I've always loved the idea of tea. In my late mother-in-laws house, it was mugs filled with steaming tea laced with sugar and milk. It was the comfortable British way. It meant-"You are home and with family." The blend was not special - usually Red Rose. It was the company and the sharing that made it special. I've grown to love all kinds of tea - iced teas, spiced teas, herbal teas. Sometimes, there is nothing like a tall glass of iced tea in the summer heat. Herbal teas are fun too and it is said that green tea is healthy for you, although I'm not fond of green tea. I really love flavored teas too. My favorite reason for going to Applebees is for their raspberry iced tea! But for downright elegance and refinement, there is nothing quite like a high tea served in a tea house or tea room. Alan and I used to go to a tea room in Mount Dora here in Florida. There we sipped on tea from china cups, ate scones or maybe even lunch like steak and kidney pie and gazed around the room at all the memorabilia of the royal family. More recently I've experienced high tea at the Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Disney World. It is quite an experience and although it is a bit expensive, it as been the highlight of the trip over there. I've experienced it with my mother, my friend, Maura and my daughter, Jill. An exterior shot of the Grand Floridian. Quite a lovely place! Mom and I sharing tea. We were each given a pink rose. Our tea service. I later found it that the tea set is called "Old Country Roses" by Royal Albert. It inspired me to eventually buy my own set. Jill on my birthday, holding up her pinky in proper British fashion!