abphotography: tea for three

sandy, my amazing other mother (or mother in law, if you must) treated grace and i to eleven o'clock tea at laura's tea room yesterday and we had a divine time. having tea is one of the many traditions sandy has gifted to her grandchildren ... tea parties begin at approximately 16 months and with real china. wynn is an old pro by now and will remind us, if we happen to forget, that HE NEEDS CREAM. you've never seen anything sweeter (and not because he also requests three teapoons of sugar).

anyhow, back to laura's tea room. i can honestly say that it was even more fun than tea at the taj in boston, where we spent our girls trip last spring. although sandy had her own glorious hat for the occasion, grace and i chose ours once we arrived. nothing prepares you for a proper tea party like a big hat. one thing i love about sandy is the philosophy that you need to do it right or not do it at all. (my husband got this from her and it also makes for fabulous vacations.)

our next stop was choosing a tea cup and saucer from a sea (or table) of possibilities. each one as unique as your hat. we sat down to a perfectly set table, with our sweet tea glasses already filled and the cutest little cozied tea pot ever. it reminded me of what mrs. potts might look like if she wore a dress. the tea of the day was a blueberry green tea, just a hint of blueberry.

our lunch consisted of four courses: orange scones (delicous), broccoli and cheese quiche (scrumptious), assorted finger sandwiches (delightful) and dessert (there are no words). and finally a dainty little cup of peppermint tea to aid digestion. i think i'm still full.

our tea party lasted about an hour and a half, so we had lots of time to talk and laugh, admire each other's hats and just be girls. we'll be going back in a week or two when my sister in law visits. and then i'd like to take my mom and my sister. and then maybe gracie and a few of her friends. and then ...