Tea Partay: Thunderstorm Tea at Bruentrup Farm

A thunderstorm isn't going to stop this tea partier. After driving my husband's truck 45 minutes in a downpour complete with thunder and lightning, I made it to the East side of the Twin Cities. As I stepped out into a puddle, I knew there was a reason I bought funky rain boots! Off to the farm...

Did you know that the land the Maplewood Mall is on was once part of the Bruentrup family dairy farm? The farm was established in 1891 and once spanned 175 acres along White Bear Avenue. The historical society now maintains the farmhouse buildings.

The tea was held in the barn and theme was "Flowers to Spring Forward."

Inside the barn was a bit chilly, but dry. It was a unique setting for a tea complete with hay bales in the rafters, hanging ladders and tools.

We thought all of the umbrella's lining the inside of the barn wall was rather pretty.

The women and men of the historical society took great care in planning and executing the tea. The tables were nicely decorated with spring colors. We even received a packet of seeds to take home and plant in our garden. We had a great time.

The centerpieces were teapots made out of moss filled with fresh flowers - super cute!

Our table of five had matching cups and saucers with a pretty floral pattern to hold our Early Gray.

The food and tea was exceptional.

The first course included asparagus soup and a spring salad with strawberry vinaigrette.

Next the sandwiches - chicken salad supreme on a croissant (mine was egg salad), egg salad on marble bread (mine was a walnut cheese), and open face cucumber on rye with chive blossoms as a garnish. All were very good.

For the dessert courses we sipped a black peach tea, which we were told was purveyed in Seattle. The scone was a mixed berry served with Devonshire cream.