Saturday, December 14, 2019

A Christmas Afternoon Tea


Greetings one and all. 
Please come to afternoon tea!

I recently hosted a Christmas tea for my tea society besties.
It's a pic heavy post, so I will TRY to keep words to a minimum.

(You know that is a real challenge for me, right?)










Thank you, Mary D. for taking these pics with your phone
 while I was busy brewing tea and such.
(You just knew I would get too busy and forget!)


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I made the mushroom soup with 3 kinds of mushrooms
and my bone broth, and vegetable broth as well.







The greens were mixed with candied walnuts and tart apples
 and lots of crispy bacon.

The night before the tea I cooked the bacon
 and made the candied walnuts -
it was all I could do not to sit down and eat it all, it smelled so yummy.




MD either ate her apples or skipped apples in her salad, haha.








And I forgot to put out the Meatball Basil Bites. 
I hate it when I do that. Just sayin.

I think if I do the tree bread cut-outs ever again 
I will use rye or wheat so it shows better on the plate.















The traditional British "crackers" or "poppers"  were fun.
We were surprised they didn't contain a paper  crown inside -
which is highly traditional -  but the silly jokes inside made up for it.



I photo-shopped out my melted mess of holly and berries on my
teapot cookie. Just couldn't bear to post it like they really looked.



My personal fave sweet by far was my gingerbread madeleines.

 I was so pleased how they came out -and they froze nicely, too. 
That is always desirable when one needs to prepare ahead of time.







The dark bits on the lemon truffles were dried lemon zest.










We had some awesome live entertainment, too!

A dear old friend and old co-worker of mine
(who also did the music for our wedding)
came and crooned holiday songs for us.

What a treat it was to have him take the time
 in his very busy schedule for us!





You can find his holiday sampler CD
 by contacting him directly from his website here.

It can also be found on Amazon here or on itunes here.

His City Sidewalks sampler CD is the perfect little last minute
Christmas gift for postal carrier, teachers, babysitters, host/hostess gift, stocking stuffers, etc. 






AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST:


Frankincense and myrrh soap
 and peppermint lip balm favors!



My daughter launched her new company of artisian soaps
and bath products recently and I am so proud to share it!

 She wrapped the favors up so nicely for us with a simple and
fun little holiday theme. (Thanks so much, Evelyn!)

If you get the chance please visit her web site -
it is filled with quirky fun humor and interesting facts.

 Click on company name below for the awesomeness!



Her stuff is PERFECT for last minute unique gifts, too.

Again - great gifts for the person who has everything-
consumables makes the perfect present.

Everything is hand-made and is made with ALL natural goodness.

Her Christmas cut-off day is rapidly approaching 
so visit Fresha Soap soon!

I know she can help finish your gift-giving list -
filled with things for anyone on your list!
(Or just spoil yourself for once. You will be so glad you did!)

As always, thank you for your visit.

Hugs and prayers,

Michele


Linking:





18 comments:

  1. Hi there ! So yummy and pretty ! Have not seen your post for months !

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  2. This is so nice Michele. What a great gift to have your sweet friends and have this lovely tea luncheon and oh my gosh to have a real live singer! I am going over to check him out. Your table by the way looked gorgeous. This looks like such a fun time. Yummy too.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  3. Michele, your holiday tea is lovely! I know your friends felt special to join you at your table. What a great idea to have entertainment!
    Stop by for a little French teatime at Hyacinths!
    Happy Holidays!

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  4. Wow what a spread!! Hope everything is going well for you and yours and I wish you a very merry Christmas and every good thing in the new year! xoxoxox

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  5. Now that was an event! How very special you made this beautiful Christmas Tea for your friends: delicious food, amazing entertainment, and wonderful fellowship. You’re a fabulous hostess!

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  6. Oh, Michele, what a treat to be among your guests! The foods, the table, the ambience....all so very special. If you ever take a notion, even in the next month or two, I for one would love to see those recipes. That salmon mousse sounds delish, as do all the rest!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family. May your blessings be many in the new year!

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  7. Oh my goodness, Michele, what a wonderful Christmas tea party you had for your besties!!! Your menu is fabulous, as is the table, and the sweet favors. Oh to be a guest at your party, and be treated to live entertainment...divine! I wish your sweet daughter well in your new venture. Merry Christmas blessings!!

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  8. Michele, this is totally amazing. Your tablesetting is gorgeous and all the food looks delicious, plus your presentation is perfect and so elegant. Wow, add in entertainment and this is a true elegant gathering.

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  9. So elegant
    Just Gorgeous looking table and food

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  10. Such an elegant and pretty Tea-Luncheon for your friends. I'm sure they all enjoyed such great food as well.
    Happy Christmas season to you.
    Fabby
    .

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  11. Thank you for sharing these pretty images. It felt like I was part of the tea party! Merry Christmas, Michele!

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  12. Merry Christmas, Michele! Oh, your table for your tea party is just gorgeous!! You did it up so wonderfully! Your food looks yummy and I'm sure the ladies enjoyed themselves. So nice to hear from you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  13. Happy Pink Saturday, Michele. Wow, I wish I lived close enough to come to one of your teas. Everything looks stunning. I know your guests must have felt so special and loved.

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  14. Michele: You tea looks wonderful. The table looks so pretty and the food so good. I love to fix things but don't entertain very much. I always envy anyone that does. Have a wonderful Christmas..xxoJudy

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  15. So very pretty Michele. I love it all! Merry Christmas. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  16. A lovely tea party, I'm sure a very good time was enjoyed by all. Merry Christmas.

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  17. How gorgeous and elegant!You had a great tea time! Merry Christmas!

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  18. I know, I know...I'm terribly late to the party but thank you for leaving the table set so beautifully and that I was able to enjoy a few crumbs...LOL! What a glorious tea with everything looking so lovely and yummy! I trust you had a glorious Christmas and may your 2020 be blessed! xoxo

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Thank you, friend, for taking the time to comment! I read each and every one of them. Your thoughts are appreciated!