My dear friend and neighbor A, her mother and another friend who accompanied them to pick up the vintage chairs for my garden were treated to a garden tea party this past Friday at high noon.  How thankful I was that the day before the cold front and freeze blew in, that I was able to host my friends for a tea party in the garden, on the very last day of summer in my garden!



It was a simply delightful time.  We sipped on hot tea and chatted for a good while.  You know when women of like-minded faith get together, conversation is uplifting and amazing.


It seemed I had refilled everyone's tea cups several times, before it was time to bless the food and eat.


Everyone enjoyed drinking hot tea in the garden!  My teapots keep the water very hot for about an hour or more.  I used a Homer Laughlin teapot (the red one), and my Ellgreave ironstone teapot for the party.


 While the ladies were filling their plates, I got this shot.


The bees and wasps invited themselves to our party, as I knew they would.  I set up the food table inside my garden shed/gazebo, and it was perfect to keep *most* of the bees away.  There were a few very persistent ones!


Our high noon tea menu included:

Peach Upside Down Cake (brought by my friend A's mother)
Cranberry Butterscotch Scones
Tuna Salad with almond crackers
Fresh Fruit with Whipped Cream Dip
Spicy Pretzels
Turkey Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Sliced Apple & Chicken Salad
Caprese Salad (Tomatoes from my garden with fresh mozzarella & basil)







Lots of goodies on our plates... as we laughed, chatted and shared our life stories with each other.  It was a wonderful time that we enjoyed.


Too soon, our time together ended, as A's mother was tiring and needed to go.  After the table was cleaned up, I managed to get this last picture of the setting.


The little tray "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" is one that I made many years ago, having rescued the sad tray from a thrift store, repainting it, and adding the words to it.


The tea themed pot holders/coasters I made earlier this year after finding the fabric at our local craft store.  The flowers I found at the dollar store. I used a combination of old tablecloths, and fabric to dress the table with.


Another glimpse of the lovely bistro set that set this tea party in motion... if you want to read how it all came to be.... you can find it here



Again, I just used a variety of old tablecloths and fabric to cover the table. I made the fabric banner much like the hanging banner in the garden, however I cut the pieces longer.  It added the perfect touch to the table, and brought all the vibrant colors around the table setting together.



It was a lovely wonderful day... and it made me so happy to do something so special for these ladies. They were thrilled to come to tea at high noon, and I was delighted to bless them in this way.


My beautiful garden came to an end that night, with a freeze down into the low 20s.  The next morning, as I came to the garden, fearing what I might find... my heart rejoiced when I saw my sunflowers had survived ... and not only survived but were ecstatically blowing in the breeze with the bright blue skies... and warming my heart with their vibrancy.


I might just get sunflower seeds out of them yet... we shall see! 




I let the chickens in the garden to aid with the cleanup... happy girls and boys they were!  It was sad to see the end of most of the garden.  My broccoli, cabbage, carrots, kale, potatoes and strawberries were unaffected, and will continue to be harvested... but the squash and tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and peppers are done.  Such are the seasons of life!  They come and go, and we enjoy each one, and now we are looking forward to the beauties around us that fall offers up, the cooler weather, north breezes, and vibrant colors.

But I'm thankful for the wonderful memories made this summer in my garden, the produce gleaned from it, and the special times we've had.



Until the snow comes, I will continue to enjoy my time in the garden, when it will be closed for the winter :)


~~~~  I also wanted to mention that I have joined Instagram, and would love to see any of my readers there... You can find me there as MountainTopSpice ~~~~

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