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Not England but Close





We dream about visiting England one day, my daughter and I, but have yet to engage in that delight.  We found a similar British exploit.  We got all dolled up, drove south to Carefree, Arizona, and enjoyed lunch at the English Rose Tea Room.

Amy, a registered nurse in mental health care, heard about the tea room from a patient.  We gave it an excellent review as the friendly staff fulfilled our fantasy of pure lady hood in English cuisine and décor. 


We chose to eat outdoors on the sidewalk cafe’ rather than the tea room.  We enjoyed the European effect, especially Amy who works in a high-stress environment.  I smiled as she relaxed with her back facing the warm sun.  The perfect temperature, 72 degrees, enveloped us and healed us. We forgot about the above freezing temperatures we left behind that morning.






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In this photo, the tables behind me create lovely ambiance for an exquisite woman’s lunch!




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We ordered a pot of Chocolate Almond Coconut tea.  Notice the strainer we placed over our tea cups that we used to pour our steeped tea after 2 minutes.  








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Amy and I both chose the tea sandwiches with soup.  I have food allergies so I passed on the salmon with lemon but Amy enjoyed the flavor.  I liked the chicken filling and, of course, the cucumber and cream cheese.  So English!  The soup of the day, cream of chicken with wild rice, stole the show.  Very filling!





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We ordered scones with clotted cream and jam for dessert as we lingered, drinking tea.







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We selected tea in the gift shop to purchase and to take home to remember this wonderful experience in our ordinary days ahead.  That was when I bumped into Queen Elizabeth. 





Are you a tea drinker?  What is your favorite flavor?  Or are you a coffee person?

Comments

  1. How fantastic is this post! I love tea, and I do love Queen Elizabeth as well, so your photos have really made my day! My favourite teas as English Breakfast and Earl Grey! And I love cucumber sandwiches and other delights that go with the tea! I am definitely a tea person!

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  2. Oh I loved this, Mary. I love England and we also have friends who live in Scotland. They gave me a British baking book for Christmas a couple of years ago and that is where I've been getting the recipes for all of the things I've been posting on the blog the last month or so.

    A couple of years ago I had gone to spend a week with my grandson and while I was there my daughter reserved a table for us at an English tea room. Oh my...it was a delightful experience. I loved the quietness of the atmosphere. Tea is always my drink of choice...I am not a coffee drinker.

    And aren't scones with the clotted cream and jam just out of this world? My friend from Scotland sent me her recipe for true English scones...so unlike our American scones. She also sent me the recipe she uses for the mock Devonshire cream (so tasty).

    I'm so glad that you were able to see Queen Elisabeth while there. :)

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  3. What a delightful day!

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  4. Did Queen Elizabeth have a corgi with her?? (We love her here since she favors corgi and the dog of our lives that we spoiled rotten was a corgi :)

    What a delightful time for you and your daughter! She looks so much like you; two beautiful women! I bet so many wonderful memories were made as you enjoyed your time together with her!

    I haven't been to Carefree yet; must jot it down on our to do list :)

    Lovely time you described for us :)

    betty

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  5. Beautiful, Beautiful photos and description, Mary! I worked at Eternity Tea Room for four years and LOVED it! I have so many favorites, but I think I choose Monk's Blend Black and Bourbon Street Vanilla Rooibos most often. The tea rooms I have visited offer such a relaxing atmosphere--no rushing, soft instrumental music, and good friends. What more could we ask for?

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  6. Oh what a delightful post that brought a smile to me. WOW...your daughter is simply beautiful...just like her mom! Sounds like my kind of place to go and lunch at. Yes, I love me some coffee but I do enjoy a cup of hot tea. I love all kinds of flavors of tea too. I think two of my favs right now...as that may change tomorrow, LOL, has to be mandarin orange and raspberry. But I do like tea that has a little spice effect too. Enjoyed this delightful post. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  7. Hi Mary! What a lovely time out with your beautiful daughter. How wonderful that she could relax and you both could enjoy each other in that flowery environment. How is the Queen? I heard she had a nasty cold...she looks pretty good in that photo!
    I am really more a coffee person, but I'm trying to cut back on caffeine. Right now I like 'Sweet and Spicy' from Good Earth, and Constant Comment. It tastes good on these freezing mornings!
    Enjoy the warm temps and sunshine :)
    Ceil

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  8. What a blessed time to relax, let go of your cares and just enjoy your daughter.

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  9. How lovely! Your tea flavor sounds wonderful! I've been to a couple of tea rooms and it's always a decadent pleasure. I like chocolate teas so your choice that day would have been mine too. I'm glad you were able to be with your daughter and she was able to de-stress.

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  10. Ladies who lunch ... You both look so glam! Nope, I'm not usually fond of tea but the chocolate/almond/coconut sounds darn good.

    During my (very) brief period of being a "Red Hatter" our club once made an excursion there. All's I can recall was worrying that I'd spill something ... or burp (or worse). :)

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  11. Thanks for stopping at my blog! I've really enjoyed my visit here. This looks like so much fun. I love all things British, but I must admit I don't like tea. I don't drink coffee either, mostly ice water, sometimes a diet coke. I would love this setting though and the sandwiches and scones. Your daughter is beautiful.
    I also enjoyed your post on women marching. I just don't understand all that anger and hatred, but you've given me a new perspective. Thanks!

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  12. Oh, how lovely! You both look so beautiful and relaxed and happy together! What a precious time you had and such sweet memories...you will never forget! The food looked amazing. I do like tea, but my favorite is coffee. I love anything mocha flavored. So happy to visit with you and share your amazing adventure here, sweet friend. Sending you much love and many hugs!

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  13. What a delightful afternoon to visit the English Tea Room suggested by your lovely daughter's patient. I have yet to find the perfect tea, but when I was in Korea I enjoyed a special ginseng tea. It was a thick syrup and all it took was a small dab to make the perfect tea. I have never been able to find it again. Today I enjoy a cup of green tea in the evening. Thank you for sharing your lovely story with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  14. Wow!! Dave and I have been in England a few times, especially with a bit of time before taking the plane to Uganda. We were there for a different time through a girl we met in Uganda and were at her house for a couple weeks. AND I was in England for nearly a month by myself to be with a strong friend that we met in Uganda when she had been helping people there. Anyhow, I always LOVE being in England and around and about Dave and I have seen so much! Sorry to say so much, but being in England, Paris, Uganda, Morocco, and other places. Met so many and love so many!!! Again, thank you for sharing. Bless you....

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  15. I'm a fan of tea too. So maybe when I go there I can join you ladies. :)

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  16. What a "lovely" lunch in an elegant setting, "Your Graces..." ;)

    Being a nurse myself, I know sister Amy could use that kind of stress reliever :)

    The lunch sounded good especially with these rainy days we have! But you, two looked great! And what a wonderful time it must be! That's neat you don't need to go to England and have that magical place nearby to forget you're in AZ.

    I'm more of a coffee drinker sister Mary but my boys are both "tea lovers". I love different flavors and I thank God I learned to cut back with drinking a "whole pot" :)

    I pray that your dream will materialize in God's time. Take care and always be strong in the Lord's mighty power!

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  17. That is so awesome you got to spend time with your daughter. I've never heard of that place? But I'm not a tea drinker, I'm a coffee kinda guy.

    You two need to check out The English Village in Lake Havasu. It's underneath the London Bridge, which is right on Highway 95. They have the restaurants, candle factory, even old phone booths and double decker buses from England. If you look close at the bridge you can see the small pieces of the London Bridge that got damaged during World War Two.

    Don't forget to drink with your pinky out!

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  18. Such a beautiful tea you and your daughter shared with one another, and what joy to bump in to Queen Elizabeth! 😉
    I happened across your lovely Blog and so happy that I did. I am now following along with you.

    Have a blessed day ♡

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  19. Such a beautiful tea you and your daughter shared with one another, and what joy to bump in to Queen Elizabeth! 😉
    I happened across your lovely Blog and so happy that I did. I am now following along with you.

    Have a blessed day ♡

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  20. Oh how I love browsing back thru your posts! I will admit I like the taste of coffee over tea BUT I love ALL things tea! You and your daughter are beautiful and I can only imagine what a blessing this outing together was. The soup looks so delicious! My husband enjoys Chamomile tea each afternoon. I certainly enjoyed this delightful tea time post! xoxo Mildred

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  21. Such a delight to visit with you and peruse your lovely, God-honoring site. This post with your daughter warmed my heart. So perfect! Looking forward to visiting again!
    Kindly, Lorraine

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