This past Saturday, my girlfriend and I traveled to East Lansing to attend another of Cristy Bennett's teas. Her tablescapes are extraordinary, and I've never been to a tea that surpasses her's. They always have a theme, and Saturday's was Daffodil Delight. Spring has been slow coming to Michigan this year [as a matter of fact, there were snow flurries as we traveled on Saturday], but upon arrival at Cristy's house, spring had sprung!
Cristy not only does beautifully themed tablescapes, she also decorates her house inside and out to coordinate with the theme. Below are photos of her welcoming front porch!
Inside her adorable cottage-style house, the sights are amazing - a staircase decorated with a garland of forsythia...
And the antique secretary decorated with daffodil dishware, and silk daffodils with tiny white lights intertwined.
The fireplace mantle decorated with a lighted forsythia garland...
As well as the antique buffet.
A teapot lamp in the corner of the living room.
The cheery dining room continues the theme...
With beautifully decorated china hutches.
But the tea tables are the main attraction! Below is one of the daffodil topiaries that decorated the tablescape made by Cristy.
A photo and description of my place setting: At the top left is the menu booklet, and just below it is the place card [both made by Cristy]. In the middle is a fresh bouquet of flowers and a yellow nylon draw-string bag of Dove chocolate caramels for each guest to take home. To the right is a glass of lemon-flavored ice water with a daffodil straw! Cristy thinks of every detail. Underneath the napkin is William Wordsworth's poem "Daffodils." [I wrote a post about the poem here.]
Close-up photo of the daffodil cup and saucer. Cristy said she bought the china first, and developed the theme around it. The tea that filled the cups throughout the afternoon were Goji Berry Green Tea [green tea, goji berries, lemongrass, pomegranate seeds, and natural flavorings] and Silent Blessings [Ceylon black tea, dried pineapple, lemongrass, ginger, calendula, sunflower petals and natural lemon oil]. Both teas are from Telightful Treasures. While both teas were pleasurable, my favorite was the green tea. It had a light, delicate taste, and was very aromatic.
Yellow glassware with daffodil straw.
The tea begins with Cristy's husband, David, distributing hot finger-cloths for each lady to freshen their hands before eating. My girlfriend, Lori, on the right.
Ready to toast with sparkling Bartlett pear juice.
The 2nd course [main entreé] was a wedge of chicken and broccoli three cheese strata, made with Phyllo pastry; ginger-carrot soufflé; and lemony "Sangria" fruit salad.
The dessert course was individual lemon chiffon pies.
Knowing the theme beforehand, I decided to wear a daffodil and iris print skirt with a yellow sweater so I could fit in with the decor too! ;-)
The afternoon was definitely a Daffodil Delight, and Lori and I are looking forward to returning for the June tea with the theme, Flower Fairy Fantasy. I know it will be fabulous!
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Today I'm linking to Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday
