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!