I have a suggestion for the 12 Days of Valentine's Day. Invite a friend for tea at a cafe or tearoom. Extend the invitation now and pick a date in February that works for both of you. You will be giving your friend a precious gift: your time and attention.
Talk about the good old days. Listen to her dreams.
Talk about what's bothering you and if it's as it seems.
This is the beautiful 3-tier tray presented to us at TeaHaus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It.Was.Gorgeous. They know what makes a girl's heart go pitty-pat.
A pink macaroon. Homemade scones with super tart lemon curd. A hot pot of tea for each guest. I can drink you under the table with a good pot of English Breakfast, just try me.
I have had a lot of tea-related meals in my day and this one was top notch. If you are ever in Ann Arbor, this is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
This event had my name written all over it. I mean really, tea and a chance to see a lot of my old friends from my active days as a volunteer for the Junior League of Birmingham. I arrived early and I stayed late. That's how much I enjoyed the day.
The event was held at The Townsend Hotel and it was beautiful, right down to the fine china. This is what a proper event looks like: Cloth napkins, champagne punch (yes, why don't we have punch more often?), floral centerpieces and polite conversation.
More than 50 women enjoyed scones with clotted cream and lemon curd, beautiful tea sandwiches and a trio of sweets. I don't know how many cups of tea I drank, but I was wide awake all afternoon. I felt energized. I laughed, heard updates on children and careers and could finally check in with so many of the outstanding women that I have met over the years. Facebook keeps up connected, but to me, eye contact is everything. If you ever have the chance to join a Junior League in your area, I encourage you to check it out. Attend an open house. Meet some members. My time as an active member in the Junior League of Birmingham, Michigan were some of the best years of my life. I can't recommend it highly enough. It takes time and commitment, but the personal and professional benefits are priceless.
I was able to sit with some really great friends of mine at the tea. Women that I used to see almost weekly, but now we manage to cross paths only once a year. We have vowed to try and change that and are even working on a Facebook Group Page where we can coordinate outings, like carpooling to the the antique show in Saline, Michigan or the Ann Arbor Art Show in July. Events that are more fun with a pack of girls. I am sure that it will be beneficial.
Friendships need to be treasured. When like-minded women connect, it can be powerful. Over 11 years, we spent hours and hours working alongside one another, talking, strategizing and supporting each other in our mission to do meaningful volunteer work. Now that we are older and alumnae of the organization, we owe it to ourselves to protect the friendships we've made. All I need is a little organization and a few great events. Wish me luck.
This is exactly how one should celebrate a birthday...Afternoon Tea at The Townsend Hotel. My tea-loving friend Kathleen is a kindred spirit and I knew that this would be the perfect spot to celebrate. We would have hot tea, delicious food and plenty of time to talk.
The Townsend is a luxury hotel in Birmingham, Michigan and the lobby is beautifully decorated and arranged into small sitting areas, perfect for intimate tea parties. When I arrived, I noticed a group of women hosting a bridal shower near the fireplace. "Tea, sweets, ribbon and friends, do a happy bride make."
Kathleen and I sat together on a loveseat and our tea service was set out in front of us on our own coffee table. I chose Earl Gray tea and Kathleen decided on a decaffeinated Raspberry Tea. We began our little party with Orange Cranberry scones served with mascarpone cheese and housemade lemon curd. The Townsend's lemon curd is some of the best I've tried and I ate every last drop. Yum yum yum.
The tea sandwiches were little works of art, each prettier than the last. We were served (clockwise from bottom left) Shrimp Canape, Asparagus with Boursin Mousse topped with a hard-boiled Quail Egg, Smoked Salmon, Pesto Bruschetta with Marinated Tomatoes and Mascarpone, Smoked Chicken Salad and Cucumber and Watercress.
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I carried one of my cigar box purses to our tea and it was fun to hear so many people compliment it. I love when someone says "I just have to ask you about your purse." I gave out many cards that day and explained that my purses were available in my Etsy store (an online marketplace for artists). This picture (above) looks like a magazine spread, don't you think? I love it!
The staff was so very kind and since it was a quiet afternoon, we had fun chatting now and then with them about how much we were enjoying ourselves, how Kathleen and I became friends and how we were feeling a revival in interest surrounding Afternoon Tea. After this beautiful afternoon, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather take my mom than to Tea at The Townsend.
Our dessert plates each arrived with a lit candle, in honor of our birthdays. We enjoyed a tiny Key Lime Tart, a Raspberry Cheesecake Pyramid, Chocolate Mousse in a Chocolate Teacup and a Passion Fruit Mousse Dome. It was perfect.
It was such a fun afternoon, perfect for two old freinds. Kathleen...what else can we celebrate?
