Random Thoughs About my Mom

Random thoughts about my mom: 

My mom loved crossword puzzles and the color red.  She was a "night owl", and we'd often have a midnight snack together.  I have countless memories of laying at the foot of her bed having late night chats about anything and everything.  If she could have lived anywhere, she'd have chosen Hawaii- she visited there many times throughout her life. I loved her with my entire heart. She loved to crochet, and always had a stash of baby blankets on hand. She used to call me "Sarah-Sarah".  Although she never got a driver's license, she learned to drive a standard transmission in Fenway during rush hour.  She sang soprano in her church choir.  When I found out she had cancer, I told her I couldn't live without her.  Bobby pins and craft glue make me think of her.  She was the second youngest of ten children, and she had nine of her own.  Our birthdays are three days apart, and I'm still learning how to celebrate mine without her.  She loved to read.  She didn't like to cook, but she could make a great shepherd's pie.  My friends still compliment her tuna salad.  She was afraid of heights.  She and my sister Faith collected pocket change from the year 1969 (my birth year) and would tape the coins to little hand written notes to me.  I have a pile of them!  Sometimes I feel like I knew everything and nothing about her.  If reincarnation exists, she said she doesn't want to come back.  She loved mystery novels and canned asparagus.  Her favorite perfumes were l'air du temp and Giorgio.  Her middle name was incorrectly recorded on her birth certificate as her first name; I knew her as Dorothy, but her family and my father called her Muriel.  When I was young, one of our favorite restaurants to frequent was "The Magic Pan"; they had the best garlic bread!  She opened a passbook savings account and saved to buy me my first car: A 1977 Chevy Camaro.  As I was getting ready for her wake, a gust of wind from a slightly opened window dislodged a bookmark from a pile of papers and blew it to my feet.   I stooped down to pick it up, and saw it had the drawing of an angel on one side and her name on the other.  She liked to fold paper napkins into shapes.   I still have the last one she made for me, probably for my birthday in 2008.  She was funny, stubborn, gentle, determined, simple, complicated, intelligent, willful, trustworthy, opinionated, dependable, and so much more. 

Parisian Open House at Fancy That sampling Marie Antoinette Tea and Paris Tea plus sweets

Please save the date of Sunday August 4th for our "Parisian" Open House!  This is a public event, so there's no need to RSVP - just mark your calendar and stop by on 8/4 between 1-4pm (there's no charge). 

You'll have the chance to sample some amazing sweet treats (mini "tiffany box" petits fours, imported french macarons while supply lasts), not to mention two really delicious teas:

Straight from Paris all the way to Fancy That's shoppe, we can't wait for you to sample Nina's of Paris "Marie Antoinette" Tea.  This is a black Ceylon tea, scented with delicious fresh apples and rose petals from Le Potager du Roi (the King's Unique Kitchen Garden) at Versailles palace.  It's an honor to be one of the few stockists in the U.S. to carry this blend. A limited amount will also be available for purchase($25 per tin).

 We'll also be brewing the always fabulous "Paris" Tea from Harney & Sons, a fruity black tea with vanilla and caramel flavours, and a hint of lemony Bergamot

 There is no charge!  And, no RSVP necessary.  Just stop by between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday August 4 for our Parisian Open House!

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday August 4th!  :)

Afternoon Tea (high tea) at Fancy That in Walpole Massachusetts

It has been a journey (some of which we chronicled here) from the idea of wanting to serve Afternoon Tea, to the place where we are now - serving Afternoon Tea by reservation on Saturdays and Sundays.  We have to say, we are absolutely THRILLED with the reception!  We are fully booked for this weekend (there are tables available for next weekend!).  With a few moments to spare,  just thought we would share some pictures of Afternoon Tea at Fancy That.  Enjoy the photos!  :)

Mini desserts served at a recent Afternoon Tea

 

 Table for two in the Dining Room

Dining Room with tables set for three guests each

The yummy part of Afternoon Tea!

When making reservations, be sure to request The Pink Room for a private room (up to a group of four)

The Pink Room can accommodate up to four guests

We are crazy about the vintage china we use for Afternoon Tea

The savories

Thanks for stopping by!  We look forward to welcoming you for tea!  :)

Join us for a Parisian Open House, French Macarons, Petite Fours, and Paris Tea

Fancy That is announcing an Open House at our Tea Room, Gift Shoppe and Showroom on Sunday, August 4th from 1pm - 4pm.  We are calling it a Parisian Open House...we will have imported French Macarons and Petite Fours to sample, along with Paris Tea. 

Paris Tea, one of our personal favorite teas, is a fruity black tea with vanilla and caramel flavours and a slight hint of lemony Bergamot.  The tea smells almost like an Earl Grey but the hint of vanilla catches your nose, and you, off guard!  Then the hint of caramel blends to create an experiece even before you take your first sip.  The tea has a medium body and flavours of black currants along with hints of vanilla and caramel.  Really, you will be wonderfullly surpised at the complex, fruity, caramel-vanilla taste and smell!  It will be a Parisian Love Affair - your Paris Tea and French Macarons!  (grin)

Please do mark your calendar now.  Sunday, August 4 from 1pm - 4 pm we will be sampling Paris Tea, French Macarons and wonderful Petite Fours (while supplies of these items last).  Stop by!  You never know what other surprises we may offer!  Say "Oui Oui!" to joining us at our Parisian Open House!  See you there!  Check out our web site for more information or call us toll free 1-888-32-32-TEA.  Thanks for stopping by!



Becoming a Tea Room - Tea is Served!

The time has come for us to announce that tea is served in Fancy That's Tea Room!  We are thrilled (and a little jittery) that the day is here for us to say "tea is served"!  We have put more information about reservations and times here.  Call on or after May 10th for reservations beginning on Saturday May 25th, and then each Saturday and Sunday thereafter.  Tea is at 2PM on each Saturday and Sunday by reservation only.  If you are a party of one, or a party of 8 you can escape from the stress of the day, if only for a little while.  Sipping tea "far from the madding crowd" is as easy as calling for a reservation.  Shall we see you for Tea?  

_______________________________

and now the "fine print": 

Consumer Advisory and Allergy Notice:

Consuming raw or undercooked meat, poultry, dairy or seafood may increase your risk of food-borne illness and pose a risk to your health.

At the time of your reservation, please advise us if any person in your party has a food allergy.