I had a few friend over that live nearby for tea recently. It was a very small group and at first I just planned to make cucumber sandwiches and scones, along with afternoon tea. That’s really all you need, right? But then as it got closer to the time for the afternoon tea, things were added to my list, macarons, little layered desserts, lemon tarts, and the salted coconut cream tartlets. It mushroomed as it always does. Parkinson’s Law says the time needed to complete a task expands to fill the available time. There seems to be a corollary that says the longer you have to plan for a party, the more elaborate it will become. Or is that just my parties?
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I did make a small purchase for the tea. I bought this charming tea server, CLICK HERE.
Unlike some people, I thoroughly enjoy the baking and getting out of the dishes. Of course as I looked around the house the week of the tea, I thought everything was fine, but then I stepped outside and remembered that the grass in the front yard was not doing so well. We’ve stopped using chemical fertilizers because they are bad for the environment. We need to do something, but I knew that I couldn’t fix the front yard in 3 days. It was going to take weeks to figure out what we wanted to do. In the meantime, I needed something to distract guests from the yard. I added some honeysuckle in planters growing on stakes that look so charming, and some potted flowers. Hopefully no one spent a lot of time looking at our sad grass.
The grape hyacinths on the kitchen island looked so pretty!
I used the gluten free bread from Trader Joes for my sandwiches. Always trim the crusts when you host a tea.
I made regular scones and gluten free scones. The recipe I used for the gluten free scones is this.
GLUTEN FREE SCONES
2 CUPS BOB’S RED MILL 1-1 GLUTEN FREE FLOUR CLICK HERE.
2 TEASPOONS XANTHAM GUM
2 1/2 TEASPOONS CREAM OF TARTAR
1 1/4 TEASPOONS BAKING SODA
1 1/2 TEASPOONS ALMOND FLOUR
4 TABLESPOONS SUGAR
4 TABLESPOONS BUTTER
PINCH SALT
1 1/4 CUPS YOGURT
1 EGG
Mix dry ingredients together. Then cut in cold butter with a fork or pastry blender. Mix in the yogurt and form a ball. Add yogurt if it is too dry, or flour if too wet. Roll dough out until it is 2 inches thick. Use biscuit cutter or a glass to cut into rounds. Set on baking sheet, and brush tops with egg. Let rise for about 20 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 15 minutes. Keep in oven until golden brown on top.
For basic scones, you can use a recipe for biscuits and add a bit of sugar. That’s basically all you do differently from making biscuits.
I served the scones with soft butter, raspberry and strawberry preserves.
I made coconut cream tartlets that are also gluten free.
This was afternoon tea, but I did have the new espresso machine out, just in case. CLICK HERE.
I pulled out my new Spode Kingsley dishes and enjoyed using them so much! These dishes are brand new and made in England. CLICK HERE for the dishes and HERE for the teapot.
The little crocus looked so pretty on the table.
The best part? The smiles I saw! It made me so happy!
On another note, the rug I designed for Dash and Albert is now on sale! CLICK HERE
I recently very reluctantly moved from a gorgeous house with huge spaces and front and back gardens to a much smaller modern town house. I’ve packed away all my silver and good crockery. Your tea party looks cosy and fabulous. Makes me want to host one. I love your cake stand with the sammies. Is it glass or crystal? Where can I find one? Thank you.
Oh, I think you should! The cake stand is crystal and I am not sure where you could find one now. New ones are hard to find. Try an antique store or consignment store.
Such a nice treat you prepared for your friends! Thought of you when I saw Spode introduced their new Kingsley pattern last year- it’s perfect in your home. Thank you for posting your Annie Selke Dash rug link… I just snagged a set of embroidered Pine Cone Hill sheets in a discontinued colorway at huge savings to go with my PCH Madeline dusty blue floral quilted bedding today! Your Dash rug is perfect with this bedding. I have a set of Spode bone china in the pattern “Nectar” that is my every day winter dishware paired with Wedgwood Countryware.
Anita, such a lovely Tea Party you had! Everything looks so nice! Your Kingsley china is so pretty!
I also enjoy having friends over for a Tea Party! A lot of people do not entertain this way anymore but I just love to do this for our friends! Like you say, the smiles make you so happy!
Blessings!
Everyone should indulge in having a tea every now and then! Everything is so lovely! I can’t wait for my granddaughters to begin their first tea parties! Then as they age, Gigi will be sharing all those lovely china tea cups and dishes with them ! As always your tablescape and attention to detail is stunning, Anita.
I love seeing your Spode and how you use it. I have the pattern Buttercup that my mom picked out for my wedding registry. It has to be hand washed so don’t use it often since I have three guys at my house. When we were in London a few years later we picked up the coffee mugs which are not nearly the size of our American mugs. I also have the Christmas tree Spode which we do use during the holidays and hand wash it every day.
Oh Debby, that sounds like you have some beautiful pieces.
so….sweet!!!
Did I overlook the recipes for the goodies on the tiered server? They all look yummy, especially the bottom tier. Your tea party was lovely.
Looks absolutely amazing and delicious! How fun for all! What a Blessing you are! ? Roxann
Everything looked so beautiful. I could not help but notice your cheese platters. I am not sure that is the correct description, but I love them. Are they antiques or new products. I would love to know where yougot yours.
Sandra, are you talking about the cake stands? The crystal one is vintage and the white one is new.
No. I was actually talking about the one on the island with the grape hyacinths and the other one on the kitchen cabinet with the espresso cups knit. Thanks.
Oh that! I used to carry those in my online shop that I closed awhile ago. I think those have been discontinued, but here is a similar one. https://www.etsy.com/listing/622696404/9-butter-dairy-slab-in-stock?ref=user_profile&frs=1
Looks delightful!
It looks thought out and put together with Love.
The finale was Charming. Your guest smiles were
Worth the effort and the lawn worries…I’m exactly
the same way!
I love the white dishes with the espresso machine. Joyce, where did you get them? I like the shape of the cups and also that they are white. They have that wonderful restaurant look!
Those are from Ikea Deb.