International Women's Day Tea

Today a few friends (Andrea, Carolyn and Karen) and I enjoyed tea in support of New American women at the International Institute of Minnesota.

We volunteer on committees for TC UW Women United, which funded a program to help the institute create a pathway to jobs in the hospitality industry just like they have in the nursing field.

The program highlighted the work of the Institute including presenting an award to now retired Olga Zoltai. She has an amazing story, which her daughter wrote a book about entitled My Flag Grew Stars. Her daughter, Kitty Gogins, is the Board President.

The tables were decorated in black and white with fun pops of color.

The tea sold out, which is great as it was a fundraiser.

Treats on our table - raspberry cookies, flourless chocolate cakes, a variety of scones.

A trio serenaded the room.

The tea party food was quite the spread and very vegetarian friendly, but not so on the gluten free front. 

Mushroom quiche, cheese quiche, Boursin cheese sandwich, cheese triangles, bread, Brie, all of the accompiments for scones - so much food!

Mini egg salad croissants.

Candy bar!

Delicious!

Tea & Treasures

Saturday we attended an afternoon tea benefiting the Hopkins Center for the Arts in one of the theaters.

Each tablescape had a different theme decorated by local businesses. Upon arriving you walked around and voted for your favorite table design. Here are just a few of the 12 tables:

Lady in Blue:

Birds and Beach:

Pride and Prejudice and BRAINS:

Afternoon Diversions:

And the winning table: Garden Party

The ladies:

Jackie, Andrea and Kimmy

Sarah, Kayla and Sheri

Our table was A Little Bit of Mary Englebreit. 

The menu:

Granted this was a fundraiser and I have been to, and hosted, more teas than most, but the food was a bit of a miss. Scones without Devonshire or jam? But again it was for a good cause.

The cucumber sandwiches and stuffed dates were the favorite savories at our table. The shortbread cookies were rich and buttery - just the way I like it.

The organizers did a great job with the communications and had nice printed pieces:

I didn't snap a photo but the "treasures" were in different spaces. Jackie and Kim both acquired some newfound treasures.

On the back of our voting slips you could enter to win tea for two at Panola Valley Gardens and the winner is...

So fun that Jackie won! The tea partay crew can't wait for a new outdoor tea adventure this summer.

Around the World Christmas Tea

A worldly holiday tea sponsored by the Maplewood historical society and held at Bruentrup heritage farm house.

The barn where tea is hosted in the spring.

The cozy and warm farmhouse still decorated for the holidays.

Inside we sipped British tea in eclectic teacups. 

Our digestible journey began in Germany and Greece. The white German soup had homemade pasta dumplings and green onions - very unique and delicious. Greek garbanzo bean salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion and black olives.

The quintessential English cucumber sandwich, Italian manicotti and Dutch Gouda. 

We then took an epicurean journey to Turkey with date scones accompanied with Devonshire cream and lemon curd. This scone was homemade by one of the volunteers and, served warm, was one of the best I've ever had!

The tropics: kiwi, mango and strawberries topped with pomegranate seeds and cream.

Chinese fortune cookie, Brizilian coco nutty bars and French silk bars. French silk pie is my favorite! It's a bit dangerous that the lovely lady that made them shared the recipe with me.

I won this cute ornament ;)

The tea partiers - Emma's mom and her three friends and Em and I. 

Downton Abbey Viewing Party

To celebrate the final season of Downton premiering I invited some good friends over to watch. Lady Tiffany, Andrea, and Kate were able to join me.

One can't watch Downton without treats!

Sesame and pepper crackers with Monterey cheese spread.

Love the Canadian chocolate shortbread castle cookies!

Cupcakes fit for a Countess - carrot cake, apple pie, Rumchata, chocolate salted caramel and a cake with a little Fireball infusion.

Tea time with the official Downton set.

I love these clever cookies - the caramel inside melts when placed over steeping tea.

Gasp! Ha ha!

We played Downton bingo as we watched the show. 

Mad Hatter Christmas Tea

Jackie and I enjoyed Christmas tea at the Mad Hatter. It's a lovely tradition and this is the 16th annual holiday tea.

The Mad Hatter now has its own China - how adorable! I just love the teapot! 

Jackie and I seated for tea.

So many delicious treats to nibble!

Roasted Apple Waldorf salad with ginger snap crumble and cinnamon apple vinaigrette. So fresh and bright!

Spiced cranberry rosemary Christmas scones with whipped sweet cream and orange marmalade.

Spiced mango bruschetta, basil anise tartlette with oven roasted grape tomato, curried egg salad, classic cucumber, and my favorite, pimento cheese bell with red pepper and parsley.

And how cute is this dessert? Cherry cranberry gingerbread trifle with Bavarian cream and ginger snap crumble.

We were given the Mad Hatter secret spice and a Christmas scone recipe to enjoy later! I highly recommend experiencing tea at the Mad Hatter often!

I purchased the cutest Mad Hatter branded dish towels - so fun and useful!

3 tea parties in one weekend!

I must say this is a first even for me - tea, tea and more tea!

Friday tea at Lady Elegant's in St. Paul with colleagues - Emily, Jenny & Charlotte. It was Jenny's first tea! It had been years since I had been here and I was reminded how much I like the snowflake blend with almond and coconut. I bid on tea with Charlotte for our company United Way campaign so it was even for a good cause!

The potato thyme soup was divine!! The olive spread sandwich I'd also rate highly. The scones had good texture and flavor and were accompanied by the traditional lemon curd and Devonshire cream. After all that I couldn't eat another morsel. 

It was nice to enjoy the lemon bar, Madeline and chocolate brownie later.

Saturday Christmas at Downton tea at my house. The tree was decorated and the table set with my Downton Abbey tea set.

We noshed on cucumber sandwiches, Downton Abbey shortbread cookies, deviled eggs, champagne Gouda (I mean champagne + Gouda could a more amazing cheese exist?) & crackers, veggies & dip, Downton Abbey cream scones & gluten free lemon scones (thanks Andrea) with Devonshire cream (thanks Tiff) & Downton Abbey lemon curd.

We had five Downton teas to pick from:

I have the best friends! Kimmy, Andrea, Tiff, Kate and Tawny

Merry Christmas to all!

Sunday Alice in Winterland Molly's Sweet 16! 

Happy Birthday Molly!

A variety of cheese and crackers

Veggies and dip (healthy cancels out the calories, right?)

Cucumbers with herb cream cheese and fresh dill.

Crustless mini quiche with cheddar & broccoli.

Dessert! Chocolate chocolate, salted caramel, Reese's and birthday cake cupcakes! Scones, cream & curd.

My sister-in-law, Jill, and niece Molly

My niece, Erin, & I

Tea parties galore!!! What a fun weekend!