Come for Tea!!

Happy Tablescape Thursday.  I have a confession to make...this tablescape is from a while ago but since I am new to blogging, no one has seen it before.  My sister has a wonderful friend who is smart, gracious, and multi-talented (among other things, she paints, writes children's books and has an amazing approach to life).  I decided to invite my sister and her friend Janie for a real afternoon tea. 
Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures and the pictures of the food aren't great!  So I guess I will just narrate and you'll have to use your imagination.  ;-)

The pink tablecloth was covered with a white lace one.  The food is in the picture...all except the scones which were still in the oven.  It was Ina Garten's recipe and they were easy AND delicious, warm from the oven (she is amazing!!!) .  They went onto a Victoriana Rose plate on the clear cake pedestal.

Ina's scones were served with "heavenshire cream" (recipe below) and strawberry jam pictured in the front center of this picture.  There were cucumber sandwiches on white bread and egg salad on wheat-no crusts, of course!  We also had mini lemon tea tarts and orange cake. 

Now for the big confession...none of us wanted tea (I know, I know) so we had coffee!  It was a delightful time and I am planning a luncheon on the patio!

Now for the "dish" on the dishes (etc)... 

• The luncheon plates are "Royal Albert Val D'Or"...they are great with several Royal Albert patterns because they are classic white.  They actually look like many of their floral patterns with the flowers washed off!!! 
• The dessert/bread plates and cups/saucers are Paragon "Victoriana Rose".  This is one of my favorite patterns and was most recently made by Royal Albert, but I believe that it is no longer being made at all.  Mine are from ebay over many years of collecting.
• The silverplated bride's basket was an ebay find as well.
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  The forks are Towle silverplate (don't know the pattern) from an apartment sale many years ago.  They were next to nothing and I wish I had a complete set!!
• The place card holders are "Old Country Roses" found at T.J. Maxx and I made place cards with a sweet rose background.
• Lots of other bits and pieces that I have in my collection. 

Hope you have enjoyed our afternoon tea!!!

Here is the easy recipe for "Heavenshire Cream".  I only made half a recipe and it was plenty.  I found this on line at Tea with Grace

Heavenshire Cream

Makes 12-14-servings

1 cup whipping cream

8 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar

8 ounces of dairy sour cream

In a medium bowl, beat the whipping cream until stiff peaks form.  In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.  Fold in whipped cream.  Refrigerate until serving time.