Tea Time with Trina

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LET’S GO FLY (MAKE) A KITE . . . AND HAVE A TEA PARTY WHILE WE’RE AT IT.

When I think of spring I think of flowers blooming, birds chirping and kites flying. All three of these make me quite giddy, but let’s face it, going to a park on a windy day and flying a kite, well life doesn’t get much better than that.
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I still have fond memories of flying kites as a family and then on dates, but I think my best kite memories are the years I spent teaching school and each year as an art project I would have my students create their own beautiful kites and then on the first windy day we would go out and fly them.

So this year I decided to once again make a kite . . .

By quilting the paper together and then folding and hot glueing it to the sticks.
(my cute momma was so patient and kind to be my helping hands)
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And is this lacy tail the cutest thing ever?
(no, I’m not going to fly this kite)
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It’s going to be my front door greeter.
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As well as my spark for a spring tea party.

I used my three loves of spring to create the invite . . .
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Got busy making more kites . . .
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lots and lots of fun kites, that hung on my wall as a banner . . .
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even hanging from the chandelier and ceiling . . .
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And welcoming my guests as they arrive.
(I always put this sign out so my guests feel right at home the minute they step foot on my porch and I also don’t need to worry about getting to the door each time the doorbell rings)
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Then you know me, I started on my table scape . . .

Incorpating a kite as well as some birds and flowers.
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And adding a few pictures that went along with my kite theme.
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For the place setting this time I used my white china dinner plates, pastel china salad plates, and gold flatware.
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Placing a neatly folded white linen napkin underneath this fun tea cup which was used as both their party favor as well as place cards. I wanted their party favor to also go along with the theme of birds in song, flowers in bloom and kites in fight.
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Once again pulling out and using my ralph lauren bed spread using the stripe side this time, it was the perfect choice to liven the table up and it just reminded me of kites.
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Table was all ready with their fresh drinks and place cards as they entered my home.
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What an enjoyable afternoon we had, sharing lots of fond memories, making new friendships and filling my home and heart with all kinds of laughter and joy.
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As always my friends, thanks for dropping by. Have a most wonderful day.

As promised for my guests here’s the recipes from our menu.

Strawberry Soup
Fill blender 3/4 full of frozen strawberries
add 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup sour cream
and fill the rest with milk (I use 1%)
Blend until it’s like a smoothie.

Punch
In a large bowl combine:
1 (2-liter) bottle Shasta diet grapefruit soda
1 (12 ounce) can frozen white grape juice, undiluted
1/2 bag of ice (I like to use sonic ice)
Mix with no water, just lots of ice.

Avocado and Caramelized Pineapple Salad
2 Tbl. sugar
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 3-lb pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch thick slices
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup orane juice
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red onion, coarsely chopped
1 yellow pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
3 avocados, peeled and chopped
1 cup blackberries, rinsed
2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped

In a bowl combine sugar and chili powder; sprinkle evenly over pineapple. In a nonstick skillet, cook pineapple 10 minutes over medium heat, turning once until sugar is caramelized and pineapple is golden brown. Remove pineapple and cool at least 10 minutes. Cut into the 1 inch pieces.
In a large bowl whisk together oil, vinegar, orange juice, cilantro, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper (I also like to add maybe 1 tsp or more sugar). Add pineapple, onion, sweet pepper, avocados, and blackberries; toss gently to combine. Add lettuce, toss gently until mixture is just coated and serve.

Cucumber and Strawberry tea sandwich

Stir together 1 (8ounce) package cream cheese, softened; 1/2 peeled, seeded and finely chopped cucumber, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup minced red onion, 3 Tbl. finely chopped fresh basil (I prefer to use 1 table spoon basil and 2 table spoons of fresh mint), 1/2 pepper, 1/2 salt. Spread on white bread with diced strawberries.

Orange and Cranberry tea sandwich

Stir together 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened, 2/3 cup dried cranberries, 1/3 cup orange marmalade, and 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans. Spread on pumpernickel bread with thinly sliced smoke turkey and fresh arugula.

Linking up today with Jennifer @awellstyledlife and Heather @stylemindchic for their new link up party about inspiration. What inspires you and others to live the way your do, dress the way you do, decorate the way you do, etc. Today I’m sharing how this simple kite inspired my Spring time tea party. It only takes one item to light a creative spark.

Linking up with Jann for SYC
And Alice for TBT

Filed Under: Creative decorating, Decorating, entertaining ideas, Party planning, Tea Party 28 Comments

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Comments

  1. A Well Styled Life says

    April 22, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    Oh my goodness. This is so creative!! Can I come to a party at your house? I love the favors. A great idea I will swipe :). Everything justs looks perfect. I’ll be trying that Avacado and Pineapple salad. Yum!! xo

    Reply
    • trinagrandinetti says

      April 23, 2015 at 5:23 pm

      Jennifer, I would love for you to join my for a tea party. I do have a few guests rooms so I’m dead serious about this. So glad you will be trying the salad and swiping the party favor ideas. By the way, I always hun the local thrift stores for fun sets of tea cups and vases for things like this.

      Reply
      • A Well Styled Life says

        April 24, 2015 at 7:27 pm

        I’m dead serious about visiting too! Lets make it happen! Thanks so much for sharing this gorgeous party on #STYLEfocus today. You’ll have more than a few people swiping your tips! xoxo

        Reply
  2. Jolyn says

    April 22, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    The kites are so cute and the tea party sounds wonderful.

    Reply
    • trinagrandinetti says

      April 23, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      Thanks Jolyn, it really did turn out to be so much fun.

      Reply
  3. suzannecarillo says

    April 22, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    This seems just divine! And the menu is brilliant!

    The take-away plants are a great idea…

    You always make the nicest parties. One of these days I’m going to attend one : )

    bisous
    Suzanne

    Reply
    • suzannecarillo says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Assuming you’ll invite me! LOL of course!

      Reply
      • trinagrandinetti says

        April 23, 2015 at 5:25 pm

        Like I told Jennifer, I do have a few guests rooms so I would love to have you.

        Reply
    • happinessatmidlife says

      April 23, 2015 at 3:08 am

      I am crashing even if I am not invited 🙂 I will bring a bottle of wine to share!

      Reply
    • trinagrandinetti says

      April 23, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      One of these days, I would love for you to attend. Seriously!!!

      Reply
  4. happinessatmidlife says

    April 23, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Trina – always a wonderful setting, such a great spring party! We love flying kites but haven’t made one ourselves.

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

    Reply
    • trinagrandinetti says

      April 23, 2015 at 5:25 pm

      Isn’t kite flying the best family outing?

      Reply
  5. Elle says

    April 23, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    Trina,
    What a grin I am wearing now! Loved this post, all of the photos of your home decorated for a spring tea party is so bright and cheerful. Love the striped tablecloth, and I am so glad you are featuring that gorgeous kite that you and your mom made. What a creation!
    The only thing I don’t like is that I am too far away to attend! ;(
    Also love the chambray dress, and your necklace is similar to mine from my last post with the velvet ties!
    xx, Elle
    http://mydailycostume.com

    Reply
    • trinagrandinetti says

      April 23, 2015 at 5:26 pm

      It really is a shame you live so far away, becuase you, too, would be invited.

      Reply
  6. ♥renae says

    April 23, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    hi Trina!
    oh so nice to have you visit my blog/site. I can tell you are a decorative person where I am much more minimalistic, for sure. But I will take your suggestion to heart. Sometimes I get a wild hair and go for a bit more flounce. lol. Your quilt print kite is very cleaver. Many great ideas in your post and looking forward to hearing from you more.
    ♥renae
    renaesrepertoire.com

    Reply
  7. Jemma says

    April 24, 2015 at 5:20 pm

    Trina,
    Delightful! What fun, inspiration and creativity. Thank you for visiting me, I will be visiting you again very soon!
    Following you on google+!
    xo
    Jemma

    Reply
  8. Dawn Lucy says

    April 24, 2015 at 6:36 pm

    OMG, you’re the best hostess ever, Trina! Can you believe that I’ve never flown a kite? I need to add that to my to do list!
    OXOX
    Dawn Lucy
    http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com

    Reply
  9. Found This Painted That says

    April 24, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    I’m in! sign me up!!

    Reply
  10. Stylemindchic Lifestyle says

    April 24, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    You are so creative, Tina! The kites are absolutely swoon worthy. Your soiree looks so festive! I think you have thought of every detail to make your guests feel right at home. Love that photo of you holding the prettiest kite in the world. Your menu sounds amazing. I will be pinning this one!
    Thank you so much for joining our Lifestyle LinkUp and I hope you come by next month to share your lovely links as well. Happy Weekend!
    xx, Heather

    Reply
  11. Jeannette says

    April 25, 2015 at 12:06 am

    Hello Trina! I know one day, if you invite me, I will be attend one of your tea parties:-) I enjoyed all the pictures and looking at every single detail of the decorations. Everything looked just perfect like you my friend. The kite turned out beautiful and the entire tea party set up was just magical. I can picture you and all your beautiful friends at the table enjoying each other’s company and all the delicious food and decoration you made with so much love. Priceless! Have a blessed weekend! XOXO, Jeannette

    http://www.msjeannieandhercloset.com

    Reply
  12. iolacontessa says

    April 26, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    YOUR kites are MAGICAL……..and I adore that ANTHRO denim dress on YOU!
    Those DAMES sent me JENNIFER & HEATHER.I am having a BALL visiting this morning each and every POST added!I do Believe YOU are good friends with Madame BEARDSLEY??!!You all live in a Beautiful spot……………I lived there many moons ago and am lucky to visit now and again especially when Roger’s Gardens is in Full Swing!My cousin owns it and I adore visiting it!HOpe you will POP over and say BOO to me!

    Reply
  13. Leslie @Pretty Petals says

    April 26, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    Hi Trina, Thanks for visiting my blog:) What a lovely party you are hosting! The kite is so fun and you Avocado Pineapple Salad looks delicious. Enjoy your Sunday!

    Reply
  14. hinessightblog says

    April 26, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    Your tea menu sounds divine. Love the strawberry and cucumber cream sandwich. Yum.

    Reply
  15. Jann Olson says

    April 27, 2015 at 2:56 am

    Trina, love the big kite made of paper! Brings back such fond childhood memories. Growing up we lived close to a cemetery. There was one section that was just grass to be used for future headstones. We would take our kites down there and fly them for hours. No trees or wires to worry about. The kite banner and tablescape are so fun and the menu sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing with SYC. Pinned.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  16. Connie says

    April 28, 2015 at 4:50 am

    It was such fun working on this together.

    Reply
  17. Stillblondeafterall (@stillblondeaaty) says

    April 28, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Every detail…Breathtaking. Pinned this one to my Party Board!

    Reply
  18. theartinpartyplanning says

    May 7, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    So amazing! I love all of the detail!

    Reply
  19. No Fear of Fashion says

    May 8, 2015 at 10:24 am

    My comment disappeared!!
    I had (of course) given so many compliments over your work. Beautiful, arty, creative and inviting. And now my comment is gone. I remember I remarked how much I like the kites in the seventh picture, the three with the round folded pieces behind them. Where do you get these ideas?
    Greetje

    Reply

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