No spectacular tea parties today,
though I did sip tea last evening at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.
I will tell you about that another day.
As I look at this picture, it reminds me of the times of preparation.
What do I do to prepare?
First, I need to have a reason for a tea party.
Maybe it is just to give opportunity for a visit with a friend or
maybe it is a special holiday event.
Second, I think about a theme.
Do I want to focus on flowers or have something fun for the little ones?
Or maybe it is something more elaborate, like putting on a full tea
such as Alice in Wonderland. This is probably where I have the most fun.
Third, I start pulling out plates I might like to use to see how they fit with the theme.
This is the stage you see in the picture.
Fourth, I plan a menu that has a few easy things to fix and then something
that challenges me or something new. With the planning of the menu, I
make a schedule. The schedule starts often a few days before the party.
I make the sweets and tart shells that can be frozen. I cut special
shapes in the bread and put them in the freezer. Then as we get closer to the event,
I make the sandwich fillings.
Finally, the day arrives and I am prepared for those last minute touches.
Yes, it is a lot of work sometimes, but it is fun (at least I think it is).
I love being prepared and seeing the appreciation in the eyes of those that receive.
It is a gift I love giving.
though I did sip tea last evening at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.
I will tell you about that another day.
As I look at this picture, it reminds me of the times of preparation.
What do I do to prepare?
First, I need to have a reason for a tea party.
Maybe it is just to give opportunity for a visit with a friend or
maybe it is a special holiday event.
Second, I think about a theme.
Do I want to focus on flowers or have something fun for the little ones?
Or maybe it is something more elaborate, like putting on a full tea
such as Alice in Wonderland. This is probably where I have the most fun.
Third, I start pulling out plates I might like to use to see how they fit with the theme.
This is the stage you see in the picture.
Fourth, I plan a menu that has a few easy things to fix and then something
that challenges me or something new. With the planning of the menu, I
make a schedule. The schedule starts often a few days before the party.
I make the sweets and tart shells that can be frozen. I cut special
shapes in the bread and put them in the freezer. Then as we get closer to the event,
I make the sandwich fillings.
Finally, the day arrives and I am prepared for those last minute touches.
Yes, it is a lot of work sometimes, but it is fun (at least I think it is).
I love being prepared and seeing the appreciation in the eyes of those that receive.
It is a gift I love giving.
7 comments:
such beautiful green glass. oh i hope we can have a tea party, when i come visit, one day. ; ) i lover reading how you prepare for such a fare.
XO
LOVE the picture Marilyn, we're having a tea party at my TOPS group tomorrow, have to take a tea pot, my favorite tea cup and saucer, and a finger food. Also have to wear a hat! It'll be fun, though not as intimate as the lovely ones you have! That would be awesome.
I love these milk glass chickens with the vintage cobalt glass bottle! Lovely...
The gift of tea... oh, yes, it is one of the sweetest gifts to give. :o) LOVE this image, Marilyn... the light is so dreamy... Happy Days ((HUGS))
Love the light coming through that pretty green glassware! And you have given me a GREAT tip here! I'm always, always cutting out bread for tea parties at the last minute. I had not thought that cutting it into shapes earlier and freezing it would be absolutely perfect. (So glad I "hang out" with tea friends smarter than I am, ha!)
And what a wonderful gift you give! It always touches my heart!
~Adrienne~
You are so well organized when it comes to tea parties - and probably everything else, lol!! Love how you prepare ahead - freezers are so useful.
Hugs - Mary
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