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Today we stayed “home”. Colleen and Robin went to the market early and got the supplies we needed. Today the plan is:
- Go shopping for supplies needed for cookie backing and apple sauce
- Come to the Inn for a formal tea
- Return to Colleen’s and make cookies
- Visit
Breakfast was wonderful again, as the Silver Fountain Chef does a superb job every day! Mary is always fun to be with, so we had breakfast together while Colleen and Robin went shopping.
As I tried to ignore the ship sound, I saw something heading our way. Oh now, Mary has been at the computer again!
We sat and talked for a good hour before going to our room. I tried out the Sony camera that Joe gave me, and it appears to work fine. Robin came in from shopping, and we will be ready to make cookies with the great-grandkids this afternoon after the formal tea from 1:30-3:30 pm.
We heard the great-grandchildren stampede downstairs and came to investigate. They told us they had scared a turkey out of the bushes, and it was a real gas!!
Time for Afternoon Tea with the princesses!!!
High tea is a British meal traditionally eaten in the early evening, usually with tea and substantial food.
Despite sounding fancy, high tea was originally more of a working-class evening meal. People served it at a high dining table after work, rather than on low lounge tables.
Typical high tea might include:
• Hot tea
• Bread, butter, and jam
• Meat pies or cold meats
• Eggs or fish
• Cheese
• Cakes or scones
People often confuse it with afternoon tea, which is a more elegant, lighter service with tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, usually taken in the afternoon. So, simply put:
High tea = hearty evening tea meal?Afternoon tea = lighter, refined tea with snacks
We had a load of tea things and a mess of tea. The little girls enjoyed their teatime. Gail served us, and she kept things lively.
Afternoon tea usually includes a selection of small, elegant foods served with tea. Common items are:
- Tea — such as Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling, or herbal teas
- Finger sandwiches — often cucumber, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, ham, or coronation chicken
- Scones — typically served with clotted cream and jam
- Pastries and cakes — such as éclairs, fruit tarts, macarons, Victoria sponge, or mini cakes
- Biscuits or shortbread — sometimes included
It was served on a three-tier stand: sandwiches on one level, scones on another, and sweets on the top.
They had every team we could think of available!
Mary and I really enjoy afternoon tea, and watching the girls is a bonus.
The ladies seemed to enjoy their tea, and their Aunt Sarah bought them matching princess outfits.
Princess Emmy and Princess Logann arrived at the Silver Fountain Inn in New Hampshire wearing pink dresses, pink shoes, pink bows, and pink sunglasses, though it was raining. Their grandmother Colleen gasped. “You look like two cupcakes with elbows!”
Great-aunt Robin waved from the tea table beside Great-grandma Mary and Great-grandpa Paul. The table glittered with tiny sandwiches, scones, and teacups so fancy that Emmy whispered, “Do we have to bow to the cups?”
Logann bowed anyway, bumped the table, and made a spoon leap into Great-grandma Emmsniffedp. “The spoon likes you,” she announced.
Colleen poured tea. Emmsniffedff and said, “This soup smells like flowers.” Robin laughed so hard her hat slid sideways.
Mary offered cucumber sandwiches. Logann opened hers. “No peanut butter? This sandwich forgot its middle.”
Paul, trying to be royal, lifted his pinky. Emmy lifted both pinkies, then both feet, and nearly tipped backward.
At dessert, the waiter brought strawberry cakes. The princesses shouted, “Pink treasure!” and sprinkled sugar like fairy dust.
We needed spooky music during tea, so everyone looked online to buy spooky MP3 files!
At the end of tea, we had to be scary since it is October in New England.
Bye bye tea, hello cookies!
We say goodbye to the Inn and go to Colleen’s home just 2.1 miles down the beaten path. When the princesses left, Robin found a scone in her purse. Logann smiled proudly. “For emergencies,” she said. “In case New Hampshire runs out of snacks.” Everyone agreed tea had never been sillier.
What time is it, boys and girls??? Yes, it is Tookie Time. Robin wanted to make cookies with the little ones, and while she made cookies, Mary and I made applesauce from yesterday’s purchase. Mary peeled while I chopped and made the lemon water (to keep apples from oxidizing and turning brown)
The older kids also got involved!
I provided the necessary “Adult Supervision”. I was also watching Scooby-Doo and Hocus Pocus on TV in the family room.
While watching NCIS, I learned that the actor Sean Murray played Thackery Binx as a boy in Hocus Pocus and later became known for playing Timothy McGee on NCIS.
When the noise level got louder than a jet plane, Mark came in to see what was going on!! The kids’ volume doesn’t go up to 10 — it starts there.
Grandma supervises the activities! Colleen’s kitchen WAS spotless and very well organized!!! We did, however, have to send out for a rolling pin.
Being older adults, we often stand (sit or lie back and watch the activities. Mary found a good place to watch, well away from flying dough and sprinkle explosions!
Everyone got into the act!
Cookie making went on for quite a while—turns out Sarah wasn’t just teaching decorating; she was running a masterclass in edible art. And methinks the older “girls” may have enjoyed it a little too much… though I’m sure it was purely for quality control!
Dining on the results is fun and messy!!
We visited, played with the kids, watched TV, and planned for tomorrow, finally departing around 9:00 pm.
It was a spooky night when we entered the Inn. We looked around before going into the open area to make sure the “gas turkey” wasn’t hiding in the bushes.
Good night, all…
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