Two great days in a row, that is! Yesterday was a ticket-buying/picking up kind of day. First, Jocey came and got me. It was a grey, snow-flurry, misty morning ... can you believe that it was 33 degrees and we had snow flurries in November in North Alabama?! Some of the more mountainous spots in Huntsville had TWO to FIVE inches!!
But I digress.
Joc came and got me . . .
But I digress.
Joc came and got me . . .
And our first ticket stop?! A 11:30 matinee showing of Breaking Dawn! Yes!!! She'd purchased tickets online to ensure we'd get handicap seating. The theater was nearly empty (which I enjoy) and we sat center stage. It was GREAT! Joc had gone to see it already (the very first showing), so this trip was just for *me*! What a darling daughter, non? I'd make Nutella No-Bake Cookies and cut up some cheese and crackers -- we had quite a feast for lunch watching the movie. Real swank-like. LOL!
After the movie, we headed over to Jo Ann Fabrics to look at material for curtains for the nursery and pick up some flannel and other supplies. Joc also got some dark pink minky material so I could make a new changing pad cover. It was fun meandering around the fabric store!
From there, we did ticket pickup number two ... tickets to a December 10 performance of The Nutcracker! It's put on yearly by the Huntsville Ballet Company. This is the 45th year of the production. I got a great deal on Living Social for $15 orchestra seats. I was so psyched! That'll be a busy day -- we're celebrating the coming of Ellie with a small gathering for dessert at The Melting Pot earlier that evening.
After we picked up the ballet tickets - and since we were so close, we stopped at my (our) favorite bakery, Peggy Ann's Bakery. They have the BEST petite fours I've ever had. Seriously. I sent Joc in by herself (which may have been a mistake) and she came out with a pastry box filled with some lovely, lovely sweets . . .
After the movie, we headed over to Jo Ann Fabrics to look at material for curtains for the nursery and pick up some flannel and other supplies. Joc also got some dark pink minky material so I could make a new changing pad cover. It was fun meandering around the fabric store!
From there, we did ticket pickup number two ... tickets to a December 10 performance of The Nutcracker! It's put on yearly by the Huntsville Ballet Company. This is the 45th year of the production. I got a great deal on Living Social for $15 orchestra seats. I was so psyched! That'll be a busy day -- we're celebrating the coming of Ellie with a small gathering for dessert at The Melting Pot earlier that evening.
After we picked up the ballet tickets - and since we were so close, we stopped at my (our) favorite bakery, Peggy Ann's Bakery. They have the BEST petite fours I've ever had. Seriously. I sent Joc in by herself (which may have been a mistake) and she came out with a pastry box filled with some lovely, lovely sweets . . .
Aside from the petite fours, I think both of our favorite sweet treat were the petite four cookies (which we ate in the car, pretty much before we left the bakery parking lot). They were *wonderful*!!! There were some sweet tea cookies, a lemon bar (which was scrumptious), and a frosted brownie (we split the two bar cookies). It was so fun we *had* to get out the China and have a tea party!! So, a little on my Lenox Kelly, a pot of Almond Rocker tea and a plate of cookies, all on the Christmas topper ... it was quite a lovely feast!
And that's when I remembered I hadn't looked through my latest issue of Tea Time! I was saving it for a special occasion. :)
And that's when I remembered I hadn't looked through my latest issue of Tea Time! I was saving it for a special occasion. :)
Perusing through it, I came across a page of recipes for a Christmas Eve tea.
How festive!! The candied fruit scones look marvelous, but it was really the Christmas Tree Tea Sandwiches that caught my eye.
Aren't these darling?!?! They are heartier than they look and the recipe was fairly easy.
Christmas Tree Tea Sandwiches from Tea Time Magazine
Yield: 12 sandwiches
Preparation: 30 minutes
12 slices pumpernickel bread
12 slices ham
12 slices Havarti cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
48 very thin slices English cucumber
*Using a 4-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter, cut 2 tree shapes from each slice of bread, ham, and cheese. Using a 1/2-inch star cookie cutter, cut 12 stars from remaining cheese scraps. Discard all scraps.
*In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Spread mayonnaise mixture on pumpernickel bread. Top each bread slice with 1 slice ham and 1 slice cheese.
*Cut cucumber slices in half, and arrange on top of cheese in shingled fashion, trimming as necessary. Place cheese stars on top of cucumber layer. Serve immediately. [And enjoy!]
It was such a fun day -- and I definitely think I'm beginning to get into the Christmas mood now!! Decorating on Friday ... whooohoo!!
:)
Christmas Tree Tea Sandwiches from Tea Time Magazine
Yield: 12 sandwiches
Preparation: 30 minutes
12 slices pumpernickel bread
12 slices ham
12 slices Havarti cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
48 very thin slices English cucumber
*Using a 4-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter, cut 2 tree shapes from each slice of bread, ham, and cheese. Using a 1/2-inch star cookie cutter, cut 12 stars from remaining cheese scraps. Discard all scraps.
*In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Spread mayonnaise mixture on pumpernickel bread. Top each bread slice with 1 slice ham and 1 slice cheese.
*Cut cucumber slices in half, and arrange on top of cheese in shingled fashion, trimming as necessary. Place cheese stars on top of cucumber layer. Serve immediately. [And enjoy!]
It was such a fun day -- and I definitely think I'm beginning to get into the Christmas mood now!! Decorating on Friday ... whooohoo!!
:)