Hi Everyone – so glad you could join us for our Traveling Teacup’s exciting official high tea!
This is her host, the talented Stacy Ling, Master Gardener and blogger at Bricks n Blooms. And tea enthusiast!
I’ve heard the term “High Tea” for years, but I was never exactly sure what it meant. I thought it was some variety of “Extra Fancy.” But after our Teacup’s visit with Stacy, I learned that it’s actually a more substantial meal.
As opposed to Afternoon Tea, which is light sandwiches and cakes, High Tea is more like a late lunch or early dinner. I found an interesting article in The Spruce, that explains it really well.
But Onward!
If this is your first Traveling Teacup post, you can get all the background in the original installment, The Exciting Beginnings of The Traveling Teacup.
Previous Stops
And here are all her previous stops, in case you want to catch up on some of the other great places and wonderful people who have hosted our Tessa Rose. (That’s the name she’s acquired from several of her hosts, and it really suits her!)
- A beautiful Oregon farm belonging to my dear friend Martha
- The Bay Area with crafter and HomeTalk personality Cynthia Nessel
- The lovely home of Kansas City stylist Suzanne Zingg
- Teatime in Texas with Lifestyle blogger Candace McCoy
- The gorgeous Lakebay WA cottage garden of IG star Kim Robinson
- A cool So Cal family tea with small-space decorator Julie Briones
- A day of tea, art, and music with Michele at The Nest at Finch Rest
- Meeting interesting new people with Linda Defazio at Somerset Lodge
- A fun and busy detour to my dear SIL in Walla Walla
- Some VERY hot weather with Instagrammer SavvyCheri in N. Tustin CA
- A pink pumpkin party with Alicia, the talented creator of IG’s 13Tables
- The historic Phoenix estate of renovator & home blogger Mary Crozier
- Back to the NW and my neighbors’ home to meet their new puppy
- A Vermont snowfall with photographer Ann, of Dabbling and Decorating
- The Northwoods to see the Queen of Plaid, Kristin at White Arrows Home
- The mountains of Colorado with DIY guru Chas of Chas’ Crazy Creations
- Dallas TX visiting weekend-decorator extraordinaire Andrea Hundley
- And her first international stop – a lovely blogger and doctor in Canada
Stop #19 ~ High Tea in New Jersey
A 3800 mile trip to TR’s next stop – Stacy’s gorgeous home and garden in Chester New Jersey!
Not only did Stacy write her own post about TR’s visit, I’m going to let her tell most of the story here too! As usual, I’ll give you the link to her post at the end.
And with that, here’s Stacy with some Traveling Teacup highlights!
Why I’m Thrilled to Have High Tea with the Traveling Teacup
My husband’s family is really into tea and enjoying tea time. Through my 27 years of joining the family, many afternoons were spent with my mother-in-law, her sisters, my husband’s sisters, and my husband at our favorite local tea room and restaurant, Sally Lunn’s.
It’s a lovely spot for some wonderful teas and fresh baked goods. And if you are ever in the area, their scones with clotted cream are OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD delicious!
The tea shop is so adorable and I think Tessa Rose would love to see it!
Since my mother-in-law, Pat, fancies tea, my visit with Tessa Rose the Traveling Teacup, and this post are dedicated to her.
Welcome Tessa Rose!
Since I live in New Jersey and we have a little bit of snow, there isn’t much to see in the gardens.
But she enjoyed walking the grounds to see how the gardens look during the winter.
While we were touring the backyard, we saw some hellebores in bloom.
Hellebores are one of the first blooms of the season.
Since Tessa Rose couldn’t tour my gardens in bloom, I showed her some of the photos from my recap and invited her to come back when everything is blooming.
Oh my! Isn’t that lovely? Maybe I’ll have to go with Tessa Rose when she takes Stacy up on her offer!
Decorating for Winter with the Traveling Teacup
And then we headed over to my living room mantel to transition it from Christmas to winter. You’ll see more of the mantel this week when I share my winter home tour.
For now, here’s a sneak peak.
After a long day getting the house back in order with some fresh winter decor, Tessa Rose and I enjoyed some Earl Grey Tea and a cozy fire while previewing the new Discovery+ network!
High Tea with The Traveling Teacup
The next day, Tessa Rose, my husband and I enjoyed high tea at my favorite local tea shop, Sally Lunn’s. He loves their pot pie because its very hearty and filling.
I love their tomato, pesto and mozzarella on a baguette with a caesar salad.
He gets the Lapsang Souchong Tea; and I usually order caramel or butterscotch tea.
And we ALWAYS always get their fresh baked strawberry scones with clotted cream too.
I think Tessa Rose enjoyed that part the most.
Sure we’ve enjoyed different dishes there, but our favorites are our favorites.
What can I say?
Watering My Houseplants with the Traveling Teacup
Now that the Christmas tree is down, I’m putting my houseplants back where they belong.
And it’s watering day!
After enjoying high tea with Tessa Rose, we gathered all the plants and gave them a quick shower. Since I have so many houseplants, I can’t fit them all in my bathroom.
So we had to bring a few to the kitchen.
I didn’t realize how many houseplants I have until I group them together. My husband thinks I have a problem.
It’s not THAT many though right? LOL!
Farewell to the Traveling Teacup
As much as I enjoyed my week with Tessa Rose, all good things must come to an end. We enjoyed high tea every day during her stay and it’s time for her to journey to her next visit.
Thank You to A Wonderful Host!
Thank you so much Stacy, for sharing your day, your plants, and your high tea with Tessa Rose and with us! It’s been wonderful following along!
Teacup Shopping
If you love teacups as much as I do and want to start or add to your collection, Click HERE for the Shopping Page. Then scroll down and click on the picture of the teacup.
And remember, a portion of everything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!
Also, this post includes affiliate links to make shopping easy! If you click and buy an item from a link on my site, I get a small commission with no extra cost to you. It’s a Win-Win, and helps cover the cost of publishing Mantel and Table. (You can read the whole disclosure policy here.) Thanks so much for shopping with me!
Pin the High Tea Post for Later
And Now – The Link to the Post From the Host!
I know you’ll want to hop right over and read the rest of the story. Stacy’s post is ‘High Tea with the Traveling Teacup.’
As always, thanks so much for sharing The Traveling Teacup, and Happy Teacup Tuesday to all of you!
Oh my, what a fun stop for Tessa Rose! I would love to visit Stacy and her garden!
Me too! She’s so sweet, and her garden is lovely! 😉 Thanks so much for following along with our little Traveling Teacup Amber – it’s so fun to share! Hope you have a great weekend over there!
I loved reading about my good friend Stacy’s visit with Tessa Rose. Sounds like it was a fun time! Thank you for sharing at Charming Homes and Gardens.
Hi Kim! It really does sound like a fun time! Stacy’s home and garden are so lovely – I’m glad we got to follow along! 🙂 See you at CH&G!
So much fun to read about her trip to be with Stacy!!! How much fun to have High Tea and that it’s a family tradition!
Hi Kristin – wasn’t that fun?! I’d love to visit that lovely little tea shop with Stacy! Our cup has certainly been around – all you hosts are wonderful!! 🙂
High tea with Stacy was so much fun. I can just imagine tea in her beautiful gardens. I love this sweet series, Barbara!
Hi Pam – I would have loved to have joined them for that tea! I’m so glad you’re having fun with this journey too! 🙂 Happy Thursday! Loved your Valentines table post btw!
Oh my goodness. What fun! What could be more fitting than high tea for that lovely tea cup? Stacy’s gardens look beautiful – must pop over there. Happy Tuesday!
Hi Kim! It sure looks like a cozy spot, doesn’t it? Hope your snow conditions have improved up there and you’re having as fine a January as possible! 🙂 SO nice of you to keep tabs on our little traveler – you hosts are wonderful!
What a fantastic visit Tessa Rose had! How lovely and sure makes me hope for regular tea houses visits again soon.
Heading over to Stacey’s post about it now. What fun.
Hope your January is going well so far, Barbara. Stay well.
Stacy’s post is so fun – you’ll love the extra details, and as a gardener, you’ll love her yard! 🙂 Our January is good so far – hope yours is too! Happy Tuesday my friend!
Wow what an adventure this tea cup is having! I love the fantastic pictures and color…. amazing! Thanks for sharing.
I know – isn’t Stacy a wonderful host? You all are the best! 🙂
Love love love this post! I had so much fun with Tessa Rose! Thank you so much for letting me host her this week! xoxoxo
Stacy you’re a wonderful host! Thank you SO MUCH for taking her on such a lovely tour and afternoon out – I’m sharing the fun through your great photos and story! I really appreciate your creativity, and of course, your beautiful gardens! 🙂
Another lovely adventure for Tessa, what a lucky gal to enjoy such a beautiful high tea!
She just keeps going! 🙂 I love that Stacy took her to the tea shop – that’s the perfect visit for a teacup! Hope you have a find day my friend!