Invitation

You are cordially invited to a Parasol Protectorate High Tea. There can be no more delightful way to enjoy the last of summer than with delicious nibbles and a fabulous cup of tea.

Please attended {name of hostess/host} at {time} on the {day} of {month} at {venue} to enjoy good food, pleasant company, and scintillating conversation.

Guests are encouraged to wear hats in honor of Ivy, carry parasols in honor of Alexia, and dress in a manner that best honors their own inner Madame Lefoux or Lord Akeldama. BYOI (Bring Your Own Inventions) if you are maker and would like to expose others to your scientific method in steampunk style. Vampires and werewolves welcome, with the understanding that the former will keep their fangs to themselves, and the later will dress accordingly.

We hope to enjoy the pleasure of your company.

Sincerely,
Lady/Lord/Countess/etc. {your name here}

PSVP by footman, pigeon, or aetherogram.

Venue

If your own abode is undersized, a backyard garden is a lovely place to host tea or, barring that, a public park or lakeside aspect.

Suggested Savory Comestibles

Cucumber Sandwiches liberally spread with butter are always popular – I like to add a dash of fresh dill.

Egg Salad, Watercress, Chicken Salad, Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese, and Cheese & Chutney are also welcome.

It is never a good idea to prepare the sandwiches too far ahead of time but if you, my Mum suggests a clean, lightly damp dishtowel spread over the arrangement will prevent them from drying out or being attacked by bugs.

Other savories that provide satisfaction?

• Hard boiled eggs
• Scotch Eggs with Chutney
• Sausage Rolls with English Mustard
• Savory Scones
• Pickled Onions
• Crackers and Good English Cheddar

Suggested Sweets & Puddings

• Brownie bites with dollop of whip cream (a raspberry and a sprig of mint makes all the difference)
• Upgrade pairs of gingersnaps by spreading lemon curd between them
• Turkish Delight
• Strawberry Tarts
• Sweet Scones with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam
• Candied Lemon and Orange Peel
• Trifle
• Meringues (and their derivatives)
• Macaroons
• Shortbread
• Raspberry Mousse Cups with Cream
• Mincemeat Tarts
• Sugared Rose and Violet Petals
• Treacle Tart

The All Important Tea

• Teacups.

Now, if you do not own enough teacups and saucers you can encourage guests to bring their own. Ones that express individuality.

This has three benefits,

1. You do not have to store them all,
2. Each guest can always identify his/her own cup,
3. Conversational openers are provided.

Tea.

Twinings English Breakfast Gold Label is high quality, not bitter, and hard to over brew. But it is expensive.

I sometimes, sometimes, stock other blends. I have a long post all about my favorite ties and is replete with suggestions.

30+ Best Tea, Teapots, Teakettles & More: The Epic Tea Post from Gail Carriger

Whole milk.

Guests who require alternatives should bring such things as *shudder* skimmed milk or *double shudder* oat or almond or soy on their own.

No host-age should ever have to suffer the peculiarities of diet in others that the modern world has forced upon us.

Of course you *can* stock such things but you may risk offense if you chose the wrong variety. Best to let, and advise, those with varied diets mind those diets – after all you can’t be expected to stock raw liver and living drones for your supernatural visitors either, should you?

Quote of the Day:

“Never trust a woman who wears mauve, whatever her age may be, or a woman over thirty-five who is fond of pink ribbons. It always means that they have a history.”

~ Oscar Wilde

STORY DE JOUR!

Meat Cute: Parasol Protectorate Prequel

The Hedgehog Incident

PICK YOUR VENDOR!

Direct from Gail

From the comedic mind of New York Times bestseller Gail Carriger comes the much requested prequel short story to Soulless.

Alexia Tarabotti attends what appears to be a very dull London party, until the new werewolf Alpha turns up, is unconscionably rude to her, and sits on a hedgehog.

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