Saturday, July 11, 2015

Make-and-Take Tea Part 2 -- Teatime!

Welcome to our tea party! If you have come to The Marmelade Gypsy for the first time from Vanessa's Tea Party (see the bottom of this post for more info!), I hope you will enjoy. And if you are a regular Gypsy visitor, welcome home!


Last month I was showing you part one of our Make and Take Tea -- the Making part! Well, after we finished all those pretty hangings, we were hungry! Tea time!


Barb and I came up with this idea back last December -- at least, the idea of tea. (The Make-and-Take came later). We wanted a selection of sandwiches. Although we did our baking early, the real prep began the day before when we road-tested our food.


We had four kinds of tea sandwiches -- an open-faced pimento cheese on pumpernickel, egg salad, smoked salmon and of course, cucumber. As you can see, our first attempts left a bit to be desired. The fillings were terrific but the bread was too soft and our cutting was sloppy. That would be fixed!


We also pulled together our table, making sure quieter guests were next to someone more outgoing. Although, by the time they finished making their hangings, there was no quiet guest at the table. They had become old friends.



Tea day began with our set-up. Lovely china, ready and waiting for sandwiches! (We did put that pumpkin butter into its dish before the guests came to the table!)


Pretty flowers.



Party favors in place.


Pretty cups.


Barb's cousin Megan helped make sandwiches before she had to hit the road. It was a good thing -- we made about 100 tiny sandwiches for our guests (too many but the leftovers were a welcome take home, along with the hangings!)


We kept our guests in the basement till tea time and then the big reveal!


This tiered dish is one Megan had made from her grandmother (or great grandmother's) china. The lobelia in the cup at the top echoed the party favors.


We had sandwiches and sweets at both ends of the table so we didn't have to pass anything dangerous!

 

Of course the tea was flowing. Even on a warm and humid day, the hot tea seemed almost refreshing!


We did pass the fruit skewers -- there's only so much room on the table!


The cream scones were one of the day's happy hits. This recipe comes from blogger Marilyn of Delights from the Heart and her "Tea Party in Your Cupboard" book.They were to die for. We were glad there were a few leftover for the next day!


Scones were served with lemon curd, orange marmalade, pumpkin butter and clotted cream. The other deserts were iced shortbread cookies, lemon bread and pumpkin bread "sandwiches" with orange marmalade.


Everything was cheery and easy to manage. We used vintage mix-and-match dishes and Barb's silver. And of course, sweet cups!


Before the tea officially began and the guests came upstairs, Barb and I donned hats, gloves and pearls to share some tea etiquette. We were pleased to say that only a few rules were broken -- probably intentionally and definitely with good humour.


As the day drew to a close, our guests left with their twig hangings, flowers for their garden and leftovers. Pinkies up!


Barb was left with the dishes. (I offered after we cleaned upstairs and down but she insisted.)


I would have done the same thing!


Thanks for joining us at our tea party! You can find links to others at Vanessa's site as she hosts her annual Mad Hatter Tea Party event!

46 comments:

Janet said...

Jeanie, you did such a good job with all the goodies...everything looks delicious. What fun!!

Bella Rum said...

I wish I could have tasted everything. My sister would have loved all of the beautiful tea cups. What a pretty table.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning, ladies! Jeanie, Tea Rat says you are all doing beautifully, the elevated pinky in the air is properly executed, and the scones are top-notch certified! tehehehehehe

LOOKS LIKE FUN! Enjoy my friend! Anita

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Oh my gosh, what a fun event! The table looked beautiful and the food looked and sounded amazing, too! I love that you put so much thought into the seating arrangements but that by the time everyone sat down, it didn't matter if you were quiet or outgoing as everyone had become friends! What a neat event - hats off to you!

Plumfield House Gardens said...

Soooo Yummy!!!!!
hope you can visit Plumfield
http://plumfieldhousegardens.blogspot.com/

The French Hutch said...

Love your tea party Jeanie! Such an inviting and lovely table with all the pretty china and flowers. The food and sandwiches look so pretty on the tiered serving pieces. What a sweet group of friends enjoying the company of one another. Lovely post...........

Cobblestone Prims said...

This is a great and awesome Mad Tea Party...love all your wonderful cake and decoration...have a nice day
Happy unbirthday to all of you
Hugs
Kerstin from Germany

Ricki Treleaven said...

Aw! This is great! I know you and your friends had a delightful time. I love the pinkie photo. This post has made me smile! Happy Unbirthday to you and your crew!

Linking from A Fanciful Twist,
Happy Mad Tea Party!
Ricki Jill

Ronni said...

What a sweet party. I had some of the tea sandwiches and they were lovely. Happy Mad Tea from Designing Fairy.

Marilyn Miller said...

I loved visiting your tea party today. The flowers especially enchanted me, but the food too I would love to partake. Tea time, as you know me, are always the best. Nice scones too and with orange marmalade is my favorite.

Mae Travels said...

That's much more of a selection than I've seen in tea places in London and in the English countryside! You must have really worked very hard. I love lemon curd and all those sweets. I'm not really sure how much the English really do that these days... I think for them too it's a bit retro.

matgrif said...

What a beautiful well thought out tea party, I loved the party favor idea. The sandwiches looked delicious.

Carmen said...

Wow! You really know how to throw a fancy party! Those treats look very tasty and so pretty. Thank you.

Please come to my party: http://www.moonlyf.com/2015/07/8th-annual-mad-tea-party.html

~♥Carmen♥~

Anonymous said...

Absolutely fabulous. You did such a wonderful job.

Magaly Guerrero said...

Your tea party would inspire even someone with an un-sweet tooth. Beautiful, delicate, and so very elaborate. Thanks so much for the tempting tour!

Happy Mad Tea Party! ♥

Sandy K. said...

Oh my goodness this looks like great fun! I have a few tea cups that belonged to my mother and grandmother and thought a tea party would be grand. Yours looks elegant and inviting. I am glad you were happy with the results!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

It looks glorious -- and so delicious! Wish I lived close enough to take part!

Rommy said...

It definitely looks like your cutting technique improved with practice. Mmm. I love a good tea sandwich.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Everything looks just beautiful. What a happy occasion.

Joanne Huffman said...

Such a delightful tea party - obviously a fun event. Love your photos.

Anonymous said...

It's all so beautiful and what a fun day! I'm in the process of planning a more formal tea such as what you've done, but WOW -- 100 sandwiches? I don't think I'm up for that bit of work. HAHAHA. What an undertaking and you deserve KUDOS for it.

When you get a chance stop by my party. It's a little DARK, but that's the way I like things...spooky and fun. There's love and friendship most of all.
http://dawaioser.livejournal.com/861611.html

Sarah said...

Looks like everyone had a good time. The tea table and treats look inviting. Making me hungry!
Thanks for sharing.

Victoria Zigler said...

What a great party... The goodies sound tasty, and the whole thing sounds like it was great fun!

A very happy unbirthday to you!

bj said...

Here I am, going mad from all these wonderful un-birthday Mad Hatter Tea Parties and loving every minute of it all.
Your party is so delightful with such goodies to choose from...know all these ladies had a blast.
This is my 2nd yr of madness with the Fanciful Twist..such fun.
come by later for a cup of magical tea...:)
xoxo

Laura S Reading said...

As long as it was only rules that were broken!
What beautiful tea cups and the mention of punpkin butter has me drooling!
So wonderful to have great friends to enjoy with.


http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-fanciful-twists-8th-annual-virtual.html

Jorgelina said...

Happy Mad Tea Party!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

What a beautiful party! I think I need to do a smaller, less ambitious version for my daughter and granddaughter, who would love the introduction to a fabulous style of entertaining.

Vanessa {a fancifultwist} said...

Those treats! That table! I could just faint, wow wow wow!! How scrumptious and beautiful and all the ladies, wish I had been there in person<3 Happiest mad tea party wishes <3, Vanessa

Sarah Coller said...

This is wonderful! What a lovely tea and so fun to share it with friends!

Anne said...

Fabulous!! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, your party was delightful!
Thank you for being a most gracious hostess, my Dear!
Hugs,
Anne

Maggie said...

What a wonderful tea party the two of you gave, just perfect.

littleRamstudio said...

Looks like fun!
Heather :)

Christina Paul said...

What a delightful party! a beautiful table and the yummies! wow!
Loved your idea for the party favors/place settings :)
Cheers!

Lynda Shoup said...

Looks like you all had fun. Seeing all those delicious goodies is making my mouth water. I enjoyed seeing the preparations as well as the party itself.

Tristan Robin said...

What a charming tea table you set! Everything is lovely - and I am bewitched by the marvelous menu you concocted - very Martha-y!

I'm so glad that I was able to attend, however vicariously. Thanks for sharing your fun day - and thanks for visiting Enchanted Revelries!

Bill said...

I'm really glad I missed the making and baking part, because after drinking so many cups of tea, I'm about to burst! Sorry I'm late, but that seems to be my nature lately. I've been to so many Mad Tea Parties over the past few years that I can barely fit down the rabbit hole anymore. Well, that's not important. Your party is very delicious, I mean, your treats are very delicious, and your presentation so beautiful. Thank you a wonderful time!

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

I too am sorry that I am running late-but that is the predicament that one runs into in this state of affairs in Wonderland-you know the clocks are never correct and oh dear! But I am here and I am so thankful that I am, just look at the delights on your table, each sandwich is perfection and all of them are my favorites too. Your china and serving pieces are exquisite and just look at your blooms-beautiful indeed!
Hugs,
Jemma

Darlene said...

Beautiful tea party and I love all the sandwiches and food. My kind of tea party. take care, Darlene from Maria's Antoinete

Lisa Neault said...

Your tea party is amazing- and such wonderful tea foods! Thank you so much for visiting my tea party at the http://theonesixthscaledollhouse.blogspot.com
Lisa

~*~Patty S said...

Oh to think I almost missed your fabulous tea!
What a feast for the eyes and more Jeanie.
You all outdid yourselves and had me at cucumber sandwiches.
Love the idea and interest that mix and match china gives.
Looks like a triumph from beginning to end.
oxo

Christine Harding said...

That is beautiful - I thought me cream tea my daughters treated me to a couple of years ago (in Oxford) was pretty amazing, but your efforts take tea parties to another level.

Nicole said...

Thank your for popping by my party and inviting me over. I have also had internet issues and am making my rounds to the few I have missed. Isn't that crazy?! I'm so glad i came and saw all the lovely snacks. Everything looks so delicious!!!

Little Wandering Wren said...

So sorry to be slow, or even late getting here for this very important date, I'm blaming it on the travel and dodgy wifi connections. But I wouldn't have wanted to miss this for the world. What a wonderful tea party, so much that is gorgeous, I'm starving just looking at all the delicious food, who have thought those sandwiches could be improved upon, I love the seat names in the flowers and the lobelia in the tea cup on the top of the cake stand is a clever idea, what gorgeous china and the company looks fab. Happy Days!
Wren x

Marcia said...

LOVED every sip.
xoxo

A Magical Whimsy said...

What a glorious Tea Party! The sandwiches looked fabulous and delicious, as did the scones, marvelous!
I got here very late, just like the White Rabbit.
Thanks for the tea and enjoyable virtual party.
XO
Teresa in California
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Wow! You sure know how to throw a fabulous tea party. The food looks delicious and it looks like everyone had such a fun time. Thanks for sharing your special event with Talk of the Town.

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