It’s Tea Time

Tea parties have been in the news lately and Lady Gaga has single handedly made the tea cup and saucer a pop culture accessory. So, I’ve had tea on my brain. It’s already in my veins. I know I’ve written about teacup collecting in the past. But, today I’d like to share the joy of having a tea party. It’s a fun reason to dress up, get your friends together, and enjoy the delicious beverage that is TEA! I know coffee gets all the attention, flavored, frothy, foamy, latte, etc. But, today it’s all about tea!

Having a tea party is the perfect reason to bring out your fine china (why is it in your china cabinet?) Get dressed up and gather friends together. Tea is traditionally between 3pm and 6 pm. Keep in mind the later you have your party the bigger your meal should be. I prefer 3pm when finger sandwiches, cookies, scones with jam, fresh fruit, cheese, and cakes are perfect.

What you need to get your tea party ready for your guests ( these are just suggestions, use what you have):
Enthusiasm
Theme optional (themes are fun but not required. Just decide if it’s formal or informal)
Invitations (hand written send out about two weeks prior)
Fresh Flowers
Fine Linen
Tea Set with tea cups (borrow if you don’t have it, don't be afraid to mix and match)
Eating Utensils
Decorations; candles, theme, doilies, etc.
Tea ( if you don’t want to brew tea, have a selection of teas and fill the tea pot with boiling water)
Music (instrumental is nice)
Food (you decide, or use my suggestions above)
Parting gift *optional (I like to give tea cups (bought for the party) filled with candies, wrapped in colorful cello and tied with curling ribbon. It’s a nice way to end your party. Every time your friend drinks tea out of their cup they’ll remember your tea party.)

Set up your table about two hours before tea time and prepare your food. About 10 minutes before your guests arrive begin boiling the water and setting out the food. Once your guests arrive pour the boiling water into the teapot and let tea steep in the pot on the table. Serve and enjoy!

Please share your tea parties with me; I’d love to hear about them.




Copyright Bobskatie Enterprises-all rights reserved

Happy Birthday

Ah, birthdays, an annual celebration of our birth often acknowledged by friends and family with parties, presents, and lots of laughter. When I was young I would look forward to birthday parties, to playing games and eating cake. I loved playing wonderful games like pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs. Birthday parties gave unspoken permission to laugh loudly and act silly. All of the children would eat cake until their tongues turned the color of the frosting and we would all go home with tummy aches and goodie bags.

Now I watch my grandchildren as they play rock band and electronic games. But, the cake eating and celebration remains the same.

I’m older now and it’s no longer about parties and cake. But, it is definitely about the celebration. Quietly celebrated, or shared with friends and family. It is still about the celebration. I celebrate and give thanks for another glorious year here. It’s my birthday today and it’s all about gratitude. I will have a joyous celebration of all of the blessings in my life. Of challenges met and memories made. A glorious celebration of a year of burdens lifted and carried. A truly joy filled day of thanks for everything that makes my life what it is.
So, please join me as I raise my glass to You and say Thank You. Thank you for your love, your friendship, your kindness and your participation in my life. Thank you, I am truly grateful and blessed by You.

I hope to say it all again next year too! Happy Birthday to me!

Born in England Nov 1st 1960.
Copyright© Bobskatie Enterprises-all rights reserved

Chocolate Spiders

Easy to make chocolate spiders. A fun and yummy Halloween treat

What You Need:Chocolate-covered cream-filled snack cakes
Mini chocolate cream-filled snack cakes
Black licorice laces
M&M's
Chocolate and vanilla icing ( icing piping bag) or icing in the tube
Toothpicks

Let's Make them:

Use a toothpick to poke eight holes in cake, insert licorice laces into holes and trim ends to desired length.

Attach M&M's as eyes using dots of icing. Pipe dots of chocolate icing for pupils and create fangs by piping small bits of vanilla icing.