Thank you, Susan, for hosting this event each week!!!
Actually, coffee has always held more of an attraction for me than tea, but tea parties are just so much fun! A tea party is an excuse to get together with some friends and loved ones, visit, eat some goodies, and use some of the items I have been collecting over the years. It is also a time to dress a little better than my usual attire of casual wear......you know, tee shirts, jeans and such! Speaking about excuses, it is eases my mind to spend money on a few fresh flowers to dress the tea cart as that is a necessity and money well spent in my opinion. Fresh cut flowers just make a room come alive with a vibrant glow of color and life! I adore roses, roses, and more roses......any color.
Today I have been busy polishing the silver pieces that I have neglected during the holidays and then did not even think of during the entire month of January. And I almost let February slip by without polishing the silver, also. You will laugh, and be a little surprised, but I really love to use the silver polish and see the true silver emerge from the grunge of the tarnish. It is the one household chore that I like to do when I have time. And in the end. when all the pieces are gleaming, I can see the rewards of my work.
Years ago, and I do mean years ago, I purchased this silver plated Victorian floral holder on a pedestal with beautifully decorated grid to hold the stems of the flowers in the arrangement. The idea behind the floral container is brilliant and almost fool proof in the art of arranging fresh cut flowers. I know this type of container has a "name" but at the moment I cannot recall it. If any of you know, please, let me know as it will drive me nuts until I think of it.
You can see the "frog" built into the lid .
I made a trip to the floral center in one of our local grocery stores and found just the perfect flowers to set the mood for the tea party......pale pink roses, soft green hydrangeas, and delicate baby's breath.
As you can see, the stems of the flowers were cut short, about three to four inches long, and placed into the frog on the lid. It is so easy to arrange flowers in this manner. I suppose the Victorian ladies loved
this idea........anyone could be a floral designer.
The pale pink roses reminded me of the apple blossoms on my Theodore Haviland "Apple Blossom" china. The blooms on the china are so very pastel and dreamily seem to drift into the plates.
I chose to use the salad plates for the little party and the cocktail forks with the hearts (purchased at TM) that I used for Valentine's Day would be perfect to eat the German Fruitcake. Yummy! Note the linen bridge cloth with the exact shade of pale pink of the roses and the apple blossoms delicately cross-stitched into the fabric. The spreader knives match the forks and are also from TM. They are displayed in a miniature wine cooler which I purchased years ago at an estate sale. Actually, I bought a pair of them and normally use for mini florals on my tablescapes.
German Butter Fruit Cake (I did NOT make this) but rather bought at bakery. Most of the time I do make my food to serve my guests, but not this party. Time is a bit of a problem and no one will care; I hope.
The Scottish Shortbread tastes as good as it looks! I will be buying more of this to keep on hand.
I love cheese straws and have a great recipe. These are made with bleu cheese and are so different! The Bleu Cheese Straws are on a silver tray that was a wedding present 47 years ago. The tray is by Wallace and the pattern is "Larkspur." The giver of this lovely silver keepsake has since departed this life, and it means a lot to me to use items such as this and remember that person in a loving way.
The tea cart was an estate find several years ago, and I do not know how I lived without it. It is so useful and extends the serving area while entertaining. The two sides are a drop leaf and the glass shelf below pulls out to make a serving tray. When using the cart for salads or desserts, it can be rolled close to the dining table for easy serving.
The silver tea service (only tray and teapot pictured) was a gift from my aunt and uncle who never had children and spoiled me. I will not be serving a traditional tea today but rather my mom's recipe for Hot Almond Tea that she has made for over 65 years. It is so distinctive and everyone seems to love it. She does not share her recipe for this tea, but someday, I will share it quietly with you........"shhhhhhhhh", (with pointer finger to my lips) that is, if you promise never, never to tell anyone.
The tea table is ready for my guests and I hear Millini Magnolia barking.......that means only one thing, the doorbell is going to ring.
Thank you for visiting today, and I wish I could serve you a cup of tea.......that would be so much fun to actually meet my friends who drop by. Have a great week and until next time.......Tea Party Everyday......why not?
