Tea Accompanied with Ideas from the Food Bloggers

The Food Bloggers are a group of bloggers who enjoy sharing their recipes or write blogs related to recipes, foods, health and nutrition, and cooking. They have some up with some more recipes that you may be able to serve with tea or at tea parties.

Alphabet Cake Pan Personalize your birthday cake with an alphabet cake pan. Make their initials, or their age in cake!
Busy Family Meals Vindaloo sauce can be used to flavor meats, but we like it best as a vegetarian delight!
Chocolate Covered Buttercrunch Bars Chocolate and buttercrunch treats made with a surprise ingredient.
Cooking Gadgets Space saving genius: collapsible colanders!
Horehound Drops A herbal home remedy for a sore throat or cough.
Old Woodenware Stirs Memories Mary Emma, at Country Kitchen, finds that old kitchen woodenware brings back memories of cooking in the farmhouse kitchen of childhood.
Super Bowl Snack: Edamame "Hummus" A delicious thick dip made with edamame, tofu and avocado The Experts' Suggestions to Curb Nighttime Noshing Most of the registered dieticians and diet websites Jean found as she tries to curb her nightly noshing habit have pretty specific suggestions to help.

Have fun as you try these. Let me know if there is something you particularly enjoy with your tea.

A Book Launch Tea Party - What a Grand Idea!

I just visited Tracy DeSabato-Aust's blog and learned of a fascinating idea - A Book Launch Tea Party. Tracy describes this gathering of friends to celebrate the launching of her new book, 50 High-Impact Low-Care Garden Plants.

Don't you simply love this idea? There are so many variations you can develop whether you're launching a fiction, non-fiction, children's or adult's book.

• Some tea parties might be costume ones.
• For others you could wear a hat.
• Foods served could be some mentioned in the book.
• If you do have a tea party in your book, recreate it at your launch.
• You also could arrange a virtual online tea party launch.
• If your book is set in a different country, find teas served there.

If you've ever had a tea party book launch, do share with us.

Do You Find Old Kitchen Woodenware Fascinating?

Although this isn't strictly a Tea Time topic, old kitchen woodenware could come in handy for it's decorative effect at tea parties. You might have some of your own, handed down in the family, like I do. Or perhaps you simply enjoy collecting antiques. Even modern woodenware looks lovely.

I've written a post over at Country Kitchen, about old woodenware evoking memories, that you might enjoy.

A Tea Party Accompanies a Beauty Break

Tea Parties seem appropriate most everywhere. The other day, as I conducted a skin care and make-up Beauty Break session at a friend's home, she combined this with a tea party for refreshments.

After I analyzed the gals' faces, then showed them how to use the skin care and make-up items, we chatted over cups of tea and dainty cookies. Since it was just after the Christmas holidays, the hostess had some pressed cookies with red and green decorations, as well as sugar-free cookies since her mom, who attended, is diabetic. Pretty napkins and dainty cups completed the arrangement.

Gathering around a cup of tea seems to enhance friendships and create a festive atmosphere.

Tea Party with J K Rowling

A month ago, I wrote about a tea party with Harry Potter author, J K Rowling, some children in England would be attending. This was a highly publicized event celebrating of the release of Rowling's new book, Tales of Beedle the Bard.

I was wondered if anyone attended the tea party who reads any of my blogs. It would be fun if you'd leave a comment and let us know how you enjoyed this special tea party. Was Mom as excited as you?

Were there any other tea parties going on to note this occasion...in libraries, bookstores, homes, schools? If so, what were they like?

Happy New Year's from Tea Time Notes

May 2009 be a wonderful year for you.

It's cold (3 degrees F.) and windy here where I live.

But we're looking forward to a grand 2009.

Planning In-Home Tea Parties

Tea Party

One of the latest innovations for in-home parties involves tea, according to the blogger at Tea Sippers. She tells about David Pilhirney, who owns a tea store in Calgary, Canada.

He conducts in-home parties with various types of tea, tea history, and conversation. This could generate tea sales at the party and serve as great PR for his business.

This is an idea others might like to try. There are so many variations and possibilities.

Perhaps you've attended or hosted an in-home tea party. Share your experience with us.

Watching for Santa Over a Cup of Tea

Christmas Eve

The grandkids excitedly anticipated the wonders of Christmas and informed us they could watch Santa's progress by satellite. Simply check into the Norad site and follow on the map as Santa makes his way around the world to the United States.

So while I enjoyed a cup of tea, we watched Santa's progress. This also is a fascinating way for youngsters to learn geography and facts about different countries.

They finally gave up and went to bed as Santa headed toward South America. He has a few hours yet to reach our country.

Have you ever watched Santa via satellite? What will they think of next!

Tea and Cookies Galore

After Bible Study tonight at church, we had cookies, tea, coffee or punch and conversation...a time to exchange Christmas greetings and enjoy friendship. Several of the ladies contributed homemade cookies of various types:

Cranberry Nut Jumbles
Coconut Drops
Krispy Rice Bars
Sugar Cookies with a dab of jam in the center
Frosted Sugar Cookies
Brownies
Chocolate Tarts with Whipped Cream
Chocolate Drop Cookies with cherry in the center

(I know there were more, but I can't recall them all right now.)

What kinds of cookies do you serve with tea during the holidays?

Check Out the Quilt Book Giveaway at Quilting and Patchwork

Giveaway

If you're a quilter or simply like giveaways, why not stop over at Quilting and Patchwork and participate in the Giveaway of a Mini Quilt Book. It's in progress over there.

Do you like to sit down over a cup of tea and browse through quilt books or discuss them with another quilter? This can be relaxing and inspiring.

Perhaps you're not a quilter yourself, but know of someone who would enjoy this book by Patricia Mainardi.

Tea Cup Ornaments

You can find ornaments for Christmas trees and other types of holiday decorations in the form of tea cups! A friend gave me one a couple years ago that was a tea cup with saucer attached. Another time there was a small teapot.

Recently I saw a tea cup ornament with a tiny dog inside.

Do you have any tea cup or tea party related ornaments?

Enjoy the Offerings of the Food Bloggers - You May Find Something to Serve With Tea

Food Bloggers

Here are the Food Bloggers again, with treats and ideas to share. Enjoy!

BlogTalkRadio's In the Kitchen BlogTalkRadio's "In the Kitchen" features the Women's Day food editors offering their tips and ideas for making the best dishes possible. This week they discussed budget friendly holiday cooking tips.

Busy Family Meals Jenna Pepper shares her expertise on how to get kids to try new foods!

Collecting Tea Pots and Tea Cups Mary Emma, at Tea Time Notes, chats about collecting tea cups and those she obtained from boxes of soap detergent many years ago.

Cooking Gadgets Giftybox is the unique way to give cooking classes or winery tours to those on your gift list...now at a special discount for our readers!

Power Food Follow-Up Following up on last week's Power Foods blog, Jean decided to share a few tasty recipes that “fit the (power) bill”.

Spiced Carmelized Pecans A perfect treat for your holiday parties.

Win Sauce...and a Microwave from Bertolli This week an appliance...next week steaks. Cookerati has a giveaway a week in December.

Tea Pots and Tea Cups

I’ve seen a festive tea pot with holiday design at the local thrift shop where my daughter and I often stop for unique as well as useful items. If it’s there the next time we visit, I think it was meant for me to acquire.

I also look for interesting tea cups for serving tea on various occasions or simply to use myself. Today I found (at our local recycling facility…formerly called “the dump”…a Golden Wheat tea cup and saucer. This brought back memories because that was the first set of dishes Jim and I owned.

Where did they come from? Boxes of soap detergent. There was a promotion for Golden Wheat in the detergent my mother-in-law purchased (to wash laundry for a family of 10) She collected this dishware for us and accumulated a set of 4. The only other item I have left after 48 years is a soup bowl.

What do you collect for tea cups?

Tea With JK Rowing...What Fun!

Tea Party

To celebrate the release of her latest book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, famed author JK Rowling invited approximately 200 school children to enjoy tea with her. What an exciting experience!

Read more about this at my One Book Two Book blog. This book is a spin-off of sorts from the latest Harry Potter book, Deathly Hallows.

I wonder what they had for tea and refreshments. Possibly something with a Scottish influence since this was to take place in Edinburgh.

More Tea Time with Alzheimer's Patients

If you are considering tea parties for the Alzheimer's patients or other caregivers in your life...and they can be such fun activities for all of you...you might like to check out these posts at my Alzheimer's Notes blog.

Tea Time at Alzheimer's Notes - Caregivers Sharing
Tea Time at Alzheimer's Notes - Tea Time With Mother

Enjoy Giveaways? Here Are Some With Gifts for the Youngsters in Your Life

One Book Two Book Giveaways

If you're a fan of giveaways, you'll find a series of them at a blog I co-author, One Book Two Book, running from Dec. 2-7.

Check out the rules and leave comments at the following links. You can enter any or all of the giveaways. These will make great Christmas gifts for youngsters, too. Enjoy!

Book Swim Giveaway
Readeez DVD Giveaway
Baby Can Read Giveaway
Wii Pop Star Guitar Giveaway
Fly Me To The Moon Giveaway
Giveaway - Celebrity Arthur Book from Speakaboos
Giveaway - Countdown to Bedtime Soundbooks
Giiveaway - ECO Baby Organic Playdough
Baby Potential Teacher Onesie Giveaway
Natural Pod Giveaway
RideMakerz Giveaway
Happy Green Bee Giveaway
Mead Writing Fundamentals Giveaway

Snowy Day Tea Time

When the snow flutters down, lightly and softly this morning in New Hampshire, it's time for another cup of tea. What flavor shall I choose?

Perhaps a cup of Chai spice black tea. This should keep me going at my writing and business bookkeeping. Also, the aroma is so nice. My grandson comes into the room, "Nanny, what smells so spicy and good?"

What tea would you choose for a snowy day?

Also, you might like to read about our first snowfall of winter, which occurred earlier in the week.

http://www.alzheimersnotes.com/snowy-day-activities-memories-with-alzheimers-patients/
http://www.quiltingandpatchwork.com/2008/11/25/the-first-snowfall-a-day-for-fun-and-quilting-inspiration/
http://www.onebooktwobook.com/snow-snow-everywhere/

Enjoy!

Suggestions & Lists to Aid Your Christmas Shopping

Super Shopping

To aid you in preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday and your other shopping, I've compiled lists and suggestions at my b5media blogs: One Book Two Book, Quilting and Patchwork, and Alzheimer's Notes.

One Book Two Book:2008 Holiday Gift Guide (Mary Emma)

Quilting & Patchwork:2008 Holiday Gift Guide for Quilters & Fabric Artists


Alzheimer's Notes:Holiday Shopping for Alzheimer's Caregivers


Did you find one list more helpful than another? If so, which one?


ENJOY!

Happy Thanksgiving from Tea Time Notes

Happy Thanksgiving

We've been busy this morning getting the turkey ready. Yes, we're having the traditional turkey. My hubby selected it so has been monitoring the preparations. After I made the stuffing ("like Mother used to make!"), I left the rest to him. The engineer in him cooks to precision.

My daughter has been preparing her special recipes to add to our menu. She made her daughter's request of "glop" for breakfast...a combination of bread cubes, eggs, sausage, cheese, and milk. Some of us like that, while others have something else. (We live in a multi-generational home with six family members, a dog, guinea pig, and rabbit.)

Yes, I had my cup (actually two by now) of English Breakfast Tea with my serving of glop.

Perhaps you'd like to see my Thankful Poem, a project on my Quilting and Patchwork blog.

How about writing your own Thankful Poem this weekend? Or any time of year?

Tea Time Mystery Parties

What fun! Tea Time Mystery Parties!

Have you ever thought of holding a mystery tea? I'd never thought of it either until I learned about the murder mystery teas in a kit that Maxine Holmgren organizes at Maxine Mystery Tea Parties. In fact, she's made a business of this, providing mystery scripts she's written, along with recipes, invitations, and other items for the complete tea party.

There's also an interesting article, Tea, scones and a murder mystery, by Hope Pierson that gives some details about Maxine and her parties, which now have become popular beyond her home area of Sun City, AZ.