In 1908, Lucy Maud Montgomery gave the world another little girl and book to love when she shared the adventures of Anne of Green Gables. Mistakenly sent by the orphanage to elderly bachelor and spinster sister, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who wanted a boy to help with their farm, Anne had to convince them that they needed her in their world. She not only endeared herself to everyone she met on Prince Edward Island, but to generations of readers, as well. With a few very simple decorations and recipes, a couple of crafts, you can introduce a whole new age of readers to this beloved book by hosting an afternoon tea party.
Add an edible touch to your décor with candied flowers. Wash edible blooms; while the water dries completely, beat egg whites until they are foamy. Brush the flower petals with the egg whites, sprinkle them with superfine sugar, and let them air-dry completely before placing them on serving plates, scattering them on the table, or offering them as sweet treats on pretty dishes.
Menu
Finger sandwiches with the bread crusts removed are the perfect time-honored savory choice. Offer egg salad on wheat bread or mix grated carrots and chopped walnut with cream cheese frosting and cream cheese and spread it on cinnamon raisin bread. Spread thin white bread with butter or cream cheese and layer very thinly sliced cucumbers or lemon slices on the sandwich.
Small cakes, like petit fours, were a popular choice for afternoon tea. Make things easier by cutting a grocery-store pound cake into small squares and frosting them. Take things up a notch with a modified English trifle, using fruit juice in place of the usual sherry. Place a layer of yellow cake in the bottom of your serving dish, then spread it with raspberry jam. Add a layer of sliced peaches, topped with half of the juice from the can. Repeat the layers, and then top them with your favorite vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and slivered almonds.
And don’t forget the scones! Serve them with lemon curd (juice of 3 lemons, 3 eggs, 1 cup sugar simmered until thick and enhanced with 4 tablespoons of butter) or Devonshire cream. Make your own cream by stirring together 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup sour cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar. Yum!
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