Our special afternoon anniversary tea in New Orleans was a delight. Bless my sweet husband for putting up with it (it was a bit girly.) At least he seemed to enjoy the food!
Strangely, it all kind of started way back in 2023 with the Coronation of King Charles. I thought the flora and fauna depicted on the invitation were delightful and they reminded me of some Wedgwood Wild Strawberry tea packets my mom had given me long ago. So I looked them up and came across their beautiful Wild Strawberry china pattern and the very interesting shape of the peony cup.
I couldn’t help myself so I bought a used one on E-Bay for my birthday. Then studied it for the “Teacups” course offered by Liz Steel that year.
And pretty soon I saw strawberries everywhere…
I had originally wanted to travel to England for our anniversary and see all the museums, houses, castles, countryside, and have a super fancy afternoon tea at a very nice London hotel, but we never managed to save enough money to go. The economy the last 4 years has been rough. (But I don’t have to tell you.) So we just had to pivot and make other plans. And that’s ok. I am so so blessed in so many other ways.
Well I wondered if anybody in Key West or New Orleans did afternoon teas and after sifting through some little mom and pops places I found Windsor Court, a hotel I could never afford to stay at, but I could eat at! Their tea room, “La Salon” had the most stunning pictures of their teas. And it was exactly what I was looking for! And the real reason I jumped to make our reservations? It was a wink from the angels- they served your tea on Wedgwood Wild Strawberry china!
It was on the very last day of our vacation- Friday the 13th of June! In true English fashion it had been raining.
Tea sandwiches were: sliced boiled egg salad and truffle, cucumber, smoked salmon, smoked turkey, and lobster roll (not pictured).
Scones were: walnut with sugar glaze and black currant.
Pastries were: wedding cake, almond marzipan tartlet, chocolate amaretto cake, chocolate covered strawberries, and chocolate truffles.
I was so inspired by our absolutely fantastic anniversary afternoon tea on our trip that I wanted to bask in the glow of that day forever. (Well, at least a while.) I already had a Wedgwood Wild Strawberry peony-shaped teacup and saucer, but my brain wanted more. Even second-hand these pieces aren’t cheap, but I had a plan. I don’t however, have a plan on where to put/store it…but my “dish-ease” doesn’t care! Lol
Now when I got home, one of my jobs on my to-do list was to finally liquidate my E-Bay shop stash. I had so much stuff saved up it was taking over our guest room.
When I am cleaning and decluttering I donate as much as possible, but there are things that are worth money that I would like to recoup! So I save them up and then bulk list them. I have made good money on E-Bay over the years and I made good money again this time. So I was able to buy a teapot and cream / sugar containers to go with my teacup! Whoo-hoo!
And so, ever since our delightful afternoon tea I have been having my own almost every day. I’ve been baking scones, making Devonshire cream, and having a grand time in the library reading and drawing and having tea at my strawberry ice cream table with my Wedgwood Wild Strawberry china!
With love and tea to you from Kansas Street,
-Jaime
Life on Kansas Street 