was going to like, but it was very good.

Scone station with warmer, so the scones came to our table deliciously warm.

 Dishes of Lemon Curd, real  Devonshire Cream, and Strawberry Jam for scones.

A Strawberry Tart and Currant Scone were brought to us after the tea sandwiches.

Now for desserts! We got to select two.

I chose to Lemonade Cream Swan and a White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry.

Lori chose an Orange Torte and Chocolate Eclair.

Our tea was unhurried, and we finished at 5:30 p.m.  By now patrons were winding down, and tables were being reset for the next day. Patricia said the tea room has a seating capacity of 50. I feel so fortunate that we where able to have tea there, because their website says the tea room has been temporarily closed for enhancements, and Afternoon Tea has been relocated to Citrico's Lounge in the hotel. The tea room will reopen Aug. 30th. I would have been bummed if I had missed going to the Garden View Tea Room.

Across the hall from the tea room was a gift shop where I purchased a commemorative teacup and tin of tea.  

This was the first time I ever saw teacups and saucers individually priced. The teacup was $20.95 and the saucer was $10.95. They sold matching teapots too.

The backstamp was covered with the price tag in the gift shop, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover the teacup was made in England when I got home.

The 3.08 oz. tin of tea was $11.95. When the tea is gone the tin will be a nice keepsake.

This post concludes my vacation activities. I was happy to be able to visit four tea rooms on this trip, and I hope you've enjoyed going along with me vicariously.

Lunch at the Garden Gate Tea Room

The Garden Gate Tea Room was featured in the July/August 2009 issue of Tea Time Magazine, and more recently [April 2014] on the beautiful Aiken House & Gardens blog.  A friend who spends the winter months in Florida also told me this was her favorite tea room, so when we planned our trip to Florida I knew I wanted to visit it.

On Tuesday, June 24th, Jerry and I traveled 42 miles north of where we were staying, to have lunch at the Garden Gate Tea Room in Mount Dora.  The city's large lake was named for a homesteader named Dora, and the community took the name Mount Dora in 1883.  The historic city [incorporated in 1910], with its picturesque oak trees 'dripping' with moss, is absolutely charming.

An advanced phone call revealed Saturday, June 28th was going to be their last day of business. The chef had ceased preparing afternoon teas, and we could only be assured of lunch if there was available seating.  Needless to say we arrived a few minutes after 11:00 when the tea room opened.  Ladies had already begun filling two of the large dining rooms for private parties, but happily there was a table for us.

~ Curbside Tea Room Sign ~

The "Garden Gate" for which the tea room was named.  Tables were set up in the courtyard for Al fresco dining, but because it was a hot day we opted to eat in air-conditioned comfort.

I asked for permission to take photos before the tea room became filled with guests, and was graciously granted permission.  The entrance to the tea room is pictured below on the left. As you can see the décor is romantic, shabby chic.

Ladies were gathering in the dining room seen below for a party, but I was able to get three photos of it.

     

Below is the other dining room where ladies were gathering.  It was a step-down room off the main floor.  I regret that I didn't take the time to actually go into the room, but there are lovely photos of it on Carolyn Aiken's blog.  A door in this room leads outside for back yard terrace dining.

This table was next to where we sat.

~ Jerry and Me ~

~ Vintage dresses hung throughout the tea room. ~

 

~ Alcove by the restroom. ~

~ Chandelier near our table. ~

~ Vintage Hats ~

~ Fresh flowers were on our table. ~

~ Menu ~

I ordered their Southern Belle Peach iced tea, and Jerry got Cranberry iced tea.  I'm sure if we would have inquired about hot tea our server would have told us about their selections, but since we were in the south on a hot summer day, it was just assumed that we wanted iced tea, and it was very refreshing.  The rims of the glasses were dipped in coarse brown sugar.

Jerry ordered their "World Famous" Herb crusted Rosemary Baked Chicken Pie served with fresh seasonal vegetables, and their signature cranberry sauce.  Their menu declared, "Like a hug from your mother!"   He said it was very good.

I ordered the 'Quiche of the Day' served with a baby green salad and their orange ginger vinaigrette.  It was delicious too.

One of the servers said the owner was there that day, but since they were so busy I didn't ask to meet her. The Garden Gate tea room had been in business for 16 years when they made the decision to close - at least at that location.  A statement on their website reads in part: "We invite you to embrace with us the wonder and excitement of a new season in life's journey as we continue to seek God's perfect will and the unfolding vision, expansion, and future of the Garden Gate."  It will be interesting to see what the 'new season' brings, but I'm glad I had the pleasure of dining at the 142 East 4th Avenue location.

Before leaving Mt. Dora, we went to The Secret Garden ladies' apparel shop on N. Donnelly Street, in the downtown shopping area, also recommended by my friend.

I could have spent a bundle of money in there, but I only purchased a cream shell with a light blue top. The owner said they were setting up provisions for on-line shopping.