A Valentine Friendship Tea
Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope all of you had a weekend where you were able to celebrate something or someone you love!
Enjoying tea time with my friends is something I really cherish. Yesterday I invited some close friends from college over for Afternoon Tea.
For some reason this year, I was really excited to celebrate Valentine's Day. I finally finished the heart wreath I was making for the front door. Found the idea on pinterest.
I sent a proper paper invitation as I'm really tired of evites and started planning the menu. Since all invited are very health conscious, I ended up tweaking the menu a bit so the food was a tad bit healthier.
I was so excited to use some new tea ware and linens.
I chose a hydrangea for the centerpiece using a glass teapot as the vase. The small table runner features Valentine cards. I'm fanatic about candles and adore using them during all occasions.
Since I have only one true teacup trio, I married a Royal Patrician cup and saucer with a Royal Albert dessert dish. The other sets were Royal Patricians with Royal Albert dishes. I have very few pink or light colored teacups so I had just enough for everyone.
I wanted to add a bit of a modern twist to the table for contrast. I found these red paisley napkins at World Market.
Menu
Traditional Raisin Scones
Stem Ginger Cake
(Downton Abbey product)
Grilled Chicken Breast Salad
with mandarin oranges, strawberries and almonds
(Recipe featured in Tea Time Magazine- March/April '16)
I was prepared to serve three different types of tea (one for each course), but everyone loved the White Christmas tea so much I served it the entire day. This is a white tea I purchased after enjoying it at Tea's Tearoom in Hillsboro, Oregon this summer. Perfect amount of sweetness! I must order more.
I finally used my set of tea strainers.
I became so caught up in conversation that I forgot to take photos of the salad and tartlets. I would use these same recipes again and but add a tablespoon of sugar to the tartlet recipe. The cream cheese and whipping cream base was not sweet enough in my opinion.
Certainly the best part of the day was after lunch, we brought the tea and tartlets outside and sat under the pergola. The weather was in the 70s and we chatted for three hours. My type of day!
The importance of quality conversation between friends is invaluable.
"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte.
"That in itself is a wonderful thing."
E.B.White
Let's continue with the tea party at
Certainly the best part of the day was after lunch, we brought the tea and tartlets outside and sat under the pergola. The weather was in the 70s and we chatted for three hours. My type of day!
The importance of quality conversation between friends is invaluable.
"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte.
"That in itself is a wonderful thing."
E.B.White
from one of my favorite books: Charlotte's Web
Let's continue with the tea party at
OH what a charming tea table. Everything is beautiful - so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tea time! From the invite on it was perfect!
ReplyDeleteI nearly always host a St. Valentine's tea but this year we're doing drywall repairs and getting ready to paint and just couldn't get to it before the holiday rolled around. Reading about your wonderful time I am really wishing I had, for sure! I shall have to live vicariously through you this year! ♥
You did a wonderful job on your pretty wreath, too - that looks like it was difficult to make!
Have a wonderful day and tea-lightful week! : - )
Your attention to detail is impressive, Nora! It's always fun to use new teawares and accouterments. I'm sure your friends had a fantastic time at your beautiful Valentine's Tea.
ReplyDeleteYour heart wreath is also fabulous. Well done!
What a special Valentine tea, Nora! Your table looked beautiful and the food sounded perfect for enjoying with your friends. I love your creative ❤️ wreath...it turned out great! I must look into the tea that you served, as I'm sure I'd enjoy it, too.
ReplyDeleteDear Nora:
ReplyDeleteI love your table all spread with so many pretty things and your scones really look delicious. How wonderful to have a Valentine tea! The salad and tarts all sound amazing. Thank you for sharing this wonderful event!
Hi Nora! Love your wreath. Your menu sounds very good! Your table is very pretty. It always makes me sad when the photos just don't capture how pretty the table is in person, but I thought your pictures came out well, especially of that lovely lace tablecloth.
ReplyDeleteI love this kind of preparation, your menu are pretty good. Wish you guys have a wonderful tea moment this love season.
ReplyDeleteDear Nora,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous day you had with your friends! The food looks wonderful and the tea sounds delightful. Love the china and your hydrangea centrepiece! Your wreath is pretty too. I'm sure you all enjoyed the visit very much and I'm so glad you shared it with us. Thank you! Have a beautiful day.
Blessings,
Sandi
Hi sweet Nora! This was such a beautiful post, my friend. Your table looks stunning and the food has my mouth watering :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your tea cup...gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you!
Oh what a lovely tea. I loved your table setting. And I love you sent invitations. We are definately getting to tecky! I love getting letters and Christmas cards. You party must have been wonderful. I enjoyed visiting from Roses of Inspiration. I'm following you now. I linked also my Valentines party. Come over and visit.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Very lovely setting, Nora! I hope you enjoyed your day.
ReplyDeleteGood morning. Thanks for coming over and commenting on my Gardening Book post. It really was an inspiring and interesting book. I'd love it if you decide to suggest it for the club. Let me know. That is really interesting to have a club that reads all kinds of books. I'm looking at a cookbook to review next. I envy your ability to have a garden. HeHe. I'm trying this year on my patio. We'll see. Well thanks for coming over and following me. Happy Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteGood morning. Thanks for coming over and commenting on my Gardening Book post. It really was an inspiring and interesting book. I'd love it if you decide to suggest it for the club. Let me know. That is really interesting to have a club that reads all kinds of books. I'm looking at a cookbook to review next. I envy your ability to have a garden. HeHe. I'm trying this year on my patio. We'll see. Well thanks for coming over and following me. Happy Wednesday.
ReplyDelete