Flag Day Tea by the Sea

Dolphin Fountain & Palm Trees
In front of the Aquarium

Since I am guest blogging over at Afternoon Tea Across America and hostessing the Traveling Teapot for the month of June, my next adventure with Tilly TARDIS takes us to the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, CA and the Aquarium of the Pacific as we celebrate FLAG DAY 06/14/2015! 

Approaching the Lion Lighthouse

Patriotically attired: Niece, Daughter, Niece, Me, Sissy :)

Tilly TARDIS proudly posing
next to the American Flag.
In the foreground are flag
chocolate bars I found and
in the background is the Queen Mary
(where, by the way, you can also enjoy tea)

Drinks consisted of Iced Very Berry White Tea, Blueberry Lemonade, and water I embellished with patriotic whale stickers :)

I made my recipe for Curried Chicken & Fig (pinwheels), but modified it using Peppridge Farms Puff Pastry Shells.  At $5 for a box of 6, I really was not thrilled with these.  Biting into it reminded me of a Pillsbury Grands biscuit.  Additionally, instead of the fig spread I normally buy from Trader Joe's, I used fig spread I found at a dollar store from Egypt.  It was much more gelatinous; definitely not the same quality, so, lesson learned.  I have also tried this recipe on Oatbread, and find it quite pleasant.

Other menu items included Egg Salad Sandwiches with fresh spinach on Hawaiian bread rolls (thank you sis!), tomato basil Wheat Thins,  Strawberries, Blueberries, Watermelon, Red Vines and of course...

Cranberry, Blueberry Scones with Lemon Curd

Following our lovely meal, we headed to the aquarium and saw many exciting ocean creatures, and water fowl. 

[Gen 1:20-22 ESV] 20 And God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens." 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

Upon entering, you are greeted by a life-sized
replica of a blue whale.

There are many types of jelly fish

And energetic Sea Lions

Adorable Sea Otters

Sea Horsies :)

Rays, fish, and sharks you can touch!

More sharks to touch! ...and no, I did not :)

BIG shark tank (noooo touching).

Penguins!

ummm?, birdie!

I was taking random shots of ducks splashing and
flying low on the water, and did not realize I had
captured this fun shot.  Look closely and you will see
MANY colors, like jewels on the water. :)

for a mere (eh, hem) $3, you can feed the
Lorikeets a tiny cup of nectar.  They will land right on
your arm (head, shoulder, etc.) to get to it.
I figured they did not need any
more food from me, so polite pass. :)

Guam Kingfisher (I will have to ask my dad if
he saw these when stationed in Guam
while in the U.S. Navy).

Cute Mary Englebreit tea mugs spotted in the gift shop
(but at $16 - no, no, no)

This sweet little fairy sized mug came
home with Tilly, and will make its
way through time and space to
become a gift (for someone
else's fairies).

We really enjoyed our day and give praise to God from whom all blessings flow.

Thank you for joining me for another exciting adventure!!

Until next time,

Hugs and a cup of tea!

~Heather Elizabeth

 

guest blogging at: The Traveling Teapot II

for Team Darjeeling

PLEASE NOTE: ALL HIGHLIGHTED TEXT HAS A LINK IF YOU CLICK ON IT. :)

I may also be sharing at the following parties:

Teacup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Blog

Tea Time Tuesday w/Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

Tuesday Cuppa Tea w/Ruth at Antiques and Teacups
 Roses of Inspiration Tuesday w/Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose
Share Your Cup Thursday w/Jann at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olson