Valentine Tea Time

Happy Valentine's Day tea party!

How can you not love tea parties when you love china, vintage linens, flowers and chocolate?  Valentine's Day can be a time to celebrate the people and "stuff" you love, the "stuff" you purchased or were given as gifts from loved ones.  Remember where you were and with whom you were with the moment you saw each beloved object of joy.  Celebrate love!

 I knew you would want a close-up of Chocolate Creme Pot.  Easy recipe follows.

Pope Gosser Rose Point tea cup and J & G Meakin Romantic England Transferware Ironstone.

 Aux au Provence teapot, creamer and sugar Ebay find years ago (wish I had kept track of price).

Love is in the details.
Rose Point tea cup handle

1940's vintage linen table cloth found antiquing in Topanga Canyon.

 Lunch napkins found antiquing in San Francisco.

 Rose Point tea pot lid with rose lid and raised rose pattern copied from an antique lace.

Here wishing you dark chocololate, red carnations and lots of new and vintage love.

 

Chocolate Pot de Crème

2/3 cup cream (light cream or heavy cream)
1 (11.5-ounce) package Ghirardelli 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons very strong prepared coffee
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur or brandy
2 eggs Sweetened whipped cream
Shaving Chocolate
Chopped nuts

In a small, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, heat light cream just to boiling point; remove from heat. Learn different techniques for How To Melt Chocolate.
In a food processor or blender, add chocolate chips; process to make smaller pieces of chocolate. Add coffee, coffee liqueur or brandy, eggs, and hot cream; cover and blend at high speed for about 3 minutes until well blended.
Pour into six demitasse cups or small custard cups (I like to use fancy tea cups). Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. NOTE: After pudding has cooled, cover containers with plastic wrap.
To serve, top with whipped cream; garnish with chocolate shavings and nuts.
Makes 6 small servings or 4 tea cup servings.
http://whatscookingamerica.net/ChocPotsDeCreme.htm

Tea Party Girl Helpful Tips
http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-to-set-the-table-for-tea-eight-helpful-tips
So you’ve decided to host a tea for your next event. The menu’s chosen and the invitations sent. You purchased the tea and reviewed how to brew it. Your event is not a buffet, and each guest needs a place-setting. What do you need to know?

1. Afternoon tea, by definition, is a light meal. Luncheon/salad plates are the best size to use.
2. The teacup is placed to the right of the place setting.
3. Turn the teacup handle OUT (pointing to the right of the cup) and the blade of the knife IN (toward the plate).
4. Use only non-scented candles and lightly-perfumed flowers. Let the smells come from the food and tea.
5. Try and find luncheon-sized (nine-inch square) instead of dinner-sized (twelve-inch square) napkins. Place them to the left of the plate or on the plate folded prettily or with a napkin ring.
6. If you use regularly-sized butter knives, instead of smaller spreaders, knife rests are lovely additions and almost necessary. Your guests will find it difficult to rest the larger knives on the smaller plates.
7. Other normal place settings apply. Use only the necessary silverware. Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right. Water glasses sit on the right above the knife.
8. Place-cards are a lovely, helpful touch.

Setting the table is my favorite part of preparing for a tea-themed event. I love to see all the pretty elements come together. Have fun with it!
What one thing can you add to your home to help you set a pretty tea table?