Diane’s Tea Party

My friend had her 60th birthday and we celebrated with a tea at my house.  The guest list grew from 10 to 12 to 19 with a possibility of 3 more. Guests were requested by the birthday girl to wear hats.  She herself wore several different ones during the course of the party, mysteriously appearing in changed hat, earrings and scarves occasionally:

All the ladies in their hats:

  some of whom were quite elegant:  and others more casual:

I pulled out all the ‘girly’ stops, gloves, purses, flowers, embroidery and ladies’ hankies:

  (Shabby-chic spoon rack displays leftover hanky collection)

  (My mother’s hats and purses and gloves)

(My Grandmother’s tea towels which I salvaged in embroidery hoops)

Our menu was:

Tea:

Harney Bros. --“Paris”  and “Mother’s Bouquet”

Teavana—Monkey Picked Oolong

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea—Ambrosia Plum (White)

 

Savories:

Open-faced Vegetable Sandwich by GlennieEgg Salad Pinwheels by DianeChicken Salad on Croissants

“Teapot” Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam by Amanda

    Tomato-Basil Bruschetta with Olive on Rounds

Shrimp/Chives/Cream Cheese on Cocktail Pumpernickel

Brie Triangles with Crackers

Broiled Mushroom Caps Stuffed with Spinach or Artichoke Dip

Fruit Garnish: Pineapple, Strawberry, Orange

Olives, Artichoke Hearts

Sweets:

Cupcakes made by Bethany

Shortbread made by Lindsay

Russell Stover Truffles

For a get-acquainted game we played a Trivia from 1952 game that my daughter had concocted. [What was the Brylcream slogan? (extra points for singing it) Fill in the blank: “Look, Ma, no ………” , etc.]

Over the years I have been given books on teas and tea parties which I enjoy:

and of course I have my own inclination toward tea:

and then Susan Branch keeps me inspired:    (My 2012 calendar, copyright by Susan Stewart Branch)

And here is my wish for Diane the birthday girl and for all of you, my friends:

May you always be blessed

with walls for the wind,

a roof for the rain,

a warm cup of tea by the fire,

laughter to cheer you,

those you love near you,

and all that your heart might desire.

Blessings,

Holly