celebrating May Day . . . pink tulips and apple blossom tea

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vanilla caramel truffle tea and minted sugar cookies . . . a quiet moment

.     .     .     .     .     .

vanilla caramel truffle tea

cream

comptoir du sud

~

minted sugar cookies

.     .     .     .     .    .

This beautiful post is dedicated to my Mom, Alex, and Aunt Lisa.

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baby's breath & apple tea . . . a quiet Friday morning

It's rare when I have a quiet morning without loud, playful little ones and loads of errands to run.

This morning was a little different with our youngest daughter not feeling well and sleeping in until nearly 10 o'clock, our youngest son peacefully playing with Play-dough, and our oldest daughter at school for a few hours . . . so with the little ones all busy with one thing or another, I found quiet time . . . and it was so nice.

Quiet time to count my blessings, read a few of my favorite inspirational books . . . and enjoy a cup of the most amazing apple tea in the pretty white china that my mom passed down to me when I got married. 

I struggled with taking advantage of the quiet time. It felt like I should have been making phone calls, paying bills, and cleaning the house . . . but instead, I chose to breathe in the quiet and walk the road less traveled . . . and I'm so happy that I did. 

So often, it's quiet time that rejuvenates our soul. 

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sun-kissed Summer peach tea

Ahhhhhhh . . . sun-kissed Summer peach tea.

If you enjoy sweet tea, then you'll love it sweetened with peaches!

I have a mild obsession with all things related to the South!

I love that so much of their culture is steeped in tradition . . . 

           . . . and enjoying Sweet Tea is one of them.

From what I hear, Sweet Tea is a big thing down there.  It's a staple in everyone's refrigerator for when friends and family stop by for a visit. 

                       Adding sliced lemons and oranges is also quite common.

Although I enjoy a glass of Sweet Tea with traditional garnishes too, adding peach simple syrup and sliced peaches is so so good. 

With gorgeous ripe peaches in season, 

I hope you treat yourself to this delightful Summer drink!

Sweet Tea

3 quarts cold water

4 pitcher-size cold brew tea bags

Peach Simple Syrup, recipe follows

peach slices, for garnish

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions for Sweet Tea

Bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat, pour into a pitcher, and steep the tea bags about 5 minutes. Mix the Peach Simply Syrup into the iced tea. Mix well.

Pour the drink mix over ice cubes in a glass. 

Garnish with slices of peaches, and a sprig of mint.

Peach Simple Syrup

1 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

3 peaches, pitted and sliced

Directions for Peach Simple Syrup

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil and add sugar and peaches. Stir to combine.

Remove from heat and let cool completely.

When the syrup is cooled, line a strainer with a paper towel 

(this will help catch all the peach fuzz and small bits) 

and strain the syrup into a storage container. Refrigerate until needed.

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Paris . . . in a cup!

My sister and I took my mom to Paris . . . in a Cup for her birthday . . . and we had a wonderful time!  
  

  

Paris . . . in a Cup  is a simply charming French themed Tea Salon located in historic Old Towne Orange, and was inspired by a love for old movies, especially ones about Paris during the 1940's- 1950's.  
   
Owner Cheryl Turner began her research on French tea salons by scouring everything these unique and beautiful tea rooms have to offer, from their menus to furnishings and everything in between.  She searched for companies that imported items from France including tableware, gourmet foods and beverages, as well as a countless array of other lovely novelties. Her inspiration stems from tea salons like Laduree', Angelin's, and Marriage Ferrer's.

Paris . . .  in a Cup is beautiful. Mirrors and torchieres decorate the walls. Glass chandeliers hang from the ceilings. White linens cover the tables. Beautiful white china sits atop the tables eagerly waiting to be dined upon. The music is French.  A simply beautiful combination.  

  

Our formally set table awaited us with a collection of menus . . . Le Menu, the dessert menu, the seasonal tea menu, and the everyday tea menu, with more than 130 tea selections, including four lines from France.  

We were each brought a small black tea pot filled with our tea of choice. I sampled a wonderful Vanilla Bean tea that reminded me so much of one that I had on my honeymoon.  

A vessel holding the most beautiful white and brown sugar cubes sat next to a small vase of fresh flowers. I smiled when I saw them . . . I adore the tradition of sugar cubes to sweeten tea!

It was difficult to choose from Le Menu, because everything sounded so delicious. My mom, sister, and I chose different entrees, which was wonderful . . . because it allowed us to sample one another's dishes. 

We were served scones with our tea . . . and I must say, the flavor combinations were the best I have ever had. We sampled a traditional scone but with a vanilla sugar top . . . and a white chocolate and candied ginger scone. Oh my heavens . . . I was speechless.  Since I think I've perfected the basic scone with my Cream Scone recipe, I'm going to have to try these incredible combinations in my recipe! Maybe I can have Paris . . . in a Cup at home (smile).

Our lunches were just as delicious. My sister ordered the French dip sandwich. Tender roast beef piled on a toasted baguette, and served with an au jus and their honey-balsamic dijon mustard. For me, my heart seems to pitter-patter over quiches and frittatas lately, so I ordered Lorraine . . . a petite quiche crowned with crumbled bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese.  It was served with a cup of cream of chicken soup with wild rice.  Delicious.

And my mom . . . Well, she always chooses the more traditional tea fare . . . light and elegant.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we also enjoyed a refreshing glass of Vanilla Lemonade. I was pleasantly surprised to see this special lemonade on their menu, especially after recently sharing a similar recipe with you.

It wouldn't have been a special birthday celebration without dessert, so we sampled the petit four assortment that accompanied my mom's tea fare . . . a petite lemon tart, chocolate ganache, and a raspberry petit four.  The presentation was a beautiful balance of flavors, each a piece of delicate art.

When I learned that my sister had never tried a French macaron, I promptly ordered an assortment for us to enjoy . . . mocha, salted caramel, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio. She was pleasantly surprised by their delicate nature and intense flavors. Their presentation was quite breath-taking served atop an Eiffel Tower stand . . .

We ended our lunch with a leisurely stroll through the French boutique located at the front of the restaurant.  

Oh it was so much fun . . . and there were so many pretties! And the best part . . . there is a glass case nestled right in the front where you can buy French macarons and other delicacies to take home (big smile). 

We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of leisure & laughs, sipped on tea, and enjoyed delicious food. My mom casually mentioned that she would like to celebrate her 70th birthday next year at Paris . . . in a Cup with her close girl-friends, my sister, and me.  Given that Paris . . . in a Cup already has all the makings for a beautiful and elegant celebration, as well as delicious food . . . my mom's 70th birthday should be the easiest party I will ever host! I can't wait!

À bientôt!

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