Thumb Print Tea Cookies

Have I ever mentioned how much I love tea and anything tea related?

I have?

Oh (Was it the tea party bridal shower that gave it away?).

Anyway, today I'm sharing a sweet, buttery, and oh so crumbly thumb (fork) print cookie that's perfect for your next tea party, special occasion, or crummy Monday.

Adapted from All Recipes
Yields 5 dozen cookies

•  1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 5 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Shape cookie dough into balls. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Dent each cookie with thumb.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Serve these thumb (err.. fork) print cookies with a cup of black tea and enjoy!

A Tea-ny Obsession of Mine

I have a major obsession with like tea.

Hot tea. Iced tea. Tea parties. Tea pots. Tea towels. Tea Cups. I just really like tea.

I date my love of tea back to my best friends 16th birthday party when we got all dressed up and enjoyed a high tea at the Molly Brown Palace in Denver.

From the looks on our faces, I'm guessing that we were all terrified to be drinking tea?

We sipped fruity hot teas, nibbled on tiny tea sandwiches, and indulged in decadent desserts.

Yep, I was sold.

Fast forward 7 years and I still love tea.. and tea parties. So much so that my mom, Aunt Brigette, and close friend of the family Dorothy threw me a tea party bridal shower!

Since I'm such a self-proclaimed tea expert (I'm also a connoisseur of nachos--but I'll save that post for another day), I'd like to share a few of my favorite teas, accessories and recipes with you!

My Favorite Teas

1.) Aveda Comforting Tea ($17 for box of 20)--Oh. Em. Gee. This is my all time favorite tea. It is infused with licorice root and peppermint and leaves your mind and body feeling refreshed and renewed--and it's decaffeinated, so it's the perfect tea to help you de-stress and unwind. Available at your local Aveda store.

2.) Tazo Zen Green Tea ($4.99 for box of 20)--This is the perfect morning pick-me-up tea and is created using "select full-flavored, pan-fired green teas from China, long fabled for their legendary properties." It's very light with the taste of lemon verbena leaves, lemongrass and spearmint leaves--yum! Available at most drug and health food stores. 

3.) Stash Ginger Peach Green Tea ($3.99 for box of 18)--This is actually my preferred tea for whenever I'm sick because of the kick of ginger (great for sore throats or blocked sinuses). In addition to the ginger, this tea packs a refreshing punch of green tea and juicy peach. Available at most drug and health food stores. 

My Favorite Accessories

1.) Hamilton Beach Electric Kettle ($42.99 on Amazon)--I actually got one of these for my wedding shower (from my Aunt Nancy, who has one of her own!) and LOVE it! It is so much quicker and more convenient than using a stove top kettle AND you don't have to worry about boiling water spewing out of the top. 

2.) Classic Coffee & Tea Polka Dot Teacup and Saucer - Set of 6 ($45.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond)--this is another wedding gift/registry item that I was thrilled to receive! I fell in love with the fun and colorful polka dot pattern and adore the beautiful hat box that houses them. I think a pretty tea cup and saucer set should be mandatory for everyone!

3.) A Quirky Mug ($8.00 at Pier One Imports)--Okay, so it doesn't necessarily have to be an owl mug.. but I don't see how anyone couldn't want this adorable guy! Quirky and colorful oversize mugs are just a fun way to start the day. Check your local thrift store, Ross or Home Goods for an array of mugs at low prices.

My Favorite High Tea Menu Items

1.) How beautiful would these Caramel Topped Shortbread Bites be on a tray of tea party treats? Pair this with a rich black tea or spicy chai for a combination that is sure to awaken the senses.
2.) Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares. No caption needed (best paired with a fruity tea or cider).
3.) These Classic Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches will impress even the most refined taste buds. Pair with a green or spicy ginger tea for a heavenly culinary experience.

I hope this post inspires you to try some new teas or host a tea party in the near future! I think I'm going to go make myself a cup right now to help me unwind. Cheers!

Party, Party, I like to Party

 Southern Lovely, Stone Gable, Bloom Designs, The Frugal Girls, Practically Functional, Six Sisters Stuff, Sew Can Do, This Gal Cooks, Kathe with an E,

Tea Party Wedding Shower

Wow, what an eventful and fun weekend this has been!

Yesterday was my beautiful tea party bridal shower.

If you know me, you know that I love tea and drink it all the time. I also love getting dressed up. And tea parties.

So, I asked my mom if I could have a tea party bridal shower--and oh my goodness, did she and the hostesses go above and beyond! I could not have imagined a more gorgeous or perfect bridal shower.

The party started off with a first course of mini chicken salad sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, scones, chocolate covered strawberries and tea. After the first course, we played a game, followed by gifts. We got so many wonderful presents! I was extremely overwhelmed by the generosity of kindness of all these women in my life. After gifts, we indulged in a second course of bite-sized cupcakes, chocolate macaroons, mini cinnamon rolls, Russian tea cookies and more tea.

I'd like to share a few of the photos with you now!

(Note: my friend Amber took several of the pictures--she is an amazing photographer/person and I recommend every check out her Facebook page.)

The beautiful tables!

Yummy!

The beautiful winter centerpieces our friend Vivian made.

We used tea pots for centerpieces.

Aunts and cousins.

Momma and Aunt Brigette greeting the ladies.

Tea time!

Aunt Nancy, Alicia, Auntie Sharon and Mom

Aunts and Mom

I'm so blessed to have such wonderful women in my life!

Barbara, Vivian and Dorothy gabbing

The most decadent and delicious cupcakes I have tasted from Gigi's Cupcakes.

My dads cousin Julie and Aunt Millie.

Aunt Brigette and Amber.

Dorothy (good friend of the family) and my Aunt Brigette--the wonderful hostesses!

Getting ready to play games!

Two of my closest friends; Bridesmaid, Abby (left) and Maid of Honor, Jen (center)

Dad and Me

Aunt Nancy (left), Me, and Mamma

My dear friend, Amber (she's the one who took the beautiful photos--you can definitely tell which ones I took--the amateur iPhone pics--and which were the hers)!

Hostess Dorothy and Me

Oh, so many memories with this girl. We've been best friends for ten years now, grew up together, lived together and are now maid-of-honors in each others weddings.

This is the girl who introduced Brandon and me--she's pretty much the best.

Tea time with my girls.

I'm so mad I didn't get a picture with the pretty Erin (far left) and me! I had terrible scrambled egg brain and thought I had.. she is one of the sweetest girls I know!

Oh my gosh, I am so incredibly blessed! Brandon and I received so many beautiful gifts at the shower.

I would like to give a huge thank you to my mom, Aunt Brigette and Dorothy for hosting this wonderful day. It was everything I've ever dreamed of and more! Also, a huge thank you to all of my friends and family who attended--you have no idea how much that means to me and how much I love all of you!

Party, Party, I like to Party

Say Not Sweet Anne, This Gal Cooks, Under the Table and Dreaming, Craft-O-Matic, C.R.A.F.T., It's So Very Cheri, Sew Can Do, Project Inspire, Kathe with an E, Cedar Hill Ranch, The Blackberry Vine, The DIY Dreamer, We Like to Learn as We Go, Lil Luna, Savvy Southern Style, My Girlish Whims, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, Adorned From Above, Handy Man Crafty Woman, Crystal & Comp., Seven Alive, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Joyful Homemaking, Stone Gable, Bloom Designs, Mandatory Mooch, One Artsy Mama, Bacon Time, Chic on a Shoestring Budget, Joyful Stamper, Miss Information, Fresh Eggs Daily, Sweet Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Six Sisters Stuff