Second Annual High Tea!

Missy Tippens

I thought I'd share about our second annual High Tea held at our church, sponsored by our United Methodist Women. We had a wonderful time again! And this year, my daughter got to attend as well.

I shared a lot of photos from last year's tables (click here). I didn't take as many this year because I was so busy talking with friends, new and old!

Different ladies sponsored tables, and brought their own linens and china for the place settings. Some brought their mother's or grandmother's china.

I believe I got to enjoy using the same china again this year--my friend Terrie's mother's china. The centerpieces were gorgeous spring flowers as well.

We had quite a few ladies who really dressed up and wore fancy hats. This precious girl at our table wore a new fascinator her grandmother had bought her just for the tea.

Like last year, several men in the church served the tea and all the courses. We appreciate them so much!

Below, a photo my daughter took of our teacups side by side.

And a mother-daughter shot. 

I was so busy eating and drinking that I didn't think to snap shots of the food this year. However, at the last second, I took a quick one of my last course, a mini-cupcake. Notice the messy plate with scone crumbs and leftover jam and clotted cream! :)

We had a great time and hope to do it again next year!

www.missytippens.com

High Tea with the Ladies

Missy Tippens

I had the most wonderful day this past Saturday. Our United Methodist Women sponsored high tea at the church for the ladies. And several men along with a teen daughter came to serve us. Such a nice treat! I thought I'd share the photos that I took (lots!). We used china that several of the women brought. So fun to hear stories of the dishes and teapots!

First, our table. Below is a photo of me (on the right) with two of the ladies.

These (below) are the dishes at our table. They belonged to the mother of one of the women I sat with.

The teapots full of hot water. They must've refilled them dozens of times!

Our first course, cucumber sandwiches and raisin bread with cream cheese sandwiches.

The gorgeous centerpieces were made by two of the women, mostly from flowers out of their yards. 

Many wore hats!

Each table had honey, lemon, varieties of teabags, cream, sugar, clotted cream and homemade jam.

Our wonderful servers at work.

One of my favorite teapots.

Some amazing pastries made by volunteers. Not pictured were scones and biscuits as well as egg salad and ham salad sandwiches.

 I just loved this cute teapot that was on display!

We recognized the servers at the end of the afternoon to thank them. They were wonderful (and probably worn out!).

I took this last shot right before I left. I wish I had used my flash to show the detail. It was made of gorgeous plum colored feathers that had been swirled into this stunning hat. The young woman wearing it said it had belonged to her great-great-aunt, who had made the hat herself. And the young woman's grandmother told her that the great-great-aunt had been a model for Coco Chanel in France! An amazing piece of history.

We had a lovely day. I'm so glad I went. I have a feeling it'll become an annual event, because everyone raved about how much they enjoyed the day.

I left absolutely stuffed, yet full also on fellowship and friendship.

www.missytippens.com

Church Christmas Decorations

I don't have a recipe to share this week. I wanted to share some wonderful photos I took at church last week. The sanctuary looks so beautiful, I couldn't help but run around and snap pictures with my phone. :)

Welcome to our church! Here's the pretty wreaths on one set of doors.

Inside the sanctuary, we have the beautiful Chrismon tree. In case you're not familiar with what that is, here's a little history from the United Methodist Website.

Ornaments made from Christian symbols (or Chrismons, a contraction for 'Christ monograms') were first developed by Frances Spencer and the women of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, VA. Many churches display a Chrismon tree during the Advent and Christmas season decorated with handmade ornaments.

Here are closeup photos I took of some of my favorite ornaments.

Most are ceramic and painted with gold. So very pretty! And there are some cross-stitched ones as well.

Oh, and here's my front door. I bought a new wreath last year, but, once I put it up, I realized that it was too bland. It blended in with our green door! So I wrapped it with a gold bow this year. I still think it needs something else. Maybe some red glass balls. I may add those next year. :)

My daughter is finally home from college, so I'll have some help decorating the rest of the house. But for now, we're happily snuggled on the couch under a soft, fuzzy throw blanket, working on our computers. :)

I have to say I think snuggle time is a little more important than whether we have lights on the bannister. So I'm not rushing anything!

Missy

www.missytippens.com