Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson: tea

Hello my friends,

If there is one thing this gal loves, it's a party!

when many of my friends mentioned on fb that they wanted to come tour 'Hilltop Cottage' I decided to throw a Fall Tea last Saturday. It was a beautiful day and the weather could not have been any nicer!

My friend, Kimi took this photo the day of the tea and shared it on Instagram. I loved how she got some of the

tea party in the foreground!

I had lots of offerings to help with the food, but I told them that this was my treat and I wanted them to just come and enjoy.

My friend, Ann however came early and helped me set up. She truly was a life saver. Lately I don't realize that things take me longer than they use to. Lots of the food needed to be assembled at the last minute and I could not have done it without her help!

I brewed raspberry sun tea the day before with tea I bought on my spring trip to South Carolina. Ann recently gave me the cute drink dispenser for my birthday. Of course we needed some vintage glasses. My friend, Joanne found these at a thrift shop recently. Knowing that I was hosting this tea she sent me a photo asking if I would like them. At first I said, 'no'; but then changed my mind. lol! So glad I did.

Finger foods consisted of:

Cucumber sandwiches. . .using the recipe that you get if you google "best cucumber sandwiches". I've made them twice and I truly do think they are the best! You marinate the cucumbers overnight and they are so yummy! The first time I made it just like the recipe and it was too much garlic, (and I love garlic). The second time I omitted the garlic salt in the spread.

Ham and turkey rollups. . .stuffed with cream cheese and pickled asparagus.

Red pepper relish over cream cheese. A yummy appetizer served with crackers that I bottle every year because my family

loves it so much.

Some of my homemade salsa with chips. I walked by the cheese balls at Walmart and just had to buy them for the fun factor. :)

I also made mini cream puffs filled with chicken salad, but I guess I failed to get a photo.

I went a little overboard with the goodies. You know how it is, you get started and you just can't stop. lol!

Peach muffins

Apple crisp

Pumpkin bread and magic cookie bars.

caramel popcorn, brownies, apple crisp, and peach muffins (again)

And it wouldn't be fall at our house with out caramel apple bites

and

licorice caramels.

If you're interested, I shared the recipes for both in

Wonderfully Wicked Treats

Here are a few new additions to Hilltop Cottage since I posted about her last.

Hubby added the small pergola over the porch area.

She got a new sign proudly sharing her name.

inspired by one I had seen on Magpie Ethyl blog. I drew out the arrow and my friend, Amanda's husband cut it out for me. then I printed letters out on the computer and cut them into a stencil.

A shelf made from an old shutter and some architectural pieces I picked up at an estate sale has been added over two of the windows. It was perfect for showing off my cooler collection!

Roses have been hung up to dry and a cute banner made from cards gifted to me by my friend, Ann.

One of my favorite new additions is the chandy. Not wired yet, (hopefully next year), but it sure is cute! I bought more bulbs, but hadn't got around to putting them in yet. (real life) :)

The sliding barn door and painting is all finished. Hallelujah on the painting. A glorious day indeed!! Painting under the eaves was not a fun job!! I still want to add a handle to the door and a grow box will be built to the side of it for growing pumpkins.

Can't wait!!

I had fun adding fall touches.

And I finally found a place to hang my old scale that my daughter, Karrah and her hubby, Jayson gifted me a few years ago.

Life is good at "hilltop cottage" She spreads a little happiness to me every time I walk out into the back yard!

This is going to be an extra long post. I want to document my friends and family that attended the tea. Feel free to hurry on by.

Joyce and Kathy (sisters and long time friends)

Jan (long time friend) and her daughter, Kassy

Karrah, (my daughter), Tracy, (my dil), Brenda, Nichole, (my daughter), Jeanna, and Kylee, (my daughter). Brenda and Jeanna are Nicholes good friends.

Cheers!!

Saydee, Jordyn, (granddaughters); Ajia (Brenda's daughter), and Braxton, (grandson). Some boys are not too cool to attend tea parties! Good for you Brax!!