Saturday, April 26, 2008

Taking Tea in Waterville Kansas at Victorian Days



We went to tea in Waterville Kansas today. Waterville is a town in north-central Kansas - about 30 miles from the Nebraska border, and about a three hour drive from where I live in Hutchinson. It has some lovely old Victorian homes and every year they have a day of celebration.

Teresa and I drove up and met Susan and Cynthia there. This is the first time I've been able to go to tea there. I've known about it for years but the timing never worked out for me to go.



It was held this year in a former church that is now privately owned and used as a hunting lodge. The gentleman who owns it was very generous in allowing them to use it for the tea. These folks were at the table next to us and I loved that we could see the stained glass in the background.



I have to say the food was very good. It's very good at Arlington, when they do tea, as well. I think I do very good food when I do a tea. However, it's somewhat rare for the food to be really good. It's often mediocre to rather poor. But today's was good.



As always, I want more savories. There were three here - cucumber sandwich, olive roll and a chicken salad with poppy seeds that was excellent.



The tea was nice, but there was no entertainment as part of it. Also, we were very rushed. There is no relaxing at tea. They are very interested in getting you out of the way so they can reset the tables. Not that anyone asked me, but I would suggest fewer seatings, and having more people at each. They could accomplish the same thing that way, but people wouldn't be so rushed.

I didn't drink any tea because I can't have caffeine and there was nothing decaf, but everyone was raving about the almond tea. I noticed some of my tablemates sometimes had empty cups. This is something I desperately try to avoid at my own teas for the MHA.



I've been doing teas for a few years for the MHA now. I learn something every time I do it. You can look at photos from 2006, and 2007. I also love to go to tea anytime I get the chance.

Waterville did a lovely plate, but I didn't get much of an "experience" for my $20 tea ticket. That said, I would go again.

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