President's Day at Mt Vernon  -  Monday,  February 16, 2009

Snow was falling as we entered Mt. Vernon to celebrate Washington's 277th birthday. 

We attended the traditional wreath laying ceremony at Washington's Tomb.

On the Bowling Green, we watched a demonstration by the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps.  

As the weather was very cold, we quickly moved to the warmth of the Inn for a hot meal and friendly conversation. After a tour of the museum and the interactive movie, we enjoyed the gift shops and the free chocolate bar. 

Christmas Tea  -  Saturday,  November 22, 2008

Oak Hill Open House Tour  -  Saturday,  October 4, 2008

Victorian Gardens Tea  -  Saturday,  June 14, 2008

The princesses visited  three Victorian homes for a progressive tea.  The dresses and homes were a wonderful trip back in time.   Many of the dresses were original garments and not costumes.   

Mad Hatter Tea Party  -  Saturday,  May 31, 2008

Our Tea Mum with the Mad Hatter characters.  Our tea theme was the Mad Hatter tea in Alice in Wonderland.  For this tea, the youngsters were invited to play Mad Hatter games and have a tea party of their own. 

Just for the fun of it, we made our little tea lady a cover girl.  No, we are not starting a new magazine, just made up the name to finish out our make believe cover.

One of our young guest had a grin of his own.  Kids were trying to pin- the-grin on the cat blind folded. 

Queen Mum's visit to the WWII Memorial   -  Saturday,  May 10, 2008

The Queen Mum, wearing her red hat and standing under the Atlantic tower of the WWII Memorial, welcomed a WWII veteran she has been corresponding with for 10 years. At the end of the tour, the veteran and his nephew met Senator Bob Dole who, since leaving public elective office, is currently serving as Chairman of the National World War II Memorial. 

To see more of the memorial visit click here

Tea Lace and Roses  -  Saturday,  May 3, 2008

When we heard that "Tea, Lace & Roses" was for sale, we had to return to this beautiful Victorian tea room and lovely gift shop located in a 100+ year old townhouse in the historic district of Culpeper.

With a different menu each visit, we always discover something we can use at our own private teas. The petite raspberry mousse with pink colored white chocolate curls was our favorite this time.

As we left, the Queen Mum thanked the owner for all the delightful teas we have enjoyed and wish her the best as she retires to spend more time with her family. Hopefully, someone with her passion for Afternoon Tea will purchase this lovely Tea House.

Green Springs Park Afternoon Tea   -  Sunday,  April 6, 2008

Just before 1:00 the Royal Poinciana Princesses arrived at Green Springs Park.  We enjoyed the presentation on “Teatime Accessories" covering the history and use of the many accessories from ancient China to present day. Following the lecture we walked to the historic home for Afternoon Tea. 

President's Day at Mt Vernon   -  Monday,  February 18, 2008

Usually the President's Day event is quite cold, but this year it was 74 degrees - a record warm day.

The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard performed on the Bowling Green.

The Royal Poinciana Princesses celebrated George Washington's 276th birthday at  Mt. Vernon Tavern. 

Sereni-Tea  -  Saturday,  Dec 1, 2007

The Princesses arrived in their festive attire ready to start the Christmas season with a  Sereni-Tea.    The elegant  setting was greatly enhanced by the attentive gentlemen who graciously served Afternoon Tea. 

And we helped......

Tea, Lace and Roses, Culpeper, VA - Saturday, Oct 6, 2007

The beautiful Victorian decor and lovely gift shop provided the perfect background for our memorable Afternoon Tea.  Besides the scones, savories and sweets, we enjoyed three different teas.  The most popular tea was the pumpkin spice.  

A Colonial Wedding at Claude Moore Farm - Sunday, Sept 9, 2007

With every step into the woods, we traveled back in time.  As we reached the clearing, the date was 1771.  The bridal party and some of the wedding guests were in their best clothes and dancing.  Several ladies were setting the table for the reception to follow.

Following the ceremony, we enjoyed wedding cake made from a colonial recipe and drank apple cider made from the apples grown on the farm.

Attached to the Bride's outfit were many colorful silk ribbons.  After the ceremony, the guests were invited to carefully untie one of the ribbons and keep it  for good luck.

Gadsby Tavern Open House - Saturday, Aug 4, 2007

We enjoyed dining in the tavern built ca 1785 and touring the adjacent hotel built in 1792. The buildings are named for Englishman John Gadsby who operated the Gadsby from 1796 to1808. 

General Washington enjoyed the hospitality of the tavern keepers. He and his wife attended the annual Birth Night Ball held in his honor in 1798 and 1799. 

The historic hotel ball room returned to colonial times as costumed interpreters danced to music from the Regency period. 

The Princesses received tutoring in the dance steps and enjoyed dancing as if they were with Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.

A Red Hat Birthday Tea Party - Saturday, June 16, 2007

Each Princess had an opportunity to make a Red Hat charm bracelet.

The card for our 98 year old Red Hatter reads:
I don't know how you managed to look so young,
For such a long, long, long, long  time :-)

Afternoon Tea at Montpelier - Saturday, May 5, 2007

Constructed in the 1780's, Montpelier is a fine example of Georgian architecture.  The mansion  is surrounded by 70 acres of beautiful parkland.

After a tour of this historic home, we enjoyed afternoon tea in a room that once was the indoor kitchen.

No tea bags here.  Tea came as a tea brick and sugar as a cone of sugar.  Nippers were used to brake off a lump of sugar.  The hostess would then ask, "One lump or two".  And you thought that saying started with Domino's sugar cubes. 

After our tea, we enjoyed a concert performed on period instruments.

Tea with Martha Washington - Saturday, March 24, 2007

After an excellent presentation about the dress and customs of tea time during Martha Washington's era, we toured the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center located at the old Fairfax Elementary School built in 1873 as the first two-story school in Fairfax County.

Following the lecture and tour, we ate  at "The Sweet Life Cafe" located on the first floor of the circa 1840 Moore house.  The Queen Mum shared about the history of the house and the surrounding area during the Civil War.

Your webmaster wears a red hat too...

Mystery Tea - Saturday, January 6, 2007

The investigators are.....

The Suspects are.......

An the perpetrator was.....  (not the butler!)

The Queen Mum Goes On Vacation In Asheville, NC

Biltmore Web Photo

We took the candle light tour of Vanderbilt's 4 acre home.  
(That's 4 acres of floor space inside the home)

We stayed at a nearby Bed & Breakfast in Asheville.

We enjoyed the feeling of living at the Biltmore while staying at the Bed & Breakfast.  
We understand that the craftsmen who worked on the Biltmore, also worked on the Inn.    

Afternoon Tea at the Biltmore Inn

The Biltmore Inn is on the grounds of the Biltmore Estates and is built  in the style of the Vanderbilt mansion.
We really enjoyed the tea and highly recommend it.  However, you must have a Biltmore grounds ticket to enter the estate in order to get to the Inn. 

We stayed until sunset and finally had to say goodbye.  

A Visit with Rosemary

We had tea with a good friend in NC.   Yes, she does look familiar doesn't she.
We called our vacation to NC, a visit with the Rich and Famous.

I need to put a bumper sticker on our car that reads  

THIS CAR STOPS  AT ALL TEA ROOMS !

Visit our Previous Events page to see events from past years.

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