Catered Affair for Sarah

I have many favorite clients, but by far my best and most favorite client is Sarah & her husband Dave. I have had the pleasure of catering for their family, as well as his company, over the last 5 or more years. There have been children's and both parents birthdays, graduations, holidays and just fun neighborhood dinners. So many things we feel like family! This night we celebrated Sarah's birthday. There was Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce - everyone loved this.
The much loved spicy BBQ Meatballs- her son's favorite. (I hid a few away for him since he wasn't home in time to make the party)

Her husband Dave's Favorite- SHRIMP!!
We cooked Chateaubriand and also, fresh Haddock that Dave & their son caught while in Alaska and it was served with my
Peach & Mango-Jalapeno Chutney.

They love to entertain with all the guest seated around several tables facing each other, so as not to have anyone be left out. Then they pass the food "family" style. It's such a pleasure to cater for them and see the friendship and camaraderie they share with their neighbors.

That's Sarah in the blue & white top thanking her guests for coming and letting them know how much they are loved.

Great fun, great people!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!!

Samantha, Nana & Mickey

Well, I couldn't wait for Samantha to come
for tea with Nana and Mickey. So Monday, I made scones of Mickey. And Samantha,
her mommy & I had ourselves a tea party.

Samantha couldn't wait, she had to have a sip right away.
We had ham sandwiches, dilled egg salad crackers, Mickey scones & Minnies cookies and fresh fruit with whipped cream for dessert. She was saying, "Come on Nana, I want to eat Mickey's head!"
Here she is trying to get the Devonshire cream off her spoon.

She loves her new Mickey bracelet. Thank you to Katherine at

Yellow Rose Arbor for her wonderful gifts. We all had a great time.

"PINK VALENTINE TEA TABLE & DINNER FOR TWO"

Go here to other wonderful tablescape blogs#1 Pink Tea Table

My Cherub. I use him in my catering for fruit & plants.This is my favorite shot. Aren't those dimples adorable.

White plate from Old Time Pottery (1.29 each)
Pink plate from Michael's (cheap too about 1.00 each)

This silver-plate condiments server was a "give" from a neighbor who owns a little shop in town call "The Vintage Flea" (You should really check it out)

This view is shown with a different dinner plate. Found at a flea market.
Tea pot found at the same flea market.

One of my many rabbits- I just love rabbits & birds.

This setting is shown with glassware that I found this week at a local shop that my friend Angela has been talking up lately. It's called "What's In Store". Isn't that a great name. The glasses were 14.00 for 6. It was more than I would usually spend, but I love them.

Now would you like to have a Valentine Tea with me?
#2 A Valentine Table for Two.

I'll be serving a sauteed Radicchio salad with toasted pecans, fresh peaches a homemade balsamic and herb vinegar dressing.

We'll have our drinks in this beautiful antique Talisman Crystal stemware by Hawkes.

Our main course of Fettuccine pasta with a creamy sauce of herb-boursin, marinated artichokes and sauteed shrimp will be served here on my Spring looking china (Taihei Fine China). I bought a ten piece place-setting week after week at Kroger about 25 years ago. I still have enough, remaining unbroken, to seat only 7. I lost some in a move- ouch!

This is an up close look at my lovely new table cloth also found at "What's in Store" . I can't believe Angela missed this one. It's all cotton, in mint condition and was only $18.99! I don't know if it's old, but it certainly has the appeal of an old piece.
My love birds

Soft and Romantic

I chose Tulips for this table instead of Roses, it just seemed more like a Tulip kind of table.

The famous Target S&P shakers.
Who knew so many people would love them?
And lastly, I'll serve my Love a Vanilla Custard with Strawberry-Amaretto whipped cream topping and Fresh Strawberries in this new find. Found also at "What's in Store" Cheap- 6 for $8.99.

I Love, love, love these.

Well, there we have it. I hope my Love finds this pleasing to his pallet. Happy Valentine's Day to you and the one of your dreams!

"THE DREAM OF LOVE"

"The Dream of Love" O, My soul longs for the day,

That love of heart doth find its way,

And reach right in and give to me,

A Love so grand, so grand as Thee.

But, alas, I'm old and gray,

And love hath never found it's way.

It is forever passed I fear,

For you have never drawn me near.

You've yet to feel my heart or see,

This love I've held so long for Thee.

Tho, as I lay to sleep tonight,

In my dreams You will delight.

But wake I must with morning light,

To dream again come dark of night.

Poem by me: Teresa L. Carter

May love find it's way to you this wonderful Valentine season!

BREAKFAST TEA FOR TWO

This weekend, set a beautiful table in your living room just for you and your Valentine and surprise them with a light tea f0r breakfast. Use silver if you have it, if not use the best you do have. (I found mine cheap at a yard sale a year or so back.)
Make it feel special, give it a special touch. Serve sweet scones, lemon curd & jam.

Enjoy your time with each other this year. And if there is no special someone in your life at this time, do it for YOURSELF. You deserve it. You could always invite your best friend too.

The Best Scone I've Ever Made-

Teresa's Cream & Currant Scone

2 cups of flour

1/3 cup of sugar + 1 tbsp separate

1 tbsp. of baking powder

1/2 tsp. of salt

2/3 to 1 cup of dried red currants (or golden raisins)

1 cup of heavy cream

3 tbsp. of water

1/4 stick of cold butter, cut into small cubes

1 egg beaten

Mix flour, 1/3 cup of sugar, salt, and baking powder. Stir in the currants.

Mix the water into the cream and blend into the flour very slowly, mixing in with a fork.

Next, add the butter, being careful not to over work it. Remove the mixture from the bowl and knead it on a floured surface working it about five times over.

Form into a ball and place on a lightly buttered baking pan. Smooth into a flat ball and using a floured knife, score into 8-10 scones.

Place pan in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove scones from refrigerator and brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tops are nice and golden.

These things melt in your mouth!

We had ours with a pot of Assam- so good.