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!

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.

The halls were gaily decked, including several Christmas trees, all with different themes.

Of course, being a Tea Room, there were also beautiful tea sets on display.

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.

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

 

I am so bummed that I didn’t get pictures of our own lunches.  We each ordered something different and the presentation was amazing!

After 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.

So delicious with a final cup of hot tea!

Here are my dear friends Debbie (on the left) and Rose (in the middle). They are beautiful, inside and out.

And here are two new friends we met in the tea room.

After lunch we spent some time in the gift shop.

When 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.

I think she is just darling!

Rose 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? 

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,