Sunday, December 8, 2019

Cristy's French Cottage Christmas Tea

Cristy Bennett came out of retirement to host a few French Cottage Christmas High Teas in December.  My girlfriend, Lori, and I traveled to East Lansing yesterday for the first one of them. Like all her other teas, it was a delightful experience and stimulated all the senses.

The outside of her cottage-style home was whimsically decorated for Christmas and set a fun stage.






Inside everything was elegantly decorated in beautiful shades of French country pink, mauve, white and silver - a real fantasyland.






I'm glad Cristy let me be a shutterbug!  There was SO much to photograph.



Lori and I knew in advance that the color scheme was going to be shades of pink, so we dressed accordingly.



 Noel is a French word originating from Latin meaning birthday.  Happy Birthday, Jesus!





That's the end of her beautiful living room.  Now here's the dining room.






Cristy also decorated her year-round sunroom and first floor bathroom, but I didn't photograph them.
Her tablescape and menu was just as stunning as her room decorations!


The beautiful menu cards, doilies containing Dove chocolate candies, and mini-floral arrangement of two white carnations and a pink rose were ours to take home.


At the base of every water glass was the name of the person who'd be sitting there.


Our tea began with a toast of chilled sparkling Cranberry-Apple Juice.


Our tea was a blend of two Harney & Sons black teas - Cranberry Autumn and Hot Cinnamon Spice with a splash of Orange Juice added.


The first course consisted of Cristy's signature pinwheel scones [Cranberry Orange] and a cup of Noel French Chestnut Soup.  Love the pink poodle spreader for Devonshire cream.


The main course was Chicken Puff Pastry Pot Pie, Apple-Cucumber Slaw, and homemade Cranberry-Orange Sauce. It was served on Cristy's grandmother's French Limoges china.


Dessert was Peppermint Brownie Teacup Trifle.  Everything was delicious!



Here's the couple who made it all happen... David & Cristy with their dog, Soapy.



What a wonderful way to usher in the Christmas season!  Thank you David & Cristy!



5 comments:

  1. Absolutely lovely! I am studying every pictures. I will say, her front porch is so similar to mine in the first picture, I almost thought it was my picture! I do like the way hers is decorated more than mine, so I may be using it for inspiration next year.

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  2. Oh, I'm so glad Cristy decided to do some more teas, and I love all the pictures. Her porch! Oh, my goodness, I love it. Of course, everything inside was lovely, too, and the food looked delicious. I'm glad you and Lori could attend this special tea.

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  3. Oh how beautiful everything is. The food sounds delicious.I love the table setting. The cranberry and pink are gorgeous. Looks like a good time was had by all.
    Marilyn

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  4. So nice that Christy came out of retirement to do this tea. Everything she does for her teas is just so beautiful and special.

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