Monday, December 12, 2011

A Special Tea Party

Thai Chicken Salad in Thai Celadon Spoons
Cucumber Sandwich
Veggie Spring Rolls with Plum Sauce
Pear Jellies
Persimmons and Pomegranates
The past weekend was tea party weekend here in my home.
Now as you can see it wasn't just an ordinary tea party, though we did have cucumber sandwiches.
It was the ninth year to serve tea to Lily and her family on a Saturday before Christmas;
but beside Lily and her family I served my women's group on Friday night
and another family on Sunday afternoon.
The theme this year was An Asian Holiday, inspired by my travels in Asia this year.
The table runner was a special gift from the family of a 90 year old woman
that use to swim in the class I attend.  I treasure that gift.
The flower arrangements were inspired by arrangements I saw in a magazine while visiting Thailand.
In the top left hand picture in the collage you will see the set up for
giving a lesson for making tea with Lily and her brother.
It was fun event and one I look forward to all year.

This year I served the following:

Thai Chicken Salad
Veggie Spring Rolls
Marinated Tea Eggs
Noodle Bundles with Chicken
Crab and Avocado Sushi
Cucumber Wasabi Sandwiches
Baozhong Oolong Tea
Scones with cream and guava jam
Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad
Pear Jellies
Thai Steamed Banana Cake
Cranberry Autumn Tea or Candy Cane Lane Tea

We had a wonderful time sharing tea and food and conversation.
Do you celebrate the season with a special occasion shared with friends?
What do you look forward to each year?

16 comments:

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

oh, I love both this tea and your the ritual you have created. I imagine everyone looks forward to this celebration;it's part of their tradition.

Each year, two of my dear friends and their families and I gather for a dinner. It's always an amazing time, full of food, and wine and talk. This year, we have decided to something more low key. Now I am wondering if a tea might be nice!

Lovely, thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

If I could still eat all those yummy foods I would have embarrassed myself with a face plant in the middle of it all. lol- What a lovely table and such creative recipes. Delightful.

martha said...

Your décor, beautiful table, intriguing menu and charming little tea set all set the stage for a perfect Asian Tea Party! Kudos, dear friend!
Your friends and dear Lily and her family are very fortunate. I would have loved to be sitting at your table enjoying this wonderful tea time.
martha e

Faye said...

I enjoy this event every year, and feel so lucky to be part of it. It's fun to look at the pictures of it today. Thanks again.

Karen's Place said...

my mouth was watering looking at the photos of the food you served your lucky guest....and I was eating my morning oatmeal :) The table settings are beautiful as well.

Time Traveling in Costume said...

Marilyn, I literally gasped at seeing those cucumber sandwiches. What a lovely presentation!
Val

Angela McRae said...

Oh, these photos are just delightful--the celadon spoons with chicken salad (how smart!), the artistic cucumber sandwiches, the spring rolls, which I absolutely adore! I also love that you went with the Asian theme because of your travels this year.

Steph said...

Oh, well done, well done!!! I hope you are giving yourself a long rest!

Jeanie said...

I am dying just thinking about it! Lovely in every single way and I can practically taste those delicacies. Well done, Marilyn! I hope they appreciated it as much as any one of bloggers who enjoy you would. It's gorgeous.

Phyllis said...

What a wonderful tea party, Marilyn! Lily and her family are truly blessed by your labor of love every year. Thanks for sharing the tea party with all your blog readers.

Rosemary said...

Beautiful tea, Marilyn. Every special touch must have been appreciated by your guests, and the menu looks delightful. Tell me about the plate that holds those fun cucumber sandwiches. Love it!

Jeanne said...

Fabulous indeed my lovely friend.
You know me I love anything Asian themed or from Asia.

Love you
Jeanne

Tea and Thee♥

parTea lady said...

Your Asian themed Christmas tea looks fabulous. What a beautiful presentation of the yummy menu and elegant floral decor.

Having a tea making lesson was a nice addition too.

Dutchbaby said...

The menu sounds divine! Cucumber Wasabi sandwiches - what a good idea! Would love the recipe for Thai Steamed Banana Cake...

Steph said...

It's all so wonderful, and thoughtful!

Donna and Miss Spenser said...

Awesome!!! The food looked incredible and the decorations were lovely...you do everything to perfection!! Bravo!