Strawberry Fields Forever, Tea Time On Friday
As those of you know who follow me regularly, I host a Ladies Bible Study group in my home every Friday. And I like to change it up a bit every now and then and today was one of those days. In addition to our Bible Study, we had a Tea Party. We had such a great time sampling teas and eating scones. I will share our table with you my dear readers.
When I am hosting a tea, I like to pick a theme first. One of my tea sets is not a formal set, in that the pattern is more modern. It is also bright and cheery. The bright red strawberries and lime green stems & leaves just make me smile. Hence the Strawberry Fields Forever title.
Since the tea set sorta shouts, ‘No formality here!’…, I used my lime green tablecloth, staying away from the more traditional, soft table coverings. You can view another of my tea time posts here. It was a more formal afternoon tea, although my photos leave a lot to be desired as I posted this tea time in my early days of blogging. In that post I explained the history of tea time. The foods I used then and the foods I used for this informal tea are a bit different….as are the colors. Below are two photos from that post…’Ladies Afternoon Tea at Miller Manor’
![2015-05-20_12.12.54[1]](https://meandmycaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015-05-20_12.12.541.jpg)
![2015-05-20_12.13.19[1]](https://meandmycaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015-05-20_12.13.191.jpg)
So now that I had my theme and tea service, I chose the food. Let me interrupt my diatribe to say this. Normally, I would check the calendar for a perfect date and time…and I would choose a guest list. But remember this was my weekly Bible Study group, so I already had a captive audience and a set day and time. All I had to do was ask them to wear hats and not eat lunch before they came….which they all were more than happy to do. I will say, I still sent out formal invitations, because I believe everyone loves to receive an invitation in the mail…slow as it can be. I started my table prep about 3 days before the event. That way I could “live” with it for a while, deciding what I could add OR take away.
Going along with the Strawberry theme, I chose three teas. Taylors, Strawberry & Vanilla, Yama Moto Yama, Strawberry Green Tea, Harney & Sons, Hot Cinnamon Spice.
I also chose two other teapots other than the main tea pot star, keeping with the red/pink colors. I sat the teapots on gold metal warmers. For serve ware, of course one must have a 3 tiered serving tray for ANY High or Low Tea time…., but I also added a Nora Fleming white ceramic tray and positioned a big bright red strawberry Mini in the intended holder.
My Centerpiece strayed from the tradition of using the 3 tiered tray as a centerpiece because I wanted to use daisies in a large strawberry pitcher I have had for years. …which by the way I had to remove after we started our tea because I couldn’t see the lady at the end of the table and I felt like I was talking to the daisies. You know what I am talking about, we have all been there…however, I find I like to use what I like and just remove it to the sidebar for conversation. I later placed a mirror under the strawberry pitcher. You might notice the little tea pot bag holders at each place setting. I gave those as party favors to my guests. The photo below was in my early staging before I had all my elements in place.
At each place setting, I used name cards, Kate Spade strawberry napkins, small gold forks and spoons, bubble water glasses, and the teapot party favor. Later I added the Menu at each place setting….because everyone would like to know what they will be eating.
Next in my planning…one of the most important elements…the food. For the hearty part of the tea, I decided Chicken Salad on Mini Croissants and Egg Salad on Crostini would suit everyone. For a lighter fare, a simple ‘sandwich’ …. Cucumber slices on rounds of bread and spread with a compound butter and herb mix. I like to use dill but you could use any of your favorite herbs. You could also slice the rounds of compound butter and place them on the bread rounds. Hey it’s your tea party…do what you like.
So now that the Savory part of my tray was planned..(Tradition says the Savory should be on the bottom tier.)…I planned the Scones Tier, which is the middle tier. Obviously, we are thinking strawberry here, so I decided to make a Strawberry & Cream Scone with a simple glaze drizzle. I have to tell you that my scones probably don’t taste like the traditional English Scones because I don’t want to eat a biscuit, I want something with a little panache. In other words sweet flavor. My scones, pictured below, may not be pretty but in my opinion, they sure do taste good.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Bites are another addition to the middle tier and are so simple. I used a strawberry shaped cookie cutter to cut out bread and spread strawberry cream cheese on one piece and topped it with another piece of bread and a sliced strawberry. For my third Scone entry, adding Strawberry Jam Puffs, which is another simple recipe made with puff pastry and strawberry jam. Easy Peasy.
Sweets should be placed on the top tier according to Tea Time etiquette…so here is where I served premade Mini Macarons, small custard cream puffs and chocolate eclairs from my local Super Market’s freezer. The ladies loved them. I threw in strawberry cake slices from a strawberry cake mix and topped with the same glaze I put on the strawberry & cream scones….which was heavy cream, powdered sugar and clear vanilla. I served clotted cream as the English would do, but personally, I drink my tea without anything in it….and I like my scones the same way. For tea time, I like to use sugar cubes though they are for those guests who like a sweetness in their tea.
I also kept a pitcher of cold water with lemon and lime slices, along with the extra tea pots of hot water. The great part of this Tea Time was I gave all the ladies containers to take home what they wanted, so clean up was a breeze.
My Strawberry Tea Set is made by various companies because I bought them at different times. The cups, saucers, creamer, sugar and tea pot is Kent Pottery. I found the salad plates at a Thrift Store several years ago and they have the Fitz and Floyd logo….but they match the Kent Pottery perfectly. Perhaps they are affiliated.
I have to confess I drink hot tea every day, usually all day long. Do you like tea parties? Do you prefer Hot or Cold Tea?
Thank you for reading Strawberry Fields Forever, Tea Time on Friday
Have a Blessed and wonderful Week-end. It is going to be very hot here in SW Florida…But I plan on staying cool in the pool…and maybe sipping on a glass of cold Iced Tea.🥰
Psalm 23:5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Kari, such a lovely table for tea with your Bible study group. The dishes are so darling. A smile is definitely upon my face as I look through your photos. The menu looks so delicious. The place cards are so cute and appreciated. Lots of time and effort to make this a beautiful event. I am happy to feature your pretty Strawberry Fields Forever at Love Your Creativity.
What a beautiful themed tea party, Kari! I love all things strawberry and your dishes are so beautiful. I would’ve loved to have been a guest at your table. ❤️ 🍓 ❤️
Kitty would you believe that I did not like strawberries growing up and now I can’t get enough of them. I especially love Strawberry Rhubarb pie and am planning on making one real soon. When I found the strawberry tea ware, many moons ago…it was love at first sight…but then I feel that way about most of my dishware and tea sets. I’m hopeless. I would love to have you sit at my table…I would count it all joy. Thanks for stopping by my friend.
What a fabulous tea party Kari! Your friends looked like they were having a great time – of course they would! You are a wonderful hostess. Your teas sound delicious – I’ll have to try some of those. And how fun that you put strawberries on the sandwiches! Can’t wait to go visit your pink tea party too. Thanks for sharing my friend!
Barb as you know I love to play with my dishes and I have been having ‘tea parties’ with both imaginary and real friends almost all my life. Of course the imaginary ones were when I was 5 or 6 years old….I think! LOL. Seriously, thank you for your compliments as I consider you the Tea Party expert…I am still ‘in training’.
What a lovely tea time. Your strawberry theme was perfect for summer. I know all the ladies enjoyed themselves. Your menu from start to finish was perfect. I would have tried everything. I would love to be in your weekly Bible study.
Thank you for sharing your lovely Tea Party!
Blessings to you!
I would love to have you in our Bible study Nancy…It pleases me to know that the ladies like it so much…they linger afterwards just to talk a little bit more. We are all what I would call ‘mature’ Christians, but one is never too old in the faith to learn something new. We all learn. Thanks for stopping by.
Very pretty strawberry tea set and delicious looking savories, sweets, and scones. The strawberry and vanilla tea, which is new to me, sounds like the perfect drink to go with your theme. I saw that our local Target carries Taylors’ teas which I plan to check out this week. Now if I could just taste one of your goodies.
Oh Jan, believe me when I say if you were close by…we would definitely be having tea weekly. I would love to sit and chat with you, and of course we would have to include our Jayhawks in our conversation. Even though we have never met, I know we would be ‘buds’ instantly.🤗 Thanks for stopping by my friend. What has happened to the Royals? 🥺 Have a wonderful week-end….🥰
Kari, how I would love to attend your Bible study on Fridays. Your strawberry themed tea table is beautiful. When Butch and I visited Liverpool we went to Strawberry Fields, not exactly how I had pictured it in my mind. But your Strawberry Fields tea party is perfect. The tea set is lovely. I have Taylors Strawberry & Vanilla Tea and my granddaughters like theirs iced. The tea menu sounds delicious with savories, scones, and sweets. I know your friends felt loved and pampered. I would have tried everything on the table.
You are a delightful hostess that thinks of everyone that is seated around your table. Thank you for sharing your strawberry tea party with us dear one!
Blessings,
Pam
PS I had a strawberry themed tea party under the arbor last year! I wish you could have been my guest!
I hear ya Pam on the Liverpool Strawberry Fields…I liked the one in Central Park in NYC🥰…even better is the real strawberry fields where I took my children and grandchildren to pick strawberries back in Kansas…what fun we had doing that. We were allowed to eat as we picked and you can imagine my little grands hands and faces by the time we were done filling our baskets. I thought it interesting that the post from 11 years ago (I included the link in the strawberry post) brought out one of the attendees and she texted me to let me know how much she loved that long ago tea party and thinks of it often. Those are the memories I love to create…it makes me so happy to hear their joy and appreciation. hugs and I wish you and I could have tea…maybe someday here on earth but for sure in our eternal home.
Gorgeous! It’s so inviting. I wish I could come.
Oh Rebecca I would invite you if you were close! Thank you for stopping by and have a great and wonderful week-end.🥰
What a wonderful tea spread, both table and tidbits! I have that vanilla strawberry tea, love it for summertime. I know those ladies enjoyed you hospitality. I sure would. Have a great weekend, Kari.
Thank you Rita…isn’t that vanilla strawberry tea delish? I always drink green tea in the early morning, but for a relaxing afternoon respite…I enjoy a specialty tea in the Secret Garden or out in the courtyard as my reward for…well, for anything. (And yes, the ladies said they loved the whole thing, invitations, tea time and favors!)
Oh how lovely and so British! I only like hot tea and that cinnamon tea sounds delish. What a beautiful setting! You and your ladies had a lovely time I’m sure. It was nice to see some of the ladies in your prayer group.
Hugs,
Sandy
Thanks Sandy…I guess I should have posted their pics so you could see all of them. I love having tea time and if you lived down here, you would definitely be invited to tea.The cinnamon tea reminds me of the wassail I make at Christmas time. so delish. Miss you my friend. hugs always
I miss you too Kari. Your friends might not want their pictures posted, Kari, so be sure to ask them first. The two I saw were lovely ladies.
I love your blogs, but Bitdefender won’t let me in there unless I turn them off. Of course, I turn them back on as soon as I get off your blog. Smile!
This is divine — who wouldn’t want to be a guest here! I love your tea set — it’s so cheerful with those berries — and the theme is delightful. Your menu, the little touches (right down to the place cards!) are all so beautifully coordinated and elegant. I’m a tea fan — usually hot, but in the summer, bring on the iced! (And those daisies — perfect in your pitcher!)
Thanks Jeanie….I enjoyed every minute of this tea time, I don’t know if you hit the link to my pink tea party (from over 12 years ago) …but if you did, you will see my Mikasa ‘Just Flowers’ coffee/tea pot from my china that you and I both share. Stay cool with Iced Tea and warm with hot tea is my mantra…mostly. 🥰