It seems to me that those of us who like to “take tea” also enjoy a good mystery.  I am surprised that no one has yet gotten a half million dollar government grant to research the link between the two but there you go.  It is a strange world in which we live.

So, when I saw a particular tea alert in my email about a mystery author I had to check it out..and now….sigh..I am hooked on the website.
The site is a cooperation between several lady mystery writers and they discuss everything from tea parties to historical accuracy in your writing. I love it.

So, this afternoon, grab a cup of tea and a cookie to nibble on…because you really can’t eat a cookie when you are taking tea..you must nibble it… and sit down for a great read at The Lady Killers.

Image:Morguefile 

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Welcome to my tea party! First, I would like to thank Jan and Tom’s place for hosting this event.

I thought we would visit on the porch and enjoy the sounds of the birds and maybe catch a little breeze.

Would you like some of my rendition of Berger cookies? They are a famous, secret Baltimore recipe that people just seem to  get addicted to.  These are not exactly the same but they are very good!   And just as addictive.

I have chosen  Teavana’s Azteca Fire tea.  It is unusual but I like it because it holds up well to chocolate and other strong flavors. It tastes of chocolate, fruit and smoky chilis.  It is wonderful with cream.  Yes, cream!

Would you like a cup?

We are very casual here, I suppose it has to do with having a large family and raising goats and chickens.  We just do a lot of things which get us dirty.  Most of our tea parties are spontaneous, which means grabbing a few cookies,  brewing some tea, and relaxing with good conversation. We never seem to lack for that here!

Once in awhile I plan for a tea and it looks something like this:

I like to get my mothers vintage Salem china out, as well as the milk glass and  vintage linens.  Cut roses from our garden complete the table setting.  I usually scatter rose petals across the table as well.

While I do like doing this for guests, I also like to bless my family now and then with special treatment!   All of our kids love tea, and have their own definite likes and dislikes.  I think that children will learn to appreciate what thy have the opportunity to experience, so it is good for them to be exposed to fine foods, antiques, and great art and literature. It builds something deep within them.

I hope you have enjoyed our time together, for more tea parties go on over  to Jan and Tom’s Place.   I think they are expecting you.

Banner:Jan and Tom’s Place, used by permission

Images Marye Audet 

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Where we tend to think of sandwiches now-a-days being monstrosities made of puffed air bread and chemically treated processed meats, they were a completely different item in the not so distant past.

Thinly sliced homemade bread with a layer of butter, topped with cream cheese and pecan, or cucumber and dill graced many a luncheon table.  Back in the days before Biggie sized and Super sized meals tiny sandwiches in fancy shapes were termed “cunning” and “artistic”.  The plates were arranged and the flavors were enjoyed.

Ladies nibbled at sandwiches and sipped at tea.  And the average dress  size was an 8-10.

Tea sandwiches in cunning shapes go over well with small children because of the uniqueness of them, and I suspect the size of them.  You can trim the crusts from the bread and cut into fourths on the diagonal, or cut shapes with cookie cutters.  Working with day old bread will be better than fresh bread but if you are buying the bread from the store it does not matter that much.

These sandwich fillings are from one of my vintage  cookbooks, circa 1943.

Olive Pinwheels

6 Tbs ground boiled ham

2 tbs mayonnaise

1 tsp horseradish

1 loaf bread

4 tbs butter

6 stuffed olives

Remove crusts from bread loaf.  Cut lengthwise in thin slices, about 1/4 inch thick

Combine ham, mayonnaise and  horseradish.

Spread bread with butter, then ham mixture. Place olives in a line crosswise down the length of the bread.  Roll up carefully starting at the end. Wrap in a damp cloth and place in refrigerator for several hours.

Unwrap and slice into pinwheels.  Makes 8 thin pinwheels.

Pimento and Walnut Spread 

1/2 c chopped walnuts

1/2 c chopped pimentos

3 ounces cream cheese

1/2 c mayonnaise

Mix together and season to taste.  Makes filling for 12 tea sandwiches

Chicken and Pineapple Spread 

1/2 c crushed pineapple

1 c chopped cooked chicken breast

2 c pecans, chopped

1/2 c mayonnaise

Combine all ingredients gently. Makes 48 tea sandwiches.

Cheese and Almond Filling

1 c grated American cheese

1/2 c chopped smoked almonds

2 tbs mayonnaise

Mix together and spread on sandwiches.

Images:MaryeAudet 

Post from: Kettle and Cup