Poetry In A Pot Of Tea: apples

Last week I could not post anything on my blog and never did figure out what was wrong. So, until I get help from Blogger, I am using a new browser and posting this belatedly~

I decided to make shortbread cookies for our February 14 teatime. My daughter showed me a photo of cookies that looked like teabags and I couldn't wait to try making some! Use any basic shortbread recipe. I used one from my Winnie The Pooh Teatime Cookbook~

After I rolled out the dough, I used a piece of parchment cut in the shape of a teabag, as a pattern. I used a knife to cut out the cookies, then my daughter made a small hole at the top of each with a drinking straw. Into the oven they went~

When they were cool, I melted chocolate and brushed it onto the bottom half of the shortbread teabags. I think when I make them again, I will dip the bottoms in chocolate and see if the surface comes out smoother. Next, I stamped small squares of card stock with cute images and tied them to the cookies. (I used an empty clear teabag wrapper and slipped one of my shortbread cookies into it for the photo).

I put together a light snack when my daughter got home from school, and the three of us- Daddy included- exchanged our Valentine cards. Not every teatime needs to be a formal meal.

We decided to sample some shortbread along with fresh apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon~

Our cups were filled with Kusmi Troika tea served from our cozy covered Bodum pot. I thought the plump red strawberries on the cozy made it a lovely addition to the table.

Notice the variety of sweeteners I arranged on a plate? There are sugar cubes, honey drops, and natural turbinado to choose from.

The pink napkins are a keepsake from a special dinner served to us at the hospital when my daughter was born...the hospital brought a candlelit table into my room with dinner on it for my husband and me the evening after I gave birth. It was our first dinner as parents!
I brought a beautiful Camellia blossom in from the back yard and floated it in a small pudding dish.

We used our footed monogram cups for the occasion. We bought these sweet cups at Anthropologie.

There were heart shaped boxes on the table, as well as a framed picture and festive red and white glittery balls~

If you have never tried a sprinkle of cinnamon on fresh apple slices give it a try...it is yummy.

We used blue and white luncheon plates that have a variety of teapots pictured on them. I like the combo of red, white, blue and black~

Here is the mark on the back of the dishes~

I used a place card holder to display a Valentine image I printed, then punched with a circle punch~

I received a wonderful package in the mail that really added joy to my week. This came from a new friend who resides in the Netherlands, and she sent tea. What a treat! She also sent 6"x6" paper pads, baby roses, and a hand-made card.