Bonjour!

Welcome back

This is the week that we would have started taking Mother’s Day Tea reservations at Paris In A Cup Tea Salon. But before we opened up the reservation portal, there was a lot of work to be done. Menu planning, table setting planning and party favors to purchase. I miss all that and it makes me a little sad that we won’t be seeing our guests this year and their families. Brandee and I truly miss seeing all of you.

Though we won’t be spending time with you, I hope that you plan to do something special for Mother’s Day weekend. Go to Tea or brunch. Maybe put on a tea at home.

Plan the day around Mom

Tea enjoyed at a local tea room or served at home, brunch at her favorite café or made in your kitchen . . . it’s the time spent with you that means the most.

I have started to see posts from Tea Rooms about their Mother’s Day Teas, so I’m going to post a few spots I would recommend. Make your reservations as soon as possible though. You know how fast these events get booked up.

McKenna’s Tea Cottage

237 Main St
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Ring (562)431-0200 for reservations or click the teapot

Morning Lavender Café

330 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
Ring: 714-486-1429
Click the teapot to book online

The Tea House on Los Rios

31731 Los Rios Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Ring: 949 443-3914
Click the teapot to book online

Pamela’s British Tea Room

**7561 Center Ave #19**
**Huntington Beach, CA 92647**
They are in the process of moving to Old World Village in Huntington Beach.
Ring the number below to get more information about their re-opening and Mother’s Day. Or click the teapot to visit their website.
(714)-897-9442

You can always plan an afternoon tea at home. The setting is more intimate.

Tea in the garden or on the patio is always a treat, especially if spent with family.

The gift of your time is precious indeed. Moms really appreciate that.

Putting on a tea party isn’t really so hard. It just takes a little planning. Prep what you can in advance, so the day is spent with Mom and not in the kitchen.

Mother’s Day Tea Planner

These tea sandwiches can be made ahead of time. Make sure they are in airtight containers. Air is not their friend. You don’t want the bread to dry out.

Egg salad sandwiches – make one day ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate.

Chicken salad or tuna salad sandwiches – make two days ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate

If you are worried about the bread drying out, there’s a couple of things you can do to prevent that from being an issue. First, you can make up the fillings a day or two ahead of time and then make the sandwiches in the morning of the tea. Or, you can spread the bread with a thin layer of butter before adding the spread, then cover tightly to store in the refrigerator. You can also place a layer of wax paper on top of the sandwiches, then top with a slightly damp paper towel. Store in a tightly covered container.

The preferred bread for finger sandwiches is Pepperidge Farm thin sliced, white or wheat. This bread is firm and dense and holds up during trimming and cutting. Really any bread with a firm texture in a pullman style loaf (squared) will do. You can cut the sandwiches into 4 triangles or 3 bars for variety. Make sure to trim the crusts from the bread.

Chicken Salad on White Bread

Add cucumber slices to the top or layer inside. Optional green onion tie.
Placing an edible flower on top of each sandwich is a sweet touch.

Recipe

Paris Chicken Salad

2 lbs. of chicken breasts, cooked and chopped into half-inch cubes.

2 stalks of celery, diced

3 green onions, both green and white parts, chopped

½ cup of sliced smoked almonds

1 tbs of parsley, chopped

1 tbs of tarragon

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tbs Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Add the chicken, celery, green onion, smoked almonds, and tarragon together in a large bowl.

Combine the mayonnaise and the Dijon mustard in a bowl and mix well.

Add the mayonnaise and mustard to the chicken ingredients and combine thoroughly. You can store this in the refrigerator for up to days in an air-tight container.

This recipe has seen many variables in the 15 years Paris In A Cup was open. At one time we added grapes and/or chopped, dried apricots. You can add your favorites.

Yields approximately 12 tea sandwiches.

Set the table the night before and don’t forget fresh flowers for the table.

Set the table the night before . . .

Whether you planned a buffet or served tea service, don’t forget the flowers. Pots of tulips or vases with fresh bouquets, both provide a lovely setting.

Next week we’ll continue the planner with table setting ideas.

Speaking of table settings . . .

We have some new tea wares.

Bramble Rose Teacup and Saucer

Bone china cup and saucer. Dishwasher and microwave safe.

8 oz capacity.

Peony Bloom on Yellow Teacup and Saucer

Bone china cup and saucer. Dishwasher and microwave safe.

8 oz capacity

Lavender Floral Mist Teacup and Saucer

Bone china cup and saucer. Dishwasher and microwave safe.

8 oz capacity.

Teal Luster Teacup and Saucer

Gold trim on teal luster ware porcelain cup and saucer.

Due to gold trim, please handwash. Do not use in the dishwasher or microwave.

8 oz capacity.

Teal Luster Teapot

Gold trim on teal luster ware porcelain teapot

Due to gold trim, please handwash. Do not use in the dishwasher or microwave.

4-cup capacity.

Elizabeth’s Garden Pink Teapot

Bone china teapot matches our Elizabeth’s Garden pink teacup and saucer

Dishwasher safe.

4 cup capacity

Elizabeth’s Garden Pink Teacup and Saucer

Sweet and dainty. It’s the perfect match to the Elizabeth’s Garden
Teapot above.

Rose Spray Cream Teapot and Warmer

Cream colored teapot with a spray of roses and yellow butterflies. Gold trim.

Comes with matching warmer.

Warmer takes a tealight candle. Porcelain

Handwashing is recommended. Due to gold trim do not microwave or put in the dishwasher.

3 cup capacity.

Well, that’s all for this week. I’ll be back next week with some more helpful hints to plan a Spring Tea for Mother’s Day weekend. Perhaps another recipe.

I would love to hear any “Momisms” you may have. What’s a “Momism”? Little words of wisdom your mom used to say. Did they prove to be true? Or did you debunk them when you grew up?

Here’s one from my mom. I’m sure you may have heard it from your mom.

When I used to grimace or make a face, my mom would say, “Don’t frown and screw up your face up like that! It will stay that way.”

Sure enough, what happens later in life? Frown lines! Yep, mom knew best, always.

Thanks so much for reading

Merci

A bientot

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