Bananarama

In late July, my friend and I took a day trip to Fergus, Ontario, a historic town located along the Grand River. Every August, Fergus celebrates its rich Scottish heritage with the 3-day Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games. We didn't make it to the festival, but I'm intrigued by the Tea Tent!

The primary purpose of our visit was to shop at this fine establishment:  

Bentley House of Fine Teas and Tea Room.

The quaint tea shop also has a small eat-in area (behind the brown post), but I didn't photograph it because there were patrons sitting at the tables. At our next visit, we'll have to dine in!

Some of the cute tea-themed merchandise. I should have asked if the teapot lamp was on sale!

Most tea shops sell teas in specific weights, such as 50 grams, but Bentley House lets the customer  pick how much tea to purchase which I really liked! I ended up purchasing different samples of black, green and white teas.

Because I love all things banana, I had to try the banana black tea.

It smelled sooo good and did taste banana-ish!

I added milk to enjoy a sweet and creamy banana tea!

What's the strangest tea flavour that you've tried?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tea in the Garden 

Tuesday Cuppa Tea 

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Last summer's White Linen Tea House visit was followed by some shopping at the Shawnee Country Barns Antique Co-op.

The Antiques Co-Op (barn on the bottom right) was "full of antiques and country charm".

I was so engrossed with all the tea pretties on display that I neglected to capture photos of the inside!

I exercised GREAT restraint and only purchased these 3 trio sets.

The pretty brown transferware design is perfect for a fall tea!

But what really sold me was the pattern name of this Johnson Bros Windsor Ware: 

Margaret Rose!

Now I'm keeping an eye out for another Margaret Rose trio so that I'd have an even set of 4!

Do you own tea sets that are your namesake?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

    No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tea in the Garden

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

The White Linen Tea House

Last summer, I crossed the border and visited the White Linen Tea House in North Tonawanda, NY.

The tea house's cheery yellow colour and wrap around porch immediately won me over!

Room #1

The interior of the White Linen Tea House was just as beautiful as the outside. The entire first floor had been converted into a tea room! To date, this is the largest tea house that I've ever visited.

Room #2

The different rooms featured charming vintage decor and antiques.

Room #3

Teacups and teapots galore!

Room #4

Hats!

Rooms #5 & #6

Tea-related merchandise was displayed throughout the house. 

Our table was located in Room #5 so I ogled the tea pretties while we waited for our food.

Our pretty table setting.

Brewing our tea.

Unfortunately, I couldn't recall the tea that I ordered. I think it was something fruity?

(This is what happens when you wait over a year to write up a tea visit! Blogging fail!)

The White Linen Tea House offered afternoon tea service, but I opted to order from their lunch menu and try their scrumptious Signature Chicken a la King. It tasted as AMAZING as it looked!

I was used to the soft, fluffy scones so I was surprised when they served scones that looked like lady fingers?!? But I was converted after the first delicious bite. We loved the tasty scones so much that we brought some home with us!

The White Linen Tea House gets A++ across the board for decor, food, and service. 

It was one of the best tea houses that I've ever visited! 

We went on a weekday so the tea house wasn't busy. If you visit on a weekend, reservations are a must!

After our delicious lunch, we walked over the to the adjacent Shawnee Country Barns Antique Co-Op. The HUGE barn was packed to the rafters with antiques! 

I will share the treasures that I found next week...

I'm joining the following parties this week:

    No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tea in the Garden

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

The Heat is On!

The extreme heat is making me LAZY, hence this week's short post!

 To cope with the hot weather, I've been cold brewing my iced tea.

Coconut Blast Green Tea with coconut milk makes a refreshing sweet iced tea latte!

"Hot in Herre" from Austenland's hilarious blooper reel.

So hot in herre...

I'm joining the following parties this week:

  Tea Cup Tuesday

Tea in the Garden

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Garden Decor

I've never had much of a green thumb so I enjoy seeing other bloggers' beautiful gardens. Some of the creative gardeners have even inspired me to incorporate some of my teawares in my outdoor decor.

 This old teapot and teacup were repurposed into a garden feature in my back yard.

Hanging teacups in my front garden.

Another spot of tea in my front garden.

Birdhouses in my front garden

Bernideen's love of birdhouses has rubbed off on me!

The "Bed and Breakfast", red and green birdhouses were recent yard sale finds.

I found the birdhouse with the lasercut design at the dollar store and painted it purple.

Does your garden feature whimsical ornaments?

Edited to add:

Let's celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birth with a cup of chamomile tea!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

  Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage, and Garden Blog Party

  No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tea in the Garden

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Sadler & Green Gables

Like many of you, I'm trying to restrict the acquisition of teawares. But I just couldn't resist this beauty when I spotted it at the local thrift store this past weekend.

Sadler is one of my favourite English teapot makers.

 This gorgeous teapot was in excellent condition and only cost me $6!

I love the bright colours and bird design.

I also rescued this orphaned teacup featuring Green Gables--the home of our favourite spunky dreamer, Anne Shirley. Visiting Green Gables is definitely on my bucket list!

This Anne of Green Gables teacup was part of Regency's Heritage Collection.

The thrift store was having a "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" promotion for housewares so this cute teabag holder was free!

Have you found any treasures this summer?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

  Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage, and Garden Blog Party

  No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Random June teas

A few weeks ago at work, we celebrated the official arrival of summer with yet another tea social!

We sipped David's Tea's Raspberry Cream Pie Rooibos and Tetley Tea's Cinnamon Spice Herbal Tea from my Sadler basketweave pattern mugs.

My co-workers brought delicious (but healthy!) treats: kale salad, cheese and crackers, spinach dip, fruit, raspberry shortbread cookies and carrot cake.

When I heard about Starbucks' secret menu purple drink, I knew that I had to try it! 

I asked the barista for a passion fruit iced tea with soy milk and blackberries (you can also add vanilla syrup, but I preferred my drink unsweetened.). Very refreshing!

I tried to recreate the purple drink at home using honeybush vanilla herbal tea, coconut milk, and blackberries. It tasted good, but I didn't get the same purple hue. Secret menu drink fail!

On June 30th, I took advantage of "Free Tea Day" at David's Tea and tried out their new grape freeze green tea as an iced tea--another way to stay cool during these hot, summer days!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday long weekend!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

  Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage, and Garden Blog Party

  No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea