Sarah's Annual Birthday Tea at the Garden Gate

After Tom and I were married in 2002, we moved to the quaint, little town of Mount Dora, Florida.  The one year we lived there was pure bliss -- what a joy to be his new bride and what a sweet little town to share with family and friends!  Sarah turned 6 while we were living there, and to celebrate, I took her, her friend Abby and Abby's mom for high tea at The Garden Gate Tea Room.  Sarah and Abby were quite a sight all dressed up in their frilly dresses, large Victorian hats and feather boas, eating PB & J tea sandwiches and chocolate covered strawberries!  Since then, it has become a tradition to return to The Garden Gate every year to celebrate her birthday.  The owner, Karen, and her staff of precious ladies make Sarah feel like a princess every year!

14 years old

A tradition - Sarah always orders hot raspberry tea with two lumps of sugar. 

First Course - Salmon Souffle on Mixed Greens

Second Course - Assorted Tea Sandwiches
Chicken Salad
Asparagus with Butter and Cream Cheese
Egg Salad
Orange and Ginger Butter

Third Course (and the best!) - Dessert Tray
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Cream Puff Swans
Scones with Devonshire Cream and Raspberries Preserves
Fruit Tarts

Sarah with The Garden Gate owner, Karen, who gifted her with a beautiful, hand-painted porcelain tea kettle charm, and some specially blended Garden Gate tea.

The first year we celebrated Sarah's birthday at The Garden Gate, we sat at a table located at the front window overlooking the sidewalk and passersby (who had a ball gazing in at Sarah and Abby in their "tea attire!").  The next year and subseqent years, we have always been seated at this sweet table that has a sofa along the wall, which is always Sarah's favorite place to sit for tea.  In years past, the fourth person at our table has varied from aunts to one of Nana's friends.  This year, Sarah wanted to invited Nana's friend Elsie, and let me tell ya, she's a hoot!  We had a grand time!

Chris, Sarah and Marlaina
Chris has been at The Garden Gate for as long as I can remember, and Marlaina is the hostess who served us on Sarah's 6th birthday.

Karen gathered all of us together to hold hands as she prayed a very special prayer for Sarah, which left me in tears marveling at this precious daughter that the Lord has blessed me with.

Momma crying started Sarah crying . . .

. . . . and then we were both crying.

Whew!  Glad to be done crying and smiling instead!