Ahhhh, it feels good to be back. Thank you to everyone who wished me well last week. I am much better and able to think about food and tea parties once again. I hope to catch up with my blog reading today to see what you all have been up to.
My friend, Anita, at Prairie Dreams has inspired me to try a Green Tea. No, not the color green but a tea that reflects a thoughtful, responsible attitude toward our green earth. No tea guest wants to be lectured or berated with a shaking finger and a shame on you; don’t worry, you won’t find that here. I will, though, throw out some green theme ideas and suggestions for a menu that tries to be green.
An invitation on beautiful 100% recycled paper will set the whole theme of the Going Green Tea Party. Every card shop today has a nice selection but I especially like the paper from Twisted Limb Paperworks. While a phone call might be a more green way to invite guests, I like the idea of sending an invitation, something that can be kept and enjoyed. And it may act as a reminder to stay green.
One of the tenets of going green is to use what you have and not buy more. You could use the tea table things you already own but this tea highlights new earth-friendly products that are available today. A hemp tablecloth works great and has such an interesting texture. Hemp table linens can be found at Grass Roots. You can also find recycled glassware at that site. Even more interesting are clear cups from Core Sales. These cups are non-plastic, biodegradable and compostable. Don’t forget the “silverware!” Aspenware sells forks, spoons and knives made from birch and aspen trees that are naturally biodegradable. Plates and bowls made from sugar cane fiber continue the theme. Don’t forget to use biodegradable trash bags when you clean up.
As shown in the photo, bandanas make great napkins that can then be reused. A lemon used as a place card can be taken home for the guest’s next glass of iced tea. Flowers from the garden, arranged simply, look perfect on the table. Try soy candles. Soy wax is a plant-based wax made from the oil of soybeans (as opposed to petroleum in conventional paraffin candles) and is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. Soy burns with less soot and at a cooler temperature than paraffin, making it last longer.
A little pot of herbs at each place setting makes a very nice and practical favor. Or spending a bit more, give each tea guest a reusable market bag to use when she goes grocery shopping.
A while back, my friend, Vee, at A Haven for Vee featured some music on her blog. It was so lovely that I immediately purchased an album from the artist. I highly recommend the music from Pat Surface and Spiritwood Music for the Going Green Tea Party. It is simple, traditional American music, played on violin, guitar, mandolin. You can hear lots of samples on Pat’s website and you’ll understand why I picked this music for the tea.
Tomorrow I’ll write about the food for the Going Green Tea Party. Summer is the perfect time for finding the delicious, local produce that will feature prominently on the menu.
