Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Tea Party at Panola Valley Gardens - ABC of Summer Fun (Letter T)

On Sunday, August 13th, Sophia, Olivia, and I went to Panola Valley Gardens for an afternoon tea. The flowers were beautiful.


As we walked from the parking lot to the pavilion (in the background) where the tea party was being held, there were colorful gardens everywhere.


There were annuals combined with perennials.


There was a very light rain, so the flowers were covered with rain drops.


There were sheep grazing in the pasture in the distance.


Statues were in some of the gardens.


The afternoon tea menu was displayed so we knew what to expect.


The tea cups and pots were displayed on a table. Each guest could pick one cup and saucer; and there was one tea pot for each table.


Olivia liked the black tea pot, so we picked that one.


The tables were under a pavilion that had glass doors. Since it was sprinkling, the glass doors were closed.


The girls by the tea cup and tea pot table.


We had our own table in a quiet corner which was nice.


Our centerpiece was red and greens.


The table next to us had a centerpiece with pinks and purples.


This was our table setting. Each table had different color napkins, placemats, plates, and cups.


What was nice was that each table was reserved for only the guests in one's party. So, there was no need to make small talk with strangers.


There was lemon curd and Devonshire cream for the scones; and a fresh fruit plate.


We enjoyed a variety of sandwiches.


Sophia enjoyed sampling a variety of sandwiches. There were plenty of sandwiches for us to try each one.


There was a chicken salad sandwich and spanakopita that we all liked. Sophia and I liked the egg salad sandwiches too. 


The scones were delicious. Soft, slightly sweet, and flavorful - blueberry, raspberry, and cinnamon-apple flavors.


There were a variety of desserts.


The girls were so excited to try macaroons.


Each of the desserts was different from the other which was nice. There was such a variety in taste throughout the afternoon tea.


We all enjoyed the experience and would like to go back at another time. There are both lunches and afternoon teas throughout the summer. Perhaps this will become an annual activity for us.

19 comments:

Love Bears All Things said...

What a fun way to spend a lunch with each other...memories being made.
Mama Bear

Louca por porcelana said...

Wonderful tea time! Gorgeous teapot,beautiful flowers and delicious food!

Bernideen said...

This was amazing Ann. I am so thrilled you posted and shared! I loved seeing this Afternoon Tea and all the wonderful photos. Thank you so much for sharing and linking.

Margie said...

What a wonderful tea party! I especially like how you got to select your own teacups and teapots. I would have picked the black teapot too!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ann, what a lovely tea in a very special setting. I'd go there every summer, once a month!

Antiques And Teacups said...

What a special place and tea! How did you ever decide on a teacup and teapot! The grounds are gorgeous, and the menu was wonderful! What fun! I apologize for being late visiting! The last few weeks have been a whirl with birthday, sinus problems, friends visiting and then a smoke escape with a last minute cruise…only to return to more smoke…causing a sinus infection! Oh well…but I am almost up to speed…yay!
Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, that looks like a lot of lovely, yummy FUN!
Happy T-Day!

Valerie-Jael said...

What a wonderful place you visited. I LOVE the idea of choosing your own teapot and cups, so pretty! That'a place I would love to visit! Happy T Day, take care, hugs, Valerie

My name is Erika. said...

It is nice to meet you for T Ann. This looks like such a wonderful thing to do. The gardens were beautiful ad the tea set up was also beautiful. I am glad you and your daughters got to go and enjoy it. Hope you have a wonderful T day. hugs-Erika

nwilliams6 said...

Ann, what a lovely outing. Beautiful gardens, fun tea sets, and wonderful looking food. I would go every month if possible - those girls will be grown up in no time and it looks so relaxing and pretty! Lovely girls and lovely post. Happy T-day!

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what a beautiful place you visited and it looks like you had a wonderful time! The flower beds look amazing and that afternoon tea so delicious 😁. I love how you could choose your own teapot and teacup - perfect! Happy T Day wishes! Hugs Jo x

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was thrilled you joined us for T this week, Ann. Those gardens are so lovely and special. I was in awe of how beautiful it was and such a lovely setting for afternoon tea. It was great that you had the entire table to yourselves. Such a much better experience for you and your girls. I bet it made a great impression. It sure did me. It looked like a very proper high tea, too. I always love the cucumber sandwiches, but they all look wonderful, as do the desserts. I haven't had a scone in ages. Thanks so very much for joining us for T this Tuesday, Ann. Hope to see you again here soon, too, dear.

Kate Yetter said...

So lovely! I enjoyed seeing the pretty gardens as well as your beautiful daughters enjoying their afternoon tea. I have always wanted to attend an afternoon tea but haven't as of yet. It looks like a fun experience.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Linda Kunsman said...

Oh how beautiful everything is- and I would LOVE to enjoy a tea like this- all so lovely and delicious looking. thanks for sharing, and happy T day!

J said...

Ann such lovely photos, pretty gardens and flowers. That really appeals to me all those different sandwiches, I love sandwiches especially when someone else makes them, they sound delicious and so do all the desserts, scones are my husbands favourite
Happy. T Day
Jan

Divers and Sundry said...

Lovely gardens! And I'm speechless seeing the photos of all the tea things. Delightful! Happy T Tuesday :)

Sharon Madson said...

This tea looks like it was amazing! How I would have loved being there among those beautiful flowers and picking out a tea cup. The place settings and the food look wonderful. Thank you for sharing since I couldn't be there in person. What a perfect post for tea day. Happy T Day!

Lisca said...

Wow, that sounds like fun! First of all the gardens are beautiful, it is a pleasure just to see those.
And the variety of biscuits and sandwiches etc is astonishing. I love seeing all those beautiful tea cups and teapots. They must have been someones collection. I'm glad your girls enjoyed it too.
Happy belated T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca

CJ Kennedy said...

What a beautiful way to spend the afternoon with your daughters. Happy t Day