Charms of Leffingwell is a homey Ellenton delight

Recently, I went for a leisurely drive that took me a bit farther than I planned. But what a fortuitous trip that turned out to be.

Turning off U.S. 301 onto Leffingwell Avenue in Ellenton, I spotted a 100-year-old Victorian house owned by Harry and Bobbie McGraw. In a million years, I would never have guessed all the treasures they had stored inside - at least not until I pulled into the back parking area.

There I learned that the building was home to The Charms of Leffingwell, a lovingly appointed tearoom and antique shop. As I walked in the door, I began to sense the McGraw's passion for just-about-anything-old.

"The house dictated everything," Bobbie told me.

Fours years ago, she and Harry opened the place as an antique shop, with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with antique jewelry, hat pins, kitchenware, linens and embroidery.

A year later, they recognized the restored building was also the perfect setting for a tearoom. So amongst the rooms brimming with bric-a-brac and lit by the golden glow of antique lamps, they incorporated beautifully set tables.

For their Charmed Tea - one of three full tea services offered - the McGraws included a menu of cranberry, apricot, lavender and raisin-walnut scones the day I was there, a pot of tea, and assorted pastries and savories, like quiche or chicken sandwiches. I learned that scones are popped in the oven only 10 minutes before guests arrive.

Patrons can also choose from about a dozen varieties of tea. Not on the menu was a white tangerine tea, which Bobbie pulled from her private stash to share with me. It was simply yummy.

Reservations should be made a day or two in advance and large parties, a week.

If it's a nice day and you don't have a reservation, don't worry. You might want to sit out back In The Garden Square and relax under the huge mango tree that has large staghorn ferns hanging from it. Overflowing with more antiques, the area features about half a dozen tables nestled and semi-hidden among the greenery and a small pond.

There you can place an order for sweet tea, lemonade, boiled Cajun peanuts, popcorn or snow balls or just watch the chickens, Georgette and Tweety, between bites of Moon Pie and gulps of RC Cola.

It's a fun, casual and cozy place to sip tea, visit with friends, read the newspaper or even watch the chickens, when they aren't in the coop.

BOBBIE'S LAVENDER LEMONADE

3 tablespoons fresh lavender buds

4 cups water

12 cups lemonade

Lemon slices

Bring 4 cups of cold water to a boil in a saucepan or kettle. Fill a tea ball or piece of cheesecloth with lavender and add to the boiling water. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Discard the lavender buds.

While the tea is steeping, prepare lemonade.

Mix two-thirds lemonade with one-third lavender tea. Chill.

Pour the lavender lemonade into tall glasses filled with ice cubes. Garnish with lemon slices.