I created these Lemon Almond cupcakes for Baking Delights. Try them with Fujian Baroque or a white tea and apricot combo.

These Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes from Woman’s Day would go beautifully with a nice Earl Grey.  Want something a little more unusual? Try them with the Vanilla Oolong from Adagio.

I haven’t seen the full Cupcake Tea menu so I am not sure what they are doing exactly but I would at least add some grape clusters to the setting.  They look great and they go with almost anything.  It should make for a simple and unique tea.

More cupcake tea menus to come!

image:maryeaudet.

Post from: Kettle and Cup

You know, alot of people go shopping the day after Thanksgiving.  Personally, I think they are all insane…but whatever.

What I DO think is a great idea though, is to invite all of those insane shopper-friends of yours over to a Day After Thanksgiving Tea.

After all, you have lots of left-overs to work with, right?

Decorations are going to be pretty easy.  If you have decorated forThanksgiving you can use the same decorations for your tea party.  If not get some of those little, tiny pumpkins that are bound ot be on sale and use them as place card holders.  Just slit the skin a little and put the namecard in so it is held firmly.  Pile some gourds, pumpkins and other autumn things in the center of the table, perhaps spilling out of a basket.

Or, try using a footed compote, similar to this:

Just fill it with grapes and have them spilling out over the sides.  You can put a pillar candle in the middle if you like.

Food is easy.

• Make turkey salad finger sandwiches.  Use leftover turkey, add dried cranberries, pecans, and mayo and spread on thin slices of bread.  You can also toast the bread, trim the crusts, make the sandwiches and then cut in three long pieces.  Or make triangles.
• Ginger Scones
• Leftover desserts cut in small bite sized pieces…If you don’t have any leftover desserts just buy some Milano cookies.  Keep it easy!
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles

The only other thing you need is, of course, TEA!  here are some to consider:

• Adagio Almond Oolong 
• Teavana Oolong Revolution
• Republic of Tea Cranberry Blood Orange
• Earl Grey

Imagine, a cozy afternoon, sharing tea with friends.  A perfect way to end Thanksgiving and begin Christmas, don’t you think?

images:marye audet

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I was unable to participate in Jan’s tea party this month but don’t forget to go by and check the blogs that did.

I just had too many real parties to deal with today! But as long as you are here anyway…grab a piece of cake for the ride over to Jans…

image:marye audet (link to the recipe)

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I have missed several of Jan’s tea parties but I hope to be back in the groove of it this month, or rather in November.

These are virtual tea parties that Jan does and they are fun because it is great seeing everyone’s china and tea things.   You should join in November 8th.

I got to know Jan’s blog last summer and I find it both soothing and relaxing.  Alot of times I leave her site up on a tab while I am surfing other sites because the music is so perfect.  Her posts are gracious and as soothing as the music and the design of her blog.

If you have not taken the time ot check it out yet, if you don’t know this very godly Titus 3 woman then it is a great time to click over there and browse thorugh her pages and take in Life.

Thanks, Jan.

Image:Used by Permission Jan and Tom’s Place

Post from: Kettle and Cup

With just a few more days left in September, October is in the wings.  And, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

One of the things going on is the Second Annual  Boobie Bake Off at Baking Delights.  We have a great time with this so sign up!

But…Another way to raise money for Breast Cancer Research is to have a pink party.

In Victorian times pink teas were all the rage and they experienced a return to popularity in  the 1930s and 40s as pink parties. Pink would be the theme and everything on the menu would be …pink. I was thinking about that last night and all of a sudden started putting a menu together for a pink tea.

What you would do is to prepare a pink themed tea, invite your guests and ask them to bring a donation for Susan G. Komen Foundation.   This would be a great opportunity for your church ladies group as well!

Decorating for a Pink Party

Your theme is pink.  Pink feather boas are fun, and they are cheap, too.  A fun centerpiece is to use vintage purses that are held open and lay them on their sides with various items spilling out …mints, jordan almonds, bead necklaces, feather boas. You can even wrap a piece of wet oasis foam with plastic and put it in the purse and do a flower arrangement that comes out of it…  Use vintage plates with a pink theme or even pink paper plates.  Tulle is cheap and it is great to decorate with…It comes in many colors.

Use pink tea lights or candles.  Lay a pink carnation or rose over each guest’s plate.

Pink Party Menu

Several companies have come out with “Pink Awareness” teas. 

• Republic of Tea has a green tea with pink grapefruit  and pink peony petals.
• Celestial Seasonings has come out with two pink teas for October.

Or..just use a pink/red  rooibus or herbal tea:

• Teavana Rooibus Rose Garden with pink rose petals, rhubarb, and red currants.
• Adagio Blood Orange Spice Tea
• Teacuppa Rooibus Wild Cherry
• Don’t forget to make your own decorated sugar cubes, pink ribbons would be cute and easy!

Food to Serve at a Pink  Tea

• Rose& Cinnamon Scones
• Plum & Rose Curd
• Vanilla Rose Ice Cream in White Chocolate Cups
• White Silk and Raspberry Tarts
• Blend a block of cream cheese and about 1/4 cup good picante sauce to make an addictive tea sandwich spread.
• Blend cranberry sauce, cream cheese and chopped smoked turkey as a sandwich spread.
• Small cups of cream of tomato soup
• Pink RibbonTruffles

This is only a start..there are so many things you can do.  Use your imagination and have a great time!

Images: (c) Marye Audet

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I was doing some research for a freelance gig that I was working on and I came across something I had to write about here. Check out these laser cut cupcake liners from Paper Orchid.

Are those teapots and cups not the most adorable things that you have ever seen?  Or at least in the top 10?

For the most part I use silicone cups because it is better for the environment and I just like them..But I would definitely use these for something special!

The company has all kinds of amazing cupcake liners from lacy ones to more everyday ones, but this teapot design just seemed so perfect.

And…to fill them?  Try one of these recipes from Baking Delights~

Chai Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ganache

Almond Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

 Chocolate

Now…all you need is the tea and the tiered plates!

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Tonight was  a big birthday bash for my spiritual mom.  The theme was a tea party and I had helped with the decorating last night.  I planned to get pictures tonight.

There were absolutely fabulous things there…salads and tortilla rollups…fruit…scones…

I had done the tables with a mixture of quilts, antique books, vintage hats, teapots, and quilts…along with antique salt and pepper shakers and this and that to add charm…

It looked great!  And I would have been so happy to share all of the wonderful things with you…

But alas! my camera had dead batteries.

So, what have we learned here?

Extra batteries, don’t leave home without them.

We are going to be having a party tomorrow for Matt, Nick, and Sean’s birthdays..so I will not be doing the round up. :/

I did get pictures of the dried cherry scones before I left home so I will be posting them her or on Baking  Delights  soon.

::Sigh:::sorry.

Image:Morguefile 

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Jan at Jan and Tom’s Place is hosting a tea party, so be sure and check in over there for more awesome parties.

The timing for this is amazing because it is my spiritual mom’s birthday tea this evening and I spent several hours up at the church decorating last night.  Only, I forgot my camera so I will be posting the pictures from that later…

I used quilts, vintage tea pots, and antique books to create what I feel is an old world elegant-cozy atmosphere.  The way that faded chintz looks…elegant, yet comfy.   lots of fresh flowers.

Anyway.

For this morning’s tea party I thought that I would serve a walnut genoise, a bit rich for this early but you only live once…

I suggest a cup of Earl Grey Cream Tea, mellow Earl Grey with creamy vanilla.   It goes well with the rich ganache on the genoise, don’t you think?

and since this is a fantasy tea..would you mind terribly if I made it wintertime and lit a fire?  Thanks. I am tired of summer…and fires are so friendly.

This is Chipotle, we just brought her home from the animal shelter wednesday. She is settling in well.

Have you ever shopped at Victorian Trading Company? I  love their things but can rarely afford them, however for our tea I am wearing this Mocha Dress 

Well.  I have enjoyed spending time with you…come back again!

Images Marye Audet

Banner, used by Permission, Jan and Tom’s

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Post from: Kettle and Cup

I never way great at figuing out how to make buttons link to blogs…BUT if you click here you will go to Jan and Tom’s Place and find out more about her tea party on friday.

Last month’s  tea party was a blast and I know this month will be as well. I am planning on participating although I also have a IN REAL LIFE tea party for my spiritual Mom…I will be decorating for it on friday  as well! Busy, right!?

I am hoping to get pictures of the real tea party…and treat you to the blog tea party as well…so check back friday and sign up at Jan’s to host your own.

image:used by permission, Jan & Tom’s Place 

Post from: Kettle and Cup