Victorian Tea Party 2014

The first Saturday in May is always a big one for us.

We look forward to the Victorian Tea Party the FHU Associates put together.

It is always a wonderful day full of friends, good food and fabulous memories!

Shuffleboard on the lawn

Victorian Paper Dolls

Handwork station

Time for Tea Crafts

Each year the girls look forward to the different venues at the tea party.

This year had some great venues as always.

Hats were made . . . .

Beaded bookmarks were made . . . 

The Victorian paper dolls are ALWAYS a favorite . . . 

Calling cards were made . . .

and the art of the calling card was explained

We had a lovely day and can't wait till next year as well!

A Time for Tea . . . Friends . . . and Family

The first Saturday in May always finds us at the Hardeman House on the campus of FHU for the annual Victorian Tea Party.  This year was the 11th year and the coldest!  LB and I have been to 10 of the 11 and have seen everything from flooding to super hot to blankets outside to wrap up in as you have tea!!!  We still love it and enjoy going.

My two daughters!!!

Thank you, Gran, for being a sponsor!

LB's sweet friends, Shelbie and Addie, also were there enjoying tea.

Madlyn and LB love Lillie

LB and Madlyn found friends Cora and Anna Beth there as well . . .

This is a little more like it!

All Good Things Must Come to an End

This fabulous string ensemble provided lovely background music for our tea,
stroll through the stables and our playing shuffleboard for the day.

 This was a first for the girls this year, playing Shuffleboard on the lawn.  They loved it!  Madlyn declared that she now knew what she was going to do when she was older - she was going to crochet and play Shuffleboard, so she would not get bored!

Even sweet Clara joined the big girls for a game of Shuffleboard.

It was a fabulous 10th anniversary tea party. I can't wait till next year and I hope that more of our family can come for the day.  Thank you to some of our sponsors, A Little Loveliness and Pretty Sweet!

After our tea, we headed to the newest venue of the tea party . . . .

The Hardeman Stables.

A scavenger hunt of sorts was set up in and around the stables so all ages could explore this newest area.  Madlyn's mom was one of the ones who helped get this together.  It was just lovely!

Blackberry Butter

(makes 1/2 c.)

6 T. butter, softened

2 T. blackberry jam

1 t. lime zest

Beat together with an electric mixer. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.

- Adapted from The Deen Family Cookbook

Sitting Down for Tea with You . . .

Let's be honest . . . this is my favorite part of the day.  Sitting down at a gorgeous table with wonderful food and the best company one can find!

Earl Grey Truffels

(my most favorite EVER)

2/3 c. whipping cream

2 T. butter, cut into pieces

1 t. light corn syrup

2 Earl Grey tea bags

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

Chocolate bark coating

Chocolate sprinkles

In small saucepan, bring cream, butter, and syrup to a boil.  Remove from heat and add tea bags.  Steep 5 minutes.  Remove tea bags and squeeze out excess into pan.

Add chopped chocolate, stirring until chocolate melts and is smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Roll chocolate into balls by the teaspoonful.  Place in freezer to keep firm while preparing chocolate coating.

Melt chocolate coating in a double boiler.  Quickly dip balls in coating, place on waxed paper and shake chocolate sprinkles over the top.  Refrigerate until firm.  Store in refrigerator up to 1 week  or in a freezer for up to 1 month.   Makes 30 truffles.

A Visit Upstairs . . . .

We moved upstairs to see what could be seen there.  The girls created ivy halos - which was one of the original venues.  I remember sweet BABY Laura Beth having an ivy halo in her hair that first year.  

The Victorian paper dolls is always a favorite spot for the girls to sit down and be creative with many different materials.

Finally, our table was ready for tea!

White Chocolate Scones

(makes 16 large scones or 32 small ones)

2 c. White Lily all-purpose flour

1 c. heavy cream (plus a possible 1 more T.)

1 T. baking powder

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. white chocolate chips

1/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. sweet cream salted butter (1 stick)

white sparkling sugar

Combine dry ingredients; cut in butter with pastry blender or food processor until crumbly. Transfer to medium mixing bowl and add heavy cream and vanilla, stirring until just moistened.  Add another T. of heavy cream if the mixture is too dry.  Stir the white chocolate chips in quickly and gently.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 5 or 6 times. Divide into two or four sections and roll each into a circle. about 1/2 inch thick.  Cut each section into 8 wedges each and place onto lightly greased pans or parchment paper, two inches apart.  Sprinkle with white sparkling sugar on top before baking.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size.  Cool completely on wire racks before storing in airtight containers.

Any leftover scones can be reheated very well for a few minutes in a toaster oven.

Tasting the Perfect Cup of Tea

The dining room table was set beautifully with special pots of tea and little taste testing cups for all to try new brews of tea.

Laura Beth has always been a little leery of hot tea, but
tasted away and really enjoyed the black tea.

 The dining room is one of my favorite spots for pictures.  The girls were taking a glance at what all the afternoon would bring and I am so glad I was able to snap these shots of them.

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

5 large tortillas

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. feta cheese

1/4 c. chopped green onions

6 oz. dried cranberries

Mix together cheeses, onions.  Add cranberries.  Spread evenly onto tortillas.  Roll up and wrap

in Saran wrap.  Refrigerate one hour.  Cut into 1 inch segments, discarding the ends.  Enjoy!

Come On In for a Cup of Tea . . .

Step in through the gate . . . 

Take a walk through the historic Hardeman House . . . 

and have a lovely visit with some of your closest friends.

Laura Beth, Madlyn, Gran and myself were so excited to be able to attend the 10th annual Victorian Tea Party at Freed Hardeman University.  Laura Beth and I have been able to attend all but one in the years that it has been going on.  It is a favorite event for our girls in our family!  It has been fun to see Laura Beth and her friends grow in the activities that the tea party brings.  I can remember spending ENDLESS hours in the little girl dress up venue.  Now, we are moving into the hand work they offer during the tea party.  This year's venue was crocheting small flowers that could be put on clips and ponytail holders.  I was so impressed with the girls.  They really worked hard on this difficult task and their results were wonderful!  Laura Beth now wants crochet hooks!

Listening intently as Mrs. Sherry explains what to do . . . 

Madlyn working hard

Laura Beth focusing on her work

Madlyn and Laura Beth met up with sweet Lexi.  It was Lexi's first tea party and we were so
glad to have her there!

I want to share some of my favorite recipes from the day with you.  All the food was fabulous this year (as always)!!!

Spicy Cheddar Pimento Sandwiches

(makes 24 open-face sandwiches)

8 oz. sharp cheddar, shredded

3/4 c. chopped pecans

8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/4 c. minced chives

5 T. Miracle Whip (or more to taste)

3/4 t. cayenne pepper

1/2 c. diced marinated roasted red peppers

Garnish: fresh chives

Multigrain or party rye bread

In the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, pulse together the cheddar,

Monterey Jack, mayonnaise, and cayenne until mixture is mostly smooth.  Fold in the diced red peppers, pecans, and chives until well combined.  Spread on bread; garnish with chives.