Monday, March 16, 2015

St. Patrick's Tea at Kelton House



My older sister visited a good portion of last week
and I treated her to her first visit to The Kelton House
for their afternoon St. Patrick's Day Tea!







I forgot my camera so my pics aren't great from my phone,
but I couldn't skip it and not share this tea party with you all!

I know how much you love tea parties!

And by my sharing with you,
 it makes me feel as though you kinda went with me.  

And I REALLY REALLY LIKE that feeling!





The sweet lady sitting across from me had painted her nails
the prettiest shade of green for St. Pat's,
 so she let me snap a pic to share.

Interestingly, she always paints her ring finger a
different color than the rest.










Here's my huge plate of one of everything.

Sorry for blurry pic - didn't realize it was this bad till now.









Everything was SO delicious!

 And it was fun showing my sister the museum house
full of amazing antiques.


I hope she will be able to attend another
 of the Kelton House teas again- they're a very special treat!

It was fun to share my world a little more with her, too.


Here is a copy of the wonderful menu:








Reuben Canapes
Toad in the Hole
Colcannon Tots
Irish Cheese Bites
Apple and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Bacon Beer Scones with Smoked Cheddar & Carmelized Onions

Glazed Irish Breakfast Tea Madeleine (my favorite)
Irish Potato Candy
Bailey's Butterscotch Brownies
Irish Cream Puffs
Shamrock Bread Pudding








The speaker for the day was scheduled for St. Valentine's Day
but was stuck in Boston during one of the really bad snow storms.
(Her mother lives in Boston and she was visiting.)

So we were able to hear it this time - her presentation
was all about the history of White House Weddings.
It was so interesting!

I forgot to take a picture of her. Oops.






































On the back of the menu it reads:

Wearing green on St. Patrick's Day is a tradition that started in the 17th century, when green ribbons and shamrocks were worn to celebrate Ireland's patron saint.

The tradition was popularized by Irish immigrants in the United States, who believed that wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns; the small fairy folk who would pinch anyone they could see.


Of course, with St. Patrick's Day comes the massive appearance of shamrocks. Whether you're wearing one pinned to your lapel or if you have them on your socks, shamrocks have become a central symbol for this day,

In the olden days in Ireland, the shamrock was seen as sacred.
 Due to its green color and overall shape, many believed it to represent rebirth and life. The four leaves of the clover are thought to represent faith, love, hope and luck.

Because of this, the shamrock has continued to be very popular in Irish culture. When the Irish were protesting British rule many people wore shamrocks as a silent reminder of their solidarity, and support of the Emerald Isle.

From then on the shamrock has become a very well-known symbol that represents Ireland and her Irish people.


As always, thank you for your visit!


~Michele



Linking:




















24 comments:

  1. What a beautiful looking tea and wonderful that you could share a special occasion with your sister.

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  2. Wow, that's a lovely, yummy looking afternoon tea!

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  3. Thanks for all the info on shamrocks and the wearing of green, Michele. I didn't know most of that.
    Your tea looks really good and I know you enjoyed your sisters visit. I spent the day yesterday with my 3 sisters.

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  4. Michele, what a wonderful treat for you and your sister! All the food looked so great, and that gal's nails are cute! Thanks for sharing this great program. I wish we had something like this going on it town - besides pub crawls.
    Rita

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  5. Hi Michele, I am loving your tea parties. How wonderful for you and your sister to spend time together. I am coming for a sister visit in hopes you will pretend I am your sister and take me to tea :)
    The meal looks so yummy, and the history on the Irish wearing green is well in beded in me having a grandfather full irish.

    As for the painted nails trend of the ring finger being a different shade, well it's a big trend here in southern Calif as well.
    Thank you dear for gracing your beauth and comment over at my place.

    Xoxo
    Dore

    Happy St. party's day to you.

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  6. Oh- Your lucky, lucky sister! It looks like wonderful food and even better, wonderful company.
    Love your sister's pretty nails. That ring finger "thing" is popular here, too. So funny, I think...
    Love the history lesson. xo Diana

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  7. Wonderful! Look at all those yummy goodies to eat. It sounds like you had a wonderful time at the tea. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you.

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  8. Oh my gosh did this make me hungry!! Everything looked so good!!

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  9. Wow, Michelle! This special tea at the Kelton House with your sister looks divine. My mouth is watering. Thanks for sharing everything .. including the back of the menu! Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Tea Day!

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  10. So glad you took photos! What a wonderful tea...so fun! Would have loved to have been there as well!
    Ruth

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  11. Mmm! I am hungry just looking at those photos of delicious treats! What a lovely tea it must have been.

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  12. Oh, yums! It all looks delicious! What a great sister outing. And the talk sounds like it would have been interesting, too. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you Michele! xo Deborah (ps I've also heard the 3-leaf shamrock was used by St. Patrick to explain the Trinity. didn't know that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns!)

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  13. Oh my goodness, what a delectable feast for you and your sister! I'm wondering what the Toad in the Hole is. It may be a meatball in the popover type pastry? I make Toad in the Hole but it is nothing at all like anything I see featured here. I am curious! Thank you so much for sharing your special outing with us and joining me for tea. Happy St Patrick's Day, my friend!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  14. Michele, how lovely to attend such a wonderful tea with your sister. I love going to tearooms, but I must say your tea is the most elaborate I've seen. ♥

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  15. Your post makes me want to raid the refrigerator lol

    You reminded me to have some green on this year ;)

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  16. Happy St. Paddy's Day, Michele! What a wonderful tea! I'm glad you were able to capture some images on your camera phone (thank goodness for advances in technology).

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  17. Good heavens, look at all that scrumptious food, and I did feel like I was there with you Michele. A phone works pretty well and less conspicuous than pulling out a camera. Glad you and your sis had a good time out together.

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  18. What fun to treat your dear sister to a St. Patrick's Day tea at the Kelton House. The menu and the food looks so wonderful. I love tagging along with you to these lovely places.

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  19. What a lovely idea to share tea at the Kelton House with your sister! The treats look so yummy for tea time. What a wonderful talk about the weddings and glad you shared the photos! Have a great week!

    Thanks,
    Pam

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  20. Love this! It's great that your sister was able to attend. Everything looks so classy and the food delish! The lady's nails look very nice with that shade of green...actually both colors are nice. That style is very popular around here!

    Thanks for letting me tag along ~ love to go to tea!
    xo
    Pat

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  21. What a lovely tea.... and the amazing amounts of yummy treats. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Hi Michele! Your sister must have really enjoyed that terrific tea! Wow, so much food! So many are inspiring and very interesting...beer scones...hmmm. Thnaks so much for sharing it with us. Happy St. Patrick's day!

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  23. What a fabulous spread you had at this tea! I'm so glad you got photos, and I am completely charmed by that lady's nail polish. Absolutely delightful!

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