Friday, June 21, 2013

Teapot Visits the Neighbor

 
It's not uncommon for someone who enjoys the experience of afternoon tea to have a buddy to share the experience with. I feel so blessed that my friend and neighbor, Karleen, enjoys sharing tea times with me. When she heard that the traveling teapot was at my house this month, she invited us to come by for a luncheon tea party. Her invitation said to just "bring yourself and the tea pot". 


Our style is to enjoy the entire process. When the teapot and I arrived, Karleen set me to work arranging a bouquet of flowers. We walked in her garden, selecting blossoms we thought would look pretty on the tea table.

 
 Karleen lives along the river and there's a beautiful view from her living room. So that's where she moved a table and chairs. A quilt, an heirloom from a grandmother, made a pretty tablecloth. Another grandmother's china was set on the table along with some muslin napkins that Karleen had stitched. The floral bouquet and some vintage postcards set the scene for our tea luncheon. 
 
Karleen had prepared a lovely menu of delicious, fresh foods.

 
A cheese and crackers platter was arranged with springs of tarragon, rosemary, lavender, and purple grapes.

 
A colorful "chopped salad" featured toasted pecans and a light vinaigrette. It was delicious!



Deviled eggs were beautifully presented on a tray with a sprig of lavender from the garden.


Fruit kabobs of strawberries, grapes, kiwi, and pineapple were vibrant! Additionally, Karleen served a bowl of cubed watermelon.


Can you see the teapot shaped cheese? Yummy!



Vintage postcards from Karleen's collection added a personal touch to the table.



Everything was so inviting, beautiful, and delicious!



The teapot was set last and took center stage on the beautiful table.



Our tea choice was Buckingham Palace English Afternoon Tea. It was a gift to me from Karleen after her recent trip to London. How fun it was to sip on tea in Karleen's living room that she had purchased at the Queen of England's palace!



Dessert was served in the garden and will be shared with readers at a later time.


Thank you, Karleen, for inviting the traveling teapot and me over for a relaxing luncheon tea. Your warm hospitality and friendship is a treasure and a blessing! 

6 comments:

ellen b. said...

Everything really was prepared so nicely! A great tea spread!

Vee said...

And thank you for inviting all of us to join you! Karleen really does know how to present her beautiful food offerings. It nearly takes the breath away to see it looking so lovely. I know that your time together was fun and made you feel restored and loved. How beautiful!

Karen's Place said...

I have to quote your words: "Everything was so inviting, beautiful, and delicious!" and add what a lovely view. The perfect spot for tea with a friend. Thanks for sharing this special tea.

Marilyn Miller said...

How special to have a friend and neighbor enjoy serving tea for you and the teapot. The food, the table, and the flowers all looked just beautiful. I love the touch of the vintage postcards and vintage quilt. How very special.

Sparkly Engineer said...

How special to have a tea friend who lives so close by. What a beautiful tea you shared.

Colleen said...

Karleen made such a simple meal so elegant! The food and table just look wonderful and the tea with it sounds delicious. You are lucky to have a close neighbor to share tea with it! Thanks for sharing this lovely repast with us.