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.
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And
of the Cookies and Candies and Barks and Hats, moiré non.
How I wish you could have joined us!
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!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and festive, as only you could do it!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the cookies and candies!
Chris is a sweetie!
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.
ReplyDeleteI want summa those lights, please, so I can make them dance!
Wow! What a delicious looking spread! It puts me in a party mood!
ReplyDeleteAll 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!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Where was I? It had to be fun, and with tasty fare all of which are so familiar and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteMe too Rachel, the food looks and i know it tastes, divine. Your Christmas Tea was a huge hit. Beautiful people and beautiful Christmas cheer.
ReplyDeleteLove you bunches,
Jeanne
What an utterly beautiful, elegant and delicious looking party, my friend!
ReplyDelete