Tea Finds for the Garden

I love to hide treasures in my garden and have been blessed  with some special ones this summer.

This garden tile was custom made for me for my birthday .

My friend Margaret has a large collection of coronation memorabilia.  She recently broke one of her teacups and donated the pieces to friend Mary Ann to incorporated into the garden tile.  (These two special ladies are pictured in my May 14th post).  I've had a hard time getting a photo that shows off the detail that went into this piece.   There are several pieces of the coronation cup plus carefully chosen pieces with flowers that work perfectly for the spout, handles and top of the teapot. The tea pot and lid are outlined with perfectly coordinated green stripes.

I've tried to show the location in the garden but lose all detail when I try to widen the shot.

The one of a kind wind chime shown below was purchased from  a vendor at a farmers market.  The base and shade are made from silver candy dishes.   The globe is a patterned wine glass.  Custom beading and spoons make the chimes.  What you can't see is a solar light in the top that lights the chime at night.

Another view

The tea cart was purchased at an estate sale.  It was originally white and badly rusted, but my husband gave it a coat of bronze rustoleum (to match my patio furniture).  Its holding a plant for now but will make an ideal beverage center for summer entertaining.

This rhododendron is at its peak.

The daphne willow is also putting on quite a show.

 

Bring a Friend Tea

My tea ladies are always telling me they've told a friend about one of our teas and are met with the response that they wish they could come.   I love to host my teas and last summer decided to spread my wings and have each of my tea ladies  invite a guest.  After all, tea for 12 can't be much more work than tea for 6!

I snapped 3 quick photos of  the tables fully intending to take more  after I brought out the food trays.  But once I started putting food on the table and friends started arriving I forgot about taking pictures.  Luckily one of my guests brought a camera and took some random photos.

I used embroidered tablecloths and napkins and mixed and matched plates from different sets of dishes. 

All the cups and teapots had rose patterns.  Each table had a different pattern napkin.

We remembered to take a photo just before we

 reached the dessert tier.

Bring a Friend Tea Menu

Cucumber Sandwiches

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Carrot Walnut Sandwiches

Fruit Cream Scones

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Mock Devonshire Cream

Lemon Curd

Fruit Cakes

Lemon Tea Cakes

Rose Bud Tea

Constant Comment Tea

I used chocolate mint as a garnish on my fruit tarts and found them to be the perfect accent.  The taste combined with the pastry cream and fruit was so refreshing.  Butter roses were formed in candy molds.  Divided relish trays were perfect for lemon curd, jams and devonshire cream.

Watch for a later post of a custom  garden tea tile designed by

 Mary Ann (in red) at the request of extra special tea lady Margaret.

Tea ladies and friends.

I've posted a few photos from my garden which was at its peak the the day of our tea.

This pergola bench was an anniversary gift from my husband.

Day lilies are pretty much gone but bee balm and phlox are at peak.

This is my favorite corner of the garden.

You can tell from the photo below that I water my garden but not my lawn. 

We ended the afternoon strolling through the garden.