This year somehow we have not been so much outside just enjoying the garden, rather than working in it. Whereas last year, as far as I have it in mind, we were outside whenever possible and were having almost all our meals and afternoon teas on the terrace on the weekends. I want to get back to that at least for the rest of the outdoor season here in Southern California, which means basically until the rainy season in winter sets in.
One of the highlights of our outdoor living last year has been an English Afternoon Tea that my husband and I did just for the two of us on the Fourth of July weekend 2010. Today I would like to show you some photos of that English Afternoon Tea and the view into the garden from our sitting area where we used to sit most of the time last year.
Life was good! Just looking at the photos I want to do a proper English Afternoon Tea immediately, again. The area of the planting beds by the fence has changed quite a bit because the plants, especially the roses have grown so much. Somehow the beds by the fence facing the open space area behind our property looked much more tidy last year than it does now. Maybe because the plants had not grown into each other as much as they do now? What I do not like seeing the picture today are all the plants potted up in black plastic containers. Most of the once lining up the grassy area to the left of the terrace are banned to my pot ghetto, which is located to the South West side of the house now. I would love to start another rose bed to the left side of the terrace, the roses are already there to do it.
One of the reasons, I guess, why we avoided the year to sit down outside for a quick tea or coffee you can see on the photo above. Roses have taken our seats! This spring we had a terrible problem with most likely rabbits eating the small own-root roses growing in the one or two gallon pots. Therefore I put all my roses up on anything that was available so that the rabbits could not reach them anymore. It is just a little bit inconvenient to clear the chairs and the bench before we can have a seat ourselves.
Anyway, back to the English Afternoon Tea pictures from last year. On the next three photos I would like to show you the content of the three tired stand a little bit more closely.
The first plate holds cucumber sandwiches, decorated with black olives, fresh cucumber slices and mint sprigs.
The second tier presents homemade savory scones with chicken salad containing red peppers spiced with curry served on salad leaves and garnished with dates.
The third tier was filled with the same savory scones but this time presented as little burgers. They are filled with battered baked chicken pieces with tomato slices on top and watercress as a garnish.
In addition to that we had homemade sweet scones formed in heart shapes and lemon poppy seed cake served with fresh whipped cream and orange jam...
...and a bowl of fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, and black berries) to go with them. All these goodies were enjoyed together with a good quality organic Darjeeling tea.
Gosh, when I look at the photo I really think we spoiled ourselves. But why not? I hope we do at least one more English Afternoon Tea this year!
How about you? Do you take the time to sit down and have your tea or coffee in the garden just enjoying all the beauty you have created? Are you doing traditional English Afternoon Teas outdoors?
One of the highlights of our outdoor living last year has been an English Afternoon Tea that my husband and I did just for the two of us on the Fourth of July weekend 2010. Today I would like to show you some photos of that English Afternoon Tea and the view into the garden from our sitting area where we used to sit most of the time last year.
(you can click on the photos to enlarge)
Life was good! Just looking at the photos I want to do a proper English Afternoon Tea immediately, again. The area of the planting beds by the fence has changed quite a bit because the plants, especially the roses have grown so much. Somehow the beds by the fence facing the open space area behind our property looked much more tidy last year than it does now. Maybe because the plants had not grown into each other as much as they do now? What I do not like seeing the picture today are all the plants potted up in black plastic containers. Most of the once lining up the grassy area to the left of the terrace are banned to my pot ghetto, which is located to the South West side of the house now. I would love to start another rose bed to the left side of the terrace, the roses are already there to do it.
One of the reasons, I guess, why we avoided the year to sit down outside for a quick tea or coffee you can see on the photo above. Roses have taken our seats! This spring we had a terrible problem with most likely rabbits eating the small own-root roses growing in the one or two gallon pots. Therefore I put all my roses up on anything that was available so that the rabbits could not reach them anymore. It is just a little bit inconvenient to clear the chairs and the bench before we can have a seat ourselves.
Anyway, back to the English Afternoon Tea pictures from last year. On the next three photos I would like to show you the content of the three tired stand a little bit more closely.
The first plate holds cucumber sandwiches, decorated with black olives, fresh cucumber slices and mint sprigs.
The second tier presents homemade savory scones with chicken salad containing red peppers spiced with curry served on salad leaves and garnished with dates.
The third tier was filled with the same savory scones but this time presented as little burgers. They are filled with battered baked chicken pieces with tomato slices on top and watercress as a garnish.
In addition to that we had homemade sweet scones formed in heart shapes and lemon poppy seed cake served with fresh whipped cream and orange jam...
...and a bowl of fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, and black berries) to go with them. All these goodies were enjoyed together with a good quality organic Darjeeling tea.
Gosh, when I look at the photo I really think we spoiled ourselves. But why not? I hope we do at least one more English Afternoon Tea this year!
How about you? Do you take the time to sit down and have your tea or coffee in the garden just enjoying all the beauty you have created? Are you doing traditional English Afternoon Teas outdoors?
See you in the garden!
Christina
