Monday, March 5, 2012

Having a Tea Party

Happy Monday, all!

I'm tired today because I've been doing research all weekend on "English Tea Parties".

I know. Of all things. But I'm a part of our Women's Ministry in our church and this year I was put in charge of the food. I'm never in charge of the food, but I do well in the "Martha" roles more than the "Mary" roles, so I'm sure I'll be fine.

We've decided to serve an English Tea after our program. Doesn't that sound fun? I thought so!

Here's what I have so far for the menu:

Finger sandwiches (cucumber, watercress, chicken salad, and... something else)
Scones (Not sure what kind yet)
Fresh strawberries or fruit salad
Petit Fours

And of course...TEA. :)

I even went to the craft store and decided to work on making some centerpieces for the table.
What do you think?


I cut the flowers and then put them in little Chinese takeout boxes and filled it with newspaper then covered it with fake dirt. I figured it looked... springy.
We'll see what the other ladies think. :)

I had all this time on my hands because...I finished editing and submitted the book I've been working on: Kissing Kendall.
It's off to the editor now. Whew! And yay!! 

So today, I get to finish plotting a new book (yay) and continue looking for recipes for the Afternoon Tea (not so yay)

How about you? Have you ever been to a tea party or hosted one? Anything else I should serve? Any good recipes to share? Help.

27 comments:

Old Kitty said...

I love love love Cream Tea!! Lots of scones, clotted tea and strawberry jam! Oh I am salivating!

Now will you look at these centrepieces! They're beautiful! Well done you!

Enjoy! Good luck with Kissing Kendal and your new book plotting! Yay! take care
x

Old Kitty said...

p.s. I meant CLOTTED CREAM! LOL!!!
Oh it's Monday and I haven't had my coffee yet...! LOL!

x

Sarah Tokeley said...

Those centrepieces are lovely. The scones should have fruit in them, (raisins and sultanas). :-)

Unknown said...

So fun! Congrats on getting your book turned in.

Karen Baldwin said...

Congrats on editing and submitting Kissing Kendall. LOve your Chinese take-out idea. I once went to a tea party where they baked cake in small new and clean small flower pots. Then frosted it with chocolate to make it look like dirt and put in a real flower.

Anne Gallagher said...

Look at you busy girl! Love tea parties. And yes, Ithink the scones should have raisins. Congrats on finishing the novel. I know how you feel there. But now, off to another one.

CJ Kennedy said...

Cute centerpieces

Jessica R. Patch said...

Tea parties are so much fun! When I was over the women's ministry, I took them to this little place that did tea parties. Sandwiches, chocolate strawberries, scones that made you wanna slap yo mama, and soup! And yes, tea in fine china cups. It was so much fun! We wore hats and gloves. I got tomato basil soup all over my white gloves. God knew what he was doing putting me in this particular time period!

Congrats on your book and the Chinese take-out boxes look adorable. How clever!

Anonymous said...

An English tea! What fun! The centerpieces are beautiful and Spring-y. I'm ready for Spring even though we're just not getting a little bit of snow here in Ohio.

Congrats on finishing and submitting Kissing Kendal!

Linda G. said...

You know, I've never been to an old-fashioned tea party, or hosted one. Which is something I'll have to remedy, because yours sounds fabulous. Those centerpieces rock! :)

And congratulations on finishing & submitting Kissing Kendall!

Maria Zannini said...

I've never been to a tea party, but I love your menu. Very posh.

Terri Tiffany said...

You are so creative! The centerpieces are soooo pretty! I know everyone will enjoy the day and fellowship. Good for you for finishing your latest book too!

Linda Kage said...

Okay, you made me do research!! I remember reading an author's post about how she learned the correct way to take tea in different countries. And, wow, I found the old post. It was April 24, 2011 fromthe Romance Books R Us Blog, post called Victorian Tea Time by Maeve Alpin. This is the closest link I can get to it if you're curious to read the post: http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html?zx=64ec20dc85c13ba3

I learned that sticking your pinkie finger out is actually rude. Gasp, I know. I always thought it was fun.

Your centerpieces look lovely!

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Congrats on getting your story off the editor! And those centerpieces are super cute.

I've been to several tea parties, and there were always finger sandwiches and excellent scones with cream. We also had fruit, which was excellent. It sounds like yours will be great!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I am impressed! We had a mother daughter tea years ago. It was sweet, but I think I was nursing one of my girls...which means I don't remember much b/c she was sucking my memory right out of me.

~ Wendy

Carolyn V said...

They are so cute! I love your flower boxes!

In college I was invited to a cute little tea party. It was fun. And the cookies were delicious. ;)

Nas said...

Hi Jennifer,

Your english tea sounds...yummy with scones maybe filled with strawberry? Ohhhh!

Your centerpiece is beautiful! I wouldn't even think of doing this easy way, I would probably go out in the garden and dirty myself filling soil and all!

Congratulations on submitting!

I tried your Goodreads giveaway but unfortunately it's not open to my country.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Your tea party sounds wonderful, and I'm sure the other ladies will love the centerpieces. You're right; they DO look springy. Maybe you could have something with marmalade for the tea? Not one of my favorite things, but it seems to be an English staple. (Oooh, if ya REALLY want to be authentic, get some marmite!)

Oh, and congrats on the ms going to the editor!

Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell said...

Wow, you finish one and jump right in like that? I'm impressed.

The centerpieces and menu sound amazing!

Name: Holly Bowne said...

I wanna come to your tea party!! I'm sure it will be so fun!

I count several "Brits" among my friends, and the one thing they make a huge deal of is boiling the water for the tea. Whenever they even SEE me about to put a cup into the microwave, every one of them gets this horrified expression on her face. Ha, ha! Good luck!

Unknown said...

This sounds so lovely! I wish I could join the festivities! Your center pieces are gorgeous! Creative thinking is so important with tea parties and you've nailed it!

Sarah Forgrave said...

Hooray for submitting your book! :)

And those centerpieces are AWESOME! I'm so impressed!

Karen Lange said...

Congrats on finishing the book! I love the centerpieces. Sounds like it will be a fun event!

Susan Fields said...

That menu sounds delicious! I've never tried watercress, but it sounds very interesting! Good luck with your tea party and your plotting!

Anonymous said...

Those centerpieces are wonderful! You could have some plates of chocolates or bowls of Jordan almonds out on the tables. Have lots of fun with it!

Susanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

Melissa Sugar said...

I love the centerpieces. It has been years since I attended a real tea, but I have fond memories of cucumber sandwiches and scones. You have certainly been busy . Congratulations on your completion of Kissing Kendall (adore the title). It is always such a good feeling to complete a project. Best of luck

Btw, the "Get FiredUp" blogfest is nearing the end as I have narrowed the grand prize winner to two. Please visit my blog and cast your vote and encourage others to vote as well.

Southpaw said...

The centerpieces are wonderful. I agree with Old Kitty- clotted cream with scones and jam is delicious.