Yesterday I hosted a winter tea party. Since the thermometer dipped to very frigid temperatures, it was the perfect day to sip some hot tea, nibble on tea sandwiches, scones, and cookies. I offered up tea chez moi as a silent auction item at a fundraiser last year, and seven ladies, who won the auction item, came with high spirits to enjoy the afternoon together. It was high tea, meaning they enjoyed their tea while seated at a table. We thought you might enjoy seeing the table I set for the event.
I wanted a calm table so used a white table cloth along with some aqua blue napkins from Home Goods. I liked the white stitchery detail on the edges.
Our wedding china dinner plates (Moonspun by Lenox) were used as chargers. The first course was four types of tea sandwiches – egg salad, ham salad, cucumber sandwiches, and smoked salmon. I served them on these floral plates I bought at the Brimfield antique sale a while back. They are loaded with color and looked great with the napkins. Since we are getting close to Valentine’s Day, I wanted pink to be a part of the color scheme.
For the second course, I switched out the floral plates for pink depression glass and served chocolate orange scones with citrus curd and whipped cream. This post talks about why I love using depression glass.
I used our wedding china for the cups and saucers, too.
A simple bunch of colorful flowers from the market was a perfect low-key centerpiece. Oh, and I used place cards. They eliminate the awkwardness of everyone trying to decide where to sit.
The dessert course was meringues, coconut macaroons, and chocolate brownies. We will be sharing recipes for the scones and meringues here on the blog soon.
I love afternoon tea, and it is such a fun way to entertain. It seems that just about everyone enjoys sitting down to some good conversation, good food, and good tea. It is just a civilized way to spend a late afternoon. Have you ever hosted an afternoon tea?
Take care.
Linking to Between Naps on the Porch
Delightful! Why are the tea cups on the left?
Karen, they are also from our wedding china. They are Moonspun by Lenox. I think the pattern is discontinued, but it is available at Replacements.com
Karen, in a formal table setting, the tea cups go on the left.
Hi Karen, coming from the UK (aka the land of tea drinkers) I scratched my head when looking at your pictures. I’ve never seen a tea or coffee cup on the left as beverages are always served from the right for easy access to serve without interfering with the other items on the table and to prevent sleeves brushing over food to reach for the cup. Your teacup should be laid adjacent to the plate. If you were using individual teapots they would go above the teacup and a glass would be placed above and slightly to the left of the teapot. I’ve been lucky enough to have had afternoon tea at Claridges and the Savoy (they don’t come more formal than that) on several occasions and cups are always on the right. Best wishes – Lesley
Thank you, Lesley for your input. I looked this up before setting the table, and the diagrams that I saw had the cup and saucer on the left. Traditionally, the coffee cups are not brought out till after the main course dishes are removed, and tea is not served with a formal meal here. So, finding an image of a formal setting with a cup and saucer was not an easy challenge. I guess my best excuse is that we drive on opposite sides of the road, too. Lucky you to have had tea at Claridges and the Savoy. I have had tea several times at Brown’s Hotel in London and absolutely loved it.
Have been thoroughly spoilt – Brown’s is lovely too and I can also recommend The Goring for lunch or tea and well worth pushing the boat out.
How lovely! 😉
Beautiful, and Moonspun by Lenox is my wedding china also.