On the first of March I received an e-mail from a lady named, Connie, who said she had been following my blog for quite awhile, and always looked forward to my posts [music to a blogger's ears! ;-)]. She was surprised when she read my profile and discovered that we were 'fellow Nazarenes' [members of the same protestant denomination]. Even more amazing was that she and her husband, Clark, are Nazarene missionaries serving on the Asia-Pacific Region [Philippines], and they were flying back to the states for deputation work the end of March. Once stateside, their first scheduled tour was on the Eastern Michigan district [my church's district], and they were scheduled to be at our church on the evening of April 7th.
Connie wondered if there was any way we could get together for tea. I excitedly extended an invitation for her and her hubby to come to our house for high tea - a more substantial meal to please both of our hubbies! ;-) They graciously accepted, and the time was set for 12:00 noon on April 7th.
I decided to use my Bavarian "Daffodil" china, even though the weather Mother Nature sent was anything but spring! Connie jokingly said Michigan greeted them with a spring snowstorm on her first visit to our state! She wasn't complaining though, because right now it's summer in the Philippines with temperatures in the 100's accompanied by high humidity, so our cold temps were most welcome. Guess it's all in one's perspective! ;-)
Since it was a high tea, I opted to serve Dill, Cheddar and Bacon savory scones. I'm all about repurposing, so I used salt cellars as individual butter dishes.
~ Soup was Cream of Broccoli ~
In addition to Connie and Clark, I invited our Missions President, Debbie.
[L-R: Me, Connie, Clark, and Debbie]
The main course was Shepherd's Pie - although technically it's Cottage Pie since I used beef instead of lamb. The tea served throughout the meal was French Caramel Crème Brûlée.
Dessert was a regional treat, a Sander's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Puff. I made my own Cream Puff Pastry [Pâte à choux] from Julia Child's recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking. They were very easy to make. The Sander's Hot Fudge Sauce and Butter Pecan Ice Cream were purchased.
Connie certainly didn't need to, but she came bearing gifts - two teapot and teacup postcards with matching notepad by papermelroti.com...
[L-R: Me and Connie]
A bracelet with real pearls from the South China Sea...
A bag of teas from the Philippines where Milk Tea is very popular...
And a Kit Kat candy bar made with Green Tea! Thank you so much, Connie and Clark!
[Connie and Clark]
Since my kitchen was the background for Connie and me in the photos above, we decided to move into the living room for a more appropriate tea-themed background. It was an absolute delight meeting and spending time with Connie and Clark, and having them in our home for tea - the beverage of hospitality.
Below Clark is speaking at the church service that evening, Their program was titled, Not Your Gramma's Missionaries.
Table set-up with memorabilia from the Philippines. In the lower right corner is a purse made from a real frog's dried skin, which Connie said is quite popular. Really? ;-)
May God bless your ministry in the Philippines, Connie and Clark!
* * *
Today I'm joining Rose Chintz Cottage for No Place Like Home
Love it! You put Connie in her Happy Place! She loves any and all things tea. Everything was beautiful Phyllis! What a wonderful thing, this kindred spirit of tea is!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you were able to get together with Connie and her husband, and what a delicious high tea you served them. Your table is so pretty - spring was inside your home even if snow was outside.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story of interaction through tea, Phyllis. It was such a joy to read every detail. And how thoughtful to include your Mission's president to spend time with them as well.
ReplyDeleteUsing your salt cellars for butter was a fun idea. And what an interesting and nice selection of gifts she shared with you. The frog skin purse will be such a conversation item. I can see it in future tablescapes:*)
Wonderful to see you post again...
What a beautifully set table, Phyllis! I used to have that same teapot and gave it away years ago. {Wish I had kept it because every time I see it, I miss it.} Your menu looks lovely and how nice that you could all get together. Hubby and I ministered in that same denomination for years. Thank you for sharing and linking up with me this week.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
What a gracious host you are and Connie was a thoughtful guest! I'm sure your high tea was delightful, the food sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI know what an exceptional hostess you are Phyllis and I'm glad you were able to have the couple over for a high tea. Connie must have been thrilled seeing all your tea decor and would have left with fond memories of the time spent together.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful high tea! The table looks beautiful and the food looks delish! Your Sander's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Puff made my mouth water!
ReplyDeleteI'm in your blog...I feel like a celebrity now! Phyllis, being able to spend time with you was such a highlight of the trip for me. Everything was absolutely perfect. The table was beautifully set, and the food was incredibly delicious. Your home is lovely and so inviting. And if that all weren't enough, the fellowship around the table put the day over the top! I'm hoping my first trip to Michigan won't be my last!
ReplyDeleteOh, dear Phyllis, what a delightful memory you provided for these special guests! Your table - menu - hospitality - everything is just so perfect. Well done, ma'am! You are an incredible hostess!
ReplyDelete♥ Hugs
Dear Phyllis,
ReplyDeleteI will be featuring your lovely tea table at my party on Monday. Have a beautiful weekend.
Blessings,
Sandi
Hi Phyllis, just now finding time to visit my favorite blogs. Your lovely tea reminded me of the special visit we had with you and Jerry! It has been almost a year ago! Your china is beautiful and I know the meal delicious!
ReplyDeleteTake care my friend!
Nancy
Tea really has made the world a smaller place, hasn't it? How awesome that Connie contacted you *and* that you invited her and her husband for high tea. What a wonderful time of bonding in quite a number of ways!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to meet Connie and her hubby, Phyllis, and what a delightful meal you served them for high tea.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful friends and great food served in such a beautiful setting with the lovely Bavarian daffodil china.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
What lovely serendipity Life (and the internet) hand us sometimes! And what a lovely welcome and Tea-Time it must have been. Isn't it a marvel what friends you gain just through throwing words out into that great space? We've gained several (two VERY SPECIAL BEST whom we meet halfway at least once a year, and twice they've spent several days in our home.)
ReplyDeleteI must say I had to laugh at that Frog Purse---we have one of those right here in the family, for Chris found one somewhere at a flea market or some such, and knew it would be the VERY gift for our now 12-year-old granddaughter---the little tree-climbing, outdoor-loving Fairy Girl of the shining eyes and impish smile. He carried it down to Georgia with him when her little brother was born, and there they are, surrounding Mommy and Baby in the hospital bed, with little Kit (age three at the time) beaming into the camera with that dried-frog purse around her shoulder.
I didn't mean to go on and on, but I got carried away by the fact that someone, somewhere else, has one of those strange contraptions and enjoys it.
I, too, look forward to your posts, and certainly enjoyed this one!!
rachel
That table preparation is perfect! Have a beautiful weekend.
ReplyDelete