Celebrating Easter

   The Easter holiday is fast approaching; it is literally this weekend!!  I cannot believe how fast April is flying by, but never the less, it is here, and I love celebrating Easter. It is a time when we get together with family and enjoy good food, laughter and beautiful weather (hopefully)!
   Today I am going to share an easy and casual Easter table scape, as well as a fun Easter egg hunt for the littles in your life. Whether you are having friends or family over for a simple late afternoon lunch, or maybe even an early morning brunch, these ideas will bring some spring fun to your Easter holiday!
   So you are having a little get together to share in the Easter celebration, and you want to impress them without breaking the bank! No worries; this simple yet stunning table setting will do the trick!
   White chargers, cream dinner plates and floral napkins in soft blues and greens, bring on the feeling of spring! Add a few pretty pastel blue egg shaped bowls, alongside green salad plates to complement the colours, and your table is nearly complete!

   I love these pastel coloured chalkboard eggs; yes that's right! Chalkboard!! I found them www.walmart.ca for $1.98. You get 12 eggs in various colours, plus a box of chalk! Adorable!

   Here I used them to act as place cards for your table and added gold initial stickers. If your handwriting is exceptional, then you could always add the letter with the provided chalk.
   I then used my favourite brass napkin rings as a holder for the eggs, and placed them on a small white side plate, which would be used as a bread plate. I wanted to use egg cups to hold the chalkboard egg, but had a hard time finding any. If you happen to have a set, by all means pull them out, as they would work beautifully on any Easter table.
   Then all you need to round out your table is glassware and cutlery, and a few more touches of colour. Here I used simple stemmed wine glasses and water glasses with a green hue to them, and added some lovely silver cutlery.

   I also like to sometimes dress up the place setting with a little something. I found some small twig wreaths at www.michaels.ca, and added them to the salad plate for a little visual interest. Of course, they will be removed once the meal is served, but for now, it gives your guests a taste of how much attention to detail you put in for them!
   A simple and easy centrepiece which doesn't take any time to do, is some lovely tulips and greenery. Here I used a metal pitcher and placed it on top of some grass mats which I found at the dollar store! It just adds an extra spring touch that doesn't cost a lot. I also added a pretty Easter platter just because, and a ceramic bunny. You could always make the platter useful by adding a butter dish or jam jars ( if you are serving brunch).

   And there you have a casual Easter table ready for friends or family!
 
   Now if your guests are bringing children, why not let them have a pretty table set up all for themselves! If they are old enough to sit on their own, it would be so fun for them to have a place where they can sit with their friends and just be kids. If the weather permits, you could set this up outside, but indoors works just as well.

   It also helps if the outdoor area isn't too far from the dining area, this way parents can keep an eye on the younger children if need be. You just have to work with the ages of the children and what feels right to you!
   I remember always having our own table as children, especially for holiday get togethers. It was always so much fun! We felt like we were grown ups, even though our parents were in the next room, or even in the same room sometimes!
   Make it colourful and make it fun!

   If the children are fussy eaters, meaning they won't eat the adult food, and it's okay with the parents, give them a fun meal. Children love to snack, so why not give them little lunch boxes filled with plastic easter egg snacks! Fill the eggs with crackers, cheese, carrots and hummus/dip, bite sized fruit like blueberries or cut up strawberries, cheerios, etc. Bite size is the key!

   If they are going to eat what the adults are eating, then you could always just give them pretty paper plates to have their meal on, or if you are able to cut up some of the meal items into bite size portions, then those items could be placed inside of the eggs. In a pinch, muffin liners work really well too!
   Assign each child their own special seat with these adorable chalkboard signs in Easter motifs! At the end of the day, they can take them home with them too as a little reminder!

   Don't forget to dress up their table too! Ceramic bunnies, tulips in a milk glass vase and little carrot pots are so cute, and these little carrot pots are a cinch to make!

   1. I used 6 mini terracotta pots and cleaned them out.

   2. Stuffed them with basket grass (the kind you use for Easter baskets).

   3. Added these adorable sparkly carrots to make it look like they were growing out of the pot!

   And ta-da! I told you it was easy!

   Once the meal is over for both children and adults, how about getting into the spirit with an Easter egg hunt. Have baskets or pails at the ready for each child, and a good idea is to have it all set up before hand so you don't have to scramble for places to hide the eggs! If you are limited on space, maybe keep the children distracted with games while one or two of the adults do the hiding!
   Some game ideas are:
                -tic tac toe

                -pin the tail on the bunny (printable found at www.sugarandcharm.com
                -Don't Eat The Peep (printable found at www.thirtyhandmadedays.com

               
                -disc or bean bag toss
                -plastic egg tower: this is where you get a bunch of plastic easter egg halves and see how many you can stack on top of one another without falling down. This is a great game for the younger kiddos.
    Now the egg hunt can begin! A few rules to keep everyone happy while egg hunting, are to try and keep the location of the eggs in one general location, such as the backyard only, and have a variety of eggs to find. Chocolate ones, plastic ones filled with jelly beans or even non-sugar treats.

   You could even fill the plastic eggs with instructions for simple exercises that are great fun for all ages.
          Here are some ideas:
                 
                     -touch your toes 4 times
                     -do 10 jumping jacks
                     -hop like a bunny/ cluck like a chicken
                     -march on the spot for 20 seconds
                     -dance around like a butterfly
                     -hop on one foot and touch your nose
This list could go on and on, but I am sure you get the point!

   If you have more than four children at your egg hunt, an easy trick for everyone enjoying themselves and making sure they all go home with candy or treats, is to give each child a pail in a different colour. Hide eggs in coordinating colours, and instruct the children to only find the eggs or candy that match their pail colour! No one goes home crying or complaining that Johnny has more than they have, and everyone, including the adults, have a good time!  

      I hope that you find this post interesting and filled with ideas that you can use to create a fun-filled, and entertaining Easter celebration for your family and friends!
   Happy Easter to you and yours! Until next time!
 

~A

Springtime Tea Party

   Hello everyone and welcome! I feel it, the sun is shining, it's getting a tiny bit warmer, and Spring is in the air! At least I hope it is! Spring brings a sense of renewal, and a feeling of happiness. After all, the days become brighter, warmer and longer, and spring colours pop from every garden and flower bed.
   This is also the season of Easter, Mother's Day, maybe a few weddings, and with that, bridal and baby showers. So today's post is all about throwing a sweet springtime tea party. A tea themed bridal or baby shower would be a lovely way to celebrate the guest of honour. But even better, why not invite a few of your closest friends over instead, for an intimate get together.
   Today I will show you ways to set a pretty table, a take home gift idea, a few recipes and lots of great ideas and tips for throwing your own tea party.

   Afternoon Tea has been a time-honoured tradition for years, and still to this day, you can find tea rooms, and hotels that host High Tea, all around the city. Afternoon tea was specifically for the upper class back in the day. It was more of a mini meal, served from 4 to 6 pm, and was a way to tie them over until dinner, which usually was later in the evening. Some would have their meals after 8pm!
   High Tea was reserved for the middle class. The idea was pretty much the same, but it was believed they sat at higher tables and chairs, hence the name, High Tea. Nowadays, it is simply referred as High Tea everywhere.
   Having a tea party is where you get to pull out all the stops. Your finest china, heirloom tea cups, prettiest linens and silverware. Your tea party table can be set up anywhere, and if weather permits, it would be lovely to have it outdoors in a backyard or on a porch.
   Keep your tea party small, I would say 6 to 8 guests; 10 at the most. You lose that intimacy if you invite too many guests, and a tea buffet is not the same thing as high tea! Just saying! You can send out pretty handwritten invitations or nowadays, an e-vite is more than acceptable.
   My rules are always the same; send out your invites at least two weeks before your party, to give guests ample time to make plans, as well as, give you a chance to think of the menu and decor.
   A typical High Tea menu consists of finger sandwiches and a few sweet desserts, as well as of course, tea. Coffee is also a good choice to serve just in case you have guests who don't like tea. I also like to serve a fruit platter or fruit kebabs for something refreshing.

   Here are some examples of finger sandwiches and desserts for you to serve:

 FINGER SANDWICHES:
 
   ~cucumber and cream cheese
   ~egg, tuna or chicken salad
   ~BLT on biscuits
   ~radish toasts or tartines (recipe to follow)
   ~prosciutto with fig jam on baguette
   ~shrimp salad
   ~pimiento cheese on sliced white bread
   ~caprese - mozzarella, tomato and basil on focaccia
   ~roast beef with horseradish cream on rye cocktail bread
   ~smoked salmon with cream cheese and sliced cucumber on white or brown bread


  SWEET TREATS:  

   ~pound cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries
   ~banana bread with cinnamon cream cheese (recipe to follow)
   ~cream puffs
   ~ricotta cheese, orange marmalade on whole wheat bread
   ~lemon curd and fresh berries on english muffins
   ~chocolate hazelnut spread and seedless raspberry jam on white bread
   ~cream cheese and strawberry jelly on white bread
   ~mini scones served with a few different jams, devon custard and sweetened cream
   ~glitter doughnuts ( I will explain later)
   ~macarons


   Some things to remember when making any of these sandwiches is that they need to be small bites. A tea party lends a bit of sophistication to the day, so it's hard to be dainty while eating a full sandwich with both hands! Cut them in two-bite portions for easier handling, and always remove the crusts from the bread, unless you are using a different type of bread, such as, say, biscuits or pita. The sandwiches can also be cut into triangles, squares or any shape, if desired. All you need is a cookie cutter to make easy and pretty shapes. You should also think of using gluten free options for any of those guests who may have a sensitivity to gluten.
   When it comes to drinks, tea or coffee is a given, but why not think about a tea infused cocktail as well. It is something unexpected and your guests will be pleasantly surprised. Here is a great recipe I found on www.sugarandcloth.com for a Peach Tea Cocktail.

      1 cup brewed unsweetened peach tea
      1 ounce vodka or peach flavoured vodka
      1 ounce Mint Simple Syrup

*to make syrup, in a small pot mix 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar. Once dissolved, add 1 cup fresh mint leaves; remove from the heat and let steep at least 25 minutes.
*add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker or cocktail mixer glass, and serve over ice. Garnish with mint sprig and peach slice.
*any other flavour of fruit tea can be substituted for the peach tea as well


   Another fun idea to think of having at your tea party, is to set up a soda bar. Some of your guests may want to drink something other than tea/coffee. Of course, you will be serving plain or sparkling water and juices, but a soda bar can be fun and interactive. All you need are flavoured syrups and soda water. Easy peasy! Here are a few of my favourite syrup combinations:


1.  BLACKBERRY-LIME:
    *simmer 1 cup water, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 pint blackberries over medium heat until syrupy, about 15 to 20 minutes; strain and press out the solids.
    *stir in the juice of 1 lime. Let cool completely.


2. TRIPLE CITRUS:
    *simmer 1/2 cup each of orange, grapefruit and lime juice with 1 cup sugar over medium heat until syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes; strain. Let cool completely.


3. RASPBERRY VANILLA:
    *simmer 2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1 pint of raspberries and 2 teaspoons vanilla over medium heat until syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, pressing the solids. Let cool completely.

   So now, let's get back to the treats! I think providing a mix of homemade and store-bought food items are always a good idea. You can take your store-bought items and make them fancier by adding just a few simple touches. For example, buying the loaf cakes (banana, lemon or pound cake) is a no brainer; then all you need to do is add whip cream and strawberries, or sweetened cream cheese spread. The same goes for your savoury tea sandwiches. Here is a very easy recipe to dress up simple banana bread:

                       8 ounces softened cream cheese
                       1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

*blend the ingredients with a hand mixer or stand mixer, until smooth
*you can either pipe or spread the mixture onto your banana bread slices
*cut the banana bread slices into rectangular slices or fun shapes by using a cookie cutter

   {pound cake with whipped cream and strawberries}

   For an easy savoury recipe, try these Radish Toasts:

                       *thinly slice a few radishes
                       *cut out rectangle slices of multigrain or rye bread, crusts removed and toasted
                       *store-bought or homemade chive cream cheese
                       *salt and pepper to taste
                       *chopped chives as garnish (optional)
 ~ spread the chive cream cheese on the toasted bread slices; top with the radish slices; sprinkle salt and pepper and chopped chives on top.

   Once the food and drinks have been decided, it's time to move on to the fun part of the party planning: decorations and table setting. China tea cups and saucers and dessert plates, are a must item you need to have at your springtime tea party. If you happen to have any heirloom pieces, now is the time to bring them out! You can also find pretty designs at thrift stores for only a few dollars. I personally like mixing up colours and styles; it gives your party a more vintage vibe, and if you have to purchase them, it makes it easier to find the amount you need.
   Use your finest table linens or do away with the tablecloth, and use crocheted doilies as a place mat to show off your fine china pieces, and maybe a simple spring themed table runner.

   If you prefer a tablecloth, look for something either floral, lace or a neutral colour. Scarves are always a favourite of mine to use as an interesting table cover, and you can find so many pretty prints and colours. One thing to remember, you don't want anything too distracting that will take away from the pretty china you are going to be using.
   For a simple take home gift for your guests, how about keeping with the theme of tea party, and give your guests a beautiful crystal creamer filled with flowers. This also does double duty as flower arrangements. All you will need is a simple arrangement for the center of the table, which I will share here as well.
   The thrift stores are my favourite place to score these beautiful creamers, and the best part is they are under a couple of dollars each! Each friend can get a different one, or if you're lucky to find more than one in the same design, even better.

 
    Tie a cute thank you tag to the handle of the creamer, and you have the prettiest party favour around! If you are having more than 6 guests, you can use the tags as place cards to avoid any confusion as to where your guests are sitting.
   A simple floral centrepiece is all you need now to complete your springtime tea party! Use your favourite flowers in pretty spring colours and a simple glass vase. I love a cluster of one type of flower, such as carnations or hydrangeas. This arrangement doesn't compete with any of the prettiness on your table, yet still makes a statement. For an extra special touch, why not add pearl beads to the bottom of the vase. You can also use pearl necklaces if you have them.

   I used a cylindrical glass vase, and added a small round of floral foam (pre-soaked in water) to sit right on top of the vase. I simply added cut stems into the foam and placed them all around it until I was happy with the arrangement. It should look full and hide the foam too.

 
   And there you have a pretty simple arrangement all dressed up for your party!

   I hope this post today inspired you to host your own tea party. Maybe for Mother's Day, or perhaps a baby/bridal shower for someone special, or even for a birthday!  Whatever the occasion, remember to make it personal so your guests feel welcomed, and remember to have fun planning it!
   Until next time!

~A

PRODUCT INFO:

*pearl beads (in vase), glass vase and floral foam from www.dollartree.com

*green grass mat from www.dollarama.com
 
*gold tags, doilies, green jadeite cake stand from www.michaels.com

*crystal creamers and mint green dessert plates from www.valuevillage.com

*tea cups and saucers, gold forks and spoons from private collection