An Afternoon Tea

I am a huge fan of tea! I tend to stick with my favorite Earl Grey, but I don’t shy away from trying different flavors, when I have the chance.  In my home town of Toms River, New Jersey, there is a lovely bed and breakfast and Victorian tea room called 600 Main.  My husband and I have stayed there a few times, and love the large variety of tea blends to choose from, and the warmth and knowledge of the staff who helped to steer us in the direction of a tea that we were sure to enjoy.

Since visiting with my husband I have been trying to get my mother and sister to attend an afternoon tea with me.  We were finally able to fit a Holiday Tea into our schedule this past December. My mother, Zarita, my sister, Ebony, my Daughter Mattox, and I  had the best time!  We were able to try 3 different teas and eat some delicious food.

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In true Lauren fashion, this experience inspired me to recreate something similar at home.  If you know me and my husband, you know we love to celebrate our friends.  Whether it’s an engagement, promotion or birthday, we enjoy finding ways, big or small to let our friends and family know that we are happy for the good things happening in their lives. I recently had a friend who was celebrating a birthday.  This became the perfect opportunity to host an afternoon tea.  Here’s a peek into what I created.

The Décor

At the tea house, they used a variety of traditional tea cups, saucers, and pots.  Each place setting was different, as they mixed and matched different sets. 

For my party I used my favorite china set from Lenox. The elegant and modern Minstrel Gold Place Setting features a bold and ornate black floral pattern, and is accented in regal 24-karat gold.  I layered the china on top of a gold charger and placemat.  To finish the table off I made a fresh floral arrangement using a gold lantern vase and assorted pink flowers.

The Menu

At the tea house, we were served soup, salad, assorted tea sandwiches, scones, lots of desserts and of course tea!

I wanted to do something similar incorporating some of the birthday girl’s favorites. 

Plated

Cranberry Apple Pecan Salad with Blue Cheese, and  Apple Thyme Vinaigrette.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Bacon and Cheddar Scones

Tiered Stand

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Cranberry Chicken Salad on Mini Croissants

Smoked Turkey Tea Sandwiches with a Cranberry, Orange and Herb Cream Cheese Spread

Mini Bacon Quiche

Spinach & Cheese in Phillo Dough

Desserts

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes (Birthday Girl’s Favorite)

Fresh Fruit with Mint

Assorted Chocolates

Putting out a spread of this size is not essential to the art of celebration.  It’s really the heart and intention behind whatever you choose to do that matters.  I learned from my aunt that you can make someone feel celebrated with a simple thoughtful act.  My Aunt Marilyn and her husband throw lots of parties for all occasions and something she does consistently is add personalization to one of the deserts.  So if your birthday is near the super bowl, and you are coming to her house, you can be assured that one of the cakes will have a happy birthday message, and there will be singing!

How do you celebrate the special people in your life? Join the conversation below.

Bacon and Cheddar Scones

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups Self-Rising Flour

½ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

6 slices Cooked Bacon Crumbled

2 Scallions Sliced

1 ¼ cups Heavy Cream

½ cup Butter Melted

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees F
2. Combine flour, cheese, bacon, and scallions
3. Mix in enough heavy cream to create a sticky dough, adding a little extra if needed.
4. Pour dough onto a parchment paper lined backing sheet.
5. Without overworking dough, form a long rectangle.
6. Then cut dough into triangles, separating each piece slightly.
7. Brush scones with melted butter
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes
9. Serve Warm