Honoring Mom with a Heartfelt Tea Party
One year ago, our mom passed away from ALS Lou Gehrigs disease, Mom was such an amazing woman who meant the world to us. Mom was a lover of tea parties, especially with her grandkids, we wanted to honor her memory in the most fitting way possible. So, my sister, my two daughters, three granddaughters, and I gathered in my backyard for a heartfelt tea party dedicated to her. It was a beautiful sunny day, not too hot, and perfect for our celebration.
Setting the Scene for a heartfelt tea party
For the table setting, I used white lacy placemats and an eclectic mix of plates. I had creamy blue plates with delicate edges and some black and white French fleur de lis plates.
The napkins were pink floral, adorned with white pipe berry napkin rings.
Over the years, I have collected a mix of different colored tea cups and saucers. I have gong to various thrift stores and I have some cherished ones from my mom’s collection.
Each place setting looked unique and perfect.
My granddaughter brought my mom’s yellow chocolate pitcher filled with blue and white flowers for the centerpiece. Many of mom’s favorite bowls and dishes were used. I also added small clear vases filled with cut flowers from the backyard.
A white porcelain pig that holds a chalkboard with “Gigi’s Tea Party” written on it, which belonged to my mom, added a charming touch to the table. The table looked so pretty, and we knew my mom would have loved it.
Delicious Treats and Special Recipes
For the food, we created a delightful spread of homemade and store-bought treats. My youngest daughter, Emily, baked cheesy egg puffs in a mini muffin tin and I made oatmeal cups filled with vanilla yogurt, topped with a strawberry. For my vegan daughter, we used vegan vanilla yogurt topped with blueberries to distinguish them.
I bought some little colorful macaron cookies from Costco, which were a hit. Mom loved all things French so the macrons were a perfect touch
My granddaughter made amazing vegan poppyseed muffins, sliced and toasted under the broiler with vegan butter.
Madeline, my vegan daughter, made gorgeous vegan cucumber sandwiches with tofu cream cheese, garnished with borage flowers and nasturtium leaves and flowers.
My sister baked my mom’s famous chocolate chip scones, and we also had sliced apricots with cherries and blueberries.
Madeline prepared a delicious herbal water kefir drink that added a refreshing touch to our tea party.
Cherishing Mom’s Memory
As we sipped our drinks in pretty teacups and enjoyed the delicious treats, we reminisced about the fun times and cherished memories we had with mom.
My six year old granddaughter Harper, made these cute signs to go in my little mouse place card holders. Plus I had her write everyone names on paper and place them on each persons plate.
Harper also helped me by placing all the cut flowers into one of mom’s favorite little vases. I just loved how everyone of us participated in this heartfelt tea party celebrating mom.
It was a lovely afternoon filled with laughter, tears, and heartfelt stories.
The tea party was a beautiful way to remember and celebrate our mom, keeping her love and spirit alive in our hearts.
A beautiful heartfelt tea party
Hosting this tea party was not just a way to honor my mom’s memory but also to bring our family closer together. We all miss her so much everyday and this was such a great way to honor her and enjoy the blessing she was in our life.
You will notice a blanket hanging from the umbrella…the sun started to get a little hot haha.
It was a day filled with love, warmth, and beautiful memories that my sister and I and my girls will cherish forever. If you’re looking to remember a loved one in a special way, a tea party can be a heartfelt and meaningful tribute.
Tea Party Recipes
Vegan cucumber sandwiches
These were so delicious made with tofu vegan cream cheese that you make yourself. Lots of fresh herbs and garnished with borage flowers, nasturtium flowers and leaves.
Vegan Cucumber Sandwiches
Ingredients
Vegan Sandwiches
- 1 cup vegan cream cheese recipe below – can sub regular cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives
- 3 tablespoons chopped basil/fennel greens
- 1 tsp chopped garlic
- sea salt to taste
- ½ English cucumber thinly sliced
- 8 slices soft sourdough bread crust removed
Vegan Cream Cheese
- 1 14 oz package firm tofu (water-packed)
- 1/2 cup refined coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place cucumbers in a bowl with a good pinch of salt and lightly toss, leave to rest for about 10 minutes while you prepare the cream cheese.
- Add chopped fresh herbs and garlic to the cream cheese and stir to combine. Spread cream cheese mixture on both slices of bread.
- Remove cucumbers from the bowl and pat dry on a cloth. Place in overlapping layers on bread slices and cut into triangles.
- Garnish with borage flowers (taste like cucumbers!) and nasturtium leaves and flowers.
Instructions for Vegan Cream Cheese
- Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth and fluffy, occasionally scraping down the sides as needed.
Vegan Poppy Seed muffins
Vegan Poppy Seed Muffins
Ingredients
Vegan Poppy Seed Muffins Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 tbs. poppyseeds
- 1 tsp. white vinegar
- 5 tbs. vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1/4 cup coarse sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and generously grease a 12 cup muffin tin. Or, line with muffin liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and poppyseeds. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, water, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir to combine until there are no dry spots of flour.
- Scoop the batter into your muffin tins. Be generous here, the tins should be almost full, with just about 1/8th inch of space. Generously sprinkle the tops with the coarse sugar. Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean and the muffins are lightly golden.
Chocolate Chip Scones
Puffy Eggs
What a sweet post and what a lovely way to honor, remember and celebrate your mom and all she meant to each of you! I love the way you are keeping her memory alive for the younger ones! As I read your post, I imagined your mom smiling down on you all! So beautiful!
This us beautiful celebration to your mom.
I have antique tea cups from my mom and grandmother. They’re cherished.
Thank you so much Cindy. It is so fun to have those cherished items isn’t it! Such sweet memories.
Hugs,
Karin
What a wonderful way to remember your Mom and share stories of her life. So good for your granddaughters to be a part of this. My Mom has dementia and lives with me. We sit after breakfast and as she tells her stories I record them. I will one day play them back to my family and it just might be around a tea party. Thanks for sharing April
Yes having the granddaughters there really made it special.
I love that you record your mom’s stories! What a sweet thing to do and have for posterity.
Hugs,
Karin
What a lovely idea. Grandchildren will have wonderful memories. Much Love, Suzanne Nast
Thank you Suzanne it really was such a beautiful way to remember mom. 🙂