Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter Tea Party


For the last few years we have worked up a tradition on Conference weekend.  The guys go out to dinner, then the Priesthood Session.  The ladies get together and do... something.  This year we figured out what that "something" needs to be every time - a tea party!  Why we didn't think of this before is a mystery.  We have the makings for the perfect tea party - Claire is a tea expert, I have a teapot collection (seriously - duh), Mom is a tablescaping genius and her chicken salad is fantastic, and Makenzie makes a layered Jell-o that's almost too pretty to eat. (Go to Between Naps on the Front Porch for more tablescapes!)

We had Raspberry Tea, Honey Vanilla Chamomile Tea, and Bengal Spice Tea (all herbals, natch).


I'd found a couple of wooden bunnies at Thanksgiving Point (on sale!) that didn't freak me out:


I'd finished that sweet table topper on Friday:


We made cute little nests with crunchy chow mein noodles and peanut butter M & Ms:

I made a coconut cake... FROM SCRATCH, man!  It was so beautiful and so delicious and so... nostalgic.  I may never make a boxed cake again.  Something about it was so special. 

Mom even brought Grandma Carol's teacup purchased in England:

Makenzie brought some adorable teacups (can you believe I don't have any teacups?!) and we used plates I bought about 13 years ago.  Mom brought the napkins and I purchased the napkin rings from Tai Pan a few weeks ago:

It could have been the tea, but I was in HEAVEN at this tea party.  I love sitting down to a beautiful table and experiencing food and drink with all my senses.  AHHHHHH!  Let's do it again next year, ladies!

25 comments:

Jess said...

How beautiful! That cake looks incredible. I think Cole would be tempted to eat the computer screen if he saw that picture. I think that sounds like a fun ladies night out.

melissa said...

That's the happiest table I've ever seen! So jealous of the tea party.

Jill said...

That looks like a tea party straight out of a design magazine! I love it all, especially the coconut cake. Coconut is a weekness of mine, especially when it looks as pretty as that! What a great tradition.

Aron at sea said...

How about the next time we meet, we have that coconut cake.

Mom said...

The cake really was fabulous! We need the recipe. This was just such a special time- I,too, was wondering why we hadn't done it before. It should be a permanent tradition!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Nicole, Your table is pure lovliness. I love the tablecloth and the beautiful cloth you made. You are very talented! And that yellow tea pot with the daisies- oh, that is my favorite! You must have had a wonderful tea party! Everything looks just lovely!
Yvonne

Sonia said...

How beautiful! Everything looks so good! I love all the teapots!

Miss Bloomers

Marigene said...

What a cute table with that wonderful assortment of teapots. The cake looks so delicious, coconut is one of my favorites.

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Everything on your table is eye candy...and some mouth candy! I love your teapots...so cute and whimsical. Your cake looks divine!

The Charm of Home said...

I love your bunnies and that teapot! So very cute.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Sucha pretty tea setting -- and your cake looks beautiful! Love your teapots and the sweet teacups.

Unknown said...

This is so pretty. I love the mix of cute and pretty! This would be a lovely spot for tea. And your cake is beautiful!

~Liz

Tricia said...

You had me at that first shot of the gorgeous coconut cake on the ruffled pink cake plate! What a lovely event!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Such a pretty table! Your cake looks fabulous on that pink ruffled cake stand! I love coconut and I'd love to say I'd eat the whole thing, but I've been gluten free the past couple of years, so I have to stop myelf now. I could make some gluten free cupcakes and put coconut icing on them though!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Looks like a delightful tea party to me. Love all your cute tea pots bunnies and
cake plates, and that coconut
cake looks to die for!! Yummy!
I haven't had coconut cake in ages.
I just might have to do something about that!! lol
Lovely post hon,
blessings, Nellie

Joyce said...

Wish I was there to eat that amazing coconut cake. Love the teapots. I collect pots but no cups and saucers either.
joyce

Atticmag said...

Your table is charming and so happy I really enjoyed seeing it and, of course, would love to know the source for that magnificent cake. Thanks for stopping by my blog and posting such a lovely comment (hope you also got in on our giveaway.) -- Jane F.

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is such a sweet and pretty teascape! I am glad you were able to showcase your quilt! :)

Claire said...

I knew your pictures would turn out so cute!

Ridgely (a/k/a Grandma J) said...

What a beautiful "teascape"! Not to mention the cake -- the wonderful cake!

Lia at Petite Little Bee said...

So beautiful!!! Cheers, Lia

Johanna Gehrlein said...

All looks gorgeous and yummy.
Greetings, Johanna

Katy said...

Why do we live so far from each other?

Lady Katherine said...

So,so sorry I am so late! I had to do a reception for my daughter and I have been exhausted! I surely didn't want to miss your Tea! How lovely it is! I just adore all your wonderful Teapots! The bunnies are adorable! Love the quilt! Oh, the cake, is so divine! Tell me how to make it! Its look so beautiful in this charming Tea! Tea cups I just love! Thank you so much for joining me for Tea Time Tuesday! I am so sorry I am so late for Tea! Sounds like you all had a lovely time! Oh, do it again next week! The daisy teapot would be wonderful for a Spring Tea!

Lady Katherine said...

PS
I adore the purse teapot, how wonderful it would be with pink roses and white dishes! I know you can find a cup or mug! lol The cake plates are so pretty!