Do you have time for tea?

Well, Hello there!  What's this?  Looks like you've stumbled onto a Tea Party.  Yes, we are having quite a to-do today.  Did you see my sign from the road as you were passing by?  I'm so glad you've stopped in.  We have quite a treat today or rather quite a lot of treats! 

Where were you on your way to, if you don't mind my asking?  We don't get many visitors this way being so far in the middle of everywhere.  Were you headed to Merthyr Tydfill?  Or perhaps Kalispell?

Or perhaps you were headed to Underland?  Or maybe, maybe you were looking for Wonderland?

Wonderland, you say?  Marvelous!  You've come to the right place.  Just follow that path and you're there in a hop, skip and jump. 

Why, there is that silly rabbit!  I've been looking everywhere for her.  She spends more time looking at her watch than looking where she is going!  Hmm, but she seems to be waiting for someone...

Oh my, it's Alice!  Alice is here!  They'd best hurry along and not dawdle.  I don't think they are running late, but you never know with that rabbit. 

It looks like they are passing through the Red Queen's garden.  I understand she loves roses, particularly red ones.

Here's another marker on the path.  I think you should follow along.

Don't let the White Rabbit get too far ahead.  She's a quick one, that rabbit.

Time for Tea!  And treats galore!  Something for every taste bud can be found. 

Here is the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, but they haven't started the party!  They are patiently waiting for everyone to arrive.  How kind of them not to start without us!

And here is Door Mouse and the White Rabbit.  Alice is going to have to find a spot to sit.  There may not be enough room at the table but there are plenty of other seats to be found.

Alice is being so polite and greeting everyone while the Hatter makes his best Mad face.

Now that we've all been introduced, let's see what goodies we can find to nibble on.  I see pretzels and chips and crackers with a yummy spread.    Those strawberries look so delicious, I think I'll start with fruit.  We have lots of tea to choose from, Earl Grey, Irish Breakfast, Mint (fresh from the garden), and many others.  There is also lemonade, water and fruit punch, since it is a bit of a warm day.
 

 Lots of sweet little treats, like jelly bellies, lollipops, and cupcakes.  Cookies, veggies treats and little sandwiches.

 Door Mouse and March Hare seem to have found some nibblies. 

This looks like an interesting conversation, although Door Mouse seems a little worried.  She must have heard the rumor that the Red Queen was sighted in the area.  I wonder if she'll stop in for tea.  It is being held in her garden, after all.

 Oh, Alice seems to have partaken of one of those magic cakes that makes her grow so tall!  I wonder which cake it was.  Be sure to ask her if you don't want to be quite so tall.

Perhaps it was one of those club shaped sandwiches, or maybe the heart, or the diamond or the spade?  Oh I'm not sure what to try.  I don't particularly feel like being so tall today.  

 Oh My!  She's here! She's HERE!  The Red Queen has come to the party!  Alice looks very concerned.  March Hare is so brave to get that close to Red Queen.  I hear she has quite the temper when she doesn't get her way.  AND that she doesn't like people to touch her person.  Brave Hare grabbing those keys, hmmm?

 Well, whew, the Red Queen seems to be in a good mood today.  She didn't threaten to beat March Hare.  I wonder if it is because we made her a special cake?  Red velvet, of course, with lots of hearts. 

 

 Flamingo is taking a rest on the mushroom while the Queen breaks for tea.  Croquet can be quite exhausting, especially if your the mallet! 

 The Queen of the Sky is shining down on us and joining the party as well.  I hear she and the Red Queen are quite close.

 The March Hare is helping Alice fix a cup of tea.  Wait, oh how sweet, it's for the Red Queen.

 Red Queen really enjoys tea and slurps it down quite quickly. 


 Hmmm....what was in that tea?  "Alice?!  Did you put something in my tea," screams the Red Queen.
"How could you!  Here I thought we were all getting along!"

 As the White Rabbit looks on, the Red Queen grabs her croquet mallet and screams, "I knew I couldn't trust you!  OFF WITH HER HEAD!!!"  

 Shame, shame Alice!  Funny how she doesn't look the least bit scared. 

Well, now the party is in full swing, what with all those snacks and the drugged Red Queen. 

 Please have more treats while we try to save Alice's head. 

 

 Okay, we've settled down the Red Queen with a new cup of non drugged tea and a plate of cake.  Please stay as long as you like and enjoy all the treats and company.  I'm so glad you all could make it to this year's tea party.  

From all of us: Alice, March Hare, White Rabbit, Door Mouse, The Mad Hatter and the Red Queen we thank you for coming and hope to see you again soon. 

blessings
~*~

PS...Many thanks to Miss Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist for hosting such wonderful parties every year.  This is her 6th year (my 2nd one participating) and I swear they get better each year.