Orient Express - Istanbul to Paris - Farewell

Team Oolong

Orient Express  - Istanbul to Paris - Farewell

<<When investigating the deaths occurring aboard the Orient Express in space, the Twelfth Doctor approached Professor Moorhouse regarding the myth of the Foretold and exchanged information with him. During their conversation, he took out a cigarette case full of jelly babies from his coat, offering one to the professor. (TV:Mummy on the Orient Express)>>

I’ve always wanted to travel on the Orient Express so after reminding the doctor of the above episode we took off!  We boarded in Istanbul – destination, Paris!  

We were seated in the luxurious section of the 1920’s dining car.

The anticipation of afternoon tea was heightened as we saw “The Tardis” on our reserved Orient Express table card.  The Turkish “Rose Petals & Black Tea” that had just been purchased in Istanbul was being steeped for us.  Its wonderful aroma wafted through the air from the spout of The Tardis. 

Jelly Babies waited to be offered….   

As the train pulled into Paris Gare de l’ Est my heart was filled with gratitude to The Tardis for bringing such fun to the imaginary and the real journeys and tea times we’ve shared these past six weeks.

Fond Farewell……..

Cheers and Happy Sipping!

We're on Our Way Now!

Team Darjeeling

We're on Our Way Now!

Awwww- at last!
It's been a full couple of weeks and I am finally able to post.
The Tardis teapot arrived on my door step in Northern California right on schedule, ready for adventures. I found it there, guarded by Godzilla in his Valentine's ribbon. He is the last of my husband's collection and sits on my front porch, welcoming guests and guarding against bad spirits.

I unpacked it and set it on my table, adding two traveling companions, a Tardis sugar bowl and Dalek creamer, for all its future adventures! The Doctor has always had traveling companions so I figured "why not the Traveling Tardis teapot?"

Unfortunately, then I got sick with a winter cold. I used the Tardis for hot water to make hot lemon, honey and brandy tea but alas, no pictures. Who thinks of pictures when they're sick? The lemon- honey tea helped ease the sore throat and headache, easing me off to slumber for a few days. Meyer lemons are having a robust harvest in my neighborhood this year so I've benefited from my neighbors' abundant oversupply!

Now that I feel better, I'm heading off to Southern California to visit friends for a week or so. We should have some tea adventures with the traveling Tardis in tow.

Until then,
Colleen

"I like adventures, and I'm going to find some."- Louisa May Alcott

"I like adventures, and I'm going to find some." Those words from Louisa May Alcott exemplify the journey of the traveling teapot and the Tardis.  It seemed fitting that I should show the Tardis the Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott and the setting for the book, "Little Women".

This morning my sister and I took a daytrip to Concord, Massachusetts. The Tardis accompanied us on our latest adventure. Here's the outside of the Orchard House. All dressed up for Fall and looking as homey and cozy as it was in the story of Louisa and her sisters.

And here I am photographing the Tardis. My new riding boots served me well for walking around this beautiful town known for the first battle of the Revolutionary War. Concord also has a rich literary history.

The Alcott's property consists of two buildings, the Main House and the Concord School of Philosophy.

I think if we could have visited in October we would have had full color in this area. Now most trees are barren and the leaves on the ground are brown. I do love the shape of that tree in the foreground.

We were lucky to see some smoke coming from that cool chimney. Louisa May wrote of cozy fires and nights spent with the family gathered around the fireplace.

I really liked the architecture of the Concord School of Philosophy. I took the Tardis for a closer look.

 Tardis rested while I had a look around.

There was a sweet little garden dedicated to "Little Women".

A better view of the small garden and it's placement on the property.

I love old windows, I especially like seeing a lovely lamp illuminated behind a historic window.

We actually got here later in the afternoon just before Orchard House closed so we did not go inside.

So we will back track. Before Orchard House, we went shopping. This chalkboard at Nesting On Main was especially timely as we give thanks at our American Thanksgiving on Thursday. I am grateful for the opportunity to show the Tardis my corner of the world in New England. I am grateful for my sister who is always a willing participant in so many of my adventures. We always have fun together.

Oh, and I am grateful for shops like Nesting on Main in Concord. I am always inspired by the magic of this store.  Nesting is known for their holiday displays and they never disappoint.

Every shelf, every bit of wall space, is carefully planned. The blending of vintage and new is seamless.

As I said I am inspired by their creativity and I often try to replicate their ideas in my own home.

Rustic and bling, it all works beautifully at Nesting.

We took a break from shopping and visited Haute Coffee. My sister opted for the Parisian Hot Chocolate. She is a hot chocolate connoisseur.

And this is Phoebe, she is a sweet fixture in Concord. Today we saw her at Nesting but she actually belongs to the shopkeeper next door to Nesting. Phoebe is quite the wanderer but she can be bribed to behave with cookies.

Tardis really enjoyed his time in Concord and he can put another entry in his passport. Hopefully we can squeeze in one more adventure before he has to leave for his next destination.

Bring Your Tardis To Work Day

We can't play every day. Sometimes we actually have to work. So I decided to take the Tardis to work today. I think he needs a booster seat.

This is better. He will be able to see the customers when they come in for a loan.

 

Our branch decided to do a coworker Thanksgiving today. We had quite the feast.

 

Tardis enjoyed the feed. Everyone made him feel welcome.

The menu was extensive with turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, corn, peas and onions, cranberry sauce, apple cider, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Tardis helped himself to a big plate of food. He was one stuffed Tardis when it was over.  While I went back to work, Tardis took a nap.  He needs to rest up for his next adventure.

Tea at Pauline's

Oh do come in, we've been waiting for you.

 

Kismet the kitten, greeted us at Pauline's lovely home. The living room was cozy and inviting and a perfect respite from the raw, rainy weather outside.

 

 

We dined on shrimp sandwiches.

 

And mushroom sandwiches and curried chicken sandwiches.

Pauline made cream scones and crescent rolls. We had strawberry jam, lemon curd

 and pumpkin butter.

I had to try them all. Everything was delicious!

We had a few tea options. Lady Grey, Boston Harbor and Cranberry Autumn.

Deborah, Kim, and Pauline enjoyed the company of the Tardis. I told them all about the Traveling Teapot and it's adventures.

Kim is my friend from high school and I met Pauline and Deborah years ago in a tea group. In 1997, I joined the Greater Boston Friends of Victoria tea group. The group was active with tea events for about 10 years and then the group dismantled. I have remained friends with several of the ladies and we get together occasionally.

Pauline brought out the desserts.

She set them right in front of me. A little bit of decadence on her amethyst glass cake stand.
We had mini red velvet cakes, lemon squares, chocolate ganache cheesecakes, iced brownies and pretzel bars. I took a doggie bag to my sister who could not attend today's tea.

I had to take a last photo of Kismet who is helping Pauline and her husband Scott heal their hearts from the loss of their cat Whisper. Kismet has found herself a safe and loving home.

The adventure continues with the Tardis and I hope I will have something to blog about this weekend.

Tardis, the Police Box, and a sidewalk tea party

The minute I saw that the Traveling Teapot was the Tardis and a Police Box, I knew where I would take it when it was my turn to host. My town has a police box in our downtown square!

So I set up a tea table and let the Tardis sit atop it so he could look out on Stoneham Square.

 I invited Stoneham's finest but no takers. That would have been fun.

So, my sister Sheila, my friend Jeanne, and Kathy, the shop owner from the business behind the police box decided to take a few photos for you all. Kathy's business is housed in an architectural gem of a building.

I decided to go informal and use paper cups. They did have teapots on them. I did not want to risk breaking any of my precious tea cups plus I was lugging quite enough stuff already. The table, chairs, tea, camera, and of course that precious cargo, The Tardis.

Here's a sister's shot. The tea is Harrod's No. 42. My absolute favorite! It's not easy to procure a stash of Harrod's tea but I have quite a few tins thanks to the kindness of friends who have traveled to London.

Here's a closer look at the very happy Tardis who has found a kindred spirit in Stoneham's Police Box.

This Police Box is a replica of the original box which was not nearly as attractive.

 

Yes, our town is quite old and mainly known as a shoe town way back when.

 

You can probably enlarge the photo to read the history of the Police Box.

Here's the final view of the box as it looks across Main Street at another landmark The Stoneham Theatre. Another beautiful day in New England. Tardis has been so lucky with the weather.

Soon, it will look like this in Stoneham. This is the church that is closest to our Town Common. It always reminds me of a Currier and Ives painting. I thought I might share a few photos from my hometown. These were taken last Winter which was historic for snowfall in the Boston area.

The fire station in Stoneham is always decorated nicely at Christmas time. Santa is in the tower although you can't see him.

The Town Common is illuminated by colorful lights during the holidays.

We have a gazebo on the Common. I would love to see it lit up. This year a local realtor is teaming up with a landscaping company and we will have a skating rink in the Winter months.

Yes in that spot right there. There will be families making memories on the Common.

This will be the scene in a few short months but today we had sunshine and warm temperatures and for that I am thankful. Tomorrow we are meeting friends for afternoon tea in Framingham.

The journey continues for Tardis.