Family

Mom had the great idea of going to a tea room and enjoying a sweet little lunch. I was a bit skeptical at first...I am not always the first to jump at the chance to go somewhere 'different' (not these days anyhow). I have a slight anxiety problem when it comes to the unknown...or last minute planning. Luckily mom gave me plenty of notice so I was prepared for the day :o) And my forced positive attitude made me follow through with the plans, happily. Which led to a wonderful day. Progress...

Such a cute little place that I would NEVER have found on my own. Mom heard about it from some girlfriends and decided she wanted to go sometime. So off we went to Dunlap. They seat people in groups so you cannot just show up for lunch without reservations (if anyone is interested). Everyone wears a tiara and is a princess or a queen (cheesy but whatever). Traditional English tea is served and you simply enjoy the company of your friends/family.My little Posse...Aunt Doris (not really my aunt, actually a cousin, but grew up calling her aunt so it sticks), G-Ma (she gets cooler as she gets older), Myself, and Mom.

The Table setting for Tea. Wish I would have been paying attentions and taken a picture with the background included as G-Ma was placing her tiara while Aunt Doris held the mirror for her. Bah ha ha....I love my life.

For my English friends....this was as good as real English Tea!!!! Not like the crap they serve here in America. Now you can all come to visit and not be disappointed by the tea you are served...as long as we go to tea parties every day of course.

The grub....yes this whole thing was for one person. I took home all my 'sweets' and was rude and refused to try anything with any sort of 'sauce' or condiment on it. Don't judge

I ate the chicken, celery, nuts, and dried cranberries UNTIL I hit some kind of creamy pudding type concoction on the bottom of the bowl. Just couldn't bring myself to try it...

The items I did eat were very good! And I was full in the end so it all worked out.

Best part of the whole day was wandering around the gift shop only to find myself surrounded by 100% English items. HEAVEN. Nothing can make me smile like a trip down memory lane. I love and miss my English family. But we have Skype and that keeps me sane until I can return. I refrained from purchasing any of my favorite sweets (pretty sure I gained 15 lbs in England: this is seriously no joke and I have pictures as proof), but now that I know they are readily available anytime I want....this could be trouble. Maybe after Christmas I will indulge, maybe...but I prefer to be in England enjoying the sweets.

And this great 'tea party' was followed by a short skype date with my favorite English love...because it would not be right to have tea without a real UK conversation...Hannah what would I do without you???

So, I am grateful for my Mom, G-Ma and Aunt Doris and our fun times together. Especially grateful for Mom as she is always available to listen to me on my grouchy days. Thanks for putting up with my random conversations, the constant 'poor me' attitude, and the many many many tears of frustration. Thanks for refraining from telling me that I am a moron when it is probably the truth. And thanks for loving me unconditionally, even if I was/am a wild child. I am so glad you journaled each and every unthinkable act the three of us terrors thought up as children....I think. It is quite possible that I will need to burn that journal, but for now I will thank you for it and the countless conversations that come from each entry.