Tea Party

Happy Wednesday! 

I'm back, after a bit of a break, with some pictures from a shoot I did for Western Living magazine recently. We shot this Mother's Day Tea Party at The Cross. They kindly let us set up shop for the day, while we propped and primped some fabulous treats and flowers. It was pretty handy to have a shop full of the perfect props too. 

Naomi and Lawren set up the food, while Elizabeth and Sylvie get ready for their close-ups. 

This is just a sample of the food we shot that day. You can find all the recipes, of several tea party essentials, in the new issue of Western Living, or online here. 

Our "studio" for the shoot, in a pretty area of The Cross. They were very sweet to hang a light fixtures for us as well.

So much more, from this shoot, featured in the May issue of Western Living. Just in time for Mother's Day! 

Have a great day! 

janis

Baked on Monday - Plum Cakes

Hi all! To my American  blog friends, I hope you had a perfect and fireworks filled 4th of July!

I can smell the plum cakes baking....mmm. These are so easy to make. You just dump all the ingredients together in a bowl, mix, pour into cupcake tin, and top with the plums. Done. I guess I should give you the actual recipe now...

Plum Cakes - makes 12

3/4 cup all-purpose/plain flour
2 cups icing sugar
150g (5 1/4 oz) almond meal (finely ground almonds)
180g (6 1/3  oz) melted butter
6 egg whites
6 plums, halved

Preheat oven to 320f/160c. Place flour, sugar, almond meal, butter and egg whites in a bowl and mix until well combined. Spoon the batter into a well greased 12 hole, 1/2 cup, muffin tin. Top with halved plums, cut side up, and bake for 30-40 minutes or test with a skewer.  Cool on a wire rack.

These go well with a little real iced tea! Enjoy.

Turning Japanese

It's cherry blossom festival time, here in Vancouver. I love spring. This year spring started in February, just in time for the Winter Olympics. Oh well, the city is in bloom and it looks beautiful.

The Nitobe Memorial Garden is located at U.B.C., and each April  they hold an Ohanami (cherry blossom viewing). This year it takes place on April 10th. Click here for more details.  Last year, I took part in a traditional tea ceremony, as well.  It was really lovely to watch, and so quiet and gentle.

Is your city in bloom yet? Happy Spring everyone!