Entertaining Tips

carrot cheddar curry tea sandwiches

May 8, 2012
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carrot cheddar curry tea sandwiches

~ carrot cheddar curry tea sandwiches ~ Today I made some of our favorite tea sandwiches for teatime. Carrot cheddar curry. We made these little sammies at both of the tearooms where I was employed, and everyone loved them! The mincemeat is my addition, and I think it makes these sandwiches even more wonderful. If you don’t have mincemeat, leave it out…or substitute a little chopped green apple and  some raisins or sultanas. These little treats are creamy-crunchy, sweet and tangy, with just a hint of curry. They are wonderful with any black tea, but particularly good with a cup of Darjeeling. 10-12 slices of white or wheat sandwich bread 2 large carrots, peeled and grated 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese 1 heaping Tablespoon mincemeat pie filling 2...

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frozen cappuccino

April 30, 2012
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frozen cappuccino

~ frozen cappuccino ~ These little iced cappuccinos are easy to make and every bit as good as the more expensive coffee shop variety. Serve these up in clear depression glass teacups (like the one pictured above) or your favorite floral cups for a fun and fancy garden party treat! one serving: 2 heaping teaspoons instant coffee powder (or 2 level teaspoons instant espresso) 2 heaping teaspoons sugar 1/2 cup whole milk handful of ice cubes generous squirt of chocolate syrup (like Hershey’s) whipped cream cinnamon Combine everything except the whipped cream and cinnamon in the bowl of a blender. Zip until smooth. Pour into pretty teacups. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Variations: add a drop of pure orange extract to the mixture and a...

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italian ice

April 2, 2012
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italian ice

~ italian ice ~ A refreshing, warm weather dessert. I love to eat this in place of ice cream because it curbs that craving without the fat…and it has the added benefit of vitamins from the fruit juice. Also, lovely served in tiny little scoops as a “palate cleanser” between courses of a more elaborate meal. Have fun with this recipe. Substitute different fruit juices and herbs…blackberry tarragon, lemon thyme, raspberry vanilla, the possibilities are endless. 2 cups water 2 cups sugar juice from 3 large grapefruit juice from one orange zest from one orange 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract OR 2 Tablespoons fresh mint, chopped fine Boil the water and sugar. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes. Add the fruit juices and mint. Pour into a freezer...

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garden party tea punch

March 20, 2012
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garden party tea punch

~ garden party tea punch ~ “UNDER certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. There are circumstances in which, whether you partake of the tea or not—some people of course never do—the situation is in itself delightful. Those that I have in mind in beginning to unfold this simple history offered an admirable setting to an innocent pastime. The implements of the little feast had been disposed upon the lawn of an old English country-house, in what I should call the perfect middle of a splendid summer afternoon. Part of the afternoon had waned, but much of it was left, and what was left was of the finest and rarest quality. Real dusk would not...

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tapenade pinwheels

February 28, 2012
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tapenade pinwheels

~ tapenade pinwheels ~ This is an easy appetizer to make if you have puff pastry in the freezer. I like to keep a package on hand at all times. It’s great for so many things! This little appetizer is made with tapenade, but you could use pesto too. This is a lovely addition to a formal afternoon tea as part of a “savory” course. 1/3 cup pimento-stuffed green olives 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives 2 large garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated black pepper 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter 1 sheet frozen puff pastry 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted In the bowl of a food processor, combine olives, garlic, Parmesan cheese and pepper until finely chopped. Add butter...

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scenes from a girlfriends’ fondue party

January 7, 2012
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scenes from a girlfriends’ fondue party

Wonderful memories of a beautiful night spent with friends. A pre-Christmas celebration. Candle light, conversation, fondue, a gift exchange and a champagne toast. How did you celebrate your friendships over the Holiday season? ~Melissa

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six senses saturday ~ tea party!

October 15, 2011
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six senses saturday ~ tea party!

tasting: apple cider floats, carrot cheddar curry tea sandwiches with raisins and apple on whole grain sandwich thins (and cut into wedges), cucumber sandwiches, chili and pumpkin filled crescent rolls. smelling: pumpkin crescent rolls baking in the oven, spicy candles burning, and fresh roses (that hubby gave me for our anniversary.) feeling: blessed by the love of close friends…and excited for more celebrating this weekend! seeing: leaves fall outside as I look out the kitchen window and squirrels getting ready for winter hearing: acorns falling, almost without pause, on our roof…and THIS CD knowing: that 16 years ago Jeff and I began the best adventure EVER! Love being married to that man ~Melissa

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autumn decorating

October 13, 2011
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autumn decorating

I’m feeling that feeling that comes over me every October. Time to feather the nest! I’ve packed summer away, rolled out the woven throw rugs and wool area rugs, and exchanged summer’s crisp blues and whites for autumn’s tawny earth tones. I sipped tea and hot apple cider while I decorated and took photographs to share with you! It was the perfect day for it. So, now I’m setting up for a little tea party I’m hosting for a few friends tomorrow and making a massive pot of chili. If you like this post and would like even more inspiration… CLICK HERE to view last year’s post titled “House Warming.” And…here’s another little treat for you, straight from the pages of my book “Chin Deep in Bubbles.” Enjoy! ~Melissa

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proper cucumber sandwiches

October 11, 2011
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proper cucumber sandwiches

I invited my friend Nancy over for a relaxing lunch to celebrate her birthday. Before she arrived, I lit candles everywhere, started Nora Jones playing low over the iPod dock, put the tea kettle on the stove, and made a batch of proper cucumber sandwiches. I’ve made almost as many cucumber sandwiches as I have scones, and that’s A LOT. When I was working at Tale of Two Sisters we would make them with fresh basil in the warm months when the herb garden was providing a prolific harvest. In the autumn and winter months we made them with cream cheese and pesto. I’ve started making them a little different since I worked there. All three ways are fantastic. Here’s my cucumber sandwich riff. for 6 pieces of bread:...

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teacup lunch

October 4, 2011
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teacup lunch

~teacup lunch~ I came across this sweet idea for serving lunch in a stack of teacups while paging through one of my favorite magazines awhile back. I decided immediately that at some point I was going to enjoy a teatime lunch this way. Today was that day!  It was really simple and I love the results. Elegant, casual and whimsical. The next time you host a tea party for your friends, maybe you could try this. Today I just posted the pictures, but I will post the recipes soon. Enjoy! ~ tea menu ~ in the bottom cup: butternut squash & apple bisque topped with a dollop of sour cream & chives and a side of green apples in the top cup: mini savory bacon, onion & currant scones...

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