Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Thoughts on a Tea Party

Well, I'm getting ready for my little tea party this Saturday.
Invitations have been mailed out (well better late than never with those).

Now I need to plan the menu.

I have a plethora of tea party books to choose from.

Maybe an Orange Sour Cream Tea Bread from this book?  Doesn't that sound yummy?  
This book is full of all sorts of sweet treats.  The recipe for Strawberry Tiny Tarts looks delicious.  
 I'll need to have some savories too.  Mary's book doesn't exactly have recipes, but it has wonderful ideas for tea sandwiches.  Maybe pecan studded cream cheese with chive butter?  Or how about almond chicken salad with basil butter?  
 Taking Time for Tea is divided into seasonal teas.  Well, technically it's spring, but the weather is supposed to be rainy and cool on Saturday.  A recipe for Warmed Brie on Toast Points with chopped dried apricots sounds yummy.  A little bit of comfort food sounds good, doesn't it?
This is one of my favorite tea books.  This one has such intriguing recipes.  Some are a little too ambitious for the amount of time I'll have to prepare.  Lots of savory treats - Ham & Tomato Scones, Chive & Potato Scones, Roquefort & Pear Brioche Slices........
Now we come to my favorite tea party book.  It makes me want to have a tea party every month.  (That might be because it has a theme tea party with plans and menus for each month!  LOL)  Some of the themes are The Queen's Tea, a Hiker's Tea, Tea & Roses, and my favorite - Mother's Day Tea.  It is so beautifully illustrated by Carolyn Bucha.  There are tips on how to have a large tea party, how to make tea sandwiches, how to make a tea cozy, and tons of recipes.  
Shhhh.....don't tell Baby Bee.  I snuck into her room and "borrowed" this book for some ideas.  Hmmmm...it also has a special tea for Mom.  Do you think I should bookmark that page for her?  That wouldn't be too strong a hint, now would it?

Did I ever tell you that Baby Bee dressed up as Fancy Nancy for Halloween?  She was in second grade and my mom - the Sewing Bee - made the costume from a just a picture in the book.  I found the perfect fabric - lilac silky stuff (clearly I don't know my fancy fabric names) and a lilac sequin dotted tulle (hey - I knew that one) and it was FABULOUS!  MARVELOUS! AND GLAMOUROUS!  (Oh and yes, I "borrowed" this one from Baby Bee too.)

But, then again, I digress.  I certainly do have a tendency to do that.  Miss Fancy Nancy does have some great ideas for a tea party.  We could play Fancy Freeze Tag or have a doll tea party.  

Well, I'm going to have to make some decisions and soon!  I sure wish you could come to my party.  
But I know you'll be there in spirit.  

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by.  It's such a treat to see you!


Oh, and if you happen to head on over to my ebay auctions, I am donating a portion of the proceeds for the next few weeks to the American Red Cross.  It is such a worthwhile charity and I know some of what we raise here will go to help those in Japan.
Blessings to you!

19 comments:

  1. Sounds like you're going to have a great time-enjoy:@)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a lovely tea party and the food ~ well sounds absolutely yummy ~ have fun! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a lovely time will be had. and some of your yummy choices sound wonderful
    cathy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wish I could come to the tea party-you've got so great inspirational books!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anything you are going to serve for your tea party..I'm sure it's going to be a very nice one!!!Hugs, Flavia

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your tea party sounds like so much fun! I love those books, I may have to find one myself. Have a great time. hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have such a wonderful collection of tea recipe books and stories! :-) "Pecan studded cream cheese"... can I please come to your party?

    ReplyDelete
  8. What pretty books! YOu make me want to go spend my morning on Amazon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. These books are a wonderful source of ideas .I have some of them , but I should look for the rest . No doubt, it is going to be a great perty! I already had mine:)
    Have fun and Happy Spring !

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love tea parties..have fun with yours...I have a small stack of tea party books myself...love them...blessings

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow Janelle,
    Your library of tea-related books is quite extensive! No doubt you'll have a wonderful tea party. :-)

    One of those books is a blast from my past - I used to work for the publisher (in Sacramento) of Cozy Book of... it's on my shelf too. Small world. Have a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  12. We also love tea parties...Hope yours will be a delight to everyone who attends...wish I could come. Tee Hee... I just want you to know I love love love my treat tray server thingy you sent me...I have been able to use it every week on our Bible Study days...I so enjoy it as it sits on my counter!!!! Hugs to you and have tea for me...Mica

    ReplyDelete
  13. You've a great collection of tea books!

    ReplyDelete
  14. With all those books to pick from, you are bound to have a big tea party. Wish I could be there o enjoy it with you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was just sitting hear reading your blog, having tea with a most delicious cherry pecan muffin and feeling most content.

    Then you had to go and mention baked brie with chopped apricots!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such sweet books - looks like you'll have a lovely time!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Be still my heart. All those beautiful books... Hope you have a wonderful time!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You've inspired me to have a tea! I've ordered several of the books you show. I can't wait to get them and start planning my tea party!
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for buzzing by and taking time to leave me a little note. I always enjoy hearing from my friends.