The Diva That Threw A Super Girly Spring Tea Party

What do you do for a super momma? Recently, my friend Julian and I threw a completely over-the-top tea party-baby shower for our dear friends, Sarah and Walter, who recently adopted a baby from Kazakhstan. The baby’s name is also Julian and he is a long awaited dream come true. The theme was super-girly-spring. One, because Julian’s mother is the most girly gal I know. Two, she showed her super girl powers persevering through a most hideous drawn out Kazakh adoption (along with her hubby)<==long, ugly story. Third, spring had sprung the day before and it was a glorious day! I cooked almost everything I could think of within reason (but not much).

I also benefited from attending an outstanding larder swap tea party, the weekend before, hosted by Twitter friends Kate Payne (@hipgirls) and Beekeeper Meg (@bkhomsteader). I was lucky to not only get to meet some of the folks that I know from Twitter, but to swap my chutneys, pickles and homemade raspberry marshmallows (first time!) for additional treats for my tea party. I got caramel Armagnac sauce from Jeannie Rose Field (@fauxgourmet), spiced almond and chocolate drops from Jane Lerner (@janelerner) and streusel topped carrot, zucchini, pecan muffins from Emily Hanhan (@emilyhanhan). It was so much fun!!!

I had a ball making this party and setting it up with all my friends who pitched in to make it look FABULOUS!!! What is great about a tea party is you put all the food out a once! You do some replenishing here and there, but you get to hang out and enjoy yourself too!

Here is the menu with the savory food first and the sweets after. Do try this at home. Get your friends to all bring something. It’s GOOD, CLEAN, FUN!.Here is video overview of what I made. I had people breathing down my neck to get to the food so it’s quick.

SAVORY STUFF

Assorted Tea Sandwiches:

Curried Chicken Salad
Gala Apple & Cream Cheese
Deviled Ham Spread & Cucumber
Traditional Chicken Salad
Crunchy Bacon & Egg Salad
Egg Salad & Watercress
Cheddar & Green Tomato Chutney
Butternut Squash, Coriander & White Bean Spread
Chicken Salad & Crunchy Bacon
Cucumber & Watercress

Spring Frittata with roasted peppers, potatoes, onions, zucchini, butternut squash, peas and Parmesan

Smoked Salmon Choux Puffs w/ Dill

Assorted Cheese & Cracker Board

SWEET STUFF

Warm Scones served with:

Lemon Curd
Raspberry Jam
Whipped Cream

Espresso Pastry Cream Choux Puffs w/ Chocolate Glaze

Carrot Zucchini Mini Muffins (via Emily Hanhan)

Apple Blueberry Pecan Baby Bundt Breads w/ Armagnac Caramel Sauce (sauce via Jeannie Rose Field)

Coconut Macaroons

Pink Chocolate Dipped Raspberry Marshmallows

Milk & Dark Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Marshmallows

White Chocolate &Strawberry Bark

Rockin’ Rocky Road w/ peanuts, raisins & marshmallows

Dark Chocolate Roasted Pepita &Cranberry Bark

Heavenly Hazelnut Squares

Spiced Almond Chocolates (via Jane Lerner)

Sugar Dusted Shortbread Flower Cookies

Cashew, Walnut & Hazelnut Cookies

Toffee Crusted Brownies

Cherry & Walnut Blondies w/ 70% chocolate chips

Chocolate Flower Pops in pink, milk and dark chocolate

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Milk, Dark & White Chocolate Grahams

Milk & Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

WET STUFF

Watermelon Sangria

Iced Hibiscus Tea

Assorted Hot Teas

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