Crinoline Lady Tea Luncheon

You may remember my blog posts last December when I acquired some Crinoline Lady china pieces at an estate sale in Imlay City.  I've been eager to use them at a tea party/luncheon, and yesterday was the day.  

Amy is a sweet lady who follows my blog.  I first met her in person in 2015 at Meadow Brook Hall's Downton Days.  We share many interests even though I'm old enough to be her mother... Afternoon Tea and tea parties, pretty dishes, historic homes, the Edwardian time period, and more. Kindred spirits don't have age boundaries.  When she and her husband came to The Whitney's 2021 Christmas Tea I knew a tea at my house was long overdue.  One of her teacher friends and co-workers, Kim, goes to many tea events with her, so I invited them to come on December 30th.  But I was exposed to COVID on Christmas Eve, so we had to reschedule. Since they are teachers working Mon.-Fri., they're only available on the weekends which doesn't work for me, so we had to wait until Spring Break when they were off school. We set the rescheduled date for yesterday at 1:00 o'clock.

I took two tablescape pictures yesterday morning before they arrived, but was too busy to take anymore after that. 

I'm glad they took lots of pictures and sent them to me to share with you today.

I also invited one of the servers from The Whitney named, Kristin.  She works with me at Mansion Tea every Saturday, and is a lover of teacups and teapots and inherited her grandmother's collection.

[L-R:  Kim and Amy]

[L-R:  Kristin, Me, Kim & Amy]

Our meal began with a toast to tea and friendship with non-alcoholic Sparkling White Grape Juice, followed by Cherry Pinwheel Scones with Cherry Preserves and Mascarpone Cream.

I've never made or served cheese fondue before, but it sounded fun, so I ordered the forks and individual warmers and got a great recipe from wellplated.com/cheese-fondue-recipe/.  It uses Gruyere, Fontina and Gouda cheese.  Everyone declared it delicious.  Dipping foods were lightly steamed Broccoli Florets, roasted Baby Potatoes and cubes of Pumpernickel and French Bread.

Tea served was Sweet Royal Delight Black Tea with hints of Butterscotch.  It was created when Prince George was born, hence the name.

Our main course was a ramekin of Shepherd's Pie [technically Cottage Pie because it was ground beef instead of lamb], Cucumber Sandwich on Pumpernickel shaped teapots, and Chicken Salad Croissants.

~ Dessert was Pistachio Parfaits ~

It was an absolutely delightful afternoon and our time together flew by.  I told them not to bring anything except themselves, but they came with a gift bag.  It contained a beautiful black floral teacup made in Occupied Japan.  Amy knows from my blog that I've begun limiting my teacup collecting to black teacups.  I've never done a tea party using them, but the next time I have them they'll be part of the tablescape.  Their gifts also gave a nod to the Irish [my maternal heritage] with an Irish hanky [for my hanky collection], a leprechaun bottle opener and a cottage mug.  Thanks, ladies!

I wish I had an opportunity to meet everyone in person who follows my blog, but I appreciate all of you.  I'm just 8 posts away from my 2,000th post, and will be having a give away for the milestone so be watching for details. 

To conclude this post, I'm honoring Amy and the times I've been privileged to see her at various events and occasions.  I'm so glad she introduced herself to me so our friendship could begin.

~ 2015 Meadow Brook Hall's Downton Days ~

2017 Hudson's Historic Windows to the Past Exhibit at Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

~ 2018 Whitney Christmas Tea ~

~ 2020 Northville Historical Society's Princesses Tea ~

~ 2020 The Whitney's Teas & Trees Event ~

~ 2021 Sweet Shalom Tearoom ~

~ 2021 Mansion Tea at The Whitney ~

~ 2021 Whitney Christmas Tea ~

Hope you enjoyed the walk down memory lane, Amy!