~Welcome Friends~
Hello! Welcome to my lovely tea room- I've been looking forward to your visit! Come on in and make yourself comfortable while I put the finishing touches on our tea tray. We have scones fresh from the oven to tempt your tastebuds...Mmmmm. Can't you almost smell them?! Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable...
(updated: 7/30/2005)
As you can see in the above picture, I've been expecting you...please help yourself to some of my delicious breads & treats. I'm so delighted that you joined me for my afternoon tea! I always enjoy meeting new friends. While you're here how about if I share some of my favorite tips, recipes & decorating ideas with you?
~Taking Tea~
The beauty, elegance, and romantic charm of the Victorian Tea are a beautiful addition to modern day friendships. In the time honored traditions of England, taking tea is now again a wonderful time to take a moment and reflect on the simple pleasures of life, the beauty all around us, in the special company of friends both old and new.
~Teatime Tidbits~
Whether it's a formal tea, which takes planning, or a casual tea time that's spontaneous, you can add special touches which will add to the beauty and elegance of your time together.
Fresh flowers, when available, are always a welcome addition that will delight the senses. Whether they be daisies from your yard or long stem roses from the florist, flowers lend a relaxing, tranquil and beautiful atmosphere.
Also lovely, pretty lace teacloths, & teacups (even mismatched china is charming if centered around a theme; roses or a special color, for instance).
Small round tables are delightful because of the friendly closeness it inspires. Drape a softly colored cloth over your table, add a lace table square over the top to add a touch of romance. If you don't have a nice tablecloth, try substituting a solid, softly colored sheet. Tuck the edges under to add a poof, toss on a lovely lace piece, add flowers and you have instant charm!
Dress for the occasion if time permits. Choose comfortable floral prints that are nonrestrictive and flowing. Wear a straw hat for a touch of whimsy. Add flowers to your hat, either silk or fresh, for a soft and feminine look.
~Teatime Traditions~
The traditional teatime favorites are:
Scones with lemon curd, cream, & jams...these could be fresh from your own oven or you could try a local tea shop for different varietities.
Delicate cucumber sandwiches, garnished with the fancy pinwheel stripe cucumbers (explained below) and a light spread.
Shortbreads- these could include store bought varieties. Don't bake? Pepperidge farms has many different types of cookies that would be suitable for a tea.
Assorted fingerfoods, breads (try fruit breads,too!),
various sweet treats & fresh fruits. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and grapes are particularly pleasing as garnishes on other dishes or by themselves arranged on a platter with cream, edged in greenery.
Short on time with a limited budget? Try making mini muffins with a fruit muffin mix (prepackaged) such as blueberry or strawberry and top with a fine misting of powdered sugar after completely cooled and just before serving.
*Arranged on lovely dishes, these items would be appealing to the eye as well as the appetite.
~Teatime Tips~
The following tips are not only beautiful but they're quick and easy, as well!
- Take an ordinary vegetable peeler (hold it vertically) to a washed, unpeeled cucumber cutting it lengthwise. Make long straight slices 1/4" through the skin, following the shape of the cucumber, about every 3/8" leaving some unpeeled green skin in between. Now, slice very thin horizontally to create a lovely pinwheel effect for your dainty finger sandwiches!
- Add elegance to your iced tea by gently rubbing the rim of the glasses with lemon juice and then pressing the rim lightly into white sugar. Instant beauty!
- Fresh grapes look lovely when spritzed with water and sprinkled with a fine misting of white sugar.
- Invitations are a wonderful way to make even a casual tea into something to be remembered. Running short on money? Make your own by using white paper doilies, your best handwriting ( try experimenting with a calligraphy pen, it makes writing look so elegant!) and a lovely floral envelope.
- Include someone you'd like to get to know better to one of your casual teas. Chances are you'll both relax in the company of your friends and you won't have to worry about playing hostess all by yourself- or preparing a 7 course meal! This is a great stress reducer!
- Weather permitting, take the party outside. On a beautiful spring day nothing compares to the fresh air. If you have flowers blooming and you've got a quiet place nestled under a tree you don't have to be concerned about cleaning your home to perfection! An added bonus, Ladies!
~Teatime Temptations~
This page has wonderful teatime recipes that will make your mouth water with anticipation! I've kept the graphics to a bare minimum with just 1 recipe per page to make printing them out easier. Enjoy!
Rose Sugar...
Scottish Shortbread...
Cranberry Breakfast Scones...
Cranberry Butter...
Basic English Scones...
Whole Wheat Lemon Raisin Scones...
Lemon Tea Bread...
Honey Butter...
Clotted Cream...
Cream Cheese Mints...
"Mock" Devonshire Cream...
Lemon Curd...
~What recipe would YOU like to see?~...
*Most of these recipes came from a lovely book called "If Teacups Could Talk" by Emilie Barnes, and another book called "Berries...".
"Old Country Roses" China!
Here's a tip for all of you who love the "Royal Albert" "Old Country Roses" china and long to start a collection of your own...
Keep an eye out in Sam's (the discount club) for this lovely set. My "DH" bought me 4 place settings last Christmas at a very reduced price. He then realized that we'd need at least 8 place settings (Sam's was sold out!) so he bought the other 4 sets at another shop that WASN'T reduced!!! : (
Anyway, they have had different pieces of this pattern on and off again over the last several months. Recently, they've had the teapot for $40.00,. which is less than 1/2 the regular price of $80.00-$100.00!
Happy shopping, Ladies! : )
Tea Parties for Tots - Teens!
Tea parties don't have to be just for adults. Children enjoy them, too! This page shares beautiful ideas for a tea party fit for your little "prince" or "princess"! Sample menu, party activities, party invitations, sweet ideas and FUN are included! Press the child's teaset below to start you on your Victorian adventure...
Press here...
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...visitors have been kind enough to view this page since January 28, 1999.
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~Welcome Friends~
Hello! Welcome to my lovely tea room- I've been looking forward to your visit! Come on in and make yourself comfortable while I put the finishing touches on our tea tray. We have scones fresh from the oven to tempt your tastebuds...Mmmmm. Can't you almost smell them?! Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable...
(updated: 7/30/2005)
~Taking Tea~
~Teatime Tidbits~
~Teatime Traditions~
various sweet treats & fresh fruits. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and grapes are particularly pleasing as garnishes on other dishes or by themselves arranged on a platter with cream, edged in greenery.
~Teatime Tips~
The following tips are not only beautiful but they're quick and easy, as well!
- Take an ordinary vegetable peeler (hold it vertically) to a washed, unpeeled cucumber cutting it lengthwise. Make long straight slices 1/4" through the skin, following the shape of the cucumber, about every 3/8" leaving some unpeeled green skin in between. Now, slice very thin horizontally to create a lovely pinwheel effect for your dainty finger sandwiches!
- Add elegance to your iced tea by gently rubbing the rim of the glasses with lemon juice and then pressing the rim lightly into white sugar. Instant beauty!
- Fresh grapes look lovely when spritzed with water and sprinkled with a fine misting of white sugar.
- Invitations are a wonderful way to make even a casual tea into something to be remembered. Running short on money? Make your own by using white paper doilies, your best handwriting ( try experimenting with a calligraphy pen, it makes writing look so elegant!) and a lovely floral envelope.
- Include someone you'd like to get to know better to one of your casual teas. Chances are you'll both relax in the company of your friends and you won't have to worry about playing hostess all by yourself- or preparing a 7 course meal! This is a great stress reducer!
- Weather permitting, take the party outside. On a beautiful spring day nothing compares to the fresh air. If you have flowers blooming and you've got a quiet place nestled under a tree you don't have to be concerned about cleaning your home to perfection! An added bonus, Ladies!
~Teatime Temptations~
This page has wonderful teatime recipes that will make your mouth water with anticipation! I've kept the graphics to a bare minimum with just 1 recipe per page to make printing them out easier. Enjoy!
Rose Sugar...
Scottish Shortbread...
Cranberry Breakfast Scones...
Cranberry Butter...
Basic English Scones...
*Most of these recipes came from a lovely book called "If Teacups Could Talk" by Emilie Barnes, and another book called "Berries...".
Keep an eye out in Sam's (the discount club) for this lovely set. My "DH" bought me 4 place settings last Christmas at a very reduced price. He then realized that we'd need at least 8 place settings (Sam's was sold out!) so he bought the other 4 sets at another shop that WASN'T reduced!!! : (
Tea parties don't have to be just for adults. Children enjoy them, too! This page shares beautiful ideas for a tea party fit for your little "prince" or "princess"! Sample menu, party activities, party invitations, sweet ideas and FUN are included! Press the child's teaset below to start you on your Victorian adventure...
Whole Wheat Lemon Raisin Scones...Lemon Tea Bread...Honey Butter...Clotted Cream...Cream Cheese Mints..."Mock" Devonshire Cream...Lemon Curd...~What recipe would YOU like to see?~...
"Old Country Roses" China!
Anyway, they have had different pieces of this pattern on and off again over the last several months. Recently, they've had the teapot for $40.00,. which is less than 1/2 the regular price of $80.00-$100.00!
Happy shopping, Ladies! : )
Tea Parties for Tots - Teens!
Press here...
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