High Tea

Friday, last, I joined three book club friends for afternoon tea at the Granite Rose Tea Parlour.

What fun!

Coming in the front door the tea kitchen is straight back.  The rest of the kitchen is downstairs.

One dining room to the left was once the owners living room.

We were in the red dining room to the right.  Here are Sally and Sue seated while we wait for Ellen.  We were going to be a party of 6 but two canceled out.

There is a two sided tea list to choose from.

I had Baroness Grey, a change for me because I usually order Buckingham Palace Garden Party.

I like my tea with a bit of sugar and milk or cream.

First course was scones with a hint of lavender and made with coconut milk so they were lactose free not that any of us needed that.

Next course was a cold blueberry soup with pomegranate juice.

The next course went down too fast and I didn't get photos.  It was the petite sandwiches.

Here's the dessert course.

Here are all of us.  Ellen on the far left then me.

Our gracious hostess, Kathy.  Her husband Bill did not get his photo taken.  I met them when we lived in our last house and we were both active in the local community association.

Granite Rose Tea Parlour

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Still More from Tour of the East Wing of National Gallery

If you like really modern art you may like these.

Here's the group contemplating Rothko

Many of the works are Untitled.

Joining Tuesday Treasures.

Bike Share Comes to Columbia

Downtown Columbia, Md near the lakefront and around town there are new installations - Bike Share spots.

Here's Dan's reflection in the map where bikes can be found.

 Columbia is a town of bike/walking trails many of which have been widened to allow both bikes and walkers to coexist.

 Dan read that its a 7 year trial sponsored by the Horizon Foundation.

He showed me that some of the bikes have electric assist.  We may just have to try this sometime.

Inside the Franciscan Monastery

I posted here about the trip to the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC and promised to share the tour of the sanctuary and catacombs.

The church is laid out in a cross but one that looks like a + not the typical cross.

 Where the two arms meet is where the worship leader stands rather than one arm being the front of the church or nave.

Looking down each arm are special areas.

There are 4 chapels in each corner.

One is of course dedicated to St. Francis.

Lovely stained glass windows came from Germany.

Downstairs is a recreation of the catacombs of Rome.  Those stones are painted.

Relics are tucked into corners.

There is a chapel dedicated to purgatory.

It was an interesting place to visit.

Joining Inspired Sunday