Easy Peezy Summer Tea Party in the Garden Picnic

What better way to laze away a summer afternoon than with a Tea Party Picnic in the garden?

Summer is all about enjoying the warm weather while staying cool. Tips for the perfect tea party in the garden:

1. Start in the shade. Temperatures can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the shade.

2. Pick either your favorite outdoor chairs or a colorful blanket. Keep in mind, not everyone enjoys lounging in the grass. A little pepper helps keep the ants from invading your space!

3. Serve your tea with ice. Today's tea is orange pekoe, basic black tea. Make it double strong since you'll be adding ice. Serve your tea in glasses with broad bottoms to rest easy if you're setting them on a blanket or on an uneven surface. Tip for keeping it free and clear of bugs that might fly close looking to share a drink: with a pair of scissors cut a small X into the bottom of a paper muffin cup, slip a straw through the X, and fold it over the top of the glass.

   
   

   

4. Use a pretty tray to be your flat table.

5. The idea is to keep things as cool as possible. For this tea in summer, we skipped the scones to keep from heating up the kitchen by baking them. For sandwiches, serve tuna salad or sliced cucumber with dill spread.

6. Serve your tea in a summer pitcher instead of a teapot.

7. Keep it romantic with a touch of lace and pretty flowers.

   

8. Keep it simple. For something sweet, make your favorite bar cookies.

9. For color, taste, and ease, add in berries from the garden. Just make sure to have napkins and/or forks. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries stain fingers! Whipped cream can make any berries extra special.

   

10. Bring something fun to read, perhaps your favorite book of poetry.

11. And for your backdrop - the beauty of the garden!

    

12. As always, enjoy time with those you love. Spend time just enjoying the moment. Don't let the summer slip away without enjoying the garden and a lazy summer day.