Relaxed Country Backyard Tea Party

One of my favorite ways to take advantage of gorgeous weather is to host a Country Back Yard Tea Party. It can be a great way to celebrate with friends without the stress of decorating an entire room. With beautiful trees and stunning views to set the scene, all I need are some fresh flowers, a cheerful tablecloth, and some delicious treats to make my guests feel welcome.

• What People Ate

  Sweet things might include a stunning tart studded with cranberries and macadamia nuts, lemon cream scones topped with freshly whipped cream, and a simple tea bread filled with plump pieces of ripe peaches. For savory offerings I love a good quiche made in muffin tins so each guest has their own personal quiche. Ham and green chili quiches topped with ripe tomatoes are delectable bites to offset the sweetness of the other treats. A bowl of roasted nuts never goes amiss, especially uniquely spiced ones such as Brazil nuts with rosemary and sea salt or almonds with thyme and paprika. .

• What People Drank

  Tea is the heart of a good Country Tea Party, so I make sure to only serve a selection of my favorite teas from Plum Deluxe. With cream or milk and raw sugar on the side, each guest can create the cup of tea they like best.

• Activities / Games

  As a host, I prepared a handful of conversation starters to help drive some thoughtful conversation. The Plum Deluxe Mindful Moments deck (tea party question cards, basically) was a great starting point.