Celebrate Spring with an Herb Garden Tea Party

An herb garden tea party is fun to have outside in the garden or on the porch or patio during the spring.

Glue the invitation to the back of a packet of herb seeds and mail in an envelope. Ask your guests to wear pretty straw garden hats and spring colors.

Use a colorful garden or herb print fabric to cover your table and make matching napkins if you sew. Your centerpiece can be a watering can filled with fresh herbs or several herb plants in terra cotta pots.  Serve your food in terra cotta pots and saucers lined with garden-print fabric.

Serve Herbal Tea Blend (recipe below), Salmon & Dill Tea Sandwiches (page 42), Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes (page 48), Rosemary Mini Scones (page 31) with Herb Butter (page 34), Mint Nut Tea Bread (recipe below) and Lavender Tea Cookies (page 73).

For a fun activity give each guest a pen and piece of writing paper and see how many herbs they can write down in one minute. Or place a teaspoon of 8-10 dried herbs into tiny cups and ask your guests to identify them by sight and/or smell. The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.

The guests’ favors can be tiny herb plants potted in mini-terra cotta pots and tied with ribbon or place several herb plants in a lined basket, as shown in the photo above.

Herbal Tea Blend

2 tablespoons loose tea leaves             

2 teaspoons dried sage leaves     

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container away from heat and light.  

To prepare: Place 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons of tea blend in a warmed teapot for each cup of water needed. Pour boiling water over tea and steep 3 to 5 minutes. Stir and strain into cups. 

Sweeten with honey or sugar and serve with lemon slices.

Mint Nut Tea Bread

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour                                       

1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed  

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder                                 

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup applesauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil    

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon dried mint or 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease and flour a small loaf pan (8” X 4”). In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nuts. In a separate bowl, blend together applesauce, oil, mint and egg. Add to flour mixture, stirring until well blended.

Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until done. Turn out onto wire rack to cool. To serve, slice into 1/2” slices. Cut each slice into four rectangles.

If Teapots Could Talk: Fun Ideas For Tea Parties

This cookbook has 60 recipes for all the treats you’ll need for an afternoon tea party, plus 15 creative ideas for theme tea parties, with suggestions for invitations, activities, decorations and party favors. Size: 5.5” X 85”, paperback, 108 pages. $8.95.

Visit the Blue Sage Press Tea Party Page to order or read more.

Order this book from Blue Sage Press, CreateSpace.com, or Amazon.com.

Visit the Tea Party Blog for more Free Recipes From If Teapots Could Talk

Have a question about tea parties? E-mail Gloria Lyons: gloria@bluesagepress.com

Pecan Pie in a Mug Recipe from: Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug

Pecan Pie Mug Mix from: Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug 

3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans

3 tablespoons brown sugar, firmly packed

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons egg white powder or meringue powder

1/2 tablespoon instant nonfat dry milk

1/16 teaspoon baking powder

Dash of salt

Blend all ingredients together and place in a small zipper-type bag if using at a later date or giving as a gift. 

To prepare: Microwave 1-1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug until melted. Empty pie mix into mug and add 3 tablespoons of water; stirring with a fork until blended. Microwave on 60% power for 2 minutes. Let stand in the microwave 2 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand until cool enough to eat. 

Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug^® (Third Edition) 

With thousands of copies of the Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug cookbook now in print, dessert-lovers around the world are enjoying these quick and delicious treats. 

The Third Edition includes more than 100 single-serving mix recipes for desserts, breakfast treats and hot beverages that are prepared, cooked and served in a mug in less than 5 minutes, like Chocolate Brownie, Apple Pie, Blueberry-Lemon Coffee Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Coffee Banana Scone and Chai Tea Latte. 

Stir up a mix anytime you want a treat, or make them ahead of time for later use. They’re perfect for today’s on-the-go families, singles, seniors, college dorm students and RV travelers. They make fun cooking projects for kids and unique, inexpensive gifts, like “Birthday Cake in a Mug”. Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, 120 pages, Paperback. $9.95  

Order from Blue Sage Press, CreateSpace.com, and Amazon.com 

Visit the “Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug” Blog

Lime Sherbet Punch From: A Taste of Memories: Comforting Foods From Our Past

During the 1960s the “in” party punch served at all wedding and baby showers was Sherbet Punch. This frosty concoction is simple to make, and you can use any flavor of sherbet you like to complement your party theme colors.

Lime Sherbet Punch

1 (half-gallon) carton Lime Sherbet (or flavor of your choice)
2 (32 ounce) bottles ginger ale, 7-Up or Sprite, chilled

Place sherbet in punch bowl and slice into chunks. Slowly pour in ginger ale and mix well. Makes 16-18 (6-ounce) servings.

A Taste of Memories: Comforting Foods From Our Past

More than 100 recipes for favorite American comfort foods, spanning a period from the early 1900s to 1980s, plus a bit of history about popular food trends during each decade and family comfort food stories and photos that will warm your heart as well as your tummy. These recipes are simple, hearty fare, but all are tried and true family favorites, like meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, banana pudding and more. Size: 8.25”X8.25”, paperback, 108 pages. Price: $8.95

Visit the Taste of Memories Blog.

Get a sneak Preview of this book on Google Book Search

View a musical greeting card with recipes from this book.

Order from Blue Sage Press, CreateSpace.com, and Amazon.com

Lavender and Herb Mug Mat from: Lavender Sensations: Fragrant Herbs For Home & Bath

Keep this mug mat on your desk to rest your warm coffee or tea mug. The energizing scent from the herbal blend will help keep you alert.

2 (5”) squares of cotton or homespun fabric
3 tablespoons dried lavender buds
2 tablespoons dried peppermint leaves
2 tablespoons dried sage leaves
2 teaspoons dried lemon peel
2 tablespoons flaxseed for filler

Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew the two cotton squares together, right sides facing each other, around three sides of the square. Turn the bag right side out. In a small bowl, blend the herbs and filler together. Pour the mixture into the cotton bag. Turn under the raw edges of the open end of the bag 1/4” and stitch the opening closed.

Lavender Sensations: Fragrant Herbs for Home & Bath

More than 40 fun and easy to make projects for relaxing bath mixtures, stimulating beauty scrubs, stress reducing eye pillows, lavender soap, fragrant mug mats, closet fresheners, pomanders, sachets and delectable treats and mixes to give as gifts to friends and co-workers. Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, paperback, 60 pages.

Visit the Lavender Sensations Blog

Get a Sneak Preview of this book on Google Book Search.

View a Musical Card with Sample Projects from this book.

Order from Blue Sage Press, CreateSpace.com, and Amazon.com.

Chill Out with a Roast Beef Pasta Salad from Cool & Refreshing Pasta Salads Cookbook

2 cups penne pasta

1-1/2 cups deli roast beef, diced

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup thinly sliced celery

1/4 cup chopped dill pickle

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

DRESSING:

1/4 cup milk

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Dash ground black pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine pasta, beef, green and red peppers, celery, pickle and onion. In a medium bowl, combine milk, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, garlic powder and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill 2 hours or until ready to serve. Yield: 4-6 servings.

Cool & Refreshing Pasta Salads (E-Booklet)

This booklet has 20 recipes for cool and refreshing pasta salads that you can put together in a jiffy and make ahead of time for quick and satisfying meals for lunch or dinner, like Beef & Black Bean Pasta Salad, Oriental Chicken Pasta Salad, Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad and Strawberry-Melon Pasta Salad. 24 pages. E-Booklet sent to you by e-mail for viewing or printing: $3.49

Try some of the recipes on The Cozy Kitchen Website

Buy this e-booklet from Blue Sage Press

Easy-To-Make Gift For a Special Teacher

As the school year ends, don't forget to thank the hard working teachers. Make this easy muffin mix in a mug gift that any teacher would enjoy.

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffin Mug Mix Gift For an A+ Teacher

3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

2-1/2 tablespoons flour

1-1/2 tablespoons quick cooking oats

1 teaspoon egg white powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/16 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pinch of ground cloves

Dash of salt 

Blend ingredients together and place in a small zipper-type bag.

Additional ingredients: 1 (2.5 ounce) jar of applesauce (baby food)

Cinnamon Sugar (optional)

(Make your own cinnamon sugar by mixing 1 tablespoon granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.  Store in an airtight container.)

To give as a gift: Place bag of mix inside a tissue-lined 12-ounce microwave-safe mug, along with the 2.5-ounce jar of applesauce. Cut out an apple-shaped sign from card stock and write “A+ Teacher” on it using a marker. Tape the sign to a straw. Insert inside the mug, along with cooking instructions shown below. 

 

To prepare: Microwave 1 tablespoon butter or margarine in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug until melted. Stir 2 tablespoons of applesauce into mug. Empty muffin mix into mug and add 1-1/2 tablespoons water; stirring with a fork until blended. Optional: Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon Sugar on top of batter. Microwave on 60% power for 2-1/2 minutes. Let stand in oven 2 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand until cool enough to eat.

Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug

More than 100 single-serving mix recipes for desserts, breakfast treats and hot beverages that are prepared, cooked and served in a mug in less than 5 minutes, like Chocolate Brownie, Apple Pie, Blueberry-Lemon Coffee Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Coffee Banana Scone and Chai Tea Latte. Stir up a mix anytime you want a treat, or make them ahead of time for later use. They’re perfect for today’s on-the-go families, singles, seniors, college dorm students and RV travelers. They make fun cooking projects for kids and unique, inexpensive gifts, like “Birthday Cake in a Mug”. Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, 120 pages, Paperback. $9.95 

Visit the “Easy Microwave Desserts in a Mug” Blog for More Free Recipes

Order from Blue Sage Press, Create Space.com or Amazon.com

Make Mom a Special Mother's Day Breakfast: Chocolate Chunk Scones with Chocolate Butter

Treat Mom to an extra-special breakfast on Mother's Day with these scrumptious Chocolate Chunk Scones and Chocolate Butter from my cookbook: Hand Over the Chocolate & No One Gets Hurt!

Chocolate Chunk Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour                            

1/3 cup granulated sugar                                      

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda                   

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 squares of semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped 

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, half-and-half and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in chocolate. Add a bit more flour if dough seems too sticky. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times or until smooth.  Pat into a 7” circle, about 3/4” thick. Cut into 8 pie-shaped wedges. Or roll dough to 3/4” thickness and cut out circles with a 2-1/2” biscuit cutter or a 1-1/2” cutter for mini-scones. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Place 1” apart on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes (15-18 minutes for mini scones) or until golden brown. 

Chocolate Butter

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa powder 

In a small bowl, beat ingredients together until fluffy. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Soften for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Hand Over the Chocolate & No One Gets Hurt!

The perfect cookbook for chocoholics everywhere—78 decadent chocolate dessert recipes: like Death By Chocolate Cookies, Chocolate Truffle Pie, Rich Chocolate Gravy & Chocolate Mocha Punch, plus a few tasty mixes to give as gifts. Includes chocolate history, amusing quotes & interesting trivia plus fun ideas for chocolate theme parties, games, activities, decorations & guest favors. A delightful cookbook no true chocolate-lover should be without! Size: 5.5”X8.5”, paperback, 76 pages. $7.95

Get a Sneak Preview of this book on Google Book Search.

View a Musical Card with Sample Recipes from this book.

Order from Blue Sage Press, CreateSpace.com, and Amazon.com.

Visit the Hand Over the Chocolate Blog for more free recipes.