A local tea plus garden tour:
Written by Marilyn Simmons
Note from the publishing date, even though this happened in October - we felt that posting it would be a fun read, as it was with local chefs and a local event! The food was delicious and the rose jelly was amazingly local!
The FarmsGirls are board members of The Green Garden Club of Ellis County, the garden club promotes sound organic practices and is an affiliate of Texas Garden Clubs Inc. The club meets the second Tuesday of every month, 7:00 PM, at the Farley Street Baptist Church. We have covered wonderful garden topics including bee keeping, attracting birds, native plants, bulbs and soil structure. On October 13, The Green Garden Club hosted the first annual garden tea tour.
The club members spent 6 months gathering approximately 800 unique mugs, tea cups and saucers, plates, silverware, and fine decor to serve the 160 guests. The club designed five tea parties in one with three Dallas based chefs who showcased a fine cuisine in five Ellis County gardens.
The home owners on the tour diligently worked toward a garden goal while some built a dynasty, others added a bed here and there. The passion, the skill, and craftsmanship of each garden owner were evident on this tour.
The Green Garden Tour began in Rocket at the home of Alice O’Neal who opened her garden gate to the guests as they enjoyed an "Alice in Wonderland" theme. The guests were greeted by The Mad Hatter and a life sized Queen of Hearts ordering the garden to be painted red; guests enjoyed a mug of hot tea and strolled through her lovely shade gardens. Alice spent many hours in her garden making sure that her winding pathways, water feature, dry creek beds, sitting areas, and vine covered gazebo were in perfect display.
The second home, hosted by Ted and Bea Rocha, also a board member of The Green Garden Club, was a formal affair. Ted, an accomplished wood craftsman, and Bea, a well- traveled business woman, have mastered an artful garden with a beautiful wood crafted arbor, a tree trunk table, and water features. Chef Lisa Staffelbach from 24 Carrot Health featured scones, fruit salad, clotted cream, and jellies as the guests on the tour dined while having "Tea at Bea’s".
"Kick it Up Texas" was the theme for the lunch portion of the garden tea tour. Master Gardener duo, James and Melinda Kocian of Waxahachie, hosted the third tea. Chef Kevin Stewart and a host of volunteers featured rose-lemon glazed quail served with a quinoa salad from the Kocian’s lavish outdoor kitchen. Memories and stories unfold as James and Melinda walked guest through their gardens. The general store looking outdoor buildings evolved from a fallen hundred year old home that came with the farm and the earth kind rose gardens are a collection to see.
The next stop was in Waxahachie at John and Arlene Hamilton’s historic home. This mostly edible landscape was our touch and feel garden, and went with our "Herbal Dessert" theme. Arlene’s love for herbs has dubbed her The Sagey Lady. Scented basil, thyme, rosemary, lavender, and many fragrant blends greeted guest in this back yard treat. The towering bay laurel was a show stopper. The Green Garden Club’s finest tea cups with herbal teas were the spotlight for the lovely desert tea. Chef Josephine Rihoo served not only special herb blended teas, but also warmed the hearts of the guests with hospitality.
The final destination of the garden tea tour was a country drive to Ed and Suzanne Stegemoller, members of the Green Garden Club) farm in Ennis, Texas for a "tea to go". This garden is mesmerizing and the beautiful water gardens have earned their name, Winding Creeks. The tea featured at this property was a sparkling blend of gingerale and black tea. Guests gathered in the various garden nooks sitting on quaint park benches and sipped tea, it was a perfect way to end the tour in a tranquil water garden oasis.
Donelle and I ended our day visiting with Ed and Suzanne watching the sunset over Winding Creek, thankful for a wonderful garden tea tour provided with beautiful gardens and new friendships. We have a fun garden club learn more at
www. greengardenclub.org Join the FarmGirls online, on the radio, or in a class to learn more about organic vegetable gardening in North Texas. Tune in every Friday to The FarmGirls Organic Gardening Radio Show on KAAM 770 AM at 1:00 PM, just after your organic lunch. Like us on Facebook at Garden Inspirations as we continue to make friends over the FarmGirls’ garden gate…