Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Stacy Averette
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
-Helen Keller
I grew up riding horses, building forts in the woods, dribbling a basketball, and catching snakes in the little stream running slow at the edge of my front yard. Each summer I spent hours picking peas, shucking corn, and pushing a lawn mower.
I learned to drive a tractor before I earned my driver’s license and had my own pair of work gloves for tossing bales of hay and digging post holes.
Most days I smelled like summer and our shaggy, ol’ dog.
Does this sound like a girl who belongs in an English Tea Room?
Absolutely!
Alice Walker said, “Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors.”
I wore a dress and “pearls”. I even shaved my legs because somehow that seemed like the right thing to do. I’d never been to an English tea room before and wasn’t sure I belonged in one now.
Maddie had been to The English Tea Room and Eatery with friends and wanted us to go back with her on one of our visits to New Orleans. She’d made reservations (recommended) and was super excited about going. The October weather was perfect as we drove across Lake Ponchatrain to Covington, LA for our big adventure.
Covington is a beautiful city and there are lots of shops (I’ll share more pics later) and places to eat, many within walking distance of the tea room.
My favorite room is the Winston Churchill Room. One of my favorite quotes:
Never, never, never give up!
Writers and Yard Salers
The moment we sat down I noticed a lady at the table near us. Her pen moved deliberately and quickly as she filled page after page stopping occasionally to sip tea. I wondered about words that demanded she let a bowl of soup grow cold and a platter of scones sit untouched.
When the server came to her table I was happy to be close enough to eavesdrop and hear about “the book”. I really wanted to sit at her table and ask all the questions about her writing life but I was lovingly advised against it.
Our server came to our table and though I’d quickly decided what I wanted to eat, I had more trouble about my tea choice. “What do you recommend?” I asked. She quickly made a suggestion that turned out to be the best cup of tea I’d ever had. (Note to self: buy little brown sugar cubes, miniature tongs, and floral china tea cups.)
EGGS BENEDICT Poached eggs & Canadian bacon served atop a crumpet or an English muffin, topped with our Hollandaise sauce. Served with fresh seasonal fruit.
Midnight Rain: Black tea with coconut and almond
We placed our order and settled into enjoying our individual pots of tea while waiting for our food. As we pointed out all of our favorite things about the cute cottage, I noticed a large group entering the front room. This multigenerational bunch of ladies hugged and laughed and gathered around tables prepared especially for them. Soon three more ladies entered and the group cheered “Happy Birthday!” to one of them. She blushed and said “Y’all! I’ve been out yard saling! I didn’t expect or prepare for all of this!”
We Belong
Even though I hadn’t said it out loud, I was afraid that I didn’t belong in an English Tea Room.
I wear thrifted clothes, Birkenstocks, and Patchouli.
I laugh too loud, create long awkward pauses while I over think “What would you like to drink?”, and rattle the table attempting to cross my legs.
I pictured everyone dressed like Lady Felicia (Father Brown is my favorite!) and Mrs. McCarthy scolding me for not knowing how to do a “proper English Tea Time”.
But I learned a lot more than just “tea service” at The English Tea Room.
Did you know that Jesus goes to English Tea Rooms?
I’d never thought about it before. I mean, I should have known because He promised to be with us always. But so often I’m tempted to believe “with us” means at church, in Bible Study, and on mission trips.
But my friend, Jesus, was with me that day just like He’d promised. I felt his presence right there in the middle of an ordinary Saturday morning. And He reminded me that He loves writers and yard salers and tea drinkers. He whispered to my heart, “You belong. I made you, YOU. The desires of your heart that make you who you are are the ways I want to use you to share Me with the world.”
We belong, friend!
God purposefully created you and me and He created you and me with a purpose! He wants us to show up and be who He created us to be. We must stop listening to and believing the lies that tell us otherwise!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this #roadtrip post. Click here to read more about The English Tea Room and Eatery. Be sure to check out their menu! You can even order some of their teas!
