Christmas Tea

This is the most curious Christmas tea party I've ever been to.

Emma visited for a holiday tea for two today, which gave me an excuse to use my red glass dishes as well as my Alice in Wonderland Christmas teapot, mugs, and serving tray.

Poinsettia placemats and napkins, ornament place cards, British-style Mad Hatter mugs, an Alice in Wonderland "poison" candle, and Eat Me fruit and nut bar complete with riddles, made up the place settings. Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.



 

The table is set, Prosecco popped, and the food is ready.

Eggnog mitten scones served with vanilla bean curd,

Gouda and crackers, and pumpkin bars.

Curiouser and curiouser - a Cheshire cat Santa teapot.

Christmas crescent roll pull-a-apart wreath. Veggie pizza is on my favorite food list. This was fun and easy to make. Simply cut the crescent roll log so it makes small circles to make the wreath, bake, when cool, spread the cream cheese dill mixture, top with carrots, cucumber, celery and tomato, and cut a red pepper into a bow. 

Snowman pizza (before & after)

 

We're all mad here. I'm mad, you're mad.

Sipping cranberry mimosas and Twinings Christmas tea.

I love the cinnamon and spices this time of year.

 

My mom found cute sparkly hedgehogs in Fort Frances

and they were perfect for Emma for Christmas.

Tea at The Empress Victoria, B.C.

After a bus, ferry and another bus we arrived in Victoria from Vancouver. We checked into our hotel and got dressed for tea. I must admit I planned a lot of this trip based on having tea at The Empress. While fall is a bit chilly, it was also pretty, with the vines covering The Empress turning crimson.

Welcome to The Empress Room, this is the original hotel lobby.
The hotel has served tea since it opened Jan. 20, 1908.

Initially tea was served in the Palm Court (reminds me of the Plaza in NYC also a Fairmont property) under this beautiful Tiffany stained glass window. The acoustics of the room was such that guests could hear other guests conversations clear across the room so they discontinued having tea here.

 

 I adore the china, which has its own story.
Legend has it that it was first presented to King George V in 1914 on the occasion of the opening of the Booth china factory. The china made its first appearance at The Empress in 1939 when King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth, (the Queen Mother) had their china pattern shipped to dine in The Empress Room. Hidden away, the china made its next appearance during a visit by Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth) in 1951.

The china was then lost and wasn't rediscovered until found in an antique shop in 1995. The pattern is now produced exclusively for The Fairmont.



 

We were seated at the window overlooking the veranda and watched as a large ship came into the harbor. You could imagine viewing the inner harbor 100 years ago and watching the "Thermoplyae" - the fastest of all the tea clipper ships were it was once anchored.

Pink, maroon and green - interesting color choices - very Victorian.
I believe the portrait is of Queen Mary.

 Ready to serve.

Classy tea comes with live music, in this case, a pianist.

Lots of couples taking tea from all over the world.

Jeff sampled salmon pinwheels, egg salad croissant, curried chicken salad and cucumber sandwiches. I enjoyed an egg salad croissant, tomato naan, tomato and cucumber sandwiches.

 Tea would not be tea without currant scones, devonshire and preserves.

 Pear cheesecake, lemon and hazelnut macaroons, pistachio cherry cake, chocolate shortbread and lemon meringue tart.

 

Jeff and I enjoying tea.

 

 We ordered The Empress Tea as well as the Earl Gray.

My version of a candy shop - the tearoom gift shop.
Of course, I came home with a cup and saucer, trivet, teabag rest, and lots of tea!