Thursday, December 19, 2013

CHRISTMAS TEA, 2013


Our little annual Christmas Tea Party, on Sunday, December 15.  We six regulars gathered just at twilight, and Chris and Sweetpea went out to a movie for the evening.   We swapped our usual burgundy-and-pink for bright reds and greens and gold and white this year, and the whole room was made brighter with several strings of little lights.   Chris surprised me with a couple of strands one morning---I walked in to see colorful twinkles all across the far wall, strung freehand in loops and swags, and altogether charming to my country-girl, neon-loving heart.
 
They have their own tee-ninecy remote, to make them do all their dancing---how nifty is THAT?
 
 
 


The party table---phone photos, in their usual blur when I’m getting everything onto the table.




Some charming little Christmas Tree ravioli, with bocconcini and grape tomatoes in a red wine vinaigrette. 
We’d intended to put the tri-color tortellini onto skewers with the cheese and tomatoes, but he also brought home these, and I couldn’t resist.   We’ll have a pasta night sometime during the holidays and use the other package, plus the tortellini, with several sauces.
 
My favorite is browned butter and  dry, aged Mizithra.





Plump little fennel-sausages, in a cranberry-mustard glaze, Egg Salad Sandwiches, Red Pepper Jelly on Cream Cheese, and the little mannaze dish holds Curry Mayo.   I’d not made it in years, but it was a Southern standby in the Seventies, for every kind of party.

 




And of course, Paminna Cheese in all its shining glory.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Crudite with Bleu Cheese Dip, and a dish of Chicken Salad in an old candy dish---the kind that has a tall lid an Archbishop would envy.  Everyone could choose to have their salad on a croissant or crackers.





 
Caro’s Asian Meatballs, without which no party . . .
 

 
Hot Artichoke/Parmesan Dip.   Four ingredients, two minutes to make, ten to bake. 
 


And of the Cookies and Candies and Barks and Hats, moiré non.
 
How I wish you could have joined us!

8 comments:

  1. I loved seeing your tea party! I understood every southern descriptive word! How fun to see the southern traditional red pepper jelly over cream cheese!

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  2. So pretty and festive, as only you could do it!
    Can't wait to see the cookies and candies!

    Chris is a sweetie!

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  3. You are absolutely THE Hostess with the Mostest. All is picture perfect, as you always manage to do. What a wonderful gathering. Sitting here feeling so peaceful after reading and viewing this, and the viewing is as important as the reading, even if your prose does dance.

    I want summa those lights, please, so I can make them dance!





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  4. Wow! What a delicious looking spread! It puts me in a party mood!

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  5. All of the Southern favorites. And I had to laugh when you said a tea table-when I saw the goblets. That is the only way to drink tea! Forget hot tea in a teacup-I want iced-crushed ice preferably and in a goblet!

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  6. Oh my goodness! Where was I? It had to be fun, and with tasty fare all of which are so familiar and comfortable.

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  7. Me too Rachel, the food looks and i know it tastes, divine. Your Christmas Tea was a huge hit. Beautiful people and beautiful Christmas cheer.

    Love you bunches,
    Jeanne

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  8. What an utterly beautiful, elegant and delicious looking party, my friend!

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