Lily Bug's Tea Party

Spring is wonderful. It’s a terrific time for getting outside, enjoying the sunshine, working in the yard, and what else? Having a tea party, of course! Yes, you heard me right, a tea party! I guess I should explain before those of you who know us well start picturing Don sitting at a little table, drinking out of a tiny cup, and eating petit fours… and before you die of oxygen deprivation due to hysterical laughter.

"I love crumpets, but I simply detest scones. Meh meh meh."

A little while ago, our good friend, Melissa, mentioned that she wanted to bring her kiddos over to the Homestead. The weather was getting nice and her little girl, Lily (aka-Lily Bug), had been after her for some time to take them to the petting zoo. Now, for those of you who live in the St. Louis area, you know that we have a wonderful zoo here in the city that is very family friendly and a great place to spend the day. However, this is not what Lily Bug was talking about. Nope. To her the petting zoo is Mr. Matt’s and Mr. Don’s house, and that is fine by us because we love when they come over and spend a morning or afternoon with us. So we made plans for the very first Saturday after Spring announced that it was here to stay. 

I knew that the little ones liked the bunnies and chicks. Well, "like" might be too strong of a word. They love the rabbits, but as for the chickens... let's just say that Lily is intrigued by them (from afar), and Connor looks at them as one would appraise a funny looking alien that hasn't yet shown interest in world domination or body snatching - a curiosity that warrants nervous laughter, feigned indifference, and then beating a quick path in the opposite direction. Lily loves the IDEA of the chickens though, and has me chase down each one in turn so that she can pet it. When presented with whatever chicken happened to be the slowest, however, she gives them a couple "air pats" and then immediately requests an audience with the next one in the queue. Both adorable and a good form of cardio...for me and the chickens, that is.  

Since I knew they were coming over, I thought, "Why not make it a special occasion and throw Lily Bug her very own tea party?" So I started thinking up just what I was going to make. I was already baking something special for a friend of ours who recently celebrated a huge milestone when her son, Nate, learned how to tie his shoes (you know who you are, Stacey, and CONGRATS!!! again), so I knew I could make extra. "Extra of what?" you might be wondering. I’ll tell you! I came across the coolest Spring themed sweets I had seen in a while in the form of cupcakes topped with sparkly sugar mums made out of marshmallows (definitely NOT paleo, but these were for Lily, not Don, so it was ok).

Marshmallow Mum Cupcakes

You can use any cupcake recipe you want and then go to town decorating them. I would say they are quick and easy, but really, they’re just easy… cutting, dipping, and placing those little flippin’ marshmallows takes a fair few minutes. Here are two links that describe how to make the flowers if you’re curious—http://www.ivillage.com/mums-word-cupcakes/3-r-139100 and, of course, http://www.oprah.com/food/Mums-the-Word-Cupcakes (because how could anyone come up with something cool and not see it pop up on her website?).  I added to these gems a Lily-Bug-sized pineapple upside down cake, and a fresh berry and Amaretto custard parfait-thing, and called it a done deal. 

The Tea Party Spread

Melissa asked if her mom could come, too, because she wanted to pick our brains about raising chickens. She is seriously considering adopting a few of Hazel’s babies and wanted to witness this spectacle for herself before plunging head-first into the crazy and addictive world of chickens. SURE! The more the merrier, plus I would love to see Hazel’s chicks go to a good home.

Saturday rolled around and in between kickball and yard work, Don and I got everything set up. Melissa had said they would get here somewhere around noon, and if you know the bestie at all, you know that they arrived promptly at 3. :) The guest of honor was accompanied by her handsome and charming escort (little brother Connor), Nanoo (that is what grandma LeBrot is called since Connor can’t say Nana yet), and the bestie (Melissa). They walked into a scene that was not quite as exciting and whimsical as the one that awaited Alice after falling down the rabbit hole, but I like to think that it was quaint and charming in its own right (hey, what do you expect when you’re dealing with the "Matt Hatter" and the "March Hair-less"). We didn’t even have tea, but found out that water and juice work just fine in a pinch. Lily loved the cakes (well, the marshmallows anyways) and Connor gave the custard 2 thumbs up.  Nanoo's favorite was the pineapple upside down cake and informed the bestie that it was going home with her!

The cuteness factor is off the charts! Ridiculously adorable.

"Why yes, I would like some more custard, please and thank you.
And don't be skimpy with the strawberries!"

Nanoo getting a picture taken with HER cake.

"Tag, Gussie!  You're IT!

We enjoyed the blue skies, ate tea party goodies without tea, talked about school, family, gardening, kickball, and of course…chickens.  Nanoo is wonderful - so sweet and kind, and it was great to have someone to talk with about the chickens who was excited to learn. Normally, after a few minutes, Don’s eyes sort of glaze over and I know he has been chicken-ed out. The kids got to hold (or at least I got to hold for them) each one of the new chicks, as well as a few of the big girls. Lily played tag with Whoopie (one of our bunnies), and picked daffodils, while Connor and Gussie (our other bunny) became best friends. All in all, it was a full afternoon of visiting with good friends, eating good food, enjoying the outdoors, and watching the little ones run (well, run and wobble) around and play in the yard. In my opinion it was just another perfect day here at the Hartford Homestead.