Sometimes I wonder if it seems to others like my children are being raised by wolves. Why do I wonder this, you ask? Well, it’s hard not too when the subject of the etiquette teas with the famous Mrs. B come up randomly in conversations with other mothers, without prompting them, and with a variety of women. The truth is, however, that I’ve always heard such great things about Mrs. B’s teas that I’ve been meaning to try one out, regardless of my kids’ need for cotillion prep, or not. So imagine my surprise and delight when I heard from the elegant Grille at Morrison House in Alexandria that they are continuting their monthly Saturday children’s teas and the next three are fall/winter themes featuring Mrs B.
Enjoying Tea with Mrs. B. Photo Credit: Beth Blinstrub Photography
How does this fit into the Anti-Pumpkin Patch Idea Guide, you wonder, and where’s the give-away, you greedily ask? The first tea, this Saturday October 15, is Halloween themed and you’ll have to read all the way to the end to learn about the fabulous give-away chance. Here are the details about the teas, which I haven’t yet had a chance to try, but between the yummy food, fabulous chance for kids to dress up in theme (I am a sucker for a good theme) and the creative activities and story-time, I will definitely make the rare beltway trek from Silver Spring to Alexandria to enjoy this with my girls!
What: The Grille at Morrison House’s popular Story Time Tea program will continue this fall with a new and exciting addition, Rebecca Czarniecki, better known as Mrs. B. Mrs. B has taught and offered guidance to children in everyday etiquette and manners since 2006, incorporating these lessons into fun activities and tea time celebrations. Mrs. B has planned the next three months of Story Time Tea to feature educational themes composed of activities, dress-up, and books along with underlying etiquette lessons. While Story Time Tea with Mrs. B takes place once a month, The Grille also offers Royal Tea ($44), Traditional Tea ($38), and Children’s Tea ($28) each Saturday from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. See below for further details on upcoming Story Time Teas, which are tied to seasonal themes throughout the fall:
October 15: “Spooky” Tea (WM Sidebar: anti-pumpkin patch idea here)
o Dress-up: Black and orange, spider webs or come in your own costume
o Reading: “On a Windy Night” by Nancy Raines Day
November 19: “Giving Thanks” Tea (WM sidebar: chance to brush up on your kids’ etiquette before the family meal-event of the year)
o Dress-up: Antique aprons
o Reading: “Thanks for Thanksgiving” by Julie Marks
December 17: “A Very Merry Christmas Tea” (WM sidebar: we will be sick of visiting with Santa by this date)
o Dress-up: Furs and shawls
o Reading: “A Very Marley Christmas” by John Grogan
Kids are invited to dress-up in the suggested attire and Mrs. B will provide additional props and all activity materials (WM sidebar: they had me at dress-up mixed with food).
Menu:
The culinary team at The Grille creates grown-up tea fare to include: House-Made Scones and Biscuits with Devonshire Cream and Jams, Cucumber and Tomato on Brioche with Chive Cream Cheese, Curried Chicken Salad on Wheat Bread, Smoked Salmon with Chive Créme Fraîche on Marble Rye, Crab Salad Profiteroles, Silver Tray Sweet Display, Mighty Leaf Organic and Herbal Teas.
The Children’s Tea includes a Pot of Hot Chocolate, Ham & Cheese, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Egg Salad Sandwiches, Scones and Biscuits with Jams, and a Sweets Plate.
For the weekly Saturday Tea, guests have the option of the Royal Tea ($44) which includes a Morrison House Champagne Cocktail, House-Made Scones and Biscuits with Devonshire Cream and Jams, Cucumber and Tomato on Brioche with Chive Cream Cheese, Curried Chicken Salad on Wheat Bread, Smoked Salmon with Chive Créme Fraîche on Marble Rye, Crab Salad Profiteroles, Silver Tray Sweet Display, Mighty Leaf Organic and Herbal Teas; Traditional Tea ($38) House Made Scones and Biscuits with Devonshire Cream and Jams
Cucumber and Tomato on Brioche with Chive Cream Cheese, Curried Chicken Salad on Wheat Bread, Smoked Salmon with Chive Créme Fraîche on Marble Rye, Silver Tray Sweet Display, Mighty Leaf Organic and Herbal Teas and the Children’s Tea, for which the menu is the same.
When: Story Time Tea typically takes place on the third Saturday of every month at 2:00 p.m.
The schedule for the tea is as follows:
· 2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Dress up/tea table craft
· 2:30 p.m.-2:40 p.m.: Book reading
· 2:40 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Craft (20 minutes)
· 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Tea time
Reservation Details: Reservations are required. The cost for the tea is $38 for adults and $28 for children. To book, guests can call 703-838-8000 or email storytime@morrisonhouse.com.
Where: 116 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. TEL: 703-838-8000 www.thegrillealexandria.com or www.facebook.com/TheGrilleRestaurant
Give-Away Alert: So about that give-away, all you greedy friends want to know….the Grille at Morrison House is generously offering free admission to one adult and one child to one of the upcoming 3 teas. They realize that we all have really busy schedules, especially this time of year, so the winner can pick which of the three dates works best for his/her schedule. In the event that someone wants to go to this Saturday’s Halloween themed tea (and I applaud you for avoiding pumpkin patches if you do), then you better hurry up and enroll in this give-away immediately because I will announce the winner on Wednesday Oct 12. How do you win? Just “Like” the ever-riveting and always-ground-breaking Wired Momma FB page or subscribe to my RSS feed and then send me an email at monica.sakala@gmail.com. And stay tuned on Wednesday for the announcement of the winner of the give-away.
Fun! Love the Morrison House and a good tea party.
WHY isn’t this happening while I’m visiting?! wahhh.