A few weeks ago, I took a review copy of THE MILES BETWEEN on a road trip to the Orange County Fair. A grand adventure, that, and it whetted my appetite for another! So I headed out on the highway again yesterday—this time, to meet up with Mary Pearson, the author of that soon-to-be-released novel.
San Juan Capistrano is midway between us, more or less, so I suggested the Tea House on Los Rios—a cozy, cottage-style restaurant that’s tucked into a neighborhood with historical importance. Monarch butterflies hover among the lavender and sage, and roses amble along the white picket fence. In a word: heavenly!
We crowned ourselves in vintage hats, and then we indulged ourselves in a decadent lunch that included finger sandwiches, heart-shaped scones slathered with California cream, fresh fruit, and (of course) tea. It was a lovely tête-à-tête—almost three hours long, but who’s counting? And though it was the first time we’ve talked in person, I feel certain it won’t be the last.
That looks lovely!
Oh, it was! All friendships need to be pampered, don’t you think? It’s fun to think of new ways (and/or places) to do that. 🙂
That’s so cool! I’ve never seen a scrapbook like that… looks like you had a great time. You two look wonderful in those hats!
We had such a great time! I wish all our friends could have joined us!
I created the scrapbook on Photobucket. Easy-peasy, you should try it!
Oh, lovely!! Nothing like a good afternoon tea. Great hats!
Wish I could have shared my vanilla tea with you, along with a chunk of my current scone. Good food is even more delicous when shared with good friends, don’t you think?
Whoa! That sounds awesome–and you two are gorgeous.
Have you been there? If no, we should make plans for a visit!! I’d love to treat you, if/when you’re able to make the trip.
Have you been there? If no, we should make plans for a visit!! I’d love to treat you, if/when you’re able to make the trip.
That was a really cool slide show!
Thanks for making me hop over here from FB!
Anna Banana
Bwahahaha! It’s part of a nefarious plan to entice my LJ friends over here again. 😉
Very good, temptress, your evil plan is working.
And, huge kudos, I don’t hop over here for just anyone!
… now, let me see… what is going on here?… Curses, I’ve been pulled into the LJ whirling time suck… ahhhh…
LOL! It’s good to linger over a conversation now and again.
Facebook’s like candy, quick and gone. It’s a tasty treat, but LJ feeds my soul.
Bwahahaha! It’s part of a nefarious plan to entice my LJ friends over here again. 😉
That was a really cool slide show!
Thanks for making me hop over here from FB!
Anna Banana
I can imagine how those three hours flew! I love the slide show — roses by the scones! Heaven!
Heaven, indeed! A big slice of heaven on earth!
They said the roses were edible, and although we were brave enough to take tiny nibbles off single petals, that’s about all we could manage. Ah well, at least we tried ’em… 😉
Heaven, indeed! A big slice of heaven on earth!
They said the roses were edible, and although we were brave enough to take tiny nibbles off single petals, that’s about all we could manage. Ah well, at least we tried ’em… 😉
I can imagine how those three hours flew! I love the slide show — roses by the scones! Heaven!
I love the slide show! And I had so much fun yesterday. I have been to San Juan Capistrano a zillion times and I never knew that beautiful old street existed. It is a whole different world. And wow, that three hours flew by. Scones! Hats! Roses! Tea! And great conversation! I felt like I was on a mini-vacation.
Mary!!! Hello again, friend!
It’s such fun to (re)discover secret gardens, isn’t it, and to share them with friends, old and new. xoxo
I love the slide show! And I had so much fun yesterday. I have been to San Juan Capistrano a zillion times and I never knew that beautiful old street existed. It is a whole different world. And wow, that three hours flew by. Scones! Hats! Roses! Tea! And great conversation! I felt like I was on a mini-vacation.
not so random commenter
sounds lovely, and what an awesome slide show :0)
Re: not so random commenter
Thanks! I’m glad you could join us, at least in spirit.
Oh, how cool to have a slide show like that to document it!
And don’t you two look beautiful with your hats amidst the roses and scones and tea. So glad you shared your perfect afternoon with us.
I’m glad you like it! I didn’t want to clutter up everyone’s friends page with so many pictures, so this seemed a fun alternative.
I always think back with fondness on the day we shared tea and a blueberry scone at Powells. *happy sigh*
Yay for good times with good friends! I’m so glad you two had that time together.
Love the scrapbook!!
Mary’s a lovely (and lively) woman. We had a great time, swapping stories and sharing secrets…
Oh, it looks like you two had a lot of fun!
We sure did! Have you been there, K? I think you’d love it.
Sigh. I love afternoon tea.
me, too!
If you tilt your head just so and squint your eyes just right, you’ll see it as more of a necessity than an indulgence. 😉
I wish you could have joined us.
Arrgh…would you believe I was in SJC yesterday? :>0
The Monarch butterflies were beautiful.
R U serious? Oh, if only we’d known…
Too bad one of us isn’t psychic. :>)
I took another Metrolink trip down there. It was good to get out of the house, anyway.
What a wonderful slide show! Makes me want to put on a hat and hop on over to SJC!
Oooh, wouldn’t that be fun!?!
What a lovely, lovely, lovely day. And very nice hats…errr… crowns. 🙂
We felt like royalty! 🙂
And looked the part too!
What a lovely, lovely, lovely day. And very nice hats…errr… crowns. 🙂
There must be a movie with this title: “The Tea House on Los Rios.”
Starring in today’s film are the lovely and talented Mary Pearson and Melodye Shore. (Two camera-ready names, of course.)
A picture-perfect story: two writers, a pot of tea, surrounded by fresh, fragrant flowers, winding streets, a gathering of butterflies and a bloom of friendship.
How lucky we are, all of us, to have found one another!
-Pamela Ross
I know, right? It was a picture-perfect day in every way. If (WHEN) you come this way, I’ll take you there. Oh, that’ll be so much fun.
And yes, oh yes, we are very lucky!! (Wait ’til you read Mary’s new novel. You’ll see that word in a new way.)