Christmas Tea Time

 Usually about twice a year I get in the mood to do afternoon tea for friends.

 One of my "tea friends" recently moved close to me, so as a welcome to

Portland I decided to do a Christmas tea.

Two other friends that always are up to coming for tea were also there.

What a lovely tea time we had.

The savories are always my favorite part of tea time.

There was radish sandwiches with goat cheese, smoked salmon with cream

in endive, cucumber trees, egg salad with nastursiums from the garden,

and wreaths toasted a bit too long with cream cheese and green peppers.

 And yes, there were scones and spicy pecans too.

 There were two teas in the teapot, starting with Da Hong Pao from Yunnan Provence in China

and then Muzha Tie Gun Yin Oolong from Taiwan.

 

 Tablecloth and china was all vintage.

 The white plates were going to be tossed out by my church because they were old

and a bit brown, but I rescued them and love using them for tea times and picnics.

 By the time we got to dessert we were not very hungry, but there were French Florentines

and chocolate cupcakes.

There is something so special about afternoon tea.

It just says, slow down, take a breathe, and enjoy the moments with dear friends.

I do hope each of you are finding time to savor dear friends over a cup of tea

this holiday season. Celebrating with special friends and family are the 

best part of the season.

Happy Weekend, dear friends!