A Scone Soirée

The holidays have past and in the frosty interior we still have a good many months of "holiday weather" to . . . look forward to.  (Ahem) For many this seems an eternity of bleak, frozen boredom that stretches out before them with nothing to divert until spring. 

Then there are those who divert themselves.  Take our group for instance.  We manage to find reasons for celebrating even the smallest (and most succulent I might add) blessings.

Take scones for example.  They are the small, flaky cousins of biscuits.  Yet paired with a preserve, curd, welsh rabbit or cream (and of course tea) what do you have? Pure rapturous delight, be it sweet or savory.

My sister decided that we needed to dedicate an entire night to the honor of these succulent breads.  She made traditional cream scones, rosemary garlic, maple nut, raspberry pistachio, herb and onion, and peppermint cream (oops!) scones.

Add to these varieties a mélange of toppings including orange marmalade, roasted garlic cream, raspberry preserves, honey butter, cream cheese frosting, and (my personal favorite) creamy horseradish spread.

The tea selection was equally as diverse as the scone and spread options; including red fruit, bavarian wild berry, cinnamon cardamom, ginger peach, constant comment, and even some hot cocoa for those whose palate was not yet refined to the level of appreciating the delicate flavors tea offers.

In addition to the scone sampling and socializing we played a game of bunco to determine the door prize winners.

Who says you have to be "grown-up" to enjoy a good cup of tea.

Even Mr. Darcy honored this gathering with his attendance.

The prizes (excepting the aprons) taken home by the winners.

Each guest received a gift bag containing a gingerbread scone mix and personal recipe cards.

Yep! We all had a light hearted, good time.

The mini scone pans allowed a sampling of at least one of each flavor of scone fore each person.

Keeping the welsh rabbit at the proper consistency and temperature

Ahhhh finally. . . . here she is.  The hostess who with the mostest . . . fabulous party this season.

Here she is!! The M.C. for the evening.  She was wonderful at gaining attention when needed, instructing game play, and announcing the winners!  She also modeled one of the prizes the lucky contestants brought home.  Look out Vanna!

"I can't see you. Therefore you can't see me."  "I'm having so much fun I can't contain myself! Eeeee!"

There was a different fine china teacup for every attendee, and each more beautiful than the one before.

I absolutely adore the iridescent ones.

It was relaxed enough that some even found time to catch up on their correspondences.

One of the winners who went home with a scone mystery novel and a new apron.

The greasy sweatshop worker in her "cozies" still.

Taking in the goings on and/or patiently waiting for the tea to cool sufficiently.

Another winner who took home an apron and a scone book.

All in all the evening was a huge success.  Everyone went home with a new and greater appreciation for this humble quick bread.  What's next on the agenda for gaiety and diversion? Valentines Day! Not just for lovers anymore!!