Real English tea

I was at a birthday party for an older English friend yesterday. It was planned as a surprise and it really was for her.

We sat down to eat little sandwiches and squares and cookies and of course to drink tea.

I was reminded of church teas at St. Simeon’s in Lachute. It was an honour to pour the tea. My mom did that often until she felt that she could no longer safely lift the heavy teapot.

My father’s mom’s sister who was diabetic would go to the teas but bring her own digestive cookies. At the convent in Toronto there are always digestive and arrowroot cookies available as snacks. I think of my great aunt when I eat one.

We also remembered tea served at various famous Canadian hotels - the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa and the Fairmont Empress in Victoria. If you want to do that today as a special treat it is an expensive outing and you would hope that someone else is paying!