vintage handkerchiefs

My mom gave me several of my grandma's beautiful vintage handkerchiefs shortly after she passed away. Not knowing what to do with them, I folded them and carefully put them in a safe place.  

I had an idea a few weeks go to sew them end to end and make a table runner. After looking on-line, I found that Jordyn Deen Design also had this great idea!

I think it will look charming on a table laden with worn burlap, and set with feminine china and silver. I can't wait to have a few girl-friends over for brunch (smile) and sweet treats!  
  

A few more charming ideas . . .

~ garland ~

indulgy

~ charming chair-backs ~

inspired by this

~ hankie bundles ~

 

~ vintage wedding ~

papermoss

~ hankies and clothespins ~

heart love wedding

. . . I'm in love.

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a Gentleman's "tea"

This sweet social came upon us on the heels of
                                                a "tea party " that I had for our little girls.

We had so much fun that our youngest son, Ford, asked me if he could have a "tea party" too.

His request took me a little by surprise.

And took his daddy ~ alot ~ by surprise.

It didn't take long for me to say "Yes!" (after all, I live for this kind of stuff!) . . .

. . . and after I did, Ford excitedly shared his "sweet" requests!  It was obvious that he had been thinking about it, alot (smile!).

 . . . "I want everything to be blue and green. If you have something
                     that's pink or purple, then we have to give it to Charley and Lauren."

                      . . . " I want chocolate too, mama!" . . .

   . . . "and 'those things' that taste so good, with the sprinkles."

"BUBBLE GUM!  Blue & green! We have to have those! They're great!" . . . 

With those simple &"sweet" requests, I began planning Ford's "tea party."

First, I had to come up a name for our little social . . . 

How about . . . "a Gentleman's tea!" 

Ford is loving, caring, and gentle . . . a little man, so it was perfect.

Now on to the fun stuff!

We ventured to a place that we love to picnic at for our "Gentleman's Tea."

We dressed up . . . Ford wore a bow tie . . . so handsome (smile).

                        We played . . . climbed trees . . . and laughed! 

And we sipped on THE BEST EVER home-made Blackberry Lemonade and enjoyed sweet treats!

~ our menu ~

THE BEST EVER

home-made Blackberry Lemonade

with fresh lemon & mint

Cake Batter Cookie Crumbles

with sprinkles

Chocolate Cupcakes

with chocolate sprinkles

and 

8-Layer Chocolate Cake
decorated with Sixlets and Gumballs!  

I always have fun with desserts, and this "tea party" was no exception!

Since it was a "tea party," I wanted to dress up Ford's favorite desserts a bit. 

So, I added old-fashioned pocket watch toppers (made from 3D stickers)

                            and chocolate sprinkles to the cupcakes . . . 
  

. . . and instead of a traditional 2 or 4-layer cake, I thought it would be fun to make a TALL 8-layer chocolate cake . . . and then decorate it with some of his favorite candies . . . sixlets and gumballs! He LOVED it!

Our decorations were simple . . . 

A pale blue and cream chevron tablecloth set our backdrop.

And since I knew that we were going to picnic under a tree, I thought a simple pennant garland would be perfect. I sewed one from scrapbook paper and ribbon that I had in my cupboard. It was a simple 15 minute project that added a touch of whimsy. 

Do you recognize the framed chalkboard!?! I thought it would be a fun way to showcase our menu. I had so much fun playing with the design! The kids loved the pictures of the blackberries, lemon, and tall cake!

I didn't want to transport "fine china" to the park, so I served our sweet treats on small chalkboards.

 

They were perfect plates!

I wrote "gentleman" on Ford's . . .

 . . . and when he asked me what it read, I found it was the perfect opportunity to talk about what it means to be a true gentleman. Even the girls participated in the discussion. 

I truly treasure teaching moments like these. 

I've even heard Ford and Charley make references to acting like a "gentleman" and a "lady" since having our "tea parties." 

I must tell you . . . I am one happy Mama!

After a long afternoon of play and pretend, we went home and everyone napped, including me . . . 

                      

                      . . . but not without counting my blessings first. 

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a French-inspired tea party

My mom is a special lady.

She is a woman of grace and faith.

Beautiful . . . inside and out.

She loves pink . . . and frills.

She loves flowers . . .
                and all things feminine.

She appreciates and enjoys beautiful desserts . . .
                and recently re-discovered the French macaron.

. . . and so inspired my search for the perfect 

French-inspired High Tea 

in honor of her 

70th birthday

Please join me to see what I have planned for her special day!

our Venue . . .

I made reservations for an intimate group of 12 at

Paris in a Cup

the Invitation . . .

High Tea ~ pink

I ordered this invitation for her birthday tea (name & date changed, of course). 

Aren't they beautiful.

I bought them here.

I chose envelopes lined with gold leaf cherry blossom branches.

Beauty & whimsy . . .

I was inspired when I found these pink & gold glittered tassels.

I think they will add a charm and whimsy to her tea party.

gnomeswhimsy on etsy

a table setting . . . 

I adore these Cake Papers from Carol & Company.

They're a perfectly simple and elegant backdrop for our place settings. 

Centerpieces . . .

Clusters of petite white and glass bud vases down the center of the tables, 

each one holding a single soft pink or creme flower. 

 fine art america. collar city brownstone. tricia foley in the country.

Dessert . . .

A beautiful birthday cake . . . perhaps a pink Ruffle Cake by Cameo Cake Company.

Guest favors . . . 

. . . a small box of Macarons for each guest to take home. 

Edible gold paint and glitter has stolen my heart, 

and I think it will steal my mom's heart too.

Loverly. Cupcakes for Breakfast. Lily Love Lock.

And finally, satin pink ribbon and a Merci gift tag for the favor boxes.

luvcrystals on etsy

I even love the idea of dressing up my mom's chair with something pretty!

hostess with the mostess

I think my mom will love her birthday tea!

a diamond jubilee tea party

This June, the Queen of England celebrates 60 years as Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth. To mark the Diamond Jubilee, a number of show-stopping events took  place in London and abroad over the Central Weekend from June 2-5.  
  

And there is no more fitting way to mark Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne than the quintessentially British culinary experience of afternoon tea.  
  
I was one of thousands who celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee state-side at a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party hosted by another entertaining enthusiast, Jennifer. I thought it would be fun to share a few details about her tea party with you.  So please join me . . . 
  

Jennifer's courtyard welcomed guests with a table hosting an array of memorabilia dedicated to Her Majesty. My favorite piece was the beautiful black hat adorned with diamonds . . . so appropriate for the occasion.  

  

~ I simply love the pin "Queen Mom" ~

    

Did you know that when the Queen is at Buckingham Palace, she likes to be in her suite by 5pm to be served a spread of scones, sandwiches, and cakes? Although her ordinary subjects may not always have time to do the same, the tea party tradition that swept into fashion in the 19th century is making a comeback . . . and Jennifer's tea party captured just that . . . 

good company

beautiful hats

linens

china

petite delights 

. . . and tea, of course

The menu featured a variety of delights most appropriate for an afternoon tea. Along with her menu, she served a special Queen's Diamond Jubilee blend of tea from beautiful antique tea pots. A glass of sparking cider with floating raspberries awaited each guest at their place setting as well.  

I'm a fan of details, and appreciate the time Jennifer spent  

when setting the tables for her tea party.

~ Fun fact ~   

Keep Calm and Carry On   

was a poster produced by the British government in 1939  

 during the beginning of the Second World War,  

  intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion.

~ I'm smitten with these beverage napkins! ~

~ Queen's Crown sugar cookies ~

Good food and good company seem to be at the top of most people’s lists, and the Diamond Jubilee is the perfect time to enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea with the people closest to you – and perhaps meet some of your neighbors and build community links over some delicious cake and tea or lemonade. 

For me, I am grateful for the opportunity to meet such a wonderful group of women. 

Thank you for the invitation, Jennifer! 

I had a wonderful time!  

sour cream scones

  
I adore scones.  
  
Because scones offer just a hint of sweetness, you will find that they are a wonderful accompaniment to most beverages and menus.  

One of my favorites is the sour cream scone. It's the perfect scone if you're wanting to serve a light sweet treat with an array of spreads, like lemon curd or a home-made blackberry preserve. 
  
Sour cream scones are the perfect combination of butter and sour cream that marry to bake an incredibly tender and moist scone And what about the outside texture of the scone you might ask? Well, it's just irresistible.  Something magical happens in the oven when you've brushed the tops with heavy cream, and then sprinkled them with raw sugar . . . a heavenly sweet crust forms atop each one. The sweetness of the raw sugar rounds out the hint of sweetness found in the scone itself.  
  

This wonderful recipe always finds a place on my brunch menu, and I'm often asked for the recipe. I must admit that this posting is long overdue!  
  
Don't wait for a special occasion to make this treat.  If you don't have any spreads, fresh berries and cream taste absolutely wonderful as well. It's a quick and easy recipe that you and your family will truly enjoy! Bon appetit!  
  

 

Here's how . . .

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons butter, COLD, cubed

1 cup sour cream

1 egg yolk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar in the raw  

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Be sure that all your ingredients are COLD.

In a food processor (or mixer), pulse flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Add the cubed butter until a coarse meal forms. Pulse in the sour cream and egg yolk until just combined.

Turn the sticky dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough comes together into a ball. Gently pat the dough down into a 3/4 inch thick circle shape. 

With a large knife cut the dough square into 4 smaller, equal squares. Then cut each smaller square diagonally, with an X, making 4 smaller triangles.

Don't worry if the top is uneven, or even flaky, it will only hold more heavy cream and raw sugar . . . which yields an even more heavenly crust!

Transfer the 16 triangles onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of each scone with heavy cream and sprinkle it with some sugar in the raw. This will create a shiny and crunchy top for the scones.

Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes until the bottoms of the scones are light brown. Remove from oven, cool slightly on the sheet pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  

     

Serve warm with lemon curd or a berry preserve 

. . . and enjoy!

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