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Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas & Events

~ Recapturing the charm and elegance of afternoon tea

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas & Events

Category Archives: Uncategorized

A cup of tea and O Canada

08 Sunday Feb 2015

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

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Bill C-624, Canadian House of Commons, Members of Parliament, O Canada

Hello readers and blog followers – especially Canadian tea lovers who follow this afternoon tea blog. Her Ladyship (that would be me!) has an urgent message.

The Canadian Parliament is debating changing a critical word in our glorious national anthem – changing “thy sons command” to “Us command”.  Here is the capsule change:

OLD: 1980 National Anthem Act: “True patriot love in all thy sons command”
PROPOSED: 2015 Bill C-624 proposed: “True patriot love in all of us command”

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Along with other Canadians, I have endorsed the proposed change. Please join us in urging all MPs to vote YES to Bill C-624 when it comes up for 2nd Reading in the House of Commons in the next few weeks.

It’s very easy – just two clicks once you click on this link: Find and email your MP: a prepared message appears and is completed in under two minutes. (I just timed myself sending Carolyn Bennett my message of support).
IT IS SO IMPORTANT MPs from all parties hear from Canadians that there is widespread public support for making a simple change to Oh Canada to include all Canadians, no matter what our gender.

Thank you for “standing on guard” for all of us.

Enjoy your cup of tea!

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The New Year, Winter in Canada and Tea

20 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

≈ 11 Comments

Our very best wishes for all things good in the New Year to all our wonderful and faithful readers.

Sipping tea is awesome, healthy, cool, soothing, makes you happy and warms you up after rigorous winter sports activities. Her Ladyship (that would be me!) guarantees it. Especially if you live in our corner of the world.

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Where every mind matters!

08 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

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Arcadian Court, Psychology Foundation of Canada, Rideau Hall, Sharon Johnston, Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

On Tuesday November 18, in Toronto, every mind will be celebrated!

Our blog today is an invitation to our readers who live in the Greater Toronto Area to attend this celebratory breakfast.

Her Excellency Sharon Johnston will discuss the impact mental health has on our society. Her keynote address, titled Pathways to Resiliency, will draw on personal experience, the importance of speaking out and fighting the stigma associated with mental illness.

Official Portrait HRX Sharon Johnston

Her Excellency Sharon Johnston, C.C. Photo credit: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall © Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada represented by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (2014)

This celebration of every mind is a breakfast to support the Psychology Foundation of Canada’s programs to help children become confident and productive adults.

Why is Her Ladyship (that would be me!) promoting this event? Because …

In Canada, one out of every five children shows signs of an emotional or behavioural problem. One in four children enter adult life with significant emotional, behavioural, academic or social problems. Bullying from the school yard to the boardroom is an increasingly worrisome occurrence. And after accidents, suicide is the most frequent cause of death among young people in Canada. This is not as it should be.

To reserve your place:

10th Annual Breakfast in support of the Psychology Foundation of Canada
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street

Info
Psychology Foundation of Canada
2 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 800
Toronto ON M4T 2T5
phone: 416.644.4944
info@psychologyfoundation.org

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

To milk, or not to milk

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

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A. Mirabelli, East India Company, England, Green tea, oolong tea, Pewter mugs, Porcelain teacups, Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas, Tea, Tea with milk, Tea without milk

The controversy is alive and well. How to drink tea – with milk, or without?

imagesThat depends on how you like your tea.

If you add a little milk to your black tea, the tannins in the tea immediately bind to the milk. This has the effect of ‘toning’ down the taste of tea, making it less astringent on the palate.

Don’t event think of adding milk, or lemon for that matter, to green tea or to oolongs – it’s a sacrilege!

When to add the milk to your cup of tea is also subject of much controversy. If you add milk before pouring the tea, this allows the milk to blend more rapidly with the tea. If you add your milk after pouring your tea, well then, you have perfect control over the amount of milk in you tea, truly customizing the tea to your taste.

If you put milk first, then pour the tea, your habit dates back to the late 17th century. This was about the time the famous trading company, The East India Company, introduced fine porcelain teacups to England. Prior to this time, people drank their hot tea from pewter mugs. So not knowing the terrific heat-proof properties of porcelain, people were afraid to crack the porcelain with the tea, hence they poured milk first.

IMG_2698

Credit: A. Mirabelli

A slice of lemon (no milk) with your tea is a Russian tradition and was introduced by Queen Victoria’s granddaughter who dated and married the local emperor.

How do you drink your tea?

Credit: A. Mirabelli

Credit: A. Mirabelli

 

The List for September 2014

01 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

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Alex Colville, American Cool, Anne of Green Gables, Art Gallery of Ontario, Beerology, Craft beers, Ernest Hemingway, Fall Flavours Festival, Hopera, Jill Fisher, Lemonade purveyor to royalty, Mirella Amato, Nancy Sidelar, Nobel Prize in Literature, Oak Park, PEI oyesters, Potato capital of Canada, Prince Edward Island, Smithsonian

At the start of every month, we offer you a short list of pleasant activities to consider, some focused on afternoon tea, some not.

Herewith five suggestions for month of September 2014

 Ah, September! The month of enterprise and planning.

A bewitching month. The last long weekend of the summer. Now Labour Day is done and dealt with; the white gloves and white shoes are put away; the cottage and the carefree lifestyle are lingering memories and our daily pre-occupations take on a decidedly more serious demeanor. School. College. Fall foliage – admiring and raking. Getting the house ready for winter. Getting the car ready for winter driving conditions. Buying new ski boots. The list can go on. It does.

Is there a better way to make this transition than to pause and make a pot of tea?

We think not!

Steep, sip, enjoy.

So along with your lovely pot of tea, and perhaps a scone or two, here are our suggestions for five eclectic activities to see you through the month of September.

Alex Colville at the Art Gallery of Ontario; Toronto to January 2015
E-00733-Seven-Crows660We start with a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario to view more than 100 works by the great Canadian realist painter, Alex Colville. This is the largest exhibition of the late artist’s work and honours his painstakingly precise images which depict high realism and an elusive tension. alex_colville_1954_horse_and_train

 

We met Alex Colvile when we took tea with Jill Fisher, lemonade purveyor to royalty. Her favourite artwork is Colville’s Horse and Train.

 

 

 

American Cool at the Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institute; Washington DC, to September 7
hours-cool24rv1
‘Cool’ is a supreme compliment. ‘Cool’ evokes people who exude rebellious self-expression, charisma, character with a capital C., edginess, mystery and a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’. This exhibit of cool people at the Smithsonian explores the original American sensibility that became a global obsession. The roots of cool lie in early 1940s jazz and the American Cool exhibit refers to those who contributed an original artistic vision to American culture symbolic of a given historical moment.

 

‘Influencing Hemingway’ A reading by author Nancy Sindelar, Sepember 24; Oak Park; Chicago
Ernest Hemingway changed the style of writing prose in English in the 20th century.

English: Hemingway posing for a dust jacket ph...

(Wikipedia)

Nobel Prize.

Pulitzer Prize.

A giant of American literature.

Nancy W. Sindelar, author of Influencing Hemingway, will read from her book at the Hemingway Birthplace Home and present new insights into Hemmingway’s influences from birth to high school graduation.
Lively discussion and refreshments guaranteed!

 

 

HOPERA, beer and opera, September 17 and 18, Toronto
Mirella in front of glasses of beer
Craft beer and opera! Beerologist Mirella Amato hosts operatic arias, duos and trios. Each song will be accompanied by a sample of local craft beer. Pairings will be presented with details on the musical selection and the beer style as well as why they were chosen. HOPERA promises to be a lovely and  intimate affair. Reserve your seat. Her Ladyship (that would be me!) has her tickets.

 

2014 Fall Flavours Festival, September 5-28; Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island. Canada’s smallest province.
Official Potato capital of Canada.
Unofficial oyster capital of Canada.
Legal birthplace of Canada.
Home of Anne of Green Gables.

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And home to The Fall Flavours Festival, a month-long culinary celebration highlighting authentic Island tastes and traditions communities across Prince Edward Island. You can join local hosts and pick potatoes, catch lobsters, harvest oysters or head off to Culinary Boot Camp. Each food experience or event offers an educational component with a local host, as well as a tasting and/or cooking opportunity.

 

Life’s interesting twists and turns

29 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Simply Splendid Small Indulgences

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Bake and Be Merry, Lean Green Bean, Lindsay Livingstone, Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Life has an interesting way of twisting and turning. And introducing you to new friends and new concepts.

I follow an Ottawa-based food blog titled Bake and Be Merry. It’s an eclectic site and every now and again I get an inspiration from visiting this blog – a new chef to follow, a foodie event in the Ottawa valley to visit, an interesting recipe – you get the picture.

A few weeks ago a posting on Bake and Be Merry introduced me to a new concept: A foodie pen pal programme. Her Ladyship (that would be me) was intrigued; she researched the programme and signed up!

Lindsay Livingstone of The Lean Green Bean blog runs the foodie pen pals programme.

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FPP-post

Lindsay is a registered dietician living in Columbus, Ohio. Her blog’s main focus is nutrition tips, workouts and healthy living, delivered in an engaging manner. Lindsay says, “I believe that life is all about being balanced, simple and real….and I strive to show how I live this message in my everyday life via my blog and social media posts.”

She delivers.

Her Ladyship was teamed with Katie, of Toronto, and received the following very thoughtful gifts:

DSCF0415Organic cinnamon – this will certainly come in handy with Christmas baking.
Pink peppercorns – to be enjoyed in winter salads!

Tiki masala spice – Our fave Indian spice.
Wasabi peas –  perfect accompaniment for happy hour!

Quinoa cluster – perfect and wholesome  snack on a long hike.

Buckwheat Raw Honey – totally awesome on top of Devon Clotted Cream on top of a Classic English scone.

Katie’s homemade pineapple jalepeno jelly – Delish! Her Ladyship has already obtained Katie’s recipe.

The foodie pen pal programme has a $15.00 limit, so thoughtfulness, rather than extravagance, is in order.

Thank you Katie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British Tradition and the Appeal of Donuts

07 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

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Reblogging a post is a first for Her Ladyship (that would be me). I am sharing “British Tradition and the Appeal of Donuts” because it is spot on and very entertaining. The blog author is Dorreen Augustine, an American lady who has lived in England for the past 20 years. I hope you will enjoy her post as much as I did.

Mother Hen Diaries

Tea for the British is not just a beverage: It is, indeed, the very lifeblood of the country, regardless of whether one resides in Windsor Castle or a council estate. The very word carries a number of slightly differing meanings, and if and when you decide to visit, it is important that you understand what these mean.

tea There’s nothing quite like a lovely cuppa! Photo: britishfood.about.com

If a Brit invites you for coffee, for example, this could mean coffee, or it could mean tea or even hot chocolate. To be invited for coffee simply means you will be sharing a hot beverage together, no matter what time of day. It’s a little like an American asking if you want to get a Coke. It could be Pepsi, Kool-Aid, Iced Tea or anything.

If, however, you are invited for “Tea,” you must be sure to ascertain exactly what may be expected. Over…

View original post 1,541 more words

August 2014: Let them eat poutine

01 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Simply Splendid Small Indulgences

≈ 6 Comments

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Alan Mirabelli, Chocolate cayenne shortbread, FIFA Under 20 Women's Cup, Harbourfront Centre, Hot & Spicy Food Festival in Toronto, Morden Corn and Apple FestivalSimply Splendid Victorian teas, Pooutine Poutine Festival in Drummondville

At the start of every month, we offer you a short list of pleasant activities to consider,
some focused on afternoon tea, some not.

Herewith five suggestions for month for the month of August 2014

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 Various locations across Canada, August 5-24 This edition of the beautiful game plays in Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Moncton. Cheer these amazing young women; get your tickets today. Along with host Canada, the 16 participating nations are Ghana, Finland, North Korea, Germany, USA, China PR, Brazil, England, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, New Zealand, Paraguay, France and Costa Rica.

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Hot & Spicy Food Festival
Harbourfront Centre, Toronto August 15-17

Food crosses time and culture for sure. As does music. And dance. The 2014 Hot & Spicy Food Festival will introduce you to the nuances of layered flavours and the jumping jives of music and dance. Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas is honoured to be featured at this festival. Join us on Saturday August 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lakeside Terrace to see how we make our prized chocolate-cayenne shortbread.  samples after the demonstration.

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

 

Festival de la Poutine (PooTEEN)
Drummondville, Quebec August 21–23

This festival has plenty of live acts featuring great Quebecois bands and singers – all the better to tap your toes and to enjoy your fires, gravy and cheese curds. Poutine is a typically Quebecois meal invented in the late 1950s. Drummondville is one of three communities in rural Quebec claiming to be the birthplace of poutine, hence the annual festival. Over time, the popularity of poutine spread across Quebec and later throughout Canada. Poutine is often served in small town restaurants, bars, as well as being quite popular in ski resorts. In recent times it has found notoriety as an ‘it’ snack at weddings and special events.

Poutine festival in Drummondville  Poutine

 

 

Corn and Apple Festival
Morden, Manitoba August 22-24

Travelling west from Quebec, we offer another typcial Canadian festival – the Morden Corn and Apple Festival. Since 1967, this small prairie town shares the love equally between apples and corn, both of which grow abundantly on the farms of Morden. This is also known as the free festival: Free admission, free corn on the cob, free cider, free entrtainment and free parking. What’s not to love?

 

Create your own event
Your home, any time

And finally, create your own event. Gather friends, go to a famers market and see what’s good that day to use as inspiration for afternoon tea.

Freshly-picked watercress Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Freshly-picked watercress
Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Teapot with Laurel Leaves. Photo: A;an Mirabelli

Teapot with Laurel Leaves. Photo: Alan Mirabelli

Afternoon Tea, Inukshuk Style

21 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

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2010 Winter Olympic Games, Australia's Bicentenary, Baffin Island, Battery Park - Toronto, Brisbane, Canadian Embassy - DC, Hans Island, Inukshuk, Inuksuk Point, Monterrey - Mexico, Norwegian Centenary, Nunavut, Oslo, Peter Imiq

It’s hot and humid in our neck of the woods, so we’re celebrating the Arctic to chill out.
We built a rough stone cairn – an Inukshuk – and we’re taking our tea beside it.

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Inukshuk are built by the peoples of Canada’s high Arctic regions and by the inhabitants of nations sitting atop the Arctic Circle. This pile of stones erected without benefit of adhesives is the mainstay of tundra travel. Tundras lack any discerning physical characteristic, so their singular feature are the Inukshuk – a navigation tool, a point of reference, a communication tool – FaceBook, Twitter and blog rolled into one platform of the high Arctic.

These architectural forms are perhaps the oldest objects humans have placed on the Arctic landscape. The form can be short or tall, skinny or fat, one stone or many stones – each form tells a distinct story. For example, a form with arms or legs lead to an open channel for navigation, or a valley for passage through the mountains. A form without arms is a marker for a cache of food.

Peter Imiq, Inuit cultural activist, explains the meaning of the Inukshuk. 

Some interesting Inukshuk factoids:

  • There are over 100 Inukshuk at Inuksuk Point, on Baffin Island. In1969, Canada declared the area a National Historic Site.
220px-Inuksugalait_Foxe-PI_2002-07-26

Inuksuk Point, Baffin Island; Wikipedia

  • Inukshuk are also a cultural symbol. For example, an Inuksuk (singular of Inukshuk) is on the flag and on the coat of arms of Nunavut Territory.
Flag of Nunavut, Canada; Government of Nunavut Territory

Flag of Nunavut, Canada; Government of Nunavut Territory

  • On July 13, 2005, Canadian military erected an Inuksuk on Hans Island to one up Denmark with whom Canada has a longstanding beef over the small Arctic island.
  • Inukshuk have been erected throughout Canada to commemorate special events:

Battery Park, on Toronto’s lake shore for World Youth Day in 2002.
Vancouver for Expo 86
Whistler Mountain north of Vancouver for 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Lamoureux Park, Cornwall, ON, to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Olympic torch passage through town

  • Officials in various wilderness parks throughout Canada routinely dismantle Inukshuk constructed by hikers and campers, for fear that they could misdirect park visitors from other markers that indicate hiking trails.
  • There are a couple of authentic Inukshuk gifted by the government of Canada around the world:

Canadian Embassy, DC, Government of Canada

India; Government of Canada

India; Government of Canada

 

Brisbane – Australia’s Bicentenary; Government of Canada

 

Monterrey, Mexico; Government of Canada

Oslo - Norway Centenary;  Government of Canada

Oslo – Norway Centenary; Government of Canada

 

 

 

Happy birthday, Alice Munro

10 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

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Alice Munro, Canadian Press, CBC Online, Governor General's Award, Man Booker International Prize, Nobel Prize in Literature, Scotiabank Giller Prize, Short story, Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Today is Nobel Laureate Alice Munro’s 83rd birthday. Happy Birthday, Alice! We at Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas wish you a very special day.

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young and CBC online

A literary giant from way back when, Alice Munro is the Canadian author known for her short stories and for creating a whole new architecture for the short story where time and space as well as character build the story. Her books are perennial nominees and winners of prestigious literary prizes, including the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, the Man Booker International Prize and the Scotiabank Giller Prize. In 2012, she announced that she was retiring from writing.

Afternoon Tea and shortbread for Alice Munro

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Photo: Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas

Theatre 20’s production of Company is a gem

04 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

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Berkeley Street Theatre, Brent Carver, Carly Street, Chris Porter, Christine Donato, Company, Dan Chameroy, David Keely, Eliza-Jane Scott, emote and enthrall, Jeff Lillico, Louise Petrie, Marisa McIntyre, Nia Vardalos, Nora McLennan, Scott Christian, Stephen Sondheim, Steven Sutccliffe, Theatre 20, vocal gusto, W. Joe Matheson

As promised in an earlier blog, Her Ladyship attended the July 2 performance of Toronto’s Theatre 20 production of the Stephen Sondheim’s play, Company, and she is pleased to report the play was a triumph.

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The cast, consisting of many Theatre 20 founding artists, was superb. Each actor enthralled and emoted with vocal gusto as the story of love, relationships and marriage took its predictable, and unpredictable turns, in song and dance, in pitter patter and playfulness, in seductiveness and snarkiness.

Special shouts out to Chris Porter, the stage manager, who did yeoman duty keeping the production rolling along smoothly and to the the five-piece band led by Scott Christian who enabled the production admirably.

For Toronto readers, Company is at the Berkeley Street Theatre until July 13. Don’t miss it!

 

 

 

The List for July 2014

01 Tuesday Jul 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

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Bonnieheath Estate, Calender Girls, Canada Day, Darjeeling tea, Echolane lavender Farm and Fibre Arts, Ernest Hemingway, Independence DayJaguar Type E Convertible, Nanaimo Bars, Salsa On St. Clair. Fiesta de San Fermin, The Purple Road, The Sun Also Rises, Womens Insitute

At the start of every month, we offer you a short list of pleasant activities to inspire you; some are focussed on afternoon tea, some not.

Herewith five suggestions for July 2014.

PENTAX ImageResolve to drink more tea.
Hot tea.

In India, hot tea is a staple of the daily diet, year in year out. Science shows that as the internal body temperature rises through consumption of hot fluids or hot food – think curry – you will feel cooler. Over a billion Indians can’t be wrong!

 

Drive a Convertible

We’re indulging ourselves by renting a drop top for a July weekend. Hey it’s summer and the livin’ is easy!  Here are some choices we are considering: Mazda MX-5 Miata, VW Beetle, or perhaps a Mini Cooper, but then, the Jaguar Type E does appeal.

Photo courtesy The Telegraph

Photo courtesy The Telegraph

 

Our fave street street festivals for July are in Toronto and in Pamplona.

Salsa on St. Clair is a week-long celebration of Latin music, dance, food and culture throughout Toronto.  It is the biggest fiesta north of the U.S. – Canada border, and runs from July 12-20 culminating with the big enchilada, the 10th annual muy calliente Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival on July 19-20.

encierrotv.m

The Fiesta de San Fermin, is a deeply rooted, annual cultural festival running  July 6 – 14. The renowned street party inludes concerts, awesome fireworks, assorted parades and the running of the bulls.

The events of this festival were central to the plot of The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. It has become probably the most internationally renowned fiesta in Spain. Over 1,000,000 people come to participate in this festival.

 

Exploring The Purple Road …. in our rented convertible

The Purple Road of Ontario groups the many and varied lavender farms in Ontario into regional road trips where you can meet lavender growers, cut your own lavener, picnic and photograph, buy plants and lavender products and be refreshed with a pot of lavender tea.

Bonnieheath Estate Lavender and Winery

Bonnieheath Estate Lavender and Winery

Echolane Lavender Farm and Fibre Arts

Echolane Lavender Farm and Fibre Arts

  A treat for Canada Day, Independence Day 2014

Canada and the United States share national holidays within the same week  July 1 and July 4. To celebrate, we’re offering The Nanaimo Bar – a dessert  of Canadian origin and popular across North America. Named after the City of Nanimao on Canada’s west coast where legend has it the dessert was invented by the ladies of the local Womens Institute (The women of the WI featured prominently in the movie Calendar Girls!) and consists of a wafer crumb-based layer topped by a layer of light vanilla or custard flavoured butter icing and covered with melted chocolate. Here is the authentic recipe from the kitchens of Kraft Canada.

Pair these delicious bars with a single estate tea like a Darjeeling, which incidentally is known as the champagne of teas for its flavour and light colouring.

 

Nanaimo Bars

  • Servings: Depends on the size of your bars
  • Time: 30mins
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

6 oz. Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
3/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, softened, divided
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups Honey Maid Graham Crumbs
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp. Bird’s Custard Powder
3 Tbsp. milk
2 cups icing sugar

Heat oven to 350°F.

Microwave 2 oz. chocolate and 1/2 cup butter in large microwaveable bowl on MEDIUM 2 min. or until butter is melted.

Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Blend in egg and vanilla. Stir in graham crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press onto bottom of 9-inch square pan.

Bake 8 minutes; cool completely.

Mix custard powder and milk in medium bowl with whisk until blended.

Add 1/4 cup of the remaining butter; mix well.

Gradually beat in sugar until blended.

Spread onto crust. Refrigerate 15 minutes.

Microwave remaining chocolate and butter in microwaveable bowl 2 to 3 min. or until butter is melted.

Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread over custard layer.

Refrigerate several hours or until chilled before cutting into bars.

Nanaimo Bars courtesy of Kraft Canada

Nanaimo Bars courtesy of Kraft Canada

Afternoon tea with Ellen Roseman, Intrepid Girl Reporter

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Afternoon Tea with notable people - the simply splendid interview, Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Anthony Powell, Beryl Plumptree, Billie Newman, Consumer issues in Canada, Dance to the Music of Time, Ellen Roseman, Fair Canada, Fight Back - 81 ways to help you save money, Financial Planners Standards Council of Canada, Kenneth Widmerpool, Linda Kelsey, Lou Grant Show, Marine Marathon, McGill Daily. Louis Dudek, McGill University, Personal finance, Plato and Socrates, Prcies Review Board, Ravines of Toronto, Reg Dawson Library, Toronto, Toronto Star, Toronto Symphony, Town of Mount Royal

Dear readers and tea lovers everywhere, welcome to a regular feature of our blog,
‘Afternoon tea with …. 
people of note’

Today, we’re taking afternoon tea with Ellen Roseman, journalist, author, public speaker and well-known advocate for the Canadian consumer for nearly four decades. She’s the ‘it’ person at helping consumers fight back against injustices. Her Ladyship (that would be me!) knows this for a fact: if, when dealing with corporate customer service reps, Her Ladyship perceives she’s not getting full satisfaction, the mere mention, nay the mere whisper of Ellen’s name, seems to trigger a satisfactory outcome.

Ellen sticks up for ordinary Canadians. And we are grateful.

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fightbackmediumEllen’s columns, which focus on personal finance and consumer issues, appear in the Toronto Star’s business section on Wednesday, Saturday and Monday. Her latest book, ‘Fight Back: 81 Ways to Help You Save Money and Protect Yourself from Corporate Trickery’ is a must read for savvy consumers. All Ellen’s books are available from amazon.ca or through her website.

Ellen has been an editor and an associate managing editor. She teaches investment and personal finance at the University of Toronto’s continuing studies department and financial basics at Ryerson University. She is also well known for commentaries on CBC radio and television. She’s the first public representative on the board of the Financial Planners Standards Council and Chair of the board of Fair Canada, a foundation that addresses the lack of an independent, experienced voice in securities regulation.

Her books, Money 101: Every Canadian’s Guide to Personal Finance, and Money 201: More Personal Finance Advice for Every Canadian, are an easy-to-understand introduction to personal finance for those of us who are short of time and money. She’s the author of four other books, Ellen Roseman’s Money Guide for Modern Families, Canadian Parent’s Sourcebook, Canadian Consumers’ Survival Book and Consumer, Beware!

IMG_2698Today, Ellen’s preferred tea is Earl Grey, but truth be told, she has a very adventurous palate and recounts how she sipped a hot chocolate–macaroon flavoured tea recently and pronounced it wonderful, ‘tea and dessert in one serving’.

Her Ladyship (that would me) is way more traditional in her tastes, and opted to brew a pot of Earl Grey. Two steaming cups are on the tea table and we begin our conversation.

 

You were born and raised in Montreal. What are your best memories of growing up in Montreal?
I grew up in the Town of Mount Royal, or TMR as everyone calls it. TMR was very quiet, peaceful and only 10 minutes to downtown Montreal. So even though TMR seemed very suburban, it was also very multi-cultural because of the proximity to downtown Montreal. Here are some of the memories I have of growing up in Montreal: Greek food, nuns on the bus, Chinese food, my first pizza at Nello’s, the TMR public library – the original room above the fire station and then the new one named after long-time TMR mayor Reg Dawson and another memory is skating at the rec centre and my Dad whirling me about.

What or who inspired you to become a journalist?
Unknown-1
Definitely the McGill Daily (student newspaper at McGill University). I was looking for campus organizations to join and wasn’t sure where to go or what to join. I hated composition in high school so didn’t think of daily journalism as my forte. Somehow I found myself in the offices of the McGill Daily; I was made very welcome; I was taught the ropes and a month or two after signing on, I was sent on a reporting assignment. I overcame my fear … and fell in love with journalism. I spent more time at the Daily than in class!

You never intended to become a journalist?
Unknown
I started at McGill in Science – I thought I would become a scientist. But for one course – literature with Professor Louis Dudek – he opened up my brain – and because of him I switched to Arts. In my second year, I discovered philosophy courses and thought philosophy was the epitome of a critical education – small classes and smaller groups with a Teaching Assistant where it seemed I was arguing with Plato and Socrates.

How did you did end up in Toronto?
I did my M.A. in philosophy in Toronto because the University of Toronto had a one-year Masters program. That meant going to classes all year. After graduation, I stayed.

What was your first job?
I always loved books so I thought I would work in book publishing even though I knew jobs were scarce. I applied to every single publisher. Every single publisher replied ‘forget it’. So I had to look elsewhere for my first job. Through a family friend, I was able to get an interview with Maclean-Hunter, the parent company of several consumer and trade publications. I interviewed, underwent tests and landed an editorial position at Style. I learned a lot and from there I went on to several other publications, first on the retailing beat and then the business beat.

You own the personal consumer beat in Canada. How did this come about?
My interest started when I was with the Financial Post in the early 70’s. Inflation in Canada was running wild; the government of the day needed to do something very visible to address inflation so the Food Prices Review Board was established headed up by (the late, great, feisty and self-proclaimed ‘inflation fighter’) Beryl Plumptre. I attended the Board’s conferences regularly and saw the potential, and the merit, of marrying business and the increasingly vocal consumer. This is introduced me to consumer affairs.

What is the best criticism you received?
Someone once told me, “You’re looking at the world through Roseman-coloured glasses.” This criticism was meant to temper my optimism; however much I balance my optimism with pragmatism, I am essentially an optimist. I do not give up; I know change is slow and incremental but I have seen some companies work for the consumer.

Some more tea?
Yes, that would be great!

What are the principal aspects of your personality?
I like to help people so I use my access with companies to help consumers resolve issues. I also like stability – I’ve always worked in newspapers but lately I’ve started to teach and I enjoy it.

What took you into teaching?
An invitation! Teaching was not part of my ‘plan’. Someone at the University of Toronto saw me on TV and offered the opportunity. I took it!

What three words best describe your personality?
Passionate, curious, hard-working.

How do you tame butterflies before a presentation?
To tell you the truth, I’ve been making presentations for so long, I don’t have butterflies.

When you take a vacation, do you focus on luxury, adventure or relaxation?
Adventure!

What is the most amazing thing you have ever done?
About five years ago my husband and I travelled to China and Japan. I was fascinated by the contrast between the two countries.

What is you favourite daily ritual?
I love to walk outdoors and it’s a challenge in the winter but I walk as much as I can every day. I find the more walking I do, the freer my mind becomes. I often compose speeches while I walk.

What are your favourite haunts in this city?
I love the ravines. (Toronto is blessed with an enviable network of ravines). It took me a long time to discover them; they’re totally hidden and it takes an insider to introduce you to the ravines.

Roseman_Ellen_logo2012W.jpg.size.medium1.originalWhat is the best lesson you have taken from a mistake?
I have learned to say yes as much as possible to the many invitations I get to speak or make an appearance. Sometimes I used to decline invitations for any number of reasons; now I accept as many invitations as I can because you always meet interesting people – you never know whom you will meet.

What is the best surprise you’ve ever had?
Hmmm … this is a hard one because I get surprised every day by the exchanges I have with readers. I am always surprised by how grateful people are with whatever help I can provide.

What is you go to method to cheer yourself up?
Bookstores! I love browsing in bookstores.

What skill would you like to learn?
Learn to play the piano.

What never fails to make you laugh?
The Big Bang Theory. (Her Ladyship concurs).

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
A spirit of adventure; a willingness to try new things. Keeping in touch, especially with older friends because of the shared history.

What are your favourite places to unplug?
In the bathtub; also, at home, I never take my electronic gadgets upstairs to the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Montreal Habs or Toronto Maple Leafs?
Habs for sure.

Toronto Symphony or Tegan and Sara?
Toronto Symphony.

How do you celebrate big moments?
A really great meal comes to mind. My husband and I like to celebrate with a meal in one of the many as yet undiscovered eateries in Toronto.

If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?
The late British novelist Anthony Powell wrote a series of 12 books, titled A Dance to the Music of Time. I would like to meet the hero of the series, Kenneth Widmerpool.

What is your workout routine?
I go to a personal trainer once a week and I also go to the gym on my own.

What is must see TV for you?
I especially enjoy the singing and dancing reality shows – I love the athleticism.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Linda Kelsey who played Billie Newman, Intrepid Girl Reporter, on the Lou Grant show.

Your favourite virtue?
Patience.

What is your idea of happiness?
Reading a good book in a lovely location out of doors, perhaps with a cool drink and lots of time.

What is your idea of misery?
Running out of books to read; and being shut in because of the weather.

What are three little known facts about you?
I have a philosophy background; I like being a member of a book club and presenting books; I completed the Marine Corps Marathon in DC in 2004 – this was a thrill, as I never intended to enter the marathon. My family was there to welcome me at the finish line.

Do you collect anything in particular?
I collect books.

Best advice you would give your younger self?
I should have had children earlier; we love our two boys and if we had known how much fun they would be, we would have started a family sooner. I would be a grandmother by now!

 

 

Why we love this cookbook

05 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Afternoon tea with Nettie Cronish, Afternoon tea with Pat Crocker, All the Best Fine Foods, Culinary Herbalist, Fair Trade, Farmers' Market, Flex Appeal, Nettie Cronish, Organic ingredients, Pat Crocker, Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas, Vegetarian goddess

Nettie Cronish, our fave vegetarian goddess and Pat Crocker, Canada’s culinary herbalist, have teamed up to write a new cookbook.  And we’re the luckier for it.

flexappealcover_Multi-Image-page-001The book, Flex Appeal, will please every home cook, especially the one with some family  members who think fast food is good food.

The book contains favourites recipes from both households and is all about getting delicious and healthy meals on the table within 35 minutes.
“As a hockey mom of a 15 year old, time is often limited. Being able to prepare a tasty meal that isn’t eaten in the car can be a challenge,” says Nettie.  The book has recipes that are easy to prepare, contain accessible ingredients and are crowd pleasers for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. For the conscientious and ethical shopper, the recipes use local, farmer’s market friendly, Fair Trade and organic ingredients. We say, ‘Yeah!’

 

The Toronto book launch takes place on Friday, June 13th, at All The Best Fine Foods at Yonge and Summerhill from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pick up your signed copy and enjoy bites from recipes in Flex Appeal.

 

The influence of mothers in society is huge

24 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas in Simply Splendid Small Indulgences

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

clotted cream, Influence of mothers on family and society, Mother's Day 2014, Scone, Scones and clotted cream for Mother's Day

We believe the influence of mothers in society is huge; as a matter of fact we know this from the ancient matriarchal societies to women today who tend the familial and societal bonds. So it’s fitting we celebrate Mother’s Day, or Mothering Day as it’s known in some countries, to honour our mothers and motherhood.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in spring. And so for us in the northern hemisphere, Sunday 11 May is Mother’s Day.

In whatever way you are going to celebrate Mother’s Day this year – whether with your mother, mother-in-law or the women who influence you, make it special with a favourite meal, a cake, or scones and clotted cream.

Our readers in the Greater Toronto Area can visit our Afternoon Tea website for a special offer on 12 Classic scones, Clotted Cream and Preserves. And a very happy Mother’s Day to mothers everywhere.

SconeService240-1

 

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