Saturday, June 25, 2011

mad hatter tea party

On a beautiful afternoon, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the bugs were crawling, and the Mad Hatter had friends over for a tea party! Alice was there, fresh from her nap and wearing a pretty blue dress. The Queen graced us with her presence. The White Rabbit was very late, but joined the fun once she woke up and when the Dormouse arrived from work.


See, all day, the Mad Hatter had been preparing all kinds of wonderful treats for her tea party guests. They dined on donut holes, and fresh fruit. Cubes of cheese and pistachios. They played croquet (well, golf) and chess, that is, until the Mad Hatter stepped on the glass board and broke it in a million pieces.


On this very hot afternoon, cold drinks were a must. Although Alice was a bit freaked by the flowers imprisoned in ice cubes, guest passed up on the green iced tea in favor of pineapple limeade. A sweet summer punch that could have benefited from added club soda and/or ice cubes to cut down on the sweetness a bit.


Drink Me Pineapple Limeade
recipe source: Mom Magazine

1 12-ounce can frozen pineapple juice concentrate
1 6-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate
4 cups cold water
1 liter club soda, chilled
Ice cubes
Fresh cherries (optional)

In a large pitcher combine pineapple juice concentrate, limeade, and water. Chill for at least 30 minutes. To serve, transfer fruit juice mixture to pitchers; add club soda, ice cubes, and fresh cherries.


Our local pharmacy provided weirdly appropriate coconut covered mushroom candies that were a chewy contrast to the hard grape candies the Mad Hatter had made for the occasion.


After having had a couple of heart shaped egg salad sandwiches and diamond shaped cucumber sandwiches, guests looking for a sweet finish could grab a cookie just asking to be eaten. They did not make us grow taller, but they were a sweet treat to end this picnic. And the recipe could not be simpler! Three ingredients is all that's required for the cookie, which, by itself is no yummy treat. But add royal icing in girly colors, and you've got a sweet eat!


Eat Me Cookies
recipe adapted from: sweet pea's kitchen

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
Decorating sugar

In medium bowl, mix flour, 1 cup butter and the whipping cream. Divide dough into thirds and wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm.
Heat oven to 375º degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll one-third of dough at a time 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll.) Cut into desired shapes with 1 1/2-inch cookie cutters. Dip both sides of the cookies in decorating sugar.  Place on prepared baking sheet. Prick each cutout about 4 times.
Bake 7 to 9 minutes or just until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Decorate with Royal Icing.


We were lucky enough to be visited by the Caterpillar, who could not resist making sure the orange marmalade jar was truly empty. It was, and the caterpillar was returned to the forest floor, well, lawn, to find a mushroom to sit upon.


After the ice melted and the drinks grew warm, the snacks were gone, and the creepy crawlies claimed the crumbs. The guests departed, and the mad hatter took off her hat, as she was very warm, but pleased by the outcome of her mad tea party bash.

A great thank you to Vanessa of A Franciful Twist who put this virtual Mad Tea Party together, and to guest of honour Sweetapolita for spreading the word allowing me to partake in this year's event. To virtually experience other Mad Tea Parties, visit Vanessa's blog to see what other party guests were up to! 

85 comments:

  1. Gorgeous party! Thanks for the snacks and lemonade! I felt so welcome! Blessings.

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  2. So cute! Love the rabbit [donut] holes! Thanks for inviting me over.

    http://pixiepages.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-tasting-extravaganza.html

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  3. Wonderful party! Thanks for the cookies. :)

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  4. This has been a most fun tea party with the best cookies and punch! Thanks for the recipes and the great time! Have a magical day! Twyla

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  5. Oh my the treats are all eye-cany...making me wooshy from the sugar rush! Love your post its all pleasing to the eyes plus informative as welll. Hope you can drop by mine as well for a cup of tea!

    K
    http://theweekendartist.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011-by-weekend-artist.html

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  6. I ♥ this post!!! Your photos are wonderful - looks like a fun, magical party!

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  7. thank you for a delicious tea party! i am in love with those coconut covered mushroom treats!
    cheers
    lisa

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  8. What a lovely tea party and thanks for taking the time to share the recipes too.

    I loved the Down the Rabbit (Donut) holes.

    I'd love you to visit my party if you have the time http://phoenixra.blogspot.com/2011/06/wonderings-on-tea-party.html

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  9. Those cookies look so delicious; thank you for the yummy recipe!
    Thank you for throwing such a magically mad tea party! Have a lovely day!
    Christina
    http://www.hoydendesigns.blogspot.com/

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  10. what a cute Mad tea party post
    so yummy
    I have enjoyed your party very much!

    from so far away

    Visit me anytime...

    xoxo

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  11. So clever and also with recipes, fab.

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  12. What a treat from beginning to end. Thanks for the recipes!

    Have a mad party!
    Erin :)

    http://www.fairiemoon.typepad.com/weathertop

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  13. I love those mushroom confections! They look so delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipes of your goodies!

    Enjoy your tea! - and come share some with me. I have a fungal surprise to giveaway!
    Tabitha of
    http://pabkins.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-my-wonderland-wedding.html

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  14. A sweet party and I love the recipes too.

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  15. Beautiful! I love what youve done here. Yummy treats! I encourage you stop by my tea party!

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  16. So many good things here. Thank you for inviting me to your party. xx

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  17. The tea and the treats were yummy!
    Thank you for having me over.
    I do hope you will also visit me
    http://www.anaboocreations.blogspot.com
    Sylvia : )

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  18. Pretty photos, lovely colors, and thanks for sharing recipes with us!

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  19. I love the mushrooms!!! To bad, where i live there is no concentrate for limonade..

    I invite you in France for my Mad tea Party!
    http://www.ladinette.net/2011/06/notre-mad-tea-party.html

    Have a sweet day!

    Eloïse

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  20. Really great party, I love the cookies and the pineapple limeade sounds great. I'll definitely have a go at making some :)

    I'm also taking part in the Mad Tea Party blog hop and hope that you'll visit my party to have some fun there too :)

    http://modernwomans.blogspot.com/2011/06/welcome-to-my-english-tea-party.html

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  21. What a fun and funky tea party! The mushroom treats are just too precious! Thanks so much for sharing! The recipes are a really nice touch!

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  22. Fun party and lovely recipes thank you!

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  23. So sorry I am late
    For this important date.
    I'm still making my way down the list.

    With too little time
    I'm leaving this rhyme
    For I'm adamant about wanting to persist.

    All this running about
    Has left me dry in the mouth.
    Might I have a glass of your green tea?

    Or perhaps some pinapple lemonade.
    And those doughnut holes
    They both are so tempting to me

    Oh my, the time
    It goes so fast
    I must be on my way

    But fear not friend
    I shall return
    Please……Have a beautiful day.

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  24. a wonderful trip to wonderland, with teacups, cupcakes and magic

    and when you are ready I'm waiting for you... pop over . the kettle is on.. Hugs wendy
    http://blissangels.blogspot.com

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  25. What a fun and lovely party, and thank you for the recipes! That pineapple limeade looks divine :) ~Lauren

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  26. Oh so many lovely treats. I don't know which to choose. I may just sample them all. thank you for your invatation. I am having such a wondrus time. Please come to my Mad Tea Party.
    momentsinaneye.blogspot.com

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  27. Those mushrooms are delightful and this party was so much fun! Thank you for inviting me. I hope you'll stop by my tea party, too.

    http://scrapvamp.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011.html

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  28. Quite the unusual treats, I'd enjoy sampling them all, even the coconut mushrooms, how odd. If I was not (truly) late for an important family date (graduation party tonight) I would be tempted to whisk a few of them up in the kitchen now.

    http://dogsmom.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/dreaming-madly-of-tea/

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  29. Gorgeous colorful Mad Tea Party!! Yummy to all!! Very clever 'Through the rabbit (doughnut) hole' lol! Loved it! Fantastic photography.

    Thanks for having me over! I truly enjoyed it!

    xo,
    Karla
    www.dreamaginarius.com

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  30. I have enjoyed your party very much.
    Happy UnBirthday to you !
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna
    http://daylily777-myenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party.html
    ps The food looks delish !

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  31. Thank you for sharing your recipes with us all so we can make our own party! Your spread just looks so delicious and amazing. What a lovely post. *smiles* Norma

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  32. What a delight! Thank you for the recipes so we can make magic like you!

    I have a little party of my own and gifts for all of my guests. I do hope you can stop by.

    Follow this direct link: http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2011/06/tea-party.html

    Have a sweet day!
    Kathryn, Collage Diva

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  33. What a super fun Tea Party!!! All those yummy treats - thanks bunches. I appreciate getting the recipe, too, for the delicious drink and cookies. :)

    Hope you'll pop on over for a visit with me!
    http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-mad-tea-party.html

    Thank you again for a lovely time...enjoy all the festivities!

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  34. What a great tea party, and a great site. I'm so glad I found it! Thanks for stopping by my page :)

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  35. Very lovely! The goodies looked very inviting, and thanks for the recipes! I enjoyed visiting.

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  36. Great slice of whimsy in this post to have w/ my TEA...great party! Thank you also for the recipes for sure ~ also the photos are lovely!!!!http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-for-pink-saturday.html

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  37. Delicious and welcoming. What a wonderful Mad Hatter Hostess you are! And I love that the caterpillar visited. ;)

    http://www.inthelandofspice.com/spiceblog/spiceblog/Entries/2011/6/25_Mad_Tea_Party.html

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  38. Thankyou for a lovely party,what a greedy caterpillar!

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  39. Such a very nice party and I will be trying the pineapple limeade!! Yummy!

    Please visit with me when you have a moment:
    http://gossamertearoom.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011.html

    Wishing you a Happy Mad Tea Party Weekend!

    Betty

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  40. A wonderful party! Thank you for having me and the recipes!

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  41. Oh! My! Gosh! I love your blog and all of the scrumptious recipes. Thank you so much for sharing them! I am going to try making those 'eat me' cookies...they look divine!
    Loved your sweet tea party!
    Cheers!
    Teresa in CA
    Come on over to my blog as I am participating too! And I am having three giveaways!

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  42. I love the donut rabbit hole ;) Thank you so much for sharing your piece of Wonderland!! Your tea party spread is sublime!

    Love, A Fanciful Twist

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  43. What an amazing Tea Party ;o) Thanks so much for inviting me ;o) I had a great time! So beautiful ;o) And, all the special treats, yummy! Thankyou for putting up the recipes ;o) I copied them down ;o) Have a magical day, Stacy ;o)

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  44. What a beautiful party. The pineapple limeade sounds delicious. I will have to try it for my next party.

    Drop by and visit my party if you get a chance.
    http://fromthemindofalphabetsy.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011.html

    <3
    Betsy

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  45. What a wonderfully mad tea party with so many goodies to eat! Thanks so much for sharing, Michelle

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  46. Wonderful goodies and a fun party! Thank you so much for inviting me :D

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  47. Everything here looks so delicious...thanks for having me - I think I ate way too many of those cookies!

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  48. What a sweet party! The recipes on your blog look yummy!
    ~Kim
    Bonne Nuit Designs
    http://faeriebootsandfoiegras.wordpress.com

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  49. Wonderful party! Thanks for the recipes :) Where did you find such adorable little mushroom candies, and what is the brand etc? Please come visit my party :)
    Susan

    http://piecesoffatesusan.blogspot.com/2011/06/fanciful-twists-mad-tea-party-2011.html

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  50. What a lovely party, love all the baking you do ♥

    I know I am a little late in visiting, but I am so happy I did ! Please come visit my party too ?!

    www.jetdtsetters.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-tea-party-alice-in-underwaterland.html


    Joyce

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  51. What a lovely party! I love the rabbit (donut) holes <3

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  52. How cute!! Love how you got the catterpillar to show up, too!! If you haven't already be sure to check out my party, too!

    http://58cherries.blogspot.com/2011/06/jump-down-rabbit-holea-mad-tea-party.html

    I'm having a giveaway!

    Nicki
    58Cherries

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  53. A lovely party indeed!!--Come visit mine at
    Stampinmamas Place!!
    Thanks

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  54. gorgeous party, gorgeous blog xx

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