I
recently mentioned the spectacular
Brookgreen Gardens in
Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Today ~ grey, overcast and raining ~ Tall & Handsome and I drove up there for a special Winter Warmer Tea. These week-end teas have been held throughout the month of February.
Despite the dreariness of the day, the gardens were still lovely with several hundred thousand daffodils and other spring flowers in bloom.
The tea was held in the
Pavilion Restaurant under the talented creativity of its manager, Linda ~ a lovely English lady whose husband was at one time senior butler to the late Queen Mother.
There wasn't a bad seat in the room thanks to the walls of windows looking out over the gardens. Once everyone was seated, steaming hot teapots of
Charleston Tea Plantation's new loose-leaf blend ~ Charleston Breakfast Tea ~ were brought to each table. The tea beverage was quite nice and properly brewed in a proper teapot! (A major accomplishment here in South Carolina.)
Next, 2-tier servers of tea sandwiches and sweets were presented. Lovely and delicious!
Homemade scones with jam and [whipped] cream were served as well. Throughout the tea, Linda periodically shared interesting tea tidbits with the group, such as the origin of holding a teacup with "pinkies out", the tradition of putting milk in first (or last), etc. Fun, fun!
The Winter Teas are now over for 2009, but we were told that next year's teas may be held in January in the
Holliday Cottage (above) a former Southern Living Showcase Home on the grounds of
Brookgreen.
I
highly,
highly,
highly recommend a visit to
Brookgreen Gardens any time of year, but especially for one of their Winter Warmer Teas. Mark January 2010 on your calendar. Reservations are required and seating is limited. See you there!!!
