Celebrate life's simple pleasures with Tea

Valentine Tea Time with your Sweetie

 

The Art of Afternoon Tea can transport you to a wonderful world of
 bliss and tranquility.

Everyday moments become a Celebration when tea is included!

 Let's enjoy tea with our favorite Valentine(s)!
 Nothing says I love you  like the sweet offering of *Breakfast in Bed* !

Treat your Valentine to this divine indulgence and  you will reap the rewards!

The night before plan your offerings and make it easy and enjoyable.
Gather a nice tray or wrap a baking sheet in Valentine paper.
Check your cupboards for doilies, heart shaped or red and pink accessories and dishes.
Plan a menu that reflects the taste of your Valentine.
Will a newspaper be consumed with gusto or perhaps a good book?
And don*t forget the pretty flowers so that you can enjoy the moment too.

For breakfast might  I suggest:
   *Heart shaped waffles and sausage patties ( a cookie cutter and frozen waffles are perfect)
   *Fresh strawberries sliced thin will add a nice touch of color, Red!
   *And a pot of your favorite tea with a Tea Cosie to keep it warm while you enjoy each others company

 

Prepare a feast for the eyes and heart with
 simplicity and gratitude.

Happy Valentines Day, we appreciate you!

I'd love to hear about your tea time plans for the weekend! What will you be serving?

 

 

 

My business meeting was tea-lightful!

I had the pleasure of conducting my business meeting yesterday with the publisher of "The Tea House Times" at The Tea Hive Tearoom in Newton, NJ!

Now, I bet that most of you can't boast of taking tea and conducting business! I do so love my job! 

Doesn't this look scrumptious!

 I met with Gail, the brilliant owner of The Tea House Times, The Tea Bureau and Tea Course. She has the pulse of the tea industry at her fingertips and I always leave our meetings with a dozen ideas spinning in my head!

I will admit that the food did distract me, just a bit. :)

Look at this yummy "Victorian Purse Soup"! These little pasta shaped "purses" are filled with cheese.

As we planned our calendars and nailed down some ideas, this lovely presentation was served.

These are actually teacup display stands used as tiered servers! I love this idea! Takes up much less room on the table and you can use saucers to serve the treats!

 Don't you think that this is marvelous!? And the food was ALMOST too pretty to eat! I think that when it's served like this the calories don't count, right?

So, now I bet you want a job like mine, right!?  Gail and I got work done, enjoyed each others company and spent 2 hours at The Tea Hive. Life is good! Oh, I almost forgot! I tried the Cherry Vanilla Black Tea. It's now a new favorite!

 

Surprise your friends at work with "Tea Time" at lunch time!

The art of Afternoon Tea can transport you to a wonderful world of bliss and tranquility. Let's bring a bit of that to the office! Celebrating an occasion such as a birthday, engagement or baby shower with co workers at the office can be challenging. A tea party at lunch time is just the right touch.

Instead of brown bagging it; Tea Bag it!   

*  Grab your stash of pretty cards (you know the ones, you've been saving them!) and invite your co workers to        Afternoon tea during Lunch Time.

*  Ask them to bring their favorite teacup or pretty mug.

*  Ask each guest to bring: 

   one sandwich(crusts cut off) and cut into quarters-try egg salad, turkey and  cranberries, ham and pear       -each guest will enjoy four different finger sandwiches! (1/4 of each sandwich)

      bring 4 of their favorite tea sachets(or bags)/to share their favorite blend   (one for each guest) 

     bring 4 sweet treats-bite size brownies, shortbread cookies, lemon bars etc.-what a great way to indulge without overdoing! (one for each guest)

As Hostess you will want to bring four(or more depending on your quest list) pretty paper plates and napkins.  Also make sure you have lemon, sugar, milk/cream and boiling water for your tea. And who can resist a small bouquet of flowers- a bunch of daffodils or tulips can also be used as favors- one for each guest to bring back to their desk!

Remember,have fun, keep it simple and enjoy your office tea party!

 

re-post from 3/31/08

 

Tea Time Tuesday- Celebrate back to school days!

 

Photo courtesy of A Little Loveliess/ Melissa Lester

This week my three children return to school. Each going to a new school! (The oldest starts college!)

Celebrate back to school traditions!. Bring a bit of  fun and spontaneity to the table and surprise them with "Tea Time". (this is also a good time to remind them of Mr. & Mrs. Manners!)

You will need:

* finger food treats-something special- how about pretty mini cupcakes from the bakery

* teacups, saucers, spoons and napkins for everyone

*your favorite blend of tea -herbals and rooibos teas are great for the kids; or iced tea

* milk and sugar

Now go ahead and go all out! Watch their eyes pop when they see that the table is set for them!

Yes, put out the pretty fabric napkins and show them how to place it on their laps. (Won't Nana be pleased to see this on her next visit!)

Afternoon Tea is meant to be relaxing and fun. Enjoy the moment with your children! I bet that this will bring back memories for you while making new memories for them!

For more recipes and ideas visit Melissa's blog!I just love her talented and artisic ways to make others feel special!   http://alittleloveliness.blogspot.com/2009/08/back-to-school-tea-party.html

Tea Party Tuesday-Tea with Marie!

Now that the table is set in honor of Marie Antoinette, how about some of her favorite desserts to go with it!

I'm not much of a cook but I do share her admiration for pretty sweets! My youngest loves cupcakes so I pulled out his "Hello Cupcake" book and played with the cute petit four cupcake design. So easy and everyone loved them!

 

Tea Party Dreamin' Friday- Tea with the Princess

This time of the year I tend to think about my favorite Princess, Diana.

 

I would have loved to invite her over for tea and have a chat.  Of course, I would have decorated with roses to make it  "lovely".

 Yes, I was caught up in the wedding and her everchanging style but like so many of her fans I saw who she was. Sadly, some saw only what she was.

So this week's tea party theme is "Tea with the English Rose"  We will build on the color pink and roses and go from there! I'd love to hear and see what you would do as you dream about having tea with our favorite Princess.

Photos courtesy of Country Living Magazine (Love their photo stylists)

“CelebraTea” - A Correspondence Tea

The art of Afternoon Tea can transport you to a wonderful world of bliss and tranquility. Everyday moments become a celebration when tea is included!

 Spring ushers in a time of renewal as Mother Nature inspires us with her beauty. She beckons us to throw open the windows and enjoy the rebirth of the trees, and flowers around us.

Take a cue from this inspired renewal and set aside 15 minutes each week to enjoy a “Correspondence Tea”.

You may like to have a few items on hand each week:

·          1 cup of tea  (Herbal Tea is a nice reminder of the beauty of Spring)

·         1 Teacup Cosie (to keep your  tea warm while you write)

·         2  lemon shortbread cookies to nibble

·         1 pretty note card & envelope

·         1 pretty postage stamp

·         1 friend’s name and address

Find a comfy chair and pour yourself a spot of tea, preferably near a sun drenched open window, and revel in these 15 minutes of pleasure. Consider renewing a friendship by offering the gift of a letter. Or perhaps, the birthday of a dear one is approaching and well wishes are in order. A few choice sentences can bring a smile to both the writer and recipient.

Enjoy tea and your friends each week. There is great pleasure in both!

“A friend is a gift you give yourself”  Robert Louis Stevenson

CelebraTea-Celebrate with a Valentine's Day Tea Party

  

The Art of Afternoon Tea can transport you to a wonderful world of
 bliss and tranquility. Everyday moments become a Celebration when tea is included!

Let's enjoy tea with our favorite Valentine(s)!

Nothing says I love you  like the sweet offering of *Breakfast in Bed* !

Treat your Valentine to this divine indulgence and  you will reap the rewards!

 

The night before plan your offerings and make it easy and enjoyable.
Gather a nice tray or wrap a baking sheet in Valentine paper.
Check your cupboards for doilies, heart shaped or red and pink accessories and dishes.
Plan a menu that reflects the taste of your Valentine.
Will a newspaper be consumed with gusto or perhaps a good book?
And don*t forget the pretty flowers so that you can enjoy the moment too.

For breakfast might  I suggest:
   *Heart shaped waffles and sausage patties ( a cookie cutter and frozen waffles are perfect)
   *Fresh strawberries sliced thin will add a nice touch of color, Red!
   *And a pot of your favorite tea with a Tea Cosie to keep it warm while you enjoy each others company

Prepare a feast for the eyes and heart with simplicity and gratitude.

Happy Valentines Day, we appreciate you!

Desperate Sportswives Tea Party

Last week our post told the story of my friend and her desire to have the superbowl widows over for tea!

Her are her answers to my questions to help plan the party:

*what would make the evening tea party magical for her? Soft music, a few good friends and chocolate

*Had she ever attended a tea party before? NO, but she did have lunch at a tearoom with me last year.

* What items would she like to see on the menu? Cute little sandwiches, pretty desserts, no salsa!

* What is her favorite type of tea? Black Tea

* How many desperate sportswives are planning to attend? Keep it simple, 5 plus me

                                                        * Would she like to have party favors? Yes, something that they can take home

And last but never least-what is her budget? $10 per person, food and favor, she could go over a bit if needed.

Our Menu:

Tea: Chocolate Romance- a rich black tea blended with rose petals and chocolate flavoring. Not too chocolatey, nice and velvety. No calories, no guilt!

Spring greens salad with strawberries and almonds with balsamic dressing- there's nothing like a little pink sprinkled in the salad!

Open faced cucumber sandwiches with olive garnish

Cranberry- orange Tea Bread

Chocolate Chip Raspberry Scones

Peanutbutter Kiss Bites

Our Grocery List:

Chocolate Romance Tea, Sweet Creme Gourmet Scone Mix -online www.settoatea.com

2 bags spring greens salad mix, 1 pint fresh strawberries, 1 bag almond accents salad topper,1 lrg european cucmber, 1 8oz tub cream cheese, 1 4oz jar green olives, 1 box cranberry bread mix, 1 pint heavy whipping cream,   1 bag mini chocolate chips, 1 pint fresh raspberries, 1 bag sugar cookie mix, 1 bag hershey kisses

Panrty: balsamic dressing, 5 slices bread(white or wheat), orange juice, 1 cup peanut butter, eggs, butter

We'll be back with the favors!

 

CelebraTEA-Desperate Sportswives Tea Party

I was speaking with a friend last night and she had me doubled over, tears in the face, belly laughing, falling off the chair- she was reliving her Monday night football escapades.

She belongs to that elite club of women who are married to Football FANS. Many of you can relate to her situation, perhaps even commiserate with her.

To help get her thru the season, I offered to throw a tea party at her house, for the football widows of course!

First, I asked her a few questions:

 *what would make the evening tea party magical for her?

*Had she ever attended a tea party before?

* What items would she like to see on the menu?

* What is her favorite type of tea?

* How many desperate sportswives are planning to attend?

* Would she like to have party favors?

And last but never least-what is her budget?

These are guidelines that will help in planning a tea party- any theme. Stay tuned for her reply and plan your tea party along with us!