A Gift Of The Heart

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers for me through the loss of my dear cousin.  There are no words to express what your love and support have meant to me during this time.  In the rush of everyday life – and in the times when the road is rough – if we look, we can always find a bright spot.  A place to stop and breathe and see things from a different perspective.  A week ago today I had such an experience – a time to step out of the reality of ‘now’ and step back into something sweet.  Shortly before the end of last year a dear friend of mine bought me a ticket for tea at a place I love.  You’ve seen this place many times here before.  It’s a place where time seems to stand still and the reality and rush of life outside its borders almost ceases to be!  That place is Historic Deepwood Estate in Salem, Oregon.  Just a short drive from my home.

Photos were taken on my cell phone (or borrowed from Deepwood’s Facebook page) so the quality is not quite the same as with my camera but I think you will see just a bit of the time we shared at Deepwood's Downton Abbey Tea.  Some of those attending were dressed in period costume from the era seen on television.  Some were dressed in their Sunday best and others were fairly casual.  Dress was not the focus, although it was hard to miss the wonderful finery present there.  Guests were seated in the formal dining room. . .In the parlor. . .
And a family celebrating the mother’s birthday was seated together in the living room. We were greeted at the door by the butler, Bailey, (seen in the background below) and tea was served by the housemaids. I was seated at this table in the parlor. (You can see where I sat - my purse is on my chair.)

  The food was delicious.  The tea – delightful! 

On the menu: 

Double Gloucester Cheese and Onion Scone

Leek and Potato Soup
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Wild Mushroom and Fontina Tart
Roasted Beet and Carrot Salad
Chicken Curry Tea Sandwich
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Apple Charlotte with
Earl Grey Anglaise
Chocolate Eclair
Strawberry Rose Meringues
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Black Tea with Rose Petals

 

My cup and saucer were breathtakingly beautiful!

Conversations around the tables included introductions and discussions about tea and things we love to collect.  Other topics were discussed and time went too fast.  It wasn’t long before it was time to go.  The ‘butler’ led tours of the mansion to anyone who was interested.  The gift my friend gave me was more than time for tea.  It was a gift from her heart to mine.  When it was scheduled there was no way to know how much I would need this time away.  It was a day to step away from the cares and pressures of the last three months of care for my dear, little mother and the recent sudden loss of my dear cousin.  It was a day to relax and smile and realize – again – the importance of time taken to step away from the cares of life.  It was a day to treasure a precious gift given from the heart of a true friend who understood that the meaning would go much deeper than fine food and tea.  It was truly a gift of the heart!  A gift I will always treasure.