Pandemic Tea Time

 Tea time during a pandemic!

Strange title for sure, but exactly what it is.

My birthday was a 1 1/2 weeks ago and it had to be canceled because of the pandemic.

Today I was scheduled to leave for India, which would have been a dream come true trip.

It was canceled because of the pandemic. So sad about this!!!

Thus said, I am so thankful for being in my own home safely tucked away

that I wanted to do something to celebrate.

Sunday I made the celebration happen by creating a tea time in the garden house

for those of us living in my house.

There are three of us, my "live-in gardener" (husband) and "live-in son".

I told my son "no coffee" as this was a tea time.

My husband made his own herbal tea (tisane).

And then we sat in the garden house and celebrated being there together.

There were tortilla wraps with turkey, cream cheese, and red currant jelly,

calla lily shaped sandwich with cream cheese and orange marmalade,

toasted shamrocks with honey butter, and

toothpicks with pickled beets and olives.

The scone was from a Sticky Fingers mix and was white chocolate/raspberry.

I actually had a little Irish butter, which was delicious on the scones

and a bit of a treat. Not something I usually buy.

Then for the sweet one, my challenge for this year is to make pavlova,

so I made small shells and filled them with vanilla cream

topped off with raspberry, banana, and frozen red currants.

I think they turned out quite yummy.

For some reason I had never made vanilla pudding/cream before

and was surprised how well it turned out and not hard at all.

So thankful for what I have tucked in the freezer too.

Now I must admit the scone mix was suppose to be a gift,

but I will replace it again and give it to the recipient when I can see her.

I think I will get one for my shelf too, it is very handy in a pinch and only took

water to make them.  This is being said from someone that is getting low on flour

and there is none to be found.

Oh and there was a good tea served too.

It was Ceylon Gold, white tea, a gift at Christmas from a friend.

Thanks friend, it is a good one.

Let's celebrate each day however makes our heart happy.

For me tea time in the garden house indeed makes my heart happy.