O'Mara's September Theme Tea

Four friends and I returned to O'Mara's for the September 18th's Friendship Tea with the theme, 'Culinary Delights from Summer's Bounty."

The centerpieces reflected summer's bounty with real sunflowers and fresh produce [the green vine was artificial].  I didn't get a photo of the servers, but they wore garden smocks and gardening gloves.

The tea that I selected for my meal was Gingerbread Cream [a black tea], and it was very good.

The overhead TV screens were all set to show Chef Anita's cooking demonstration.

The soup was Sweet Potato, White Bean, and Kale.  It was delicious, and so healthy.

The Peaches and Cream Scones followed the soup course instead of being served with the desserts as O'Mara's normally does.  I like it better this way.

The scone recipe's origin is from Australia since that's Chef Anita's mother's homeland.  It was served with Devonshire Cream.

The savory/sandwich course consisted of Avocado and Sprout Pinwheels with toasted Pumpkin Seed; Striped Ribbon Garden; Toast topped with roasted Tomato and Lemon Cream Cheese; and Potato Pancakes topped with Fresh Cream and Caviar.

One of everything from the three-tier tray.  And I must confess it was my first time to ever taste caviar!  Chef Anita is expanding my culinary horizons.  ;-)

Chef Anita demonstrated the Avocado & Sprout Pinwheel Sandwiches.

The entree was Chicken A la King, with Sauteed Mushrooms served in Puff Pastry. 

It was followed by Baked Brie with chopped Fresh Thyme, Basil, Parsley and Rosemary wrapped in Filo dough, accompanied by Fresh Fruit and Crackers.

Dessert was Chocolate Raspberry Pots.  [The Sunflower was artificial.]

October's theme is Witches Brew and Zombies Too!  We haven't decided which date we'll be attending yet, but we'll be there for one of them.

O'Mara's August Theme Tea

During my August blogging break I attended O'Mara's theme tea, "Fairies in the Garden" not once, but twice - Aug. 6th and Aug. 28th [I'll explain why later].  The restaurant has recently named the banquet room where the teas are held, "Avalon Tea Room."

The center of the tables were decorated with pink and green iridescent tulle, fairy figurines, butterflies and dragonflies.

At each place setting was a rolled scroll telling how to create a Fairy Realm/Garden.

The waitresses even wore fairy wings!

Below is Diana pouring my tea - Strawberry Kiwi.

Our tea meal began with the soup course - I ordered Forest Floor Mushroom.

Followed by the Savory/Sandwich Course:  Pea Proscuitto, Fig and Mascarpone, Zucchini Bread with Brown Sugar, topped with Roasted Chicken, and Field Green Salad with Oranges, Grapes and a Honey Basil White Balsamic Vinaigrette in Phyllo cups.

The Fig and Mascarpone was my favorite.  Chef Anita demonstrated how to make an   appetizer tray with Figs, Walnuts and Cheese, drizzled with Balsamic Syrup.  

Next was Honeysuckle Brie with Fresh Fruit and Crackers.

My friend, Lori, and me enjoying our tea at O'Mara's.

The entree was 'Stacked Eggplant' - breaded eggplant stacked with fresh tomato slices, fresh Mozzarella and basil, nestled on top of Roasted Red Pepper Sauce.

It was so good I went to my local produce market and purchased figs, eggplant and Mozzarella to recreate the meal at home!

Our dessert was Strawberry Basil Shortcake, a Lemon-Lavender Scone, and Fairy Chocolate Wands [pretzel sticks].

O'Mara's theme teas are every Tuesday, but a friend is now hosting "Fellowship Teas" once a month at O'Mara's, and she asked me to attend her tea.  It's the same theme and menu, but Chef Anita demonstrated how to make individual Phyllo cups [used as a salad container in the photo below] and Phyllo wrapped Brie instead.

It was a sell-out tea of 54 ladies, and while not everyone wore a hat, many did.  

Linda, dressed in turquoise in the center, was the tea coordinator.  

This charming lady even brought a table hook for her purse - just like Queen Elizabeth!

'Moi' trying to get acclimated to wearing a hat in the twenty-first century!  ;-)

Both August teas were lovely, and tomorrow's post will feature O'Mara's September theme tea, 'Culinary Delights from Summer's Bounty.'

Sunday Reflection...

The Old Testament Book of Joshua contains both instructions and conditional promises. Four times in chapter one God tells Joshua to "be strong and courageous."  He  is to obey the commandments given to Moses, not turning from them, but meditating on them day and night. The two promises in verses five and six for being obedient are:  "...I will never leave you nor forsake you." And "...Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Aren't those wonderful promises?

Like Joshua, I have resolved to serve the Lord.

May God Bless your week!

A Tea Luncheon and Fascinator Workshop

My girlfriend, Lori, and I were invited to a tea luncheon today, and afterwards we participated in a fascinator workshop.

Linda, our hostess, told us she wasn't going to fuss for lunch, yet there'd be enough food so we wouldn't be hungry.  When we arrived, her dining room table was beautifully set, and it was obvious she had indeed done a lot of fussing!  The aqua/peacock colored dishes and accessories were stunning!

We began with a delicious salad accompanied by Blue Cheese drop biscuits.  The salad had pomegranate seeds, pistachios, fresh dill [from Linda's herb garden] sliced cucumbers, red peppers, kiwi, and mixed greens garnished with a fig.  I dressed my salad with a raspberry vinaigrette. 

Judy, another guest, poured our sparkling lemonade.

We drank our beverage using Linda's vintage Victorian tea sipper spoons.

The main course was chicken lasagna, with steamed asparagus spears, and cranberry orange sauce.   Superb!

Followed by dessert, which was apple strudel with vanilla ice cream, using Linda's Victorian ice cream forks - such lovely accoutrements!

And, of course, we had fresh brewed loose-leaf tea with dessert.

Linda also used her Victorian sugar cube trays with tongs.  

After the fabulous lunch, we went downstairs to begin working on our fascinators.  

This was a first for me, and below is the fascinator I made.  It was a lot of fun, and I will probably make more.

[Front View]

[Side View]

When we were done with our fascinators, we went back upstairs where Linda had her kitchen table set to eat a fresh fruit salad served with more tea - chocolate macadamia. Umm...Umm...Good!  Green Depression glass was the feature of this tablescape.

What a lovely day!   We stayed almost seven hours and the time flew by.

Lori and I wanted to give a hostess/appreciation gift to Linda, but we wondered what we could possibly give a lady who has EVERYTHING - literally!  In addition to her passion for tea, she loves to garden and entertain, so we decided she could always use an extra teapot planter, filled with scone making fixins'.   Heartfelt thanks, Linda!

August Garage Sale Bargains

I know there are bargains to be found at garage sales, but I rarely go to any.   Last month, however, a day before my own garage sale was scheduled to start, a friend called and asked if I'd like to preview her garage sale, with no obligation to buy.  She said she had inherited a lot of her aunt's china, and since I like tea things,  she wanted me to have the first look. Don't you love friends like that?

I happily went to her house and was amazed at her low prices.  She said she purposely priced things low, so everything would sell.  

Now you know I didn't come home empty-handed!  I purchased a Hall teapot; a Minton trio; a Grafton plate; two Hammersley cups and saucers; and a Royal Albert cup and saucer, all for $23.50!   Never in my life have I seen prices that low, and nothing was damaged.

Lovely Hall Teapot 

Minton Trio

The pattern is called Hampshire - Multicolor, with rose swags and urns.   The backstamp shown below was used from 1912 - 1950, so this pattern was manufactured sometime during that time period.  Isn't it beautiful?  $6 for the three pieces.  After I got home and researched it I almost felt guilty, but my friend said she knew it was going to a home where it would be lovingly used and cared for. 

The plate below is made by Grafton and goes very well with one of the Hammersley cups and saucers, so I'm going to use it as a trio.

Plate Backstamp

Teacup and Saucer Backstamp

Second Hammersley Cup and Saucer

Royal Albert Teacup and Saucer

This was definitely one garage sale worth visiting.  Thanks, Jill for allowing me to preview and get first pick!