Girly Christmas Tea
December 14, 2007
Well here is my girly tea table. Lately on days were we are home it usually go like this: in the morning after work is done, we mix up something yummy for the freezer, bake off some for us, work on a craft and then have an afternoon tea party. This is my idea of heaven, especially on a cold, blustery days. A full wood stove to keep me warm, something yummy and a craft to keep my hands (and brain) busy.
Another new cookie we have made this year, Rose Walnut Cookies. I took another recipe using orange water and changed it all around. I can never leave well enough alone. I made it with some brown rice flour. Which we like but it does have a bit of a sandy texture. It is important to let these cookies fully cool before eating them. The rose taste is very delicate and will be lost in the heat.
Since it is hard to find recipes using the rose syrup, I made a list on the side of recipes I have using the rose syrup. If you have a recipe to share, I would be glad to add it to my list.
Rose Walnut Cookies
3/4 cup walnuts
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used1 cup all-purpose and 1/2 cup brown rice flour)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tsp. rose water or rose syrup
1/2 tsp.vanilla extract
Rose syrup or rose water
confectioners sugar
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toast the walnuts until golden brown and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Let cool, then chop about half of the nuts and pulse the remaining nuts in the food processor until finely ground.
Mix flour, baking powder, salt and nuts together in a medium bowl and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, egg yolk, rose syrup and vanilla extract together in a mixer on medium-high speed until the mixture gets light and fluffy.
Add the flour mixture to make a crumbly dough.
With a tablespoon, scoop out 1-inch pieces of dough and roll into balls. Place the cookies on greased baking sheets. Bake until the cookies set and start to brown, about 12 minutes.
Remove cookies from the oven and immediately brush them with rose syrup and dust with powdered sugar. Let cool and enjoy
PS. Do you like my blinged-out deer. I bought him silver but added crystal glitter and vintage flowers. I showed him to my husband, who is a deer hunter. He looked at me and said "You know he is a buck, not a doe" I said "Yeah and your point". He just walked off shaking his head and brushing glitter off his shoes ;-)
What a beautiful Christmas tea party! I love all the lovely decorations and your festive deer.
Thank you for the recipe as I love using roses as an ingredient.
Posted by: June | December 16, 2007 at 04:28 AM
I'm on my way over for some tea in your lovely setting. I think the "dear" fits in perfectly this time of year. Funny hub.
Posted by: Rosa | December 15, 2007 at 10:08 PM
What a pretty and inviting Girly Tea Table -- even with a gorgeous buck deer right in the middle of the table! (He looks terrific by the way, even with a bow round his neck!). Just so you know.....my hubby doesn't appreciate glitter either. You have a Real Man! (but you knew that)
Glad Tidings!
Jody
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | December 15, 2007 at 09:15 PM
Ha, your husband is funny! That glitter does get everywhere!
What a pretty table! I love dishes like some women love shoes! I'd rather stock a huge walk in closet with dishes than anything else! Your cups and saucers are so pretty!
Manuela
Posted by: the feathered nest | December 15, 2007 at 09:56 AM
How beautiful Clarice. Please can we have a closer peep at your Christmas village? I just set mine up today. I have included two red flock deer nearly half the size of the church, but they add their own vintage charm somehow! I also worked hard cleaning out my china cabinet and it is now full of my cherished nativity sets. I have a small collection from countries all over the world. Inspired by you I papered the back of the cabinet and it surely adds a lot. Thank you for your Christmas spirit. (Your card is on its way!) Gill.
Posted by: Gill | December 15, 2007 at 09:29 AM
I love the way your home and the tea party table looks Clarice. Sooooo pretty!
It's a lovely thought, the way you and your girls are spending your days together, and is pretty much my ideas of the perfect day too.
LOL! My guys will get a laugh from your story about David. I think your deer looks quite lovely in all of his Christmas finery.
Your recipe sounds really wonderful. Thank you for sharing it.
Today would be a lovely day to stay inside and be cozy, but I'm off to do a little shopping with the mister. He only has the weekends for such things.
Take care!
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | December 15, 2007 at 09:09 AM
Lovely tea party, everything looks so inviting. What a special way to spend an afternoon. Lnda
Posted by: linda | December 14, 2007 at 09:57 PM
hat looks so girly and fun. It seems like such a charmed life you lead. I know it isn't, you have the same cares and worries as everyone else, but you make it sound positively dreamy. Thanks for the mini getaway.
Janet
Posted by: Janet | December 14, 2007 at 08:13 PM
your teapots and cups are lovely!!!! i love them! i m making some smoked ribs with this lapsang souchong black tea from www.teacuppa.com a recipe i found online :)
Posted by: linda | December 14, 2007 at 06:59 PM
Everything is so lovely! I agree ~ that is the perfect way to spend a winter's afternoon! Your comment about your husband just cracked me up....thanks so much for the giggle;o)
Posted by: | December 14, 2007 at 05:43 PM
I think, Clarice, that your tea party sounds wonderful! Everything looks so lovely. And I like the deer too! All Christmas bucks should be covered in silver glitter! Doesn't your husband know that????
God bless.
Terri
Posted by: | December 14, 2007 at 04:42 PM
I agree with you! What was David's point anyway? (thanks for the giggle)
Posted by: Mary T. | December 14, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Sounds like heaven. What a lovely table
Posted by: wendy | December 14, 2007 at 03:46 PM