Tea for Two . . . Two for Tea

My "BFF"(we've been friends long before they were called "BFF") Shirley Ann and I always celebrate each other's birthdays -- with either a tea or a lunch.     We love the venue to be a historic building and we've traveled rather far to find the "perfect" place for our celebration.    

In August, we traveled North to the Van Noy mansion who, that month, and only on Wednesday, were offering afternoon teas.

Two porches to keep the house cool

Driving up, both Shirley Ann and I loved the house!     Turn of the century and truly a mansion.

Not original but a nice addition

And the fountain

And inside . . .

You could stand on the balcony and look down into each room

All the rooms open off of the hallway -- with the rotunda on the second floor.

four bedrooms were on the second floor

With beautiful original artwork on the walls.

And the top -- can you imagine listening to it rain on this roof?

And if you look up . . .

which is prettier?   The stained glass or the mural?   Would be hard to chose!

Stained glass and murals on the walls.

After a tour of the house, we went to tea . . .

Tea for four all served on one plate for we were seated with two other ladies.

A lovely selection for four for we were seated with some tablemates.

And a tea consists of . . .

Strawberry soup, a curried chicken sandwich, a cucumber sandwich, a gourgere, and a savory bite.

Sandwiches, soup and savories

A cranberry scone with a white chocolate bottom --- alas, no cream or jam!

Scones

chocolate covered strawberry, brie and jam in phyllo dough, a cream puff and a lemon tart

Sweets

It was a lovely day and a great way to celebrate Shirley Ann's birthday.      The house overlooks Swope Park -- the biggest city park in Kansas City and a park that we often went to as a child for family or church picnics.

Shamefully, I came home with no recipes!       We were having too much fun and I forgot to ask!

It's Tuesday and I'm sharing tea with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage