Jessica's Personal Shower/Tea Party

Today was the big day.  Jessica's personal shower was this afternoon, and I must say that it was a success!  I've been baking up a storm the last few days and even purchased a few things that I didn't have time to make.

The spread

The tea bar (for lack of a better term)

The Menu:

• Lavender pound cake
• Lavender tea cookies
• Cucumber mint tea sandwiches
• Basil and hummus tea sandwiches
• Dill cream cheese roll
• Assorted mini-cheesecakes
• Assorted puff pastries
• Assorted teas
• Earl grey lavender tea
• Mandarin orange green tea
• Island mango and peach white tea
• Regular green tea
• Akbar, Polish black tea
• Lemon bars
• Assorted mini-scones

I think we had a pretty good selection.  We didn't really have too much leftover.  It helped that the guest of honor took home the rest of the tea sandwiches and some cookies.  My mom also brought home some goodies for my dad. 

I'm sure you noticed the two menu options that are crossed out.  Well...not everything always turns out like I'd hope.  I attempted to make some lemon bars Friday evening.  Huge fail!  I'll have to try again some other time because lemon bars are so yummy.  The assorted mini-scones were also a huge fail.  I never even entertained the idea of trying to make them myself.  My plan from the start was to run to Panera Bread the morning of the shower and pick up a batch.  When I arrived at Panera this morning, I didn't see any mini-scones displayed.  I waited in line thinking, "Maybe they just haven't been put out yet..."  Nope.  Apparently Panera decided to discontinue making their mini-scones daily...TWO days ago.  Ugh.  You can still get them, but you have to call in the order a day ahead of time.  Boo.  My next stop was Gordon Food Service to buy something to replace the scones with.  I ended up with the assorted mini-cheesecakes and puff pastries.

Please check back for the first recipe I'll post which will be the lavender pound cake.  I was a little sceptical, but I think it was my favorite menu item today!  It would even be great without the lavender.  I might have to make it for strawberry shortcake.

I will leave you tonight with a photo of me and the bride-to-be.  :)

Thanks, Jess, for letting me throw you a shower.  I had a wonderful time putting it all together.

And a special thank you to my mother who helped me out today.  She refilled the tea pot when needed, got the guests their drinks, helped clean up, and basically let me not only be the host of the tea, but a guest as well.  Thanks, mom!