A Picnic in the Park

We enjoyed our long weekend immensely, and spent our days outside, enjoying perfect weather.

With leftover tea sandwiches and treats from our high tea at the shop this past weekend, I surprised the boys with a picnic after church.

They love having a picnic.

And quite frankly, so do I. We spent two hours in the shade of a Pine tree, flipping through our magazines while the boys ran about on the playground.

We enjoyed an assortment of sandwiches and even cream scones with strawberry jam.

My sister Erica made all of the desserts, and they tasted as fabulous as they look.

Fruit Tartlett with Pastry Cream, Vanilla Cupcake, Lemon Raspberry Shortbread and Chocolate Cake.

Even the ants joined the fun.

A Belated Mother's Day Tea

With Mother's Day being so busy at the store, and then the long weekend, my Mother's Day Tea was later than usual this year.

It's a yearly tradition, and a way for us girls to spend an afternoon together over tea - high tea.

 Silver pots, scones with Devonshire Cream and preserves, delicious pastries and an assortment of wonderful teas all make it special for some very special ladies.

Happy belated Mother's Day girls!

Tea for Four

Every November, Jess and I would go for afternoon tea at The Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara on the Lake. We have for years now.

Instead of simply not going this year, I decided to take her mom (my Aunt Jeanette) instead. Without much thought, I realized it might be fun to go with my mother and sister-in law as well. After all, she was just as much a part of their lives as well.

So we all went to tea, and it was lovely. 

Though it was hard at times, we reminisced, told funny stories about her and giggled all afternoon. Then we walked through town and even stopped at a small antique market on the way home.

I'm so happy I didn't skip it this year.

And who knows, maybe this will become a new tradition for us girls. One scarcely needs an excuse to go for tea.

Our selection of delicious little pastries and tea sandwiches.

And their most amazing scones. I have never had a scone that rivals these. They are scones with jasmine-infused raisins, served warm with clotted cream and local preserves.

The tea room was decorated for Christmas, as well as everywhere else around town.

Aunt Jeanette (Jess' Mom), my sister-in-law Rachelle and my mother-in-law Jackie.

Mother's Day Tea

Every year, in celebration of Mother's Day, I host a tea for my moms and sisters.

It's something I look forward to every year. I love setting out my china and making each little dessert. It's an afternoon of chatting over tea and laughing and spoiling our moms.

Here are some photos from this year's tea. It was lovely.

Happy Mother's Day!

Before tea began, while the scones were finishing up, we enjoyed some sparkling Rose cocktails.

We always start with Cream Scones, warm from the oven, served with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Then there is an assortment of tea sandwiches - Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Ham and Cheddar with Apricot Preserves, Chicken Salad, and Egg Salad.

And finally, the most exciting part, the little desserts - Rhubarb Apple Crumbles, Lemon Meringue Tarts, Meringue Pillows, Fleur de Sel Chocolate Caramel Shortbread and Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream.

Yum.

Our Lilacs are in full bloom right now so there were clippings all over the house. It smells divine!

Warm Scones with clotted cream and jam is something I look forward to every time I host a tea! They are so delicious.

Tea for Two and The Clench House

 

In celebration of the first day of Spring, my cousin Jess and I took a trip out to Niagara on the Lake and enjoyed tea for two at the historic Prince of Wales hotel.

 

A couple weeks later, we are still waiting for Spring to arrive.

 

As I sit here writing this, I can see the red tips of my Peonie plants pushing their way up through the dirt.

 

Soon.

 

Signs of Spring were all over town.

 

The inside of the hotel is ornate and luxurious. Having afternoon tea here is a special treat.

 

 

Proper high tea is served. Complete with tea sandwiches, little pastries and the most delcious Jasmin-insfused raisin scones with clotted cream and Raspberry jam, it's the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

 

On our way home, we drove about looking at all of the qauint little cottages and grand historic homes around town. I wanted to share with you one of my favourites.

 

This is the Clench House.

 

 It's considered one of the most significant early 19th century homes in town, built by Ralfe Clench, a farmer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada. Currently it's under significant reconstruction and restoration.

 

Isn't it beautiful?

 

To the left of the home is a creek the runs alongside the house.

 

There are so many beautiful little parts to this home. Small buildings outside, additions, a greenhouse, a carriage house and what probably used to be servant's cottages.

 

 

This is the back of the house. The carriage house is attached to the main house with a glass house.

 

I mean really, how perfect!

 

We stumbled across a stand selling Pussy Willows on our way home. Perfectly Spring.

 

Have a lovely Saturday.