meringue FLAG cake ~ original & gluten free

This was our Sunday Supper dessert last weekend.

Since it was Memorial Weekend I decided to make a full size meringue cake but instead of  using all strawberries like I usually do I used blueberries and strawberries to make a festive little flag on top. I also wanted to try making a gluten free version of my meringue cake so I made one the standard size with no changes to my recipe as well as a small one using the same recipe cut in half and using gluten free ingredients instead. 

Once both cakes were finished there was really no noticeable difference and both cakes tasted nearly the same.

Have a great day!

Memorial Day

the hunt for MICROGREENS

I recently discovered Microgreens while preparing for my 
Run for the Roses mother ~ daughter tea party. 

The recipe that I chose for the miniature Kentucky Hot Browns on my tea party menu called for microgreens, however, I had never heard of that before and had no idea what it was. I added the unknown ingredient to my grocery list anyway thinking it probably meant sprouts or some sort of very small lettuce. Shopping day finally arrived and I could not find microgreens or sprouts at any of the grocery stores, and I went to several. I was disappointed and not sure at this point what I was going to use for a substitute especially since I didn't really know exactly what it was I was looking for in the first place.  On prep day I had to make a quick run to New Seasons Market for a few last minute items. Still a bit obsessed with finding the elusive  microgreens I decided I just had to take a quick look around the produce section to see if by chance they might carry them, but no luck. Nothing looked like sprouts. Miss E happened to be with me and after we grabbed the items on my list she suggested that we go back to produce and ask a clerk if they carried any sprouts. That turned out to be the best idea ever! The clerk took us right over to the "sprouts",  AKA microgreens , which did not look like the sprouts I was familiar with. She was so helpful and told us all about microgreens, how to care for them and their nutritional value. New Seasons offered several varieties 
                                   to choose from so we picked the 

                                          Red Rose Radish Shoots. 

A perfect choice, we thought,

considering the theme of the tea party.

Microgreens were the perfect size for tea party treats and I am glad that I now know what they are and where to find them.

Have a great day!

Polly Wolly Doodles { journaling }

Have a JOY filled Sunday!

Run for the Roses { tea party crown }

It has become a tradition to give our mother a hand made, theme related crown at our annual mother ~ daughter tea party and this year was no exception.  

She was presented with a crown of hand folded red paper Roses. Although I forgot to count the total number of roses I attached, my guesstimate is about 40.  

This fun theme gave me lots of opportunities to make all types of 

roses and as usual I had more ideas than time. However, Miss E and 

Mr. Wonderful chipped in behind the scenes and helped me with my to do list, which was very much appreciated, and by tea time the Southern Belles had arrived and we enjoyed a fun afternoon together.

To find out more about this tea party you can use the links below:

Run for the Roses ~ Rose Cake

Run for the Roses ~ tea party invitations

Run for the Roses ~ tea party decorations

Run for the Roses ~ tea party treats

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Run for the Roses { tea party treats }

Our annual tea party was held on Mother's Day weekend.

This years theme was 

Run for the Roses.

I had several ideas for decorating the table however after consulting with Miss E I finally decided on two dozen red Roses. I put a dozen in the middle and 6 in each mint julep cup on the sides.

In keeping with the Kentucky Derby theme I decided the menu should be based on traditional southern food and popular derby fare. I also tried to incorporate edible roses as much as possible.  

All of the 
Savories 
were Gluten Free except for the 
miniature Kentucky Hot Browns and the Country Ham Scones.

Benedictine Tea Sandwiches 

on 

Pumpernickel and Country White breads.

SWEETS

LEMON BARS { gluten free }
CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES { gluten free }

SOUTHERN BANANA PUDDING PARFAITS 

{ regular & gluten free }

KENTUCKY DERBY CUPCAKES

 TARTLETS

3 LAYER CHOCOLATE, WHITE ALMOND ROSE CAKE

not pictured
KENTUCKY BOURBON BUTTER BUNDTLETS

{ gluten free }

 BEVERAGES

HOT TEA

mint & earl grey

ICED TEA

Happy Monday!

Thorns or Roses

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Psalm 96:11

Have a JOY filled Sunday!

Run for the Roses { tea party decorations }

With a theme like 

Run for the Roses 

it is not hard to guess that our 

annual mother ~ daughter tea party was decorated with 

lots of ROSES!

For starters, I wanted a horseshoe on the front door. I did some research and most of the beautiful Kentucky Derby horseshoe wreaths were a bit spendy so I decided to make my own. I reused some foam board that I had, drew a large horseshoe, traced it on the foam board and cut it out. I didn't want the stark white board to show so I searched my supplies and found some red spray paint and gave it a coat of paint on both sides. Then I began folding crepe paper roses. Lots of them. Once I had a good supply I hot glued them on the horseshoe. 

Fun Fact:

It took 52 ROSES to cover the horseshoe!

I also folded crepe paper roses for two topiaries. I used straight pins to attach the roses to styrofoam balls which I set on top of vases. I liked using pins better than hot glue for this project since the pins allowed me to adjust the roses. 

Fun Fact:

It took 50+ ROSES for EACH topiary!

I made ribbons for the chairs and one for the banister.

I also thought it would be fun to have a banner so I cut circle roses and then used a needle to pull string through each one. The banner was not very long so we decided to hang it over a door. 

We had Derby style tea party drinks which included crystal decanters full of iced tea and festive mint julep cups. 

I am hoping to have the Run for the Roses tea party menu and southern style treats posted soon.

Have Super Saturday!

Run for the Roses { tea party invitations }

Last Saturday was my Mother ~ Daughter Tea Party. I decided on a Kentucky Derby theme this year since the race happened to be on the same day and because I thought fancy hats and derby attire would be fun. 

The Kentucky Derby is also known as the Run for the Roses which I really liked and thought would be an easy theme for invites and decorating. Once I had my idea I sketched out an invitation and then cut a template. I typed up and printed the wording for the center and then cut and assembled all the parts.

As an extra embellishment I

thought I would make folded roses and attach one to each invite. After making a couple samples for sizing I then traced, cut, folded and glued 96 ovals to make 12 red roses.

However, it wasn't until I completely finished and slipped the first invite into the lined envelope I realized it was too bulky and might not fit through the post office mailing machine, so I ended up only making one with the rose attached, which I hand delivered.

After the strap on the invitation is removed the attached horseshoe opens like a card to reveal the tea party details underneath. 

Tomorrow I will post my Run for the Roses tea party decorations.

Have a beautiful day!

Rose Cake

I am finally back from my little hiatus 

and thought I would start off by sharing this 

Rose Cake 

that I made for 

Mother's Day 

on Sunday. 

I have made this 3 layer cake before, however, this is my first try at buttercream frosting roses. 

The roses were very fun to make and I am anxious to find an excuse to make another Rose Cake.

Also,  in case you are wondering why in the world my Mother's Day cake has a "Derby" banner on top or why I decided on red frosting?

Well, last Saturday happened to be the 

Kentucky Derby 

and since the race was on the same day as my annual 

Mother ~ Daughter Tea Party 

I thought it would be fun to use it as this years theme!

I have lots to share and will begin posting tea party details tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!