I mentioned last week that my friend Susan was visiting this weekend, and we have been enjoying ourselves immensely so far.
We started by going to afternoon tea at the Holly Cottage Tearoom. We were seated in the Brontë room, with a print of the famous portrait of the Brontës overlooking our table:
That is me on the left and Susan on the right, both of us proudly wearing our fancy hats and enjoying our tea. We had three courses, starting with tomato and basil soup (me) or salad (Susan) and then were served this three tiered tray full of sweet and savory goodies. Here’s a closeup of the second tier:
And this is a shot of the final pot of tea we shared:
We started with Monks Blend tea (which turned out to be my favorite), segued to a pot of Bella Coola tea (I would like this iced in the summer but it was a bit too strong as a hot tea for my tastes) and set a tearoom record by requesting a THIRD pot of tea, their signature blend, Yorkshire Harrogate, to which I added a spot of cream. It was also very good but by the time we finished I was ready to float out of there, I was so full of tea!
The next evening, we ventured into Atlanta so that I could get all giddy and verklempt by spending an hour or so listening to Jasper Fforde as he talked about his books and read from his newest novel, Shades of Grey. He was funny and clever and his accent was like buttah! I could have listened to him talk all night.
And here I am waiting patiently (on the outside) as I squeal with delight (on the inside) while Jasper signs two of the books I brought with me:
The event was held at a Barnes and Noble, and this was the first real test to my 2010 book-buying ban, since it was the first time that I’ve stepped into a bookstore since January 1st. I’m happy to say that I passed the test! I did a cursory glance of the bargain shelves, but didn’t roam around too much, just took a seat in the second row and waited for Jasper. The B&N folks very nicely made all the people who’d come in late and stood around the front (near the autograph table) move to the back and let those of us who’d gotten there hours ahead of time get in line to get our books signed first. I appreciated that even though I had my husband stationed near the front of the line as a placeholder.
In the last photo, on the side is a postcard that he inserted into Shades of Grey and a green button (he had a big bag of buttons of all colors out for people to choose one). It was a great evening and I thoroughly enjoyed myself – and am an even bigger fan of Jasper Fforde than I was before.
As for my reading this weekend, well, I am still making my way through Beach Music and telling myself I can’t look at any more books (including the two graphic novels that came in at the library, Grey Horses and Laika, both of which I’m dying to read) until I finish it, since my book club meets this Thursday and I still have a few hundred pages to get through. I’m not loving it but I have moments where I’m enjoying the book – but I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for book club, I probably would have set it aside already. Hopefully I’ll finish in time!
What a lovely time! Thank you for sharing your experiences. The photos are delightful.
You’re quite welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed them – I took many more but didn’t want to inundate/bore people.
Oh my — both of these events sound absolutely lovely — and I don’t mind telling you that I am a wee bit jealous!
What a wonderful literary start to the New Year!
It was a wonderful weekend, although I have to say, I missed our customary visit(s) to a used bookstore. I just didn’t have it in me to go knowing I couldn’t buy anything!
I saw Jasper Fforde in DC when he was touring the last Thursday Next book. I literally giggled like a school girl and was totally starstruck. He’s just so damn funny and intelligent! And I love how he has stamps and postcards and stuff to make the signing more interesting. He’s too cool.
I was happy to hear that we are going to get another Thursday Next novel as those are my favorites of his. I haven’t started Shades of Grey yet so not sure how it will compare. He was very funny and had the audience laughing throughout his talk.
I saw him stamping the books ahead of me and wondered what was being stamped but was too shy to say anything about it. In fact, I was too starstruck to say much of anything to him!
Squeee! Thank you so much for posting about your encounter with Jasper Fforde – his voice really is amazing, isn’t it?
It sounds like you had a great time, and that you got some lovely souvenirs – the colored pin idea was so cute! I’m so envious that you got to meet him, but am elated to hear you had such a wonderful day!
I thought about you when I was there!
It was fabulous and has turned me on to going to seeing more authors when they come to Atlanta. Margaret Atwood is coming to SCAD in February and I’m hoping to go.
Afternoon tea sounds like fun (and looks yummy). I wish we did that over here. How cool to meet Jasper Fforde. I can’t think of the last time I heard an author speak! Omaha’s not big enough to be much of a literary draw!
Luckily I live close enough to Atlanta and we do get quite a few authors coming into town as part of book tours or for special appearances. Up to now though, I haven’t really taken advantage of it, but I am planning to change that since my experience this time was such a positive one.
By the way, there may a place for you to enjoy afternoon tea in Omaha! http://www.teamap.com/states/state_NE_City.html
Fun weekend! Tea looks delicious!
Yes and yes!
So jealous! I adore Jasper Fforde’s books. Like Danielle, we don’t usually get author tours in my neck of the woods (Oklahoma City). It’s fun that he brought postcards and buttons for everyone!
Funny, because I am usually jealous of Susan, who lives so close to DC that she is always telling me about the various authors coming to town. But I guess I have it pretty good, too!
Oh man! You got to meet and have books signed by Jasper Fforde. I am so green with jealousy I can barely stand it!!!
I know, I was very lucky! When I saw he was coming to Atlanta, I was so excited!
My mom and I enjoy going out for “high tea” whenever we get together. We used to visit a little place near her house in Oregon, but it changed hands and we haven’t had a chance to give it a try. Oh, they made the best lavender scones! I hope the new owners retained some of the recipes.
Looks like a fun book-signing. I can imagine how entertaining Fforde would be at an event such as this. Lucky you!
Lavender scones – those sound divine. I will have to look for a recipe for those.
There was a tearoom in Susan’s hometown of Fredericksburg that we used to like, but it changed hands and not for the better. I hope that’s not the case with yours.
I’m going to have a Sunday Salon tea story this coming week. On Friday a friend from the tea group on Paperback Swap is coming to my home for High Tea. This will be our first time meeting in person. She lives in Colorado and is here on Kauai for vacation.
Les in NE: The place you had High Tea in Oregon, was that Tea and Tomes in Newport? I remember their cozy fireplace and location near the beach. After a stormy beach walk it was the perfect place to come for tea.
Rob, that’s the spot! I think it’s actually considered to be in Nye Beach, but yes, it’s right near the beach. Lovely location.
Wish I could join your friend for tea. I’ve never been to Kauai!
Rob, as soon as I finish writing this I am going over to your blog to read about your tea; I bet it was lovely!
And the Oregon tea shop sounds so wonderful. Did they also sell books?
Hi Lesley–Thanks for visiting my post yesterday. We had lots of homemade goodies for tea (but opted out of hats). The Oregon tea shop had a small gift store with tea related items and books.
Les in NE: You’re right that Tea and Tomes was at Nye Beach. Did you go to the bakery across the street? They made their own bread and the smells..wow! I also enjoyed staying close by at Sylvia Beach Hotel where all of the rooms are decorated after an author. I heard that the owners of the former tea room have a new business at Depoe Bay. They sell tea and gifts but there is no food service.
Rob, I missed the bakery across from Tea and Tomes, but I’ll make a point of checking it out next time we’re in Depoe Bay visiting my folks. We usually hit The Chowder Bowl a couple of times during our visit. It’s on the same side of the street as Tea & Tomes. Great chowder and cheeseburgers. Mmmm. Thanks for hte infor about the owners of Tea & Tomes. I wonder if they sell their lavender scone mix. Hmmm. Another mental note. Oh, and, my folks stayed at the Sylvia Beach Hotel on one of their trips to the area before building their house in Little Whale Cove. Looks like a fun place! Take care.
Where is that tearoom?
We were in the same room at the same time! I went to that Fforde signing in ATL, too! I live in Roswell. That is just weird! I wrote about it in my blog, too.
It is in Newnan, which is about 25 miles southwest of Atlanta.
How funny that we were in the same room and didn’t even know it! I wonder if we talked at all? I chit-chatted with a few people that were sitting around me.
My wife loves signings also. She says she likes to go because she gets to talk to so many interesting people. I think the people are more interesting because they are all there for the same reason so they have lots of common ground to talk about.
Thanks for sharing your fun!
Oh, definitely, I agree with your wife! In fact, talking with one of the women seated behind me, I learned that Diane Setterfield is supposed to be coming out with a new book this spring. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any other details and I haven’t been able to find out anything else about it.