Ladies Afternoon Tea Party

Well, I was going to apologize for my digression on my last post. However, I just read it again and I don't think I need to...

I guess I just have a classic case of depression which would make sense since I am constantly ruminating over the things that aren't right in my life, wanting so much to make them right. Typical!

Ok, so I know you are all waiting to hear about our Ladies Afternoon Tea Party that took place on Sunday so here goes. I bought a new table cloth and napkins - a yellow background with lighter yellow flowers. I bought some green forks to go with my green white and gold with red plates. I made bright pink mini metal sandpails filled with purple Hershey's kisses and a packet of flower seeds for each place. I had a small ceramic bunny and a yellow candle in the middle of the table with a pink creamer and sugar bowl. It was beautiful!

For the food, I had a fruit plate of canteloupe and strawberries; a veggie tray of radishes, celery, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes; deviled eggs; green olives and pickles; dates; quiche bites; then I cut out shapes in the white bread of hearts, tulips and butterflies. I filled the hearts with chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts; the tulips with cream cheese, water cress and cucumber slices; the butterflies with cream cheese and black forest ham. I decorated the plates with rosemary sprigs. I served this with hot tea, iced tea, diet sodas, coffee, and some white wine.

For dessert I made Paula Deen's recipe for mini cheese cakes. Place a Nilla wafer (flat side down) in each paper cupcake holder in your muffin pan. Beat 2 8 oz blocks of softened cream cheese, add 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 eggs-beat one at a time. Pour into cupcake holders and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. When completely cool, spoon raspberry pie filling on top of each, add fresh raspberries on top. They were so easy and delicious. (Makes 12)

Christine brought 2 different kinds of cookies, Lynette made chocolate covered strawberries, and Marie and Gianna brought chocolate mini cupcakes. My Mom brought the yummy Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc wine.

Aaron did most of the cleaning and moving around of "things." He ran to Kohl's to buy me a hot water boiler/carafe - that he picked out. He calmed me down when I was running out of time. He did laundry while we were "talking girl stuff." He poured the wine, took care of the cats, ordered dinner and gave me a big hug when the day was done. How lucky am I? Quite lucky indeed.