The tea house is filled with the homey smells of fresh-baked scones, cut flowers, and holiday goodies. Ornaments hang like jewels from the ceiling, intertwined with plaid ribbons and twinkling lights. Sara’s wearing her Winter Princess gown, and why not? It’s our very first holiday tea, and we’re celebrating in style.
Sara chooses the TreeHouse luncheon, strawberry tea, and a heart-shaped scone. I opt for the quiche and vanilla tea.
Our server places two teapots and strainers on our table, suggests we might want to read our tea leaves when we’re done.
Sara spoons a generous amount of sugar into her teacup, adds liberal swirls of cream. She tells me she’s tasted sugar cubes, once or twice. So yummy! “At my grandma’s house,” she adds.
“My Nana used to plop them into her English Breakfast tea,” I say; and though I’m flooded with nostalgia, I’m smiling at the effervescence of this day.
Our server returns to the table, refreshes our water glasses. “Those flowers are 100% edible,” she reminds us. Sara takes a nibble, promptly steals repositions my camellia.
We eat our fill, and then visit the adobe houses and shops along Los Rios, the oldest neighborhood street in California. I follow Sara’s lead…
Turns out, Santa’s elves have an affinity for gardening. Seems they also love birds, same as us.
Such a coincidence, too, that this watering can looks very much like a teapot.
Ho! Ho! Ho! The Grinch nailed a wreath to his front gate–because, you know, Santa’s watching.
Sara’s transfixed by the “love dove” on this merchant’s porch, but I’m drawn to the rusted birdcage that stands empty. Save for its rusted patina, it looks identical to the one in which my Nana kept Curly, her pet canary.
We admire a local artisan’s wares: kitchen utensils, bracelets, and jewelry, exquisitely carved and then polished to a high sheen.
A caboose rumbles down the railroad tracks, chasing its engine, and Christmas tunes blare from hidden speakers. Sara’s humming to herself, and so am I. There’s an easy harmony between us.
We savor our special outing, capture its magic in a gazing ball….
And as quick as you can say “Cinderella,” Sara’s traded her princess gown for play clothes!
“Now,” says my little elf on the shelf, “it’s time to bake Christmas cookies!”
And you’ve got a photo-illustrated picture book right there. 🙂 What a fun day!
So much fun! I’ll remember it always & hope it’s a memory she treasures, too.
Lovely pictures all, but my favorite is Sara with the camellia under her nose. Precious.
That’s my favorite, too. A single snapshot, but it says so much:)
So cute! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you stopped by to have tea with us. 🙂
This is so lovely–just like the two o you together. Thanks for sharing this special day with us!
Thanks, Carol. How better to experience the holidays than through the eyes of a child?
Love this sweet post. Sara looks beautiful in her winter princess gown. The camellia pic is my fave too. 🙂
Everyone ooh’ed and aaah’ed over that shimmery princess gown. “Are you a real princess?” a tiny tot asked. 🙂
Pure magic. Thank you for the tour.
It WAS magic, pure and sweet! Thanks for stopping by for tea. xo
Thanks for sharing your fun day! Have a Merry Christmas, Melodye!
Merry Christmas to you, as well! Hope it’s as magical as our special day. xo
How scrumptious!!! A joyful holiday to you and yours! XO
Thanks, Oritte! Hope your holiday plans are magical, too!
Melodye,
Thank you for bringing me along with you and Sara…….loved the adventure!
The more, the merrier, I say! So glad you stopped by for tea. xo