A Downton Abbey Tea at Rose Haven

My friend Sally and I are often partners in "Crime".     Most of the "Crime" being a road trip to our favorite antique store about 25 miles south of here.     The "Crime" always includes lunch and a stop at one or two or three flea markets in the area.     But none equal Dapper's in Pittsburg for both price and selection of merchandise.

But this weekend, we were "Partners in Crime" when we hosted a Downton Abbey Tea at her beloved Victorian Home, Rose Haven.      Not an ordinary tea, but a real English Afternoon Tea with tiny sandwiches, scones and jam and cream, and an array of sweets.

And not two ladies in jeans and aprons pouring tea, but a full staff to serve our guests wishes.    From the Butler who greeted the guests to the Dowager Countess herself to Mrs. Simkins, the beloved cook.

But before we donned our "Downton Abbey Persona", Sally and I fixed sandwich fillings, baked scones, made jam, and baked what seems like endless "biscuits", and two yummy decadent chocolate cakes (well, Sally did that -- I made the lemon curd tartlets!)

The Dowager Countess, Calvin, and Mrs. Simkins

Sally's home makes the perfect setting for a Downton Abbey Tea.       We had 21 guests and set up three tables in her lovely home . . .

In the dining room

The biggest table, it held nine guests.     Three curates were on the table holding scones and sweets.    Sandwiches were on sandwich trays brought out at the last minute.    This table was set with Sally's wedding china.

The "family" dining room.    A smaller dining room which seats eight.     

Two curates held sweets and scones and sandwich trays were brought in with the assorted crustless tea sandwiches.     The china is an old Noritake pattern edged in gold.

And lastly a table for four in the music room.    Three sisters and a friend held sway at this table.     The rowdiest of the bunch, we thought!    

Delicate china graced each place setting at this table.

At each place was a framed placard identifying our guests as "Lady ("first name").     And each place had a handout telling the story of how The Dowager Countess came to live at Rose Haven with her beloved servant, Mrs. Simkins.

The tea food was all on the tables and Her Ladyship and I (for I was Mrs. Simkins) poured tea.    Cups and cups and pots and pots of tea!
 

 The main dining room

The music room

The main dining room

And I always like the quiet before guests arrive

When everything is in it's place and everything is perfect . . . 

And I like pictures that tell a story . . . of good times had by all.

Of tables empty, before the dishes are cleared.

You just know that a good time was had by all!

 The sandwiches were eaten, the curates almost emptied of all the good things that one comes to expect at an afternoon tea.

After a morning of fixing sandwiches and filling plates, when all but two of our dear friends were gone, I brewed a fresh pot of tea in the kitchen, grabbed two china cups and saucers

And we sat amidst the dishes, visiting, sipping, and remembering what a fun time was had by all!

Will we do it again?    Next year, the Countess and Mrs. Simkins (and Calvin) will appear for another Downton Abbey tea . . . . and this May, we might, just might host a tea in honor of Queen Victoria's Birthday!




It is Tuesday and I'm sharing our Downton Abbey Tea with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday and with Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea.