A year ago, I ventured north to the city to take a class on Cooking With Herbs. Although I often teach the same type of class, it is always interesting to see how someone else covers the same subject. And at the class, I met two lovely ladies. From the city!
We exchanged cards and numbers but we soon were off to England and because of our being away all Spring, we never made contact, but last week, one of them, Regina, called and told me that she and Suzette were coming down to Fort Scott on Saturday, would I be home, and if so, could I join them for lunch.
Of course, I would be!!! But I also invited them to come back after lunch for tea.
I got up early to make scones (which I stored in the fridge unbaked until it was tea time) and also made a small batch of strawberry jam for I was out and scones have to be served with strawberry -- blueberry or raspberry just won't do!
And set the table . . . .
For tea for three. I had decided to do a traditional English Cream Tea instead of a dessert and tea.
A lace tablecloth, my Spode Blue Room blue and white -- the cream and jam (and also some lemon curd although not traditional it is just so darn good) in some Victorian glass bowls. A porcelain Blue Willow cream and open sugar (for I've not got a Blue Room cream and sugar!)
Once back from lunch, I brushed the top of the scones with egg glaze and sprinkled with sugar and popped them in the oven (I had turned the oven on when we left so that it would be preheated when we got back!)
The scones served on a Blue Italian plate with a mother-of-pearl "toast" fork for serving.
Not just plain scones, but fruit ones (and in England fruit means either raisins or currants or both).
Two each (which is what they usually serve in England) plus two for the plate.
Regina and Suzette had never had a cream tea. I poured cups and cups of tea, we chatted (for both of them love antiques) and ate our scones and cream and jam. All too soon, it was time for them to go -- they had not gotten to every store downtown and wanted to do so before they headed north!
I always love the table after everyone is gone! The rule at Linderhof is . . . no one helps with dishes -- they are guests and guests aren't supposed to work!
It was balmy today -- almost 70. And on this 12th day of March, it was a red-letter day at Linderhof --
We brought in the first bouquet of 2012 from the garden! Daffodils and japonica! They make me smile!
t's Tuesday and I'm sharing tea with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday and I'm sharing my flowers with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life. She's having a cloche party, but alas, all of my cloches are out in the garden!
20 comments:
Beautiful! I love to share a cream tea with friends who have never had it.
As usual the menu is wonderful and the tablescape is fantastic. I totally love your garden cloches, how fun. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty
It was beautiful day weatherwise but a wee bit stressful here. So tonight it was a blessing to "visit" your little tea with all the blue and white...I feel better now!!!
How delightful to meet up with these ladies again and have them for tea. The scones look extra special with some sugar sprinkled on top.
Judith
A favorite way to entertain! Your table was lovely! I'm so glad you all had a wonderful time!
Ruth
Yum! Love your tea table and those outdoor cloches are just wonderful! I've never seen those before..now I want one! Gorgeous!
Miss Bloomers
Your table was so beautiful and the cream tea must have been "Such a Joy"!!! I LOVED all your details and I believe I could taste your strawberry jam as you described it, YUM!!!
Oh, Martha, you are so lucky! Daffodils and Japanese quince in bloom already....I won't have any of that for a while yet.......I think your tea table looked delightful.
Hiya, yes in England they love fruit scones but I don't I prefer plain or cheese!!!
Was there a discussion whether the cream or jam goes on first? On plain scones I always put the jam on first then I can pile on the clotted cream!!
Your china is delightful as I am sure the tea was too. That is my favourite way to entertain, high or afternoon tea!! Jackie in Surrey, UK.
Stopping in after being out of town a couple days. Your cream tea looks so pretty! Love your blooms from the garden...several trees are starting to finally bloom in our neighborhood in Zone 5! Your mother's herbarium pressings are gorgeous and such a wonderful reminder of her in your breakfast room. The glass eggs are so interesting and lovely. I grew up on a farm with chickens, but have never heard of these glass eggs. I always learn something fun and interesting when I visit your blog!!!
Hello Martha,
Your garden cloches are just lovely! What a charming photo!
I love your Blue Spode china!
How lovely you were able to get together with your friends for a cream tea! It must have been delightful and your scones look wonderful sprinkled with sugar! Thank you so much for sharing this with us and joining me for tea. Your fresh bouquet from the garden is beautiful too, by the way! It simply sings of Spring!
Blessings,
Sandi
Absolutely gorgeous table...love all those blues! Your scones look delish! Lucky lucky friends!!
I was in Ft. Scott on Saturday, primarily to visit the fort. Passed you house on the way in from Tulsa. What was with the quilts?
Where is a good place to eat in Ft. Scott? We ate downtown. Charming and quite friendly, but not as tasty as one would hope.
What a lovely treat for your new friends!
Up here the tea table always includes homemade lemon curd, so you were being traditional in the Vancouver Island way!
It is our annual "Airing of the Quilts" that we do for the month of March which culminates in "Voices From the Quilts" at the Fort on March 23 an 24.
I'm not sure where you ate downtown -- but it depends on the type of food you like -- we have several good choices.
Email me next time you're coming to Fort Scott -- I'll put the kettle on!
(Actually, Saturday, I would have set an extra place since the kettle was already on!)
Your English Cream Tea looked lovely and I am sure your guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
I watched MS Bakes this past Mon., she made scones and soaked the fruit in Grand Marnier before putting them in the mixture. Sounded yummy and a little different.
Carolyn
I love your garden cloches. Where ever did you find them. Thanks for sharing, liz
Love your cloche's in the garden. The sunlight on your tea table and the table too are just beautiful.
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