Wonderland Ballet

Last night Kim and I attended the U.S. premiere of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet's production of Wonderland at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. It was a really unique contemporary interpretation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Here are some of the highlights:

• Alice was brunette - and definitely the lead ballerina
• The use of video technology and projection art - made Alice big and small
• Adventurous costumes - my favorite was four ballerinas dressed as flamingos flitting about in toe shoes
• It was dark - literally and figuratively - I think some children would be a little freaked out
• The queen was a bizarre character - we actually weren't sure if it was played by a man or a woman, but I just looked in the program - it was a woman!
• The tea party! Complete with a long white table and mismatched chairs - the dancers performed on and around the table including smashing dishes!
• As the ballerina that played the queen stated "It's not your grandmother's Alice in Wonderland."

Want a Wonderland phone ringtone? The RWB has one for free on their site: http://www.rwb.org/wonderland/ringtone

Here are some pictures that I found online because it was not the kind of show where one would take pictures but this will give you a flavor for it.

                                   
 
                     

Tea in the Woods

October was Kim's turn to host and she chose an elegant and intimate new place for English high tea - Maudie MacBride's in St. Paul. Set back in the woods, yet not far from busy areas, you wouldn't believe such a peaceful place would be here. The owners have remarkable vision transforming an older home into their dream and they truly have a gift for decorating. While it was too chilly to enjoy tea outside, you could imagine the splendid parties that could be had in warmer weather.

If you look closely you can see some visitors.

Emma and her friend Tess from Colorado

Cottage veranda overlooking the pond.

Maudie's dramatic solarium where we enjoyed an elegant tea overlooking gardens, a pond and waterfall.

Enjoying each other's company.

Tier 1: chicken & egg salad croissants

Tier 2: cucumber, pimento & crab sandwiches

Tier 3: cream & cranberry scones

Tier 1: carrot cake & chocolate cups with orange cream

Tier 2: chocolate éclairs & coconut macaroons

Tier 3: pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting

Kimmy enjoying a cup of a very secret tea blend called Maudie's rose Romance.

Em and Tess sharing the Fall desserts.

More tea please Tiff!

A sampling of the desserts with the rose black tea.

Crown & Crumpet

I've been slacking on my blog, I think this fireman distracted me or perhaps it was my aching body that isn't cut out for marathons.

While I was in San Francisco for the Nike Women's Marathon in mid-October, I visited Ghiradelli square.

One of the shops within in the square was the cutest tea shop ever - Crown & Crumpet.

This shop was the perfect example of how a tea shop does not have to be "old lady." It was chic, eccletic and fun - right down to the actual logo. I came home with lots of goodies from this shop including a cute cup and saucer with their logo and a tea canister.

  

Em's Fall Birthday Tea Trip

In honor of Emma's 29th (wink, wink) birthday, and after much research, I found a brand new tea room in Red Wing, MN! With the sun shining we set out in her brand new pearly white SUV. It was a lovely day for a drive through the river valley with the leaves just beginning to turn. I can't think of a better excuse to take the day off of work! Wisteria Twig Tea Room and Cafe has only been open for two weeks. The tea room is in the Pottery Place building (2000 Old West Main) former home of Red Wing Pottery.

The tea room overlooks the boiler/kiln? I liked the contrast of the warehouse/industrial building with exposed brick and beams for a high tea. The building also houses the Red Wing pottery museum and many shops. Mmm, scones!

 

                                                 

The food was homemade and a really nice black tea, Yorkshire Gold, was served. It always makes us happy when a nice big pot of tea is left on the table - this was the first time we didn't run out of tea! Many traditional high tea foods were served, including cucumber sandwiches and scones with Devonshire and lemon curd. In addition, the proprietress, Rita, also served fresh asparagus cream sandwiches which were a fun twist.

As Emma was opening her birthday presents, I mentioned that my mom and I found some of her presents in Fort Frances, Ontario. The couple next to us shared that they live in the Fort - small world! We chatted a bit and I mentioned that my maiden name was McHarg and they had known my great aunt Ruth! We figured if we kept talking we would end up related!

Here's Emma with one of her presents from Fort Floral - she loves hedgehogs. In fact, we stopped at a nursery on the way home to pick out a succulent for her new planter. The desserts were yummy - lemon bars, chocolate mousse, caramel apple bars and strawberry phyllo tarts. I love the bubble glass dishes.

Happy Birthday Emma! Hope you had a great day!

I'm glad I was able to spend time and celebrate with you with one of our favorite things - tea!

The Queen Invites You to Tea

By order of her Majesty, the Queen of Hearts, you are hereby summoned to a most unusual tea party, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, 1:00 p.m. Wear foolish attire for all to admire.

Enter the maddest party in the Queen's Royal Croquet Court

The table was set for our biggest party yet

Even the card men came to tea

I must admit, I was proud of my flower arrangement ;)



"There was a table set out under a tree in front of a house,
and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it:
a Doormouse was sitting between them fast asleep . . ."

"Which way? Which way?"

Emma's mom made me the cutest apron!

Bandersnatch Eyeballs
Alice’s Cuppa Salad
Cook’s Potato Soup
White King’s Cookies
Red Queen’s Strawberry Heart Scones
with Orange Curd and Cream
March Hare’s Orange Tea Punch
A Mad Variety of Tea

Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups with Pumpkin Mousse
Dancing Snails

Cheshire Cupcakes

 Royal Court Cucumber Sandwiches

Caterpillar’s Magic Mushrooms
Royal Court Cucumber Sandwiches
White Rabbit’s Pocket Watch Crackers & Cheese

 The Hatter says time "won't do a thing I ask!
It's always six o'clock now";
that is, it is always tea-time.

The girls!

Mrs. Spahl as the White Rabbit
and Emma as the Knave of Hearts

Wonderland parting gifts for the girls...