Sunday, February 6, 2011

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.







 Chocolate Pots de Creme
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?

13 comments:

  1. Hi lovely lady, Your Tablescapes is so Beautiful, love your China do you know the name? Im making my napkins today for my Valentine's Day Tablescapes ~~~I hope you will come see next week !!! Keep warm sweet lady.lol

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  2. Hi CJ,
    I don't set my table too often but I love looking at everyone elses..guess that makes me a peeper..haha..but I do love your table linen (oh yes, love your plates and settings too)..
    I'm now following you to see what you let me peep at..Oh yes, just to let you know I'm a Valentine Nut..
    Hugs,
    Shirley & Cupid...

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  3. wow that's too cool..I'm a 10 (follower #)..
    ~Shirley

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  4. What a beautiful tea setting! Also the tea party tips were very useful. Thank you!

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  5. I just love your J & G Meakin transferware!! Such a lovely table! Just beautiful!!

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  6. Your transferware is so pretty -- I love the tea cups filled with your Chocolate pot de creme. How sweet.

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  7. Such an inviting table love the red trasfer dishes.I love chocolate so will try receipe.lol

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  8. So pretty! I'm so envious of all those red dishes! Gorgeous! The chocolate recipe sounds really good. I found your lovely blog via A Holiday Haven. I'm your newest follower and would be delighted to have you follow me back!
    Happy Valentine's Day!
    Tammy

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  9. Hi CJ,

    Your tablescape is just lovely! I love your Meakin dishes (I like anything reminiscent of Old England) and also your Aux en Provence tea set -- so beautiful. The two sets blend very nicely with each other and with the Rose Point. I also love your pink etched stemware --something I would like to start collecting. And last but certainly not least, your linens are so pretty. I especially love the napkins! Thank you again for your kind comments about my post yesterday.
    Happy Valentine's Day,
    Denise

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  10. How beautiful. Have to admit though telling me there was a recipe for the cream pot made me want to hurry through the rest of the post to get that delicious recipe!!! :) But, I did go back and look and everything is so lovely. Love the rose details on tops and how beautiful it all is together. Thanks so much for sharing this to The Valentines Party! (I now have that recipe copy and pasted ready to try).

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  11. Oh, thanks so much for the recipe and the tea instructions!! I will be sure to try the creme as soon as possible!

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  12. What overflowing elegance could that spread be! I love the red and white colors of your tea sets pairing with the Choco Pot de Creme, heavens. Happy Valentines to you!

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  13. Those red and white dishes are beautiful, but that white teapot...simply gorgeous! Such a delicious valentine's day all around!

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Thanks for your encouraging messages! No anonymous messages. Thanks!~CJ