The Tea Party

I have never been much of a girly girl. I enjoy nice clothes and make up, but I’m not primpy or frilly, I don’t know how to sew and none of these things have ever bothered me.  And I can proudly say that I have never once in all my life jumped up and down squealing and crying over a celebrity (although had I had a personal encounter with John Travolta in high school I might have swooned a little…and fainted…).

But there is one thing that brings out the frill that lays buried deep inside.  It is the one thing that makes me happy to pull out an apron and want to sip Shirley Temple’s while skipping about my kitchen.

A tea party.  Commence to girl squealing now!

I threw a tea party over the weekend and it was all sorts of frilly.  There were flowers and lace.  We noshed on such dishes as Caramalized Pear, Roasted Walnut and Bleu Cheese Quiche and Lavendar Tea Cakes.  There were Spinach-Basil Scones and Martha Washington Petite Cakes, Roasted Turkey and Avacado finger sandwiches and Cinnamon Plum Tea.  Oh it was yummy and girly and fun, fun, fun.

I’m giggling.  Right now.  Giggling like a little girl.

The pictures to follow will show you why.  If you’re a girl, you will likely breathe a small sigh and smile.  If you’re a dude, you’ll probably feel sorry for Lee as you imagine him being forced to sample all the lovely cuisine.  (He does have to sample it all.  And he doesn’t like it.  Hmph…)

Enjoy.  You may want to grab a napkin as drooling is quite the possibility.

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The Centerpiece

The Centerpiece

I know.  Makes you want to weep...

I know. Makes you want to weep...

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See how happy they are?

See how happy they are?

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Even my own little tomboy got to come along. I'm raising a second generation tea party addict.  No politics allowed!

Even my own little tomboy got to come along. I'm raising a second generation tea party addict. No politics allowed!

How was your weekend?

Mini S’Mores Cheesecakes

Mmmmm…mouthwatering.

We’re having friends over tonight for dinner.  It will be simple – grilled chicken, salad, bread – maybe grilled vegetables – I haven’t decided yet.  But the delight will come at dessert. 

*UPDATE- So our friends had something come up and had to cancel so I’m not going to make these tonight – but I will find an occasion sometime this week to make these!  Oh yes, I certainly will…

This recipe comes from Tea Time Magazine.  I will add it to my tea recipes page (as well as some other recipes that I’ve been meaning to add).

Mini S’Mores Cheescakes
2 1/4 c graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c plus 2 T sugar, divided
1/2 c butter, melted
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 1/2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
2 large eggs
1 t vanille extract
1 (1-oz) square bittersweet baking chocolate, melted
24 jumbo marshmellows

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Add the melted butter and egg white, and stir to combine. Press the crumb mixture into bottoms and halfway up sides of 2 (12 well) mini cheesecake pans. Bake for 3 minutes; set aside.
3. Increase oven temperature to 375.
4. In a medium bowl and using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the remaining sugar and cocoa powder until mixture is smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and melted chocolate, and mix until combined.
5. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among the prepared crumb crusts, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 6 – 8 minutes or until puffed and set. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for approximately 20 minutes.
6. Freeze for 1 hour. Just before serving, preheat broiler. Place 1 marshmellow on top of each cheesecake, and broil for 1-2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Carefully remove cheesecakes from pan, and serve immediately.

It sounds lick your lips good! I’ll try to take pictures later of the finished product.  Now I need to go because my house just got eerily quiet, which almost always means someone’s up to no good.  I’m off!