Christmas Eve celebrated in the style of birthday tea party (not just Jesus’ birthday;))
Hydrangea is perfect for bringing simple but joyful elegance to a house party, golden candles go well with vintage Wedgwood jasper blue candle holders. Royal Albert Old Country Rose 3 tier cake stand makes party food more visible and easier to reach. Vintage Royal Copenhagen Blue Flowers on red table cloth look like a Chinese painting on red canvas Homemade cocktail and homemade mince pies are always a blast;)
Most importantly, the raffle of random questions provided a platform of sharing (memories, books, and films of 2013). Very grateful and inspired, thank you all.
Most items are charity shopped or from secondhand vintage shops or markets – green and ever inspiring. Merry Christmas!
平安夜的茶會。白色繡球花平添簡潔優雅之美,是節日家宴的佳選。聖誕集市有售金燭,般配淺藍白Wedgwood浮雕燭台。大部份物件都來自二手店,在設計和使用上都傳承了經典,綠色的歡聚。
簡易清新雞尾酒:雞尾酒杯内放置一、兩枚腌橄欖,斟上金酒(gin)和自製檸檬水,完工。微咸惹味,是開胃的佳選。
三層蛋糕下午茶(3 tier cake stand):是今年拿到的生日禮物,皇家阿爾伯特的經典圖案鄉村玫瑰(old country rose, Royal Albert) ,據説是戴安娜王妃最喜歡的茶具。按規矩最下層應該放置三明治,中間是司康餅(scone),最上層則是蛋糕。但因爲配合節日氣氛,就在下層放了奧地利聖誕果醬餅(linzer auger),中間放了英國果餡餅(mince pie),最上層則是巧克力杏仁塔。
茶:用古董銀茶壺泡了一大壺正山小種紅茶(lapsang souchong ),這是被英國美食家和各大咖啡館、酒店、茶室都青睞的茶種,有濃郁的煙熏味,非常適合下午茶。另一只Wedgwood碧玉浮雕茶壺泡了南非博士茶(roobois),此茶因爲不含咖啡因,據説對身體有益,因此也頗受英國年輕人和雅痞客歡迎。
另外的重頭戲還有意大利杏仁聖誕麵包(panetone),比英國的聖誕蛋糕輕又綿靭,充滿乾果和杏仁;還有咸點芝士條和橄欖麵包,茶酒相宜。
第二天收到朋友們的感謝卡,也感謝他們溫暖了我們的聖誕。
Photo courtesy of my talented friends Jiazhi and Edgar.