In like a lion...

I must tell you, your gentle party planner has grown weary of winter. Like so many of you, I yearn for green grass and a gentle breeze. in lieu of our usual February trip to somewhere warm, we have opted for a trip to Europe this month for some much needed R & R. i won't return home tan for certain but the change of scenery will do my heart good.



Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig

 is the Gaelic way of expressing a wish that you have all the blessings of St Patrick's Day and the "luck of the Irish" to go with it.
 
Don't forget to pinch anyone not wearing green on
 St Patrick's Day!

Nifty cool things on the docket…

Tea Parties for young and old young at heart alike!
It is funny how different parties go on popularity rolls. April will see a magical tea birthday party for a very special 4 year old princess and along with May flowers will be an old fashion Low Tea for some wonderful ladies!

 I have posted a wonderful article on the difference between a

High Tea vs. Low Tea

By Brenda Hyde

High Tea sounds elegant and brings to mind for many lavish tea desserts, scones and dainty sandwiches. Often, online and offline, high tea is described as a more lavish version of afternoon tea. I once ran across a chef connected with the Lipton company describing it this way. This has never been true, and is a misuse of the term. High tea was actually a working man's hearty tea and supper after a long, hard day of manual labor. It is actually the combination of afternoon tea and the evening meal. The working person, whether male or female, would work until late afternoon, often missing lunch and certainly afternoon tea. They would return home in the early evening and high tea would be served at the main table or "high table" rather than in the parlor or sitting room. High tea has different traditional dishes depending on where the working man resided. England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland all had versions of high tea, especially in the rural areas. All would include tea, bread and cheese and these are some of the regional favorites: Wales: Welsh rarebit, onion cake (potatoes and onions), Glamorgan sausage (a meatless sausage), poacher's pie (beef, rabbit, chicken, and game) Scotland: Steak pie, sausages and eggs, haddock, kippers, mashed potatoes, shortbreads, Dundee cake, gingerbread or drop scones. Ireland: Barm Brack (Irish Fruit Cake), Irish Rarebit, Bacon and Egg Pie, oatcakes England: Shepherds Pie, Baked Beans on Toast, steak and kidney pie In England high tea is also known as "meat tea", referring to the addition of hot or cold meats. Afternoon tea on the other hand, would often be served at smaller, lower tables with dainty desserts and fine china. This was often referred to as low tea. While this does not sound elegant, it was the tea preferred by the upper class. In the 1800's the practice of inviting friends to tea became popular, especially among the rich. This will vary too depending on if it is formal or informal, but almost always includes:sandwiches and/or savories, scones, toast, crumpets or muffins, cookies, plain cakes, quick breads and sometimes an elegant cake to finish the tea. Afternoon tea is generally served between lunch and a later dinner; anywhere from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. High tea was practical, it was filling, and it was a reward for a hard days work. The hot tea comforted and warmed, while the food fed hard working men and women. It may not have been fancy, but it became a solid tradition.Personally, I think a traditional high tea would be a fantastic way to entertain friends and family, including men, who enjoy a hardy meal.

IMPORTANT:  Please do not wait to tell us if you are considering an event, just give me a buzz and see if we are available for that date and to pencil you in if we are.

 We are all about QUALITY, NEVER about QUANTITY.

Because of that, I NEVER book two events on the same weekend and often block out several days around an event to assure our undivided attention to your event.

 Because of this, we often and quite sadly, have to turn people away or ask them to consider rescheduling their events. There is no deposit fee to hold a date for you, however if another event for the same time comes along, we will at that time ask you for a commitment.

Thank each one of you who either had or booked an event in February!
We all out did ourselves with Valentine's celebrations and a few couples that met at our parties are still seeing one another! Was that wedding bells I hear?
My best to all of you

XOXO.A

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