It's so lovely when my husband surprises me with an afternoon of something I enjoy. He really knows my heart and asked if I would like a ride to Culpeper and visit Miss Minerva's Tearoom. We had the afternoon to ourselves and headed out to take a drive into the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains.
It's always peaceful and serene to drive toward the mountains into rural areas. Our sweet little town is no longer little and I find I always breathe deeper as we travel down the highway to a place that is full of farms and fields.
The newly baled hay is waiting along the edge of this farm for the livestock to eat in the coming months.
The last time we were in Culpeper Miss Minerva's was closed, but today we called ahead and were happy to know they would be waiting for us.
Here is Miss Minerva's Tearoom. Isn't it darling? Love the lace curtains at the window.
After we were seated and reviewed the menu we decided to order the Full English Tea. I then wanted to thank Miss Minerva for her hospitality. She has jewelry and hats if you wish to dress more appropriately.
The kind hostess then brought us the most wonderful tea sandwiches and scones along with clotted cream and strawberry jam and sweet little desserts to have along with our tea. Grayden (the chocoholic) ordered the Mayan Cacao tea and I got a pot of Cream Irish Breakfast tea. Everything was delicious and baked by the owner.
We ate every bite, except the little chocolate muffins which were bagged for us to take home and enjoy!
There is a small gift shop that offers teapots and cups and saucers and teas inside of the tearoom.
After finishing our tea we wanted to take a walk around the shops that surround Miss Minerva's. All kinds of cute boutiques and antique shops are available to tempt.
It was really hard not to buy more of the Beatrix Potter figurines! The prices were not bad, but my windowsill is full!
In another very unique shop we spied these very unusual lamps! Grayden was fascinated by them.
The shopkeeper told us they were made by a local man who called them his junk lamps!
The creativity of man never ceases to amaze me!
Culpeper is such a sweet little town, but we are reminded that it is growing as well.
I've mentioned these LOVE signs before. It's the Virginia tourism slogan--Virginia is for Lovers. These signs can be spotted all over our state.
In one of the shops I saw this cabinet door painted with Piglet and Pooh's quote. It's a favorite of mine. A perfect quote to sum up our afternoon. ♥
Nice treat out! Loving the steam punk lighting! Nice.
ReplyDeletePam, I knew you would know the name of the lamps. I've heard the term, but didn't think of it in relation to these! ♥
DeleteOh my gosh! That second lamp is right up my alley!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful day.
The lamps were quite creative and clean looking, Dee. Thanks for visiting today. ♥
DeleteI really must remember this place in case we're in the area on our travels. You have such a sweet, attentive husband!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I think you would enjoy Culpeper and Miss Minerva's tearoom. I'm so thankful to have such a sweet husband. ♥
DeleteMartha Ellen, this tea room looks so sweet! Even sweeter, though, is the fact that Grayden planned such a thoughtful outing for the two of you to enjoy together! He is a prize!
ReplyDeleteI had a Great Aunt Minerva who was much like a grandmother to me, so I love the name too.
Cheryl, I've never known someone by the name of Minerva. Such an old fashioned name. Your Great Aunt Minerva must have been quite special.
DeleteGrayden is a sweetheart and I strive to be as kind and loving as he is. ♥
What a wonderful husband you have! It looks like a very special tea house and also fun to visit cute shops nearby. I also have some of those Beatrix Potter figurines.. mine are all bunnies. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I hit the jackpot when I married Grayden. We were quite young, but now have been married for almost 51 years.
DeleteI'd love to see your Beatrix Potter figurines. Mine are in the windowsill of my kitchen over the sink. They make me smile when I remember a very special woman and very special life. ♥
What a lovely outing! Of course, it's no surprise that you ordered the full English tea. I really think it would be fair to say that both of you hit the jackpot when you married.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very kind thing to say, Chip Butter. We are so blessed to share each other's lives. ♥
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Your tea looked delicious and such a sweet setting. Loved the junk lamps, most unusual.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful afternoon, Lorraine. The lamps were not to my taste, but so creative. ♥
DeleteThat was a nice surprise of your husband. First already the drive to Culpeper with vistas of beautiful farmland (I always love that). Then the tearoom, almost like you were in England again, so nice to see you both at the teatable with a smile from ear to ear, so sweet. These lamps in the shop look very special, like first one most.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week,
Janneke
Janneke, the day was almost like England with the tea and the weather! The first lamp captured Grayden's attention as well. Enjoy your week ahead. ♥
DeleteWhat a fun trip! The tea shop is adorable and you look like you couldn’t have been happier! Those lamps are so fun. We came across some clocks that were made with an assembly of “junk” that fascinated us. It is fun and makes me happy to see such creativitity!
ReplyDeleteEven though the lamps would not fit into my decor, we were fascinated at the use of old plumbing pieces fashioned into lamps! I would imagine the clocks you saw were interesting as well, Liz. Have a lovely day. ♥
DeleteGrayden is a special person and a wonderful husband. I am just sitting here pondering his thoughtfulness. What a lovely drive and a delightful tea time in Culpeper.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vee. I am so thankful to share my life with Grayden. ♥
DeleteWhat a Special and Lovely Surprise for you Martha Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vee so very thoughtful.
Happy you both had such a lovely time it looked delightful, so
quaint and pretty and I am so glad you shared it with us.
Food looked delicious.
Hope you are both having a lovely day xo💙
Fiona, we both enjoyed the day very much. I was really touched by Grayden's thoughtfulness. The food was delicious and plentiful so the walk around town was needed and enjoyed. Have a nice day, my friend. xo ♥
DeleteWhat a lovely surprise for you. I think Grayden's a keeper, yes? A delicious looking, sumptuous platter of afternoon tea, and glad you took some home for later too! Hope you have a lovely week, and don't have too much bad weather from Florence where you are.
ReplyDelete~~~Waving~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Deb, Grayden is a keeper for sure! You would have enjoyed the tea so much. It made us think of our days in Britain.
DeleteWe have been spared, but our poor neighbors to the south are dealing with flooding and devastation. We are getting rain bands today that are quite heavy, but nothing I don't think we can't handle. Thanks for thinking of us, my friend. xoxo ♥
What a pretty country drive and delicious English tea, Martha Ellen! That was a nice surprise from Grayden.
ReplyDeleteThe "junk" lamps were certainly conversation pieces. I hope that the storm will not bring damage you way as it works its way up the coast.
Pat, we are lucky in that we can drive short distances to visit interesting places. We have had tornadoes touch down in Richmond today. Our grands were not allowed to leave school during this time of course. They are safe back at home now. We had a tornado spotted nearby us as well. I feel so bad to all the victims of Florence. Thank you for asking about us. I hope you are well. ♥
DeleteHow nice for your husband to take you to Miss Minerva's Tearoom for the day. What a charming brick building. The Mayan Cacao tea sounds interesting, as I love chocolate as well. The desserts look scrumptious, and I love that blue tea pot with the gold. What a quaint gift shop. The figurines are sweet. I might have bought that rabbit to take home with me. The Pooh quote is one of my favorites too, Martha Ellen. What a special and memorable day you had.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Sheri, I think you would enjoy Miss Minerva's Tearoom. It's a charming spot not too far from us. I tasted Grayden's tea and it was yummy. His tea was brewed in that lovely blue teapot. Thank you for your sweet comments. ♥
DeleteYou can't beat afternoon tea …
ReplyDeleteThat looks such a lovely drive out to Miss. Minerva's Tearoom.
I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs, and nice seeing the two of you in the tea rooms. Mind you I also enjoyed seeing the 'junk' lamps - they looked so different.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan for visiting and viewing our afternoon tea. It was a fun afternoon and seeing the "junk lamps!" that were very different as you say. Have a nice week. ♥
DeleteOh that tearoom looks so lovely! I enjoy visiting them too :-) Great picture of you and your husband too. Those lamps are really neat looking, how creative! Looks like a lovely day out and about. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hope you are having a great week so far!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
Thank you for visiting today, Jill. Our day was lovely and especially enjoyable since it was my husband's idea. Thinking of you and your family, dear Jill. Take care. ♥
DeleteI would have taken a picture of that window too! How sweet of your husband to suggest such an outing. Looks like a perfect day!
ReplyDeleteDotsie, it was a perfect day. I do hope everything is okay around your home, my friend. Enjoy your day. ♥
DeleteThis is another wonderful post Martha Ellen. I love the look of the tea room and the town. Thank you for sharing it and for stopping by also. Always a pleasure to see what treats you have for us.
ReplyDeleteDenise, thank you for your kind comments. If you get a chance, I think you would enjoy Culpeper, especially if you are headed into the mountains to view the Autumn foliage later on. ♥
DeleteLike you I love the countryside. What a charming husband you have taking you to such a sweet place for Tea with some good looking sandwiches and sweets..
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I would enjoy this also. The tea Grayden had sounds like it had cinnamon and cocoa to flavor? I would want that for myself.
I need to take a trip to Culpeper as I have not been there for quite a while.
Thank you for a post that will be a destination we will want to take for sure, "Miss Minerva's".
I love quaint little shops for Christmas shopping.
Betsy
Betsy, I hope you and you husband take a trip to Culpeper. There are lovely small privately owned shops that would be great for Christmas shopping- All with unique gifts.
DeleteGrayden's tea was delicious. It had a strong chocolate flavor with cardamon and ginger flavors. ♥
What a delightful tray that was! The narrative and photos are wonderful. I've only ever before heard of Culpeper in relation to the Civil War. Miss Minerva's looks so cute and tasty.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I think any area in Virginia would remind you of the Civil War. Miss Minerva's shows the more gentile side of Virginia. ♥
DeleteWhat a lovely place! And the tea and treats look super delicious. I also liked the creative lamps. A fun afternoon. Well done Grayden.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you, Amalia. Grayden can have make these plans anytime he wishes! Enjoy your week, my friend. xo ♥
Delete