Mad Tea Party
Press play
"Mad World"
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places
Worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere
Going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression
No expression
Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow
No tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
And to feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen
Sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me
No one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me
Look right through me
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
'Cos I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world
Mad world
Mad World
Mad world
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
'Cos I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world
Mad world
Halargian world
Mad world
In the midst of a storm, I hear a slight sound, a soft knocking. As I approach my front door, it becomes louder. I open the door, and the wind rushes swiftly past bringing with it a soft mist. Nothing. Then as I glance at the door, this is what I spy:
An invitation to a Mad Tea Party at A Fanciful Twist. How lovely! Tea parties are my very favorite kind of party.
“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, or you wouldn’t have come here.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Upon our arrival, the guests are told to don aprons, and then get to work. We are required to iron our napkins before being seated!
As the last napkin is ironed and the aprons are returned to their hooks, our host asks us to hold hands and sing the most macabre of nursery rhymes:
Ring around the rosy,
A pocket full of posies,
Ashes, ashes,
We all SIT down!
....as we walk around a dining table. As the rhyme ends, we sit down. There are no place cards here!
“Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors.”
― Alice Walker, The Color Purple
We have the most delicate finger bowls before us. Our host suggests we wash our fingertips before we take our refreshment.
I can't help but notice that there are no servers to remove the finger bowls. Our host then asks us to look under our teacups. The guest who has the rose underneath is the server for the day. There is a rose underneath my teacup. Back to the aprons!
“have i gone mad?
im afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usualy are.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
I begin serving the beverages for the day: Double Earl Grey Tea and Chocolate Lavender Coffee served with lemon or cream and sugar. Our host chastises me because cream always precedes the sugar.
“You may be the only guy my age I've ever met who knows what bergamot is, much less
that it's in Earl Grey
tea."
"Yes, well," Jace said, with a supercilious look, "I'm not like other guys. Besides," he
added, flipping a book
off the shelf, "at the Institute we have to take classes in basic medicinal uses for plants. It's
required."
"I figured all your classes were stuff like Slaughter 101 and Beheading for Beginners."
Jace flipped a page. "Very funny, Fray.”
― Cassandra Clare, City of Bones
The first course is a Passion Flower Sundae.
Next, fresh fruit and Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts. Obviously this is a sweet tea. Nothing savory here!
Our host dominates the conversation. He seems obsessed with our dreams and claims to collect them. As I am busy serving, I never share mine.
The final course is Fairy Dust Cupcakes. Finally! They appear to be the most delicious of the offerings. One guest begins to yawn, and soon the entire table is yawning in unison. Our host reveals that the Fairy Dust Cupcakes are dusted with sanding sugar from the Sand Man himself! I hear a soft snore to my right.........
"Are you sure/That we are awake? It seems to me/That yet we sleep, we dream"
— William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
The next thing I know, I'm waking-up after a nighttime of storms. I'm startled because the dream seemed so real.....
“If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again.”
― Daphne du Maurier, Rebecca
Resources:
Tablecloth and oversized Kabaya teacup: Anthropologie
Napkins: Shabby Chic
Sweet stand and candlestick: Mosaicwares
Square cake plate: Aplico via Williams-Sonoma
Pedestal candle holder: Pottery Barn
White and silver glitter candle: Pier 1
Vintage glass candles: Vintage Aroma
Lily of the valley vase: Dana Gibson Pottery
Honey pot set, high tea pot, flower frogs, white thistle vases and small dotted vase: MacKenzie-Childs
Pedestal candle holder: Pottery Barn
White and silver glitter candle: Pier 1
Vintage glass candles: Vintage Aroma
Lily of the valley vase: Dana Gibson Pottery
Honey pot set, high tea pot, flower frogs, white thistle vases and small dotted vase: MacKenzie-Childs
Family Vintage China and Silver: Johnson Bros. Plates; Rosenthal Antoinette Finger Bowls; Wedgwood Rosedale cups and saucers
Glass sherbet: Vintage Mardi Gras glass
Cake Servers: Gifts from friends
Glass sherbet: Vintage Mardi Gras glass
Cake Servers: Gifts from friends
How to Make the Perfect Pot of Tea
1. Fill a kettle with cold water. Bring it to a full bowl, then turn off immediately.
2. Pre-warm the teapot by pouring in hot water and swirling it around. Empty water into the sink.
3. Add tea leaves to the pot, one teaspoon per cup plus one for the pot. Fill with hot water and stir.
4. Put the lid back on and steep for around five minutes. Pour though a tea strainer into cups.
Floral Finger Bowls
This makes enough for six medium-sized finger bowls.
4 cups distilled water
6 drops floral essential oil (I used rose oil)
6 fresh flower blossoms (I used roses)
1. Boil the water. Add the essential oil and set aside to cool.
2. When cool, fill each finger bowl halfway with the scented water. Before the guests arrive, add the flower blossoms to each finger bowl.
3. Place a bowl at each setting when you serve dessert.
Hibiscus Greek Yogurt Sundae
Ingredients:
1 jar Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup
1 pint vanilla Greek Yogurt
1 cup fresh berries of your choice, such as raspberries or strawberries
whipped cream for topping
1/4 cup pistachios, chopped for topping
Procedure:
Drain the hibiscus flowers and reserve both the syrup and flowers. Cut each flower in half. Scoop 1/2 cup of yogurt into each of 4 servings bowls. Scatter berries over yogurt and drizzle each with the reserved hibiscus syrup. Top each sundae with whipped cream, hibiscus flowers and chopped pistachios. Serve immediately.
Graphics in post from:
Thank-you for hosting, Vanessa!
I will be visiting all the Mad Tea Parties the next few days. I will be back Tuesday for My Happy List, and unless you're at the Tea Party, I'll catch-up with you after Tuesday!
Blessings and Sweet Dreams!
Ricki Jill
Oh, this is beautiful! So wish I could have join you in this party, but my tea party isn't ready yet!
ReplyDeleteSherry
LOVE THIS!! so beautiful. Can't wait to see everyone else's, too. :)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely indeed thank you for the tea
ReplyDeleteYou are invited to come have a cup with me :)
http://mybeautifultrainwrecklive.blogspot.com/2013/07/6th-annual-mad-tea-party-2013-hosted-by.html
Do I even need to say what a clever little genius you are? I absolutely love everything about this post! I wish I was there to join in your tea party!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful tea party. I love your napkins and wow those treats are so gorgeous, almost too good to eat but my sweet tooth would definitely get the better of me and I know I would savor every morsel. What care and great taste you have! Thanks to for sharing your sources...you are a generous one!
ReplyDeleteSwing by my party post. I have some party favors for everyone and a chance to win a prize.
Enjoy visiting all of the parties!
Kathryn - Collage Diva
http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2013/07/madteaparty2013.html
What a lovely party! The napkins are so pretty and each detail well captured. Your treats look so yummy and almost too good to eat. I say my sweet tooth wouldn't let me pass them up. Thanks too for sharing all of your sources, how generous of you!
ReplyDeleteSwing by my party post. I have some party favors for everyone and a chance to win a prize.
Enjoy visiting all of the parties!
Kathryn - Collage Diva
http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2013/07/madteaparty2013.html
Oh, so many wonderful things to take in! I love your unique door knocker - how delightful!! All the pretty dishes but mostly I loved your use of book quotes - I love reading!! And you listed one of my all-time favorites in your inspiration section - Tracy Porter!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting such a wonderful party!
XoXo,
Kristal
http://gracegoods.typepad.com/grace_goods/2013/07/welcome-to-our-mad-house-for-mad-tea-2013-.html
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! This is such an amazing and beautiful post. Chocolate Lavender Ice Cream sounds divine.
ReplyDeleteLove your mad tea party, so cute with your McKenzieChilds' patterns.
ReplyDeleteThat passion flower sundae looks delicious!
Hugs,
Patti
Sigh......what a lovely post, Ricki Jill. I want to come to your home for a tea party!
ReplyDeleteHmmm yummy love your Mad Tea Party a this great food...thanks for sharing...have a nice day
ReplyDeletehugs
Kerstin from Germany
http://cobblestone-prims.blogspot.de/2013/07/happy-un-birthday.html
Such a lovely and tasty looking party!
ReplyDeleteGoodness Ricki! This post is full of all kinds of wonderful inspiration! I adore McKenzieChild's and Rachel Ashwell. I don't think I've seen the book you show..is that a new one or did I just miss it? Your sweet plate looks divine:) and it's "high time" someone posted instructions to show readers how to make the perfect cup of tea;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! xxleslie
Wonderful tea party!I enjoyed very much!
ReplyDeletehttp://daylily777-myenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/mad-tea-party-2013.html
I love your party. Very beautiful and classy. I felt like a lady. :) And the food was wonderful. Nice to meet you and your fabulous taste.
ReplyDeletehttp://thedesigningfairy.com/2013/07/13/mad-tea-party/
Oh my goodness what an elegant tea party and the treats! I can't wait to make the Hibiscus sundae! Thank you for the recipes!!! I very much enjoyed your Mad tea Party!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will visit mine!
Thank you for having me.
Sylvia
http://anaboocreationsbysylvia.blogspot.com/2013/07/welcome-to-our-fanciful-garden-tour-mad.html
A Perfect Tea Party ! :) ENJOYED
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tea party, sweet friend, as everything you do! The treats are amazing..how I wish I could snap my fingers and go there and have a spot of tea and a Little Hibiscus sunday!...thanks for the récipe too. I'm enjoying this wonderful post you shared. Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
I entered into a tea party and wandered off in a gorgeous daydream. Everything was so pretty, especially the floral finger bowl pictures. Thanks for sharing your magic with me. Drop by my party when you have a free moment. :)
ReplyDelete~ Misha
http://dawaioser.livejournal.com/832697.html
Your tea party was so special.
ReplyDeleteThe food looks wonderful.
And of course a cup of tea please and thank you so much!
I am celebrating at http://heartsdelights.blogspot.com
All Those Goodies... WOW! What a great party post. Can you overnight me those Sundaes with some dry ice? :)
ReplyDeleteCome visiting: www.SanctiSpiritusCoaching.com
Mario
Oh my gosh. I love love love it. Hold the party for me. You did a wonderful party.
ReplyDeleteWow, love it!! I need to come back to this one--so much here to digest. Thanks for all you put into this.
ReplyDeleteOh the treats were spectacular! I am sure they tasted as good as they look, yum! Thank you for inviting me, I have enjoyed my visit!
ReplyDeleteCome visit anytime!
http://paintingapples.blogspot.com/2013/07/oh-dear-it-looks-like-tea-has-gone-to.html
~G.
So much beauty happening here!http://cozycomfycouch.blogspot.ca/2013/07/mad-tea-party-today.html
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely party! I so enjoyed my visit. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteblessings
~*~
Oh my, I love this post. I'll have one of everything. Is that too rude for a tea party? xo Laura
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting party with so much to learn. And you picked one of my favourite songs to start it off too! Thank you for it all!
ReplyDeleteOh real sweets and treats, and stories and instructions! Your party had everything I loved it!
ReplyDeletehttp://broomsticksandlace.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-fanciful-twist-mad-tea-party-2013.html
Wow, so many lovely china pieces! I'm enjoying some tea today myself and hope you will join me. Your rose teacup is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tea party!! Especially the finger bowls and sundaes!!
ReplyDeletethanks for having me
Lisa
www.crochetcrowe.blogspot.com
It's so delicately beautiful. I love the tea cup and the door knocker is amazing. The treats are amazing and look delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you, for the sweet comment. We had a lot of fun.
Tears for fears!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour vignettes and photos are sublime.
Now, are those treats real? Because they look so perfect, I was gobsmacked!!
And that rock candy!! OH MY!!!
I fainted.
Thank you so much for being a part of the Mad Tea Party ♥
I so love those sugar swizzle sticks! nom nom
ReplyDeletePopped by from the Mad Tea Party.
Here is my post
http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com/2013/07/mad-tea-party-and-barbie-fashion-show.html
The best tea party is a mad tea party, and you know my nan taught me how to make a pot of tea when I was young and I have never forgotten how even though I am not a tea or coffee drinker
ReplyDeleteSuch a delightful tea party, and love the elegant finger bowls and rock candy stirs! So special! Everything was delicious and such a treat! Thank you for hosting such a lovely tea and for inviting me!
ReplyDelete~ Deb
Possible Impossibilities Studio
www.Possiblim.blogspot.com
Oooooooh the fairy dust cupcakes were the most, most, most splendid I have ever tasted. I ate three!!! Ohhh, I'm feeling a bit tired. Think I'll have a nap. Thank you for this lovely party. I loved all of it. Ironed pretties make my world go round. Ta! Norma, xo
ReplyDeleteSuch a romantic tea party with the floral patterns... the sundae looks beyond delicious... and the fairy cakes. Thank you so much:) XXX from Sara in Sweden
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVED IT!!!! You did an awesome job. I loved the story. Very creative and what a wonderful post. I just loved it!!!!
ReplyDeletexo,
Jolene
Ricki, Thanks so much for stopping by and joining me for tea...I have also enjoyed spending time with you too...I wanted to mention how much I enjoy your sharing your books of inspiration...I also have "Embellish your home by Dena F....Love that book too♥
ReplyDelete~Dena
Oh my - look at all the goodies! That sundae is amazing :)
ReplyDeletelovely photographs, and thanks for commenting on my artwork at wendy fairy art...
ReplyDeletemuch appreciated. I looked at your artwork too... very beautiful...
A fabulous party, oooh sundae yumm, thank you so much for inviting me :)
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you managed to pop by and visit with me earlier !!
Mad Madam Mel xx
What a wonderful tea party, Ricki Jill! I think I put on five pounds just looking at the pictures of those delectable offerings! : )
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Wonderful Tea! Love the pictures, food, decorations, especially the lavender/chocolate coffee! The aprons and napkins were a very nice touch also! Thank you also for visiting me!
ReplyDeleteThe most perfect tea party! I didn't do very well at ironing my napkin, but since we're all mad here, I know no one will really care. Thank you for the fantastic treats! I do apologize for drinking the finger bowl after dipping my fingers in it, but I can't resist anything with roses. I promise to do better when I visit next year!
ReplyDeleteWonderful tea party thanks for the invitation, I enjoyed your story and all the delightful cakes.
ReplyDeleteAnni
Fabulous party! Such a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteTruly a Mad Tea party stuffed full of delightful treats. I thoroughly enjoyed the song, the quotes, and all the visual delights. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWishes and Whimsy
Wendy from Wonderland
**Please drop in for a spoonful of tea
http://candydelane.typepad.com/curiosities/
what a lovely party....thank you for the recipes at the end!
ReplyDeleteI love everything .. yummy goodies and your teacups are stunning thank you for sharing `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨`*. ¸.•*¨*.¸¸.•*¨`*•
ReplyDelete(¸¸¸.•*¨`*•.•´*.¸.•´* .•´*¸¸.•*¨`*• ♥♥ hugs wendy
Ricki Jill, where do I begin? First of all, thank you for coming to my mini tea party. Your tea party is fabulous - so many wonderful treats and ideas. I love the passion flower sundae and fairy dust cupcakes. I've always liked that Tears For Fears song, too. Have a great week! :-)
ReplyDeleteYour tea party is truly a delight for the eyes. Thanks for inviting me. It is a post I will enjoy revisiting.
ReplyDeleteLovely party! I love the song Mad World - great touch!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for visiting me - I'm happy to see the Jaberwock did not get you!
~Shauna
What gorgeous Rose Tea! And all those delectable treats, too! Thank you for inviting me to tea and for stopping by mine, as well. Enjoy the festivities! Theresa
ReplyDeleteRicki Jill, this is the best! I'm mad about every detail of this charming party. You are amazing, my friend! I want to rush over and sit at your gorgeous table and take tea from the high teapot. Oh, I do love that piece!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing each exquisite detail. ~ Sarah
Oh my what an extremely lovely and interesting real tea party. I am so happy I can at your invitation to such a lovely time. YOu did a fabulous job of entertaining and being the wait staff. How fun.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for visiting us, Happiness to you, Bad Alice, Dude and Oma Linda
Oh my!
ReplyDeleteWhat exquisite detail for such a lovely tea party!
Thoroughly enjoyed the song, quotes and story!
Thanks for a lovely visit!
What a beautiful party! I am glad I was able to stop by. thank you for inviting me :)
ReplyDeleteThis was so much fun to read that I went back and read it again! Fabulous and charming tea party!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, mad tea party! The rhubarb tarts, the cupcakes, the sundaes... Oh my, so many delicious choices, I can't decide which to have first. I love all the china and that table cover, too. Happy Partying! ~Michelle
ReplyDeleteWow what a pretty and inspiring tea party! I love the Mad World song. As for those chocolate tarts and other treats, look so delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having me, happy Mad Tea Party!
Please do come visit my 2 interwoven fairytale inspired stories-
1. The White Queen as she prepares her Mad Tea Party for her eleven dancing sisters in:
http://idlebakes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/a-mad-tea-party-for-twelve-dancing.html
2. The dancing princesses dancing their way all over the land to reach her Mad Tea Party:
http://kikiandthegypsy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-twelve-dancing-princesses-make.html
I look forward to serving you a home made rose macaron or two at my tea party!
What a wonderful loopy, mad tea party. I would love to join your tea party and would definitely have a cuppa and a bite to eat and would even help you serve and would also ask you about your dream ;)
ReplyDeleteChocolate lavender coffee and fairy cupcakes? I hope I'm in time...maybe you'll have to bake again for all of the late comers! Enjoy your evening sweet friend and thanks for the magical party!
ReplyDeleteO SHOOT...I MISSED IT...I fully intended to play.....too much going on in my life and my brain is so overloaded, I can't remember much.
ReplyDeleteYour party is just WONDERFUL...so cute...so much fun....
I haven't heard this version of the song! I LOVE the song, but I've only heard the Gary Jules version!
ReplyDeleteWOWZA what a fun party this was! My sisters BF just had a tea party wedding shower, she said it was the best. Those desserts almost look to good to eat Ricki, but no worries I would still manage to eat ALL of them LOL! How lovely.
ReplyDeleteRicki Jill,
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfectly wonderful tea party. Thank you for inviting us along. Everything looks delicious and with such pretty table settings, it's the icing on the cake.
Karen
I love Tears for Fear! I still have their cassette. ha ha ha I cannot play it because I do not have a player but I just cannot get rid of them. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tea party!!!
ReplyDeletethe comment you left me about Cory (from Glee) was deleted b/c I got rid of the disqus comment box - didn't like it! Anyway - sorry to hear you're mourning as well. Hugs to you and your family. < 3
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I lived closer by ... it looks marvellous!
ReplyDeleteI did wonder about that stranger being so interested in our dreams!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful quotes. Books are my passion.
Oh, this was absolutely glorious! I'm glad you were still serving tea! You were so lucky you were serving and didn't get nobbled by the dusted cup cakes. Thank you for the invitation!
ReplyDeletehttp://rhissanna.blogspot.com/2013/07/mad-tea-party-alice-dreaming.html
Beautiful photos! I wish I was there! :)
ReplyDeleteJennelise
Hi Ricki,
ReplyDeleteThat Chocolate Lavender Coffee sounds so interestingly DELICIOUS!!! Those linen napkins are adorable!! I Loved the colorful sugary crystal sticks!! Thank you for sharing your Passion Flower Sundae, it was scrumptious!! Those Fairy Dust cupcakes were especially darling! Omg this post is just filled with so much charm!! You really know how to throw a tea party!!
Sorry I am such a white rabbit, so late to such a wonderful party! Please check out mine when you have the chance, I share a very magical book I found about Alice & her adventures! & a yummy recipe for banana bread and homebread iced chai latte!
Hope to see you there!
http://labohememagique.blogspot.com
Justina
xoxo
I apologize, here is the direct link to the post:
ReplyDeletehttp://labohememagique.blogspot.com/2013/08/100th-post-this-calls-for-tea-party.html