Susan Carlisle

For Americans afternoon tea isn’t an everyday thing. We consider it a special event, a celebration. Each year during the Christmas holidays I invite four woman to take time for themselves. It is never the same group of women. I also ask one of the ladies to invite someone they know who has had a tough year or just needs some ‘me’ time to join us. This lady I’ve never met until they enter my home. I get to make a new friend and that person gets to have a soothing afternoon way from their worries. It is a win-win for us both.

I pull out my silver, fine china and best table cloth for the occasion. The event also deserves pressed cloth napkins. The  table is glorious in its finery and the ladies smiling as we sit down to enjoy our hot tea and warm conversation.

There is no better way to rejoice in life then a restful time spent with friends. Serving tea makes me feel I’m do something nice for others when I’m really the person receiving the gift.

Below is my standard menu but I do substitute new recipes when I find them. Check out the recipe of Shrimp Croustades. I serve them at every afternoon tea. You won’t be disappointed.

 The Perfect Tea Menu

Shrimp Croustades

Cucumber Sandwiches

Tomato Sandwiches

Apple Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Cheese Wafers

Dressed Strawberries

Lemon Butter Cookies

Glazed Kiwi Tartlets Chocolate Lemon Creams

Cream Cheese Scones

Lemon Curd, Clotted Cream, Jam

Tea, Sugar Cubes, Cream

Shrimp Croustades

36(½  inch-thick) sourdough bread slices

¼ cup olive oil

4 ½ cups water

1½ pounds unpeeled, small fresh shrimp

1 cup mayonnaise

¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¼ cup chopped green onions

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

¼ cup minced fresh parsley

¼ teaspoon ground red pepper

Garnish: fresh parsley sprigs

Cut bread slices with a 2½ inch round cutter; flatten circles with a rolling pin. Brush both sides of circles evenly with olive oil and press into baking cups of miniature muffin pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp; cool and serve.  Makes 36

A couple of years ago I compiled my tea recipes in to a book that I share with family and friends so they might enjoy afternoon tea.

This post is an entry in the Whittard of Chelsea Afternoon Tea Blogger Carnival 

Return for Tuesday Tea each week where I will be sharing recipes, stories of where I’ve experienced tea and other tea news.

NYC Angels Series Overview

Too cute dessert. My last book cover and Amy Knapp’s.Diane Kelly, Heidi and me at book signing. Readers like Heidi are why I do what I do. They love romance.The fabulous and multi-talented Dianna Love and Debbie GiustiMy table at the luncheon. The best I believe.Amy Knapp and a couple of our great guests.It was also a family affair.

The Wallflower’s Secret is #6 on Amazon’s Medical Best Seller List

The Nurse He Shouldn’t Notice and the Hot-Shot Doc Comes to Town made the Top 20

I had a blast at Barbara Vey’s Readers Luncheon on Saturday. Barbara was the perfect hostess. This is me with Judy Peterson who was one of the readers attending. It was a pleasure to meet her.

Judy Peterson Photography

Isn’t this picture lovely? Judy Peterson took this and shared it with me. I asked if I could share it with the world. Judy is not only a great photographer she is also a romance writers best friend—a reader. Thanks for all your support Judy!

I’ll be off attending Barbara Vey’s Readers Luncheon this weekend. I am looking forward to it. One of the great things about being a writer is getting to meet people who love to read and want to meet writers. I’m sure I will have a good time. I hope the readers sharing my table do also.

Hot Shot Doc Comes to Town

“How could she get inside without looking like a peeping Tomette? She grinned. At least she hadn’t lost her sense of humor even though she’d lost her mind.”