Downton Abbey & Sticky Toffee Pudding Sundae

Downton Abbey & Sticky Toffee Pudding Sundae

The Tardis became a big fan of Downton Abbey while staying with Teresa in Ohio.  Teresa  sent along a gift packet of Downton Abbey teas and a service bell to ring for Spratt or Denker.  

  

A tea tray is ready to enjoy while watching the show tonight.  I just picked the pink camellia in my garden.  Isn’t it beautiful?

I’ll be sitting in a Downton Era chair which was a gift to my great-grandfather in the 1920’s and enjoying a pot of Mrs. Patmore’s Pudding Black Tea.  This tea has such a wonderful aroma. 

After the show, a Sticky Toffee Sundae with banana ice cream and caramelized banana slices was a perfect ending to a lovely evening of Downton.

Cheers and Happy Sipping!

Downton Abbey Awards - Week Two

Last night's episode of Downton Abbey began with a new day.  The first thing we saw was the morning delivery by bicycle.  The next thing - Tea!  Lady Cora's breakfast tray was being prepared.  Mrs. Patmore was wiping down the teapot.  Shortly after, Carson was seen carrying the silver teapot for breakfast.

I prepared a tea tray last night for our viewing of Downton Abbey.  (The teapot is quick to shush anyone who dares to speak.)

Hob Nobs - my favorite British biscuits

Chocolate covered Strawberries

Triplemint herbal tea from The Rosemary House

And now, on to the awards. . .

Tip of the Hat

Lady Rosamund

When Edith is visiting her editor in London and Aunt Rosamund is waiting in the hallway, her hat is stunning.

I was glad to see a few hats on last nights episode.  I didn't notice any of the headbands, but the hair clips were more evident, as was the curly bob.

Favorite Costume

Lady Mary's Undergarments

The days of the corsets are gone!

Mean and Evil Award

Lady Edith

I do really like Lady Edith, but she could be a bit more understanding of Mrs. Drewe.

Wooden Spoon (Stirrer of the Pot)

I don't remember anyone who deserves this award from last night's episode.

I'm Blushing Award

Lady Mary's Undergarments

They were beautiful, but getting a bit risque showing that much skin on Downton Abbey.

My Scene of the Night

Tea in the Library

I enjoy seeing the children.  The well loved stuffed animals were adorable.  George's little sailor suit was darling.  I really wanted to join them for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.  It looked like a small Victoria cake and only about a fourth of it was gone.  The Spode Stafford White China is so elegant.  (I wonder how many brides have registered for it since the show began?)

(It is cold here in Ohio.  After an afternoon of ice skating yesterday, a cup of hot tea, and a seat by the fire looked very inviting.  And all those books, I could get lost in there.)  

Countess Zingers

"Don't give me ideas."  (When Isobel remarks "Cousin Violet would have kept the rest of us away if she could.")

Unfortunately, The Countess did not make many appearances last night.

Other Zingers

Lady Edith - "As usual, you add two plus two and make 53"

Mrs. Patmore - "Borrow, So you'll give it back to me."

Baxter - "No.  But then you don't like to get involved in helping other, do you?"

Mr Carson to Thomas when he asks about looking for another job - "How could it hurt?"

And again to Thomas when he asks "When do you need me Mr. Carson?"  "When indeed!"

Anna - Mr. Bates says to her "Well try and put your feet up." concerning her trip to London with Lady Mary.  Her response - "Yes, I'll be putting my feet up."

Mrs. Hughes - "And Heaven forbid we lowly folk should do anything to contradict the blessed Lady Mary."

Mrs. Hughes again - "We'll be doing it your way for the next 30 years.  I know that well enough, but the wedding day is mine!"

And once again - "And you'll be there to support Lady Mary and her pigs, which is what matters, as we all know well enough."

Shoe Leather Award

Mrs. Drewe - That poor woman has been trod upon.  

She takes in little Marigold and raises her as her own.  When Lady Edith just came in and snatched her last season, Mrs. Drewe had the heart to send her stuffed toy with her.  In return for loving and caring for the little girl, the Drewe family ends up having to leave the estate.  Lord Grantham seems to understand and is compassionate.  "Its not kind, its a poor return for what you have done for us."   Lady Edith shows no appreciation, let alone compassion.

Jekyll and Hyde

Lady Mary - How sweet of her to help Anna and Mr. Bates have a child.

The interaction between she and Anna was so heartwarming.  She treats Anna with respect and not like a lowly servant.  (Maybe a bit of an upper hand when she interrupts Anna and said "Listen".)  The job of a servant had to be difficult, especially if you had a demanding boss.
When Anna expressed concern about the cost and that she couldn't take that tip, Lady Mary tells her not to be silly, she has earned it fair and square.  

I have always loved Lady Mary.  There are times she can be very evil and other times so sweet.

Flounder for Dinner

What is this Tribal thing with Mr. Bates?

"You're tribal Mr. Bates and the tribe doesn't have a lot of members."

I am not proficient in world history and I don't remember of any mention as to where Mr. Bates originated when he first arrived at Downton.  I was floundering when Anna mentioned it.  I am aware of the Scottish clans and tartan plaids, but not tribes.

That's it for this week.  I'm looking forward to the wedding.  Will Mrs. Hughes do her wedding in her own way or will she feel like a servant?  Only time will tell.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa and the Teapot

Downton Abbey Tea at Sweet Shalom and the Toledo Museum of Art

Cue the theme music from Downton Abbey.  Join the teapot and I for a mini vacation as we enjoy afternoon tea at Sweet Shalom and a visit to the Toledo Museum of Art.

We arrived on a dismal rainy afternoon, the perfect weather for afternoon tea.

I felt as if we were treated to normal English weather to help set the mood.

The mantle decor is changed monthly, and always helps carry out the theme of the monthly tea. 

This month it was adorned with elegant flowers.

The yellow parlor with a couple of the costumed servers.  I felt as if I were in the wonderful care of Anna during our tea time.  The servers at Downton Abbey always wear costumes to match the theme.  This month it was traditional maid uniforms.  Chris is the seamstress who handles the needlework.

We were seated in the rose or red parlor.  The tables were filled with guests for the Downton Abbey tea.

My place setting

A themed place card lets everyone at a table know where to sit.  The monthly menu lists the teas available for the month on one side and the tea menu is on the other.  The back of the menu shares the history of the home and the story of how it became "Sweet Shalom Tea Room".

Tea at Sweet Shalom always begins with scones served from silver dishes.

Kensington Palace Scones with Strawberry Jam and Butter

The main entree was Chicken Tenderloin in White Wine Caper Sauce on Rice, an upstairs dish that was delicious.

Sara presented the program.  She read quotes from the show and we guessed who said it.

She also shared the storyline of the program for the guests who were unfamiliar with it.

I always enjoy the program at Sweet Shalom.  There is plenty of time before and after the program for visiting and I always learn a little something.  Often times they share a tidbit of information they found while researching the monthly theme.  I am amazed at the time and effort they spend making sure every little detail is handled properly for the monthly themes.

Our tiered server

Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches - delicious

Beef Tenderloin Roulade with Horseradish Sauce - the horseradish added just the right touch

Parmesan Artichoke Squares - wonderful

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches - what is tea without cucumber sandwiches (Sweet Shalom includes them on every monthly tea menu.)

Top

Sweet Brown Sugar Shortbread - this melted in my mouth

Apple Charlotte - nice and warm with yummy apples and seasoned with the perfect amount of spice

The final dessert was Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

(Mrs. Patmore and Daisy outdid themselves!)

I was in the group of quote contest second place finishers.  Our prizes were quote bookmarks.  I loved Violet's quote.  She delivers her lines with such aplomb.

Unlimited cups of Harney and Sons tea are served throughout afternoon tea.  Our server was happy to use the traveling teapot for our tea.  We drank five pots and my order of preference was Citron Green, Black Current, Hot Cinnamon Spice, White Winter Earl Grey and Vanilla Comoro.  We drank them in the proper order this time, from light to dark.  A tea friend joined me and we had a delightful afternoon.

Many times when enjoying afternoon tea, I make a mini vacation of my day.  The Toledo Museum of Art seemed the perfect place to visit after tea.

Many photographers use the front of the art museum as a backdrop for photos.

Picasso

We found many references to tea in the artwork

This panel uses broken ceramic pieces.  

We found a teacup among them.

Monet

Rembrandt

Van Gogh

Another tea reference.  The teapot wanted a better look.

I believe a teapot and teacup are on the breakfast table.

One of my favorite areas of the museum is the Cloister.

Each wall of the cloister is different.  You can see all four walls with columns in the photos below. Three are from the middle ages, made of stones from ruined French monasteries.  The fourth was constructed by local craftsmen of wood and plaster.

Background music sets a relaxing and peaceful tone.

Toledo is known as the glass city.  Across the street from the main museum is the Glass Pavilion.

The art museum is free, but there is a nominal fee for parking.

Thank you for coming along on my mini vacation.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa