Fit for a Queen!

Victoria Sponge Anyone?  

It's Queen Victoria's birthday today...

so I think this calls for some Victoria Sponge!

 Queen Victoria

Yes, Victoria Sponge is named after Queen Victoria

and it was her favorite cake!

Whenever I visit London, 

I love to walk the grounds of Kensington Palace and see the 

Queen Victoria statue.  

Last year after tea at the Orangery, 

I could not find the Queen Victoria statue.  I discovered after our trip that the statue 

was being re-stored during Kensington Palace's two year refurbishment. 

The Queen Victoria statue was erected in 1893

celebrating Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. 

The statue suffered shrapnel damage during World War II 

and has been now restored to her former glory.  

 I will look for her again on my next trip to London!

 Victoria Sponge 

On our trip to England last year,

I tasted Victoria Sponge for the first time at

 The Orangery at Kensington Palace 

(photo above)

and  at 

The Regency Tea Room

in the Jane Austen Center in Bath, England

(top photo).

Both Victoria Sponges were

 "fit for a Queen"!

Did you know that,

Queen Elizabeth II 

is Queen Victoria's great-great-great granddaughter and 

 Victoria Sponge

 is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite cakes, too!

I'm off now to my kitchen to practice making 

Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes

for my upcoming Diamond Jubilee tea parties!  

All The Tea in China

The Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark is once again in ship-shape! 

Queen Elizabeth II officially re-opened the historic Cutty Sark today,
five years after the 19th century British tea clipper was ravaged by fire
during it's restoration project. 

Whenever we travel to England,
I'm always wanting to learn more about tea.
 So on our 2004 vacation,  we took a day trip to Greenwich in south London
 to see the last surviving British tea clipper ship, the Cutty Sark
and hit a few antique markets, too.

On the momentous occasion of her reopening  
I thought it would be neat to share my photos
and a few of my memories of
our visit to the Cutty Sark.

 All the Tea in China

The Cutty Sark was a working cargo ship from 1869 until 1922.

She was a great tea clipper ship during, what is called,
The China Tea Years from 1870 to 1878.

In 1870 she made her first voyage from London to Shanghai
(an 8 month round trip)
and returned with 1450 tons of tea on board!

She made a total of eight journeys on the high seas to China

as part of the tea trade 

until clipper ships were replaced by steam ships. 

Chinese Black Tea  

From my travel journal entry on May 9, 2004:

"Next stop in Greenwich is aboard The Cutty Sark.

  Built in 1869, she is the last of the great tea clipper ships. 

She  traveled to China to bring both black and green tea to England.  

Once the tea made the journey from China to England

 it was already 18 to 24 months old."

"There is an effort now to save the Cutty Sark due it's demise 

mostly from the London rain.

We enjoyed touring the ship and were most amazed at how small the merchant sailors 

bed and bunks were."

The Cutty Sark in 2004

What a wonderful day in the Cutty Sark's glorious history 

to be returned to all her former glory!

 She  re-opens to the public tomorrow and even has a cafe on board now.

If we ever travel back to Greenwich, 

I would like to visit her again
and have a tea break in the new cafe.

And leave it to Twinings...

they have a Chinese black and a green gunpowder
commemorative tea blend named  Cutty Sark 

to celebrate the re-launch of the Cutty Sark.  ...

the last of the great tea clipper ships!

Royal-Tea

A Royal Wedding Tea

I've got my fascinator and Union Jack tea mug...

I'm ready for a Royal Wedding Tea Party...

How about you?

Well then, we better get to planning. 

British Tea Books

We've got just over 2 weeks to plan a lovely Royal Wedding Tea Party. 

Now is a perfect time to pull out any British tea books you may have for menu inspiration, ideas and recipes.  A few of my favorites are The London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea and Taking Tea at the Savoy. 

From Taking Tea at the Savoy:

Think of afternoon tea and what comes to mind?  Ladies in smart hats, floral tea dresses, and white gloves, sipping Earl Grey from bone china cups, little finger poised in mid-air, then daintily cutting off a piece of fruit tart with a silver cake fork or delicately eating a cucumber sandwich, crusts removed....

Feeling inspired?  Let's talk about the menu!

The Savoy

The Savoy is one of London's great hotels for afternoon tea. 

My husband and I honeymooned at The Savoy ten years ago. I love my little tea book souvenir, Taking Tea at the Savoy.

I think Savoy Scones are perfect for a Royal Wedding Tea menu. 

Chef Anton Edelmann's scone recipe is not only in Taking Tea at the Savoy but also here when he was a guest on The Martha Stewart Show.

For perfect scones both Chef Anton Edelmann and Britain's Delia Smith have this tip:

 for perfect English scones, dough should never be rolled out to anything less 3/4" (2cm).  Hmm, so that is why scones in England always have more height than American scones!

Tea at The Ritz

Besides tea and scones,  A Royal Wedding Tea menu should include cucumber sandwiches,  traditional finger sandwiches, a few sweet treats and, of course, strawberry jam and clotted cream for the scones.

I've never had tea at The Ritz London due to its strict formal dress code (gentlemen must wear a jacket & tie) but I have sneaked a peak at the gorgeous Palm Court Tearoom inside.  A nice gentleman even gave me an Afternoon Tea Menu.  Feel free to use this Afternoon Tea Menu as a guide for planning your Royal Wedding Tea menu.

Lastly, don't forget to bring out your best china and your favorite pot of tea.  I'm thinking a lovely Earl Grey or commemorative Royal Wedding Blend is just what the Royal Couple ordered!

Good luck planning your Royal Wedding Tea Party.

Remember you can even treat yourself to a "tea party for one" while you watch the Royal Wedding in your pajamas, like me.  Just don't forget to wear your fascinator...

Kate would like that!

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Blue Toast & Marmalade Tea Pot and Union Jack mug, Fascinator by August from Nordstrom, and assorted tea books.)

Tea Parfume

Miller Harris Tea

British perfumer Lyn Harris, founder of Miller Harris, has a nose for fragrance and a nose for fragrant tea.  

Lyn grew up in Northern England with a love of tea and tea rooms.  It's no wonder she has turned her extraordinary nose to her own collection of teas.  She has created her teas with the same depth and bouquet as her fine fragrances. 

Recently I treated myself to a beautiful caddy of Miller Harris tea.  Since I've always wanted to try Violette tea, I selected her The' Violette.  I am pleased to report that the violet flavor is quite subtle,  not overpowering or too perfumey!  It's a lovely blend.

The' Violette

The Miller Harris tea caddy says it best:

"Drinking rare and beautiful teas has always been an essential luxury for perfumer Lyn Harris.  Inspired by the delicate art of balancing flavour and aroma, Lyn has combined the world's finest teas with pure, natural extracts to create a collection of blends with top, heart and base notes."

"Thé  Violette is a delicate fusion of fruits and flowers. The sweet muscatel notes of second flush Darjeeling from the Jungpana Estate combine with accents of violet, blackcurrant bud and green mulberry leaf."

Since I couldn't hop on a jet to London to pick up my tea, I was happy to find it available here in the States at Dean and Deluca. 

It's a lovely tea drinkable anytime of the day.  I am enjoying it in the afternoon.  Miller Harris says it's best drunk without milk and sugar.  

The next time I'm in London, I hope to visit the Miller Harris Mayfair store for a spot of tea in the
Miller Harris Fragrant Tea Room!


(In the photos:  Wedgwood Edme Teapot, B & B Plate, Tea Cup & Saucer. Miller Harris The' Violette and  Laduree Violette Macarons.)

Still Too Few!

Still Too Few

Thank you for dropping by for a cuppa!

Today I'm taking you across the pond and showing you the inside of a real old fashioned English tea room. It's not a fancy tea room by any means but it's my favorite little tea room whenever I visit Notting Hill in London.

Portobello Road

If' it's Saturday and I'm in London...you'll find me with my husband hanging out on Portobello Road. Portobello Road is the largest antiques market in the world held every Saturday.

There is nothing quite like a London Saturday strolling Portobello Road. We actually plan our London stay around this incredible market. We always arrive early with Starbucks in hand and when we're ready for a lunch tea break, we always "pop into" Still Too Few.

Home Made Cakes

It was by chance that I found this darling little tea room, Still Too Few. My husband and I were antique shopping along Westbourne Grove (just off Portobello Road) when I spotted their tea pot sign. We popped in for a spot of tea and have made a tradition of visiting this tea room ever since.

Still Too Few feels as authentic as a little English Tea Room should feel to me. The tiny tea room is below street level in the basement of the owners antique shop. The tea room has a quaint, cozy feel with neat vintage advertisements and memorabilia adding to its British charm.

Tea Time at Still Too Few

My favorite Tea break :

Tea in a Brown Betty pot

Scones with Currant Jam & Clotted Cream

Tea sandwiches

All served on pretty Blue & White English China


The last time I was at Still Too Few was in May 2006. My husband and I hope to visit London next year and my fingers are crossed that this little gem is still there!

If you love antique shopping and tea time...

I hope you get to Portobello Road and Still Too Few!

Still Too Few
300 Westbourne Grove

Notting Hill, London

Cath Kidston Bags

Limited Edition Carrier Bag by Cath Kidston

If you love flowers and vintage style you are sure to be a Cath Kidston fan! Cath Kidston is a British fabric designer who has popularized vintage style designing clothing, bags and home accessories in her "kitschy" 1950's style prints.

I discovered Cath Kidston style thanks to BBC Homes and Antiques and the UK's Country Living, British design magazines. It was in those pages that I became a Cath Kidston fan.

Recently when I was shopping on the British Cath Kidston site, I discovered that earlier this year she designed a series of 8 eco-friendly carrier (shopping) bags for the British grocery chain Tesco. Each reusable carrier bag is made from 9 recycled plastic bottles. Each bag sold also benefits the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity. Thanks to international shopping on Ebay UK, I now have a few of my very own Cath Kidston carrier bags!

Happy Birthday Cath Kidston!

Cath Kidston celebrated 15 years with a cake contest.

Don't you just love this adorable cake?

Cath Kidston celebrated 15 years in business this year. Whenever we visit London we always take a walk from Notting Hill and visit her original store at 8 Clarendon Cross in Holland Park, London.

Cath Kidston

The Queen of Floral Prints!

The Cath Kidston US web-site is currently being re-designed. For now, if you can't get to London, you can shop at home with a cup of tea at:

Cath Kidston UK

Antique Flea Markets

Antique Flea Markets

I love going to antique flea markets. My favorite antique flea market is Portobello Road in London and I love the puce (flea) markets in Paris! I also love the little antique market held twice a year in the historic town of Folsom, CA.

Here a few photos from the recent Folsom Peddlers Faire and the Portobello Road market in London. I thought it would be fun for you to see the difference between a tiny American style faire to the largest antique fair in the world! Enjoy!

Antique Peddler's Faire in historic Folsom, CA

Last Sunday was the Antique Peddlers Faire on Sutter Street in historic Folsom, CA. It draws a pretty loyal crowd and there is always something for every type of collector from vintage toys to English silver.

Time for Tea!
Tea accoutrements, tea strainers and toast racks.

This antique dealer is an English lady, naturally!

1950's and 1960's ladies head vintage vases.
A pretty "hot" collectible right now.

American Dolls.

Dolls always bring back child hood memories!

Portobello Road, London, England.

The World's largest antique market held every Saturday!
Draws a huge crowd of locals and tourists!

The Silver Lady's booth.

I love buying tea caddy spoons and strainers

from this nice English dealer.

Silver and more silver!

At Portobello Road, stacks of silver are everywhere!

I had never seen so much antique silver before!

English china from the Potteries, England.

Famous makers such as:

Wedgwood, Spode and Royal Albert.

Well, no matter what you collect it is always fun to be on a treasure hunt at antique faires. This coming Sunday, we are off to the charming town of Petaluma, CA for their antique fair in their historic district.

The hunt is always on!

The Sunken Garden

Kensington Palace & the Queen Victoria statue

I love English gardens!

I have a favorite secret garden in London. It is called The Sunken Garden. It is a hidden garden within London's Kensington Gardens. It is tucked away behind a wall of towering hedges next to Kensington Palace. Sadly most tourists probably miss it. My husband and I were lucky to stumble upon it while strolling thru Kensington Gardens several years ago.

If you have never seen it....here is a look:

The gates are always locked at The Sunken Garden.

You must peer thru the gates and between the towering hedges to get a glimpse at this magical garden!

The Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace opened in May 1909. It is a formal English garden patterned after the Tudor Garden at Hampton Court. It is free for the public to view (behind the locked gates).

The Sunken Garden is truly a special place in London. If you get to Kensington Palace, find the Queen Victoria statue and make your way over thru the towering hedges. There you will find...this wonderful secret garden!

Moroccan Mint Tea at the Mo Tearoom

Moroccan Mint Tea

I love having tea in England. No matter where I am travelling in England, you can be sure I am checking out that town's tea rooms! On our last London trip (2006) I read about a North African tea room where they serve Moroccan Mint Tea. I wanted to experience it made properly so I could later make it at home.

So one day during a shopping break we ventured over to the Mo Tearoom just off Regent Street. It is part of a wonderful exotic restaurant called MoMo's. The inside is decorated to look like a Moroccan souk (open air marketplace) with ornate lanterns, exotic carpets, low stools and brass tables. I was ready to experience tea in a new way!

Making Mint Tea for the Silver Pot

I ordered a pot of mint tea. Our server came back with an ornate traditional silver Moroccan tea pot. She then lifts the tea pot high into the air and pours the tea into my small Moroccan glass. It was quite a show! The tea was delicious! I now make it at home regularly. You must use Chinese gunpowder loose tea to make it authentic!

Here is my recipe for Moroccan Mint Tea:

1 T. loose Chinese Gunpowder Tea

2 small bunches fresh mint leaves

1/3 to 1/2 C. sugar

5 cups boiling water

Combine tea and 5 cups boiling water in your tea pot. Steep for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add mint leaves and sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar. Steep another 3 minutes. Stain tea and serve immediately or chill for iced mint tea.

Traditionally Moroccan mint tea is served hot and it is customary to drink at least two glasses as to not offend your host.  It is one of my favorite teas to enjoy iced in the summertime.

MoMo Tea Room

25 Heddon St.London

MoMo's has become one of London's hippest resturants and tea rooms.

Check them out at http://momoresto.com/