I want to do things differently this year. I've already backed out of hosting the annual Christmas party, and I'm looking at ways to nix parades, Nutcracker performances and just about every other event that I usually crowd into my holiday schedule.

With four kids still at home, the holidays are usually so rushed and packed that I feel like a flour-dusted Tasmanian devil, jumping from thing to thing. But not this year.

So Saturday, in my new tack to enjoy the good life, I shunned shopping for a girls' day. We headed out for a 45-minute drive through the country in East Texas (the leaves are brilliant, and if you've never ventured through this part of the world you need to know that it's mainly gorgeous forest.)

Our destination was a quaint B & B, (www.Pecan HouseBnB.com) in Pittsburgh, Texas -- for proper afternoon English tea at Aunt Barbara's Victorian Tea Room. The 100+ year old house was filled with glorious antiques brought over by the owner, Peter Jessop, who also was our charming server.

My tea-mates included my 8-year-old daughter, two teenagers and a mom, none of whom had ever had afternoon tea before. I hadn't taken afternoon tea in probably 10 years, so it was definitely a luxury for me as well.

Peter warned us at first that the one thing you don't do during tea is rush, but that didn't keep me from fidgeting while we sat in a spectacular old library at the enormous mahogany table, waiting to be served. Our host leisurely brought out a magical blend of delicious tea he has imported from England and then gave us some fantastic history lessons about why the English pour milk in first.

Where's the food? I kept wandering, in my typical let's-get-this-over-with fashion. But Peter was in no hurry to deliver the food, instead letting us sip on tea and chat.

And that's when the tea worked its magic.

I started to relax. Like really relax, in a way you can't do when you are at home (because there's always something that needs to be done.) The laughter became warmer, the smiles became brighter and we all sank comfortably into our chairs.

The girls probably had a bit too much sugar in their tea, but by the time the sandwiches arrived and we were schooled on the history of tea food by Peter, even the youngest gobbled up sandwiches she'd never touch at home.
We enjoyed egg salad, cucumber, a delicious fresh tomato and cheese and ham sandwiches. And several tea pots of warm golden tea.

I lost all track of time. Had it been an hour since we arrived? Who cared? Our appetite for this whole lovely extravagance whetted, we listened to more stories about sandwiches (Who knew they were trendy fare back in the day?) and discovered that it was women who helped tea catch on because, Peter warned "Women may have drank coffee, but never ladies."

Freshly made nut, coconut or cranberry scones with homemade jams (fresh blackberry jam is to die for) with clotted cream: all scrumptious and messy. I tend to favor neatly packaged, take-it-and-run foods like paninis or wraps in my usual busy life. But there is something exceptionally indulgent about eating food like this.

After several hours of nibbling and sipping, we poked around the B&B's inviting suites and hugged our host who by now felt like our friend, - goodbye. I promised to come back soon with my husband for an overnight stay (Peter has a Rolls Royce that he uses to chauffeur guests to the nearby winery) and an English breakfast.

The relaxation buzz lasted well into the next day, and I'm hoping I've taught my girls something about the value of slowing down and enjoying the good things in life. And by the good things in life, I don't mean expensive things (Peter's tea room was very affordable.) I mean good things like friendship and laughter and savoring the moment.
I'm not sure I can navigate all of the holidays this serenely, but I'm off to a great start.