When Lori was four years old, we took a family vacation to Louisiana. It was summertime in New Orleans and hotter than blazes, but Lori sat quietly and patiently on an artist's chair outside Jackson Square's black iron fence, in the French Quarter, while a local artist did a chalk drawing of her.
That drawing was my inspiration for her 2009 musical birthday tea party with the theme, All That Jazz.
Instead of a framed menu, I scrapbooked a booklet that contained the following: The history of Jackson Square and how it was modeled after the famous Place des Vosges in Paris, France; the tea party menu; and information about New Orleans cuisine and the food that was being served at the tea party - Gumbo, Muffuletta Salad, Po' Boy Sandwiches, Beignets, and Bananas Foster.
Mardi Gras beads and feather masks were scattered around the table top, and new [to me] Tiara Black Diamond Point water goblets were added to the tablescape. Lori's two daughters, Tiffany and Marissa, came to the tea party that year, so two more musical dinner plates were ordered from Replacements Unlimited [not identical to the set, but close enough].
Luggage tags [for the imaginary trip to New Orleans] served three purposes: napkin ring, place card holder, and favor.
A musical charm was attached to the teacups for each person to take home.
Black chair sashes were used instead of the white ones from the previous year.
The menu was:
Chicken, Sausage & Shrimp Gumbo
Muffuletta Salad
Po'Boy Roast Beef Sandwich
Beignets [instead of scones]
Dessert: Bananas Foster Bread Pudding w/Bananas Foster Sauce
Beverages: Iced Sweet Luzianne Tea
Hot French Caramel Cream Brulee Tea
Unfortunately, the only food photo I took that year was the Beignets. Sorry! :-(
Lori "Then & Now"
Lori with her two beautiful daughters [and my sweet granddaughters] Tiffany and Marissa.
The girls with Ruth, one of the piano teachers. [I didn't get a photo of Betty that year.]
Tomorrow's post will be 2010's Parisian Par-Tea.
This has been a wonderful series of posts, Phyllis. I remember when you shared photos with ATAA, and am enjoying revisting this delightful theme. Simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis one looks like great fun, too! Love the splashes of color the beads gave to your black and white table scape. Beautiful granddaughters, too. Can't wait to see the next party!
ReplyDeleteSo many clever ideas you have!
ReplyDeleteI would have thoroughly enjoyed this one. What a treat for all.
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