There is a magical time of year in the forests of the world when everything is vibrant and thriving. The leaves are plenty, the ground is soft with loam, and there is much to harvest. This tea is a celebration of the abundance we glean from our woods and wilds. Put on your travelling clothes and journey through the greenery; at the end of the path lies full hearts and full bellies. The Harvest Peach Scones Caramelized Leek Quiches Cheddar, Maple, and Sage Pinecone Roasted Garlic and Herb Pinecone Leaf Crackers Mushroom Stuffed Mushrooms Smoked Salmon on Rye Hazelnut and Plum Crumble Bars Peanut Butter and Chocolate Acorns Meringue Nests with Berries, Hazelnuts, and Honeycomb A mixture of yaupon green, yaupon black, and kukicha teas perfectly mimicked the look of the forest floor, but thankfully not its flavor. The final brew was aromatic, slightly vegetal but with a delicate sweetness, and underwritten by a subtle roasted complexity. Not overpowering and with a refreshing crispness, this tea breezed between the lighter and heavier menu selections. The sweets and savouries provided were inspired by what can be naturally gathered from woodland settings. Salmon from streams and rivers, acorns from oak groves, and mushrooms from damp corners between trees. The pinecone cheese balls were studded with sliced almonds for an authentic prickly demeanor, while the leaf-shaped crackers were colored with matcha, curry, and paprika to reflect the beauty of the changing seasons. Homemade wild plum jam joined roasted hazelnuts for a tart and rich crumble bar. On the sweeter and lighter side were meringue nests filled with a blueberry grappa spiked whipped cream, and topped with blueberries, roasted hazelnuts, and homemade honeycomb candy. The honeycomb was made with local raw honey, which added an extra dimension to the caramelized crunch. Every detail was planned to elicit memories and perceptions of nature. Hand cut cedar rings provided height to the tablescape, while antique silverware showed off some of the flora and fauna you might encounter on a woodland outing. The teaware was a rustic mug in a textured brown and green. Antique majolica stand and plates in green leaf motifs complemented real wooden serving boards and tea tier. The bounty and beauty of nature is an apt theme for a tea party, and this woodland tea was a delight to plan and throw. The Woodland Bounty Tea Party is for regular outdoorsy types and city slickers alike. Join the celebration of the glorious end of summer and equally entrancing beginning of fall, and give thanks for what nature provides.
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Birthdays are the perfect excuse for a celebratory tea party, whether it's for a friend's or your own. Mine happens to be coming up soon, and it is certainly one worth fussing over: the big 3-0!! Although I do not have any tea plans for it this year, I did want to share how I spent my Golden Birthday, the birthday number that coincides with your date of birth. My best friend in the world flew out to visit and over a whirlwind five days we threw a magnificent party just for us. Golden Birthday Menu Pumpkin Ginger Scones Toasted Brioche Crostini Fig, Olive Oil, and Sea Salt Challah Pear Quince Tart Lavender Tea Cake Deviled Eggs Petits Fours in Four Flavours Sweet and Savory Accoutrements: hummus, pesto, whipped cream, lemon curd Everything was handmade, including the brioche for the crostini. It was a labor of love; one that was just as fun to devour as it was to make. No tea party would be complete without a modicum of fancy dress, so we even went so far as to pull old prom dresses out of my closet and put them on. Elbow length gloves, thrift store hats, and costume jewelry completed the look. We even had a "chaperone" in fancy dress himself. An antique lace tablecloth and heirloom china were the final touches. In a happy coincidence, the china perfectly matched the Golden Birthday theme. Looking back on it now, so did the majority of the food we prepared: two different breads, baked to golden perfection; a bronzed bundt loaf; autumnal scones; glorious lemon curd; petit fours shining like trinkets in the October sun. Although it wasn't planned, it was beautifully executed.
Ultimately what made my Golden Birthday one to remember was that I spent it doing what I loved, with the people I loved. But throwing a tea party that was a smashing success helped. At the moment I can only throw a few parties a year, but someday I hope to throw them nearly every day. These celebrations, whether they are for a birthday or not, are special. A toast, then; "To celebrating life the best way I know how- with a cup of tea and a homemade treat."
Happy Birthday. |
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