
A little while ago I had the opportunity to have Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it and my 16 year old daughter took my place to accompany my sister-in-law to London. You can imagine how envious I was!... I have been wanting for YEARS to experience this very English tradition in beautiful surroundings and when, at last, I gave got the chance, I have to let it go because of work commitments! Such is life or, as I would say back home: c'est la vie!...

Anyway, both lucky girls had a wonderful time and told me all about the perfectly cut finger sandwiches, the scones with clotted cream and jam, the little cakes and the tea, the delicate blue china and silver spoons, the attentive waiters, the pianist and the elegant decor. They both expected Miss Marple to make an appearance.
Nowadays, we live in a fast world and such things as Afternoon Tea belong to the past, but it would be nice sometimes to be able to just slow down and take our time over home-made cakes and fresh tea or coffee served on a crisp table cloth with the best china we own...
I bought a delightful little book entitled Tea at Fortnum & Mason in an attempt to re-create some tea-time recipes.

Maybe, one rainy Sunday afternoon, I will host my own tea party with home-made scones and cakes served on pretty plates and lacy doilies....