When did you last have a tea party? When was the last time you enjoyed a cup of tea with friends you love? This wintery month is the perfect time to do it again! Today I'm sharing a small tea party for 3, Sip and Celebrate: A Winter Birthday Tea Party.
Welcome to Monday Morning Blooms!
Mary, Pam and I are excited to invite you to join us for Monday Morning Blooms for February. This month we are thrilled to welcome back our friend, Sarah, from Hyacinths for the Soul. I'll share all their links at the bottom of this post for you.
I'm hosting a virtual tea party today, please pour yourself a warming cup of French Marie Antoinette Tea, and join us for a little celebration by the fire in the living room.
Last summer I attended an afternoon tea at the beautiful Art Deco restaurant inside of Harrod's, London with my daughters and granddaughters. Laughter and lively conversation mingled with the clinking of china cups as we indulged in delicate sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of delectable pastries.
For a dear friend's birthday this year, I hosted an intimate tea gathering for the just three of us. I envisioned a cozy afternoon filled with delicate china, fragrant loose-leaf teas, and of course, delicious treats.
A little round French bistro table became our small tea table in our living room, layered with a tablecloth, antique and vintage teacups, and delicate porcelain and silver to serve.
The silver plated knife rests held tea knives, and a variety of bonbon spoons were used to self serve the desserts.
On the tea table nearby, delicate desserts waited to become part of the tiered food service - on the first layer, scones, the second layer small tea sandwiches, and the top layer all sorts of tea time delights. {I forgot to take a photo of the layers of tea delights before we ate them!}
I chose a bright citrus colored candle, a candle always makes a table seem special. The Tiffany sterling bonbon basket is so darling and feminine, this time it held little heart shaped cookies instead of chocolates.
The flowers were a sweet combination of white alstroemerias, pink wax flowers, and light blue hydrangeas arranged in an antique large sugar container.
Our potted lemon tree in the front garden always has so many lemons at this time of year, that I used a little cluster of them on the table as a decoration.
The mock clotted cream for the scones was delicious! {I'll share the recipe with you}
Soft background music and the gentle clinking of teacups created a soothing ambiance, perfect for catching up and enjoying each other's company.
At the end of our time together, I presented my birthday friend with her tea cup in her favorite yellow colors, a variety of French teas, an antique silver tea spoon, a jar of French honey and a small box of bonbons for her to take home.
It was less about the grand gestures and more about celebrating our friendship in a meaningful and personal way, making it a birthday we three will cherish for a long time.
I've tried several recipes for making your own clotted or Devonshire cream, and this one is the winner. Less expensive and way easier to make, and oh so good!
Mock Clotted Cream
INGREDIENTS:
4 Oz. of whipped cream cheese
2 Tablespoons Sour Cream or Greek Yoghurt
1 Tablespoon white sugar
Tiny, tiny pinch of salt
1 cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS:
- Put the whipped cream cheese, sour cream{or yoghurt} and sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix together until soft and completely blended together without lumps.
- Add the heavy cream and tiny, tiny pinch of salt, whip until peaks form. I like to add just a very small amount of vanilla, too.
- Cover and keep in the fridge until serving, at least one hour to get it chilled well.
Thank you so very much for joining me today for this special birthday celebration! I appreciate your taking the time both to join all of us, and I cherish your comments.
Please visit my friends by clicking their links, below.
14 comments
What a beautiful birthday tea party, Lidy! And if I recall, YOUR birthday is in February! Having the luxury of a lemon tree in your own garden would be such a gift! Your tea offerings sound sublime (I love the cucumber sandwiches best, too!). What a wonderful way to show your love for your friend. I’m sure she loved all the gifts given, Happy February!
Lidy, your little tea is lovely and so special for your friend’s birthday. The teacups are so charming and those delicious desserts would satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. The florals are like a breath of fresh air on a winter day. Your collections of linens and vintage decor is so admired. Xo
Good morning, Lidy. You have created a delightful tea party for your friend! The flower arrangement in the large antique sugar container is beautiful. How wonderful to be able to grow your own lemon tree. All of the tea treats look and sound delicious. I would love a lemon bar along with scones and tea sandwiches. Antique and vintage teacups are very charming, and I know your friend loved taking one home as a gift from you. Of course, the best gift is that of friendship.
It is always a pleasure to share Monday Morning Blooms with you!
Good morning Lidy! What a sweet celebration and tea in honor of your friend’s birthday. I know she must have felt pampered with your preparations and teatime treats. I love all your heirlooms and serving pieces from the bonbon spoons to Tiffany sterling basket, along with your beautiful floral teacups. Your menu sounds wonderful, I’m a fan of cucumber tea sandwiches too and I’ll have to try your recipe for mock clotted cream. What wonderful to have the memories of your visit to Harrod’s tea room with girls and grand girls. So happy to join you this morning, wishing you a wonderful week ahead. ☕ ❤️