Sweet Shalom Tea Room

After a couple days of playing hostess, we decided it was time to be a tea guest.  Sweet Shalom is one of my favorite tea rooms.  Everything you expect in a tea room, you will find at Sweet Shalom.  The home that houses the tea room has a long history and the back of your menu shares the details.  

The porch is always decorated to match the monthly theme.  This month is "Holidays at the Homestead" featuring Currier and Ives.

Upon entering the tea room, you are greeted by costumed servers.  Brenda is on the left and you can catch a glimpse of Sara behind the flowers.

They have a lovely gift shop.

You will find a variety of items available.

More goodies

The fireplace mantle is always decorated to match the theme.

We were greeted with a cup of wassail.  The recipe is in their cookbook.  Packets of the spices and sugar, along with the directions were also for sale.

Warm Cranberry Orange Scones

Their scones are the best.  I have taken their scone making class twice.  It has certainly helped my scone making skills.

Our tea was served on the Currier and Ives themed china.  Sara shared with us that the dishes were part of grocery store promotions years ago.  

Creamy Potato Soup

Tea Goodies

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Turkey with Cranberry Tea Sandwiches

Mushrooms with Sage Stuffing

Savory Corn Pudding

Ginger Molasses Cookie

Date Nut Cake

Final Dessert

Sweet Potato Pie topped with Pecan Crumble and Whipped Cream

Raven, the harpist, entertained us during our tea time.  Angels We Have Heard On High, The First Noel, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Here We Come A Wassailing, Frosty the Snowman, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing were just a few of the songs she played.

Sara shared a bit about Currier and Ives as part of the program.  They brought art to the common people to use in decorating their homes.  The hired artists specialized in a specific styles of art - still life, snow scenes, portraits, etc.  The print above is not one I would have connected with Currier and Ives.  I was more familiar with style on the mantle.  Several other prints were displayed through out the tea room.  I always find the programs very interesting.  I come away from tea at Sweet Shalom not only relaxed, but with a tidbit of new information.  The tetris teapot was filled with Hot Cinnamon Spice and White Christmas tea by Harney and Sons.