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Christmas at The Secret Garden Tea Room

December 21, 2013 by Patti 14 Comments

I was so excited when the day arrived for lunch with my two friends at The Secret Garden Tea Room.  All three of us really needed a break from our overly busy lives and we wanted to do something special where we could dress up and feel pretty!

On the day of our planned lunch the weather here in the Pacific Northwest was bitterly cold and not expected to reach even into the 20’s.  Here is a sample of the group texting:

Rose: So Patti, what did you have in mind as far as dressing up?

Me: I’m not sure.  Something warm!

Rose: LOL! Okay, something warm sounds good.

A little later . . .

Me:  Okay, so I’m dressy on top, in holiday attire, and warm on the bottom, black jeans and UGGS . . .

Rose:  Great! I guess I will trade my 6 inch stiletto heels for warm and comfy.  I was really looking forward to wearing those heels 🙂

My friend Rose.  She always makes me laugh.  And quite awhile later . . .

Debbie: I’m totally missing out on the whole conversation but I’m good with whatever you ladies decide and I’m so looking forward to our time together. It’s been way too long.

It had been way too long since the three of had been together.  Life can be so full that it can be hard to take time out to have fun.  It was just about one year ago that the three of us were having lunch  (a time when one of us going through a bumpy spot in life) that we decided to get together on a more regular basis and have our own little “support group” of sorts.  We share our highs and lows, we laugh, we shop, we laugh, we eat, we laugh, and . . . suffice it to say that being with these two dear friends is, for me,  like taking a mini vacation!

02-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 019

The Secret Garden Teahouse, Sumner, Washington

This is the beautiful Victorian mansion that houses the tea room.  It was so cold that day that I could barely stand to stay outside long enough to get this picture!  Brrrr . . . Let’s go inside for a walk-through.

05-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 023 The halls were gaily decked, including several Christmas trees, all with different themes.

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45-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 089

47-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 092

46-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 091

25-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 054Of course, being a Tea Room, there were also beautiful tea sets on display.

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44-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 08815-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 04013-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 038

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The Secret Garden Tea Room menu is amazing and the food delicious but I have a confession to make.  When it came time to eat I was so hungry that I dug in before taking any pictures!  Since our lunch was a late one we were the last to be served so I couldn’t even beg to take pictures at someone else’s table (not that I would actually DO that)!  So, sadly, the pictures above were stolen off the tea room’s website.

17-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 042

 I think our waitress felt bad for me because she brought out her own lunch plate for me take pictures of.

 

18-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 043 I am so bummed that I didn’t get pictures of our own lunches.  We each ordered something different and the presentation was amazing!

07-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 027After eating my entire lunch I had enough control over my appetite that I was able to get a picture of this dessert plate that we shared.

06-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 026So delicious with a final cup of hot tea!

08-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 029Here are my dear friends Debbie (on the left) and Rose (in the middle). They are beautiful, inside and out.

10-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 034And here are two new friends we met in the tea room.

37-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 079After lunch we spent some time in the gift shop.

34-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 076

39-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 082When we came to the hats Rose told me that she looks terrible in them.  I coaxed her into posing for some pictures so I could prove her wrong.

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48-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 093I think she is just darling!

51-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 103Rose insisted on taking a picture of me in the gift shop too because she said it made me look pretty!  Haha! The day before a much needed cut and color I wasn’t feeling too pretty at all!   I think all of the beautiful things in the shop were just making my eyes sparkle!

We’re finished with our shopping and ready to go . . . but wait a minute . . . where has Debbie disappeared to? 

52-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 069 (2)Oh Deb . . . have you found two new friends to replace us with?  Well, yes maybe they won’t talk as much as we do . . .  but they’re kind of stiff doncha’ think?  That Debbie . . . no one is a stranger to her!

 It was a wonderful day spent with my friends.


Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
New International Version

I feel so fortunate to be part of this special threesome and for the other great friends God has brought into my life.  Do you have special friends in your life?  Having good friends includes a willingness to open your heart to others.  It means taking a risk, as some people will hurt you.  If you are lonely do something nice for someone else.  Giving of ourselves, being transparent about who we really are, pouring love and encouragement into the lives of others, this is the way to a good friendship.    

 

Blessings to you,

My Signature

1711 Elm Street East                       253-826-4479
Sumner, WA  98390                 fax   253-826-3231
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Filed Under: Antiques and Collectibles, Christmas, Friendship, Home decorating Tagged With: Antiques and Collectibles, Christmas Decor, Friendship, Home Decor, The Secret Garden Tea Room

« A Fancy Christmas Chandy
Merry Christmas! »

Comments

  1. Patti says

    December 21, 2013 at 11:33 am

    Looks like so much fun, Patti! The tea room is just gorgeous!
    Hope you have a happy and joyous season filled with happiness and joy!
    Hugs,
    Patti

    Reply
  2. Marisa says

    December 22, 2013 at 5:35 am

    What fun!! You girls all sparkle – did you have something in your tea? You know, to warm up after the bitter cold you had to suffer getting there? Yes it truly is wonderful having friends and special luncheons are great. Have a very Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  3. Susan K. says

    December 22, 2013 at 9:32 am

    What a beautiful tearoom! There’s something special about going to a wonderful place like that with good friends. You’re making memories that you’ll treasure forever.

    Reply
  4. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    December 22, 2013 at 9:57 am

    Oh what a beautiful post and such a special time with such precious friends. The three of you look fabulous and I think you always sparkle, the outside is beautiful and the inside just glows. I hope you have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  5. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    December 23, 2013 at 12:02 am

    What pretty Christmas trees, and I love the tea set!

    Reply
  6. Dawn @ We Call It Junkin says

    December 23, 2013 at 3:32 am

    Oh Patti, what a great article! What a beautiful house! This made me chuck, esp those two “new friends” in the sleigh. Looks like y’all had a great time. Merry Christmas to you – Dawn

    Reply
    • Dawn @ We Call It Junkin says

      December 23, 2013 at 3:34 am

      That’s supposed to be “chuckle”!

      Reply
  7. Becky says

    December 23, 2013 at 4:39 am

    What a lovely tea room. Your outing with your friends made me think of some fun times I have had with my own friends in tea shops here. I am going to have to plan a girls day out now just reading this.
    Loved every picture you took especially with your friend and the girls in the sleigh.
    Have a Merry Christmas
    Becky

    Reply
  8. Pam says

    December 24, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Hi Patti!!!!

    You all look great in this special place!!!!

    I love old Victorian homes, but, when they open their doors so that we can spend time in
    them, is very special to me. The food looks amazing and the desserts are worth an extra
    needle(insulin dependent) for!!!

    You would have found me in the Hat section!! I love Victorian, vintage hats!!! I collect them.
    Rose looks really good in them!!! Please let her know I said that…Thanks!!!

    Thank you for such a gorgeous visit to days gone by!!!

    Pam

    Reply
  9. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    December 27, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    Oh my goodness what a gorgeous place! Looks like you all were having so much fun!!

    Reply
  10. Robin~All Things Heart and Home says

    December 28, 2013 at 5:29 am

    I so enjoyed looking at these amazing photos and meeting your wonderful friends! How blessed you are to share such a close bond with these women. Thank you for the photos and for linking up to Twirl & Take a Bow~ xo
    Robin

    Reply
  11. Carrie This Home says

    December 28, 2013 at 6:13 am

    Sharing tea with good friends in a beautiful mansion sounds like a perfect afternoon! I would have loved to see all the Christmas decor in that home! Thanks for sharing your story at Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!

    Reply
  12. Dawn @ We Call It Junkin says

    December 29, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing this at my History & Home party, this fits right in! I noticed you have it on your Friday list, and it does run through Friday, but starts each week on Tuesday. You might get more visits if you join in earlier in the week 🙂 Just wanted to make sure you knew, Happy New Year to you! -Dawn

    Reply
  13. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    January 4, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    Sounds like a perfect way to spend time with special friends!

    Reply

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Amid big, bright, colorful, shiny artificial trees, Charlie Brown chose the least of these, a little, wooden tree with just a few branches. Shortly thereafter, Linus uses his blanket to wrap about the base of the tree and says, “Maybe it just needs a little love”. In that moment, the tree “awakens”, stands tall and firm. A reminder that no matter who we are, how many mistakes we’ve made, a “little love” can make all the difference.

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