It seems like such a long time since we got together to work on our tea. Let's sit down and visit a minute while the tea is brewing. I have been quite busy these last couple of weeks working on new tea parties. They seem to be coming along nicely. I have an Unbirthday tea to host in 2 weeks and a lavender and lace tea in May. I would love to hear your ideas for these 2 teas. Right now I would like to find some simple tea activites for these parties.

Let's get started on making our scones for our tea party. I have found that scones are best eaten right from the oven or soon after so we don't want to bake these until just before serving. Here is the recipe:

FEATHERLIGHT SCONES:

3 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup cold butter

1 egg

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 tsp. milk

sugar

In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg, yogurt and vanilla just until combined. Turn out onto a floured surface; knead 6-8 times. Roll in a 9" circle; cut into 8 wedges. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with sugar. For fun why not use colored sugar. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. These taste really good with Lemon Curd and Devonshire Cream.

I will give you recipes for Lemon Curd and Devonshire Cream the next time we meet. Why don't we take a walk in the garden. I know it is spring and there isn't much blooming just yet but we can look for the new buds. The weather is so nice today. It is in the 50's and sunny. That is very comfortable for northern Minnesota. Easter is next weekend. Are you ready? I know that I have a lot to do yet.

Good Morning. It is time to make the food for our tea party now that the table is set. I am using a recipe from my cookbook "Grammy Crumpett Hosts An Old Friend Tea." Let us start by making Friendship Tea. This recipe is great if you would like to make tea for a group of your friends. It allows you to make a concentrate ahead of your party. Use 4 tea bags per 1 cup of boiling water; steep 2 minutes, then strain. You can leave this concentrate at room temperature. During your tea party keep a pot of water simmering on the stove. Add 1/2 cup of water to 1/8 cup of concentrate. You will have plenty of hot tea and the tea will not get bitter.

Did you know that tea has a lot of healing properties? For colds and sore throats try a cup of horehound, mint, lemon balm or sage tea. If you are suffering from nausea or cramps, peppermint tea should do the trick. Anise, fennel or lemon verbena tea should help if you are suffering from digestive problems.

While we wait for the tea to steep, let's create our menus. They will look lovely on our tea table. Here are some sheets of parchment paper that I have already cut to 4" X 6". We could print them on the computer but I think handwriting them is more personal. We will be enjoying several varieties of tea sandwiches such as Smoked chicken and Walnut Salad Sandwiches, Pimiento Cheese and Ham & Cheese Sandwiches. Of course we have to have scones topped with lemon curd and Devonshire Cream. You have your choice of Desserts; Chocolate Pecan Meringues, Cream Cheese Puffs or Pecan Tarts. After writing the menu on the sheets of parchment, we want to roll them up and tie them with a pretty ribbon. Let's slip a small feather into the bow for an embellishment. Don't forget, if you would like your own copy of "Grammy Crumpett Hosts An Old Friend Tea" you can go to my web site at Tea Parties To Go www.teapartiestogo.com and visit the Boutique.

Welcome to my tea party. Why don't you have a seat and I will fill you in on what we are going to do today. I hope to create some new ideas that you might enjoy for your own tea parties. You can see that the table is set and ready for you. This tea is a vintage tea. The party favors are made from handcrafted paper and I have used old earrings and necklaces to create clasps and handles on the purses. If you open yours, you will see that it is filled with blessings. Take one out, read it and carry it with you until you see someone who needs it more than you. Pass your blessing on to the person. I also made miniature shoe boxes with a little shoe glued to the top of the box. If you open it, you will find 2 truffles inside. I will give you the menu on my next post. Does anyone have an idea for entertainment?