Mothering Sunday

When in London one can’t help but eat bread, or bread like products so I am taking a little break and not beating myself up if something with flour passes my lips. This confession is after the fact since I went to afternoon tea today with Carter and had not only tea sandwiches (oh so yummy), but also scones which are without a doubt one of the great gifts to human kind the British have given. But enough about my indulgences and now my bad mothering confession.

Afternoon tea is something Carter begs for too, but this being Mothering Sunday, the English version of Mother’s day, we should have made reservations earlier in the week. Being the mother that I am, I was able to talk our way into the sold out tea at the Kensington Hotel without actually embarrassing Carter.

After we were seated in the lovely dining room the service of tea and finger sandwiches began. Egg cress, smoked salmon, chicken salad, ham and chutney and cucumber fingers stacked neatly on our small plates gave us both great glee. Carter even discovered her love of English Breakfast tea. After the fingers a small digestif of mango Bellini sorbet was placed in front of us.

Carter took one tiny spoonful and announced it was alcoholic and the laughter began. “It’s good and I’m drunk,” Carter confessed between fits of giggles. “No wonder everybody wants to move to London so they can have tea everyday.”

I pointed out to her that between the cost and the calories no one is having tea everyday. But the happy effects of the Bellini lasted though the whole afternoon. Really it is too bad that it is against the law to give teenagers liquor because one small sip makes a very fun and happy traveling companion.

Tomorrow it’s back to fruit and salad. Tea is a treat if you only have it once in a while.