A Tea Party and Recipes

 
I don't know how it happened, but I just can't get enough of having tea with friends!  Ever since my first afternoon tea, I can't stop thinking about it!  So I decided to try having a tea party of my own at my house.

I don't know why, but I am very drawn to mix matched things!  For me, I could not imagine trying to pick one China pattern to go with.  So a few months ago I started my fun journey of collecting mix matched China and Silverware.

Awhile back I stumbled upon these two adorable pink table cloths for $5 each!

The material and colors where so cute I was quick to pick them up.  I loved the one with the pom poms, and the other was just a sweet surprise. I had no clue there was a lovely pink trim on it!  So when I was thinking out the details for the party, I knew I wanted to go with pink.

It was not until the day before that I gave napkin rings any thought.  For a quick easy solution I cut pieces of some of my pink post cards and glued them into rings and embellished them with pink flowers.

I have been eager to try to make cute sugar cubes.  I had a heart mold at the house so I gave it a try.  If you have any interest in giving this a try, you MUST!  It is easy and so sweet.  All you need to do is add a drop of food coloring to some sugar, a touch of clear vanilla (they smell so good!), and a little bit of water.  You want the sugar to feel like damp sand.  You do not want it too dry because it will not form, and you do not want it too wet because it will not come out of the mold.  It is very forgiving.  Just add a little water, or sugar as needed to adjust the texture.  Once in packs well for you, press the sugar in the mold.  Immediately, gently flip the mold over and let the sugar fall out on a piece of wax paper.  Let sit out to dry.

I also was happy to try drilling china for the first time.  This was pleasantly easier than I was expecting!  I made this three tier stand.

For lunch I made Chicken Curry salad YUM, egg salad, and cucumber sandwiches.  With this being my first time, I could not believe how much was involved.  I LOVED IT!  But, there is so much to think about!  I was lucky to have my dear friend Jeanne there to help me, but even with help I realized I forgot to use the mini crescents I made, and forgot to make the ham with cranberry mayonnaise sandwiches!  UGH

If anyone is interested in trying the Chicken Curry Salad, here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Juice 1/4 lemon
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 breasts from a rotisserie chicken, skin discarded, meat shredded
• Celery, grapes, nuts or other ingredients as desired

In a large bowl mix all ingredient except the chicken and celery/fruit or nuts until well blended.  Then fold in your chicken and desired additions until well mixed. 

Easy huh?!

Sadly the only thing that did not turn out how I wanted was my scones :(

They where suppose to be pretty triangles, but instead they where scone. . . . PLOPS!  Well, at least they tasted good.  They where nice and moist.

And of course I HAD to make French Macarons!  I am getting more and more comfortable making these, and I am excited to say I took some photos of the process of this batch and will be doing a blog post in case anyone is interested.

I also had another of my favorites. . . CUPCAKES!

And what's a tea party without TEA!  I made three of my favorites!  Strawberry Pomegranate, Vanilla Caramel, and a fabulous tea I got at Camellia Rose tea room called Orange Sugar Cookie!  I also made a yummy pink sangria that was a hit.  ESPECIALLY with Molly, lol te he he.

For decorations I purchased some of my favorite light pink spray roses.

I put them in blue mason jars, vases, and some paper cones I had hanging on the walls. To put them in the paper cone, I just put a plastic cup with a little water in the cone, and then added the roses.

I also made some coffee filter paper rose garland that I hung on the chandelier and off of the bar.

After tea I brought out all sorts of supplies, and inspiring magazines, and we all just did our own little creations.  It was nice to just create with one another without any particular agenda.

(Molly, Carrie, Linda, Jeanne)

Thanks so much girls for coming over, I had so much fun!

This was so exciting and fun.  How neat it would be to have a tea room!

Comments

[Heidi Meyer]

What a gorgeous tea party! Everything was so pretty and your tiered china plate stand turned out beautifully.
xxoo Heidi

[roc nicholas]

gorgeous cassandra! it looks like every one who attended was one lucky duck!

[molly knox]

everything was beautiful and delicious! thanks for hosting! and yes i did love that sangria ;)

[fran]

I know how much work goes into making a lovely tea party and yours looks so pretty.

I once invited my friends to come to a proper tea party at my house and they played a joke on me by going to a good will store and buying all kinds of granny hats and gloves and surprising me with their dressed up tea party regalia. We had a lot of fun.

I am interested in more information about the event in Texas next spring, any more news on that?

[debi]

OH MY GOSH!! Cassandra, your tea party table is stunning! With your perfectly mismatched china and your signature soft pink, it the picture of absolute dreaminess.

And it all goes so well in your beautiful newly decorated room. Simply lovely!

[Sea Witch]

Oh how I adore high tea. What a marvelous post. Sea Witch

[liz]

Absolutely beautiful!!! I love your table settings, and the food looks scrumptious. Your friends are so lucky to have attended this lovely tea party. Can't wait for the how to's for the macaroons - I am so intimidated by them!

[Rose Mcguinn]

You really know how to please your guests and keep us all happy at the same time!
And, yes, I am one of the ones truly into your macaron tutorial--I cannot wait!!!
And your decor is so fresh and lively, I can imagine everyone oh-ing and ah-ing the moment they stepped inside the door.
Love the pompom trim on that table cloth! It adds a new touch which I might not have tried had I not seen it being done.
Simply lovely.
Thank you for sharing your first ever tea party with us!
Rose

[Keren Nguyen]

Hi Can you put the tutorials for the french macaroons and the rose garland?

[Keren Nguyen]

Hi is me again can you tell me where did you get the pink post card?Thank you.

[Winnie Dolderer]

I am glad I found your blog. I adore your style. I am a big lover of tea and all things vintage. I am a very new blogger and reading about you in the Artful Blogger made me run online to check you on..Awesome. I am off to add you to my list.. Tea parties are the best!!

[tpb]

i am in love with your party!!! excellent job!