My mother knows a thing or two about being classy and she drinks ALOT of tea. So, my sister and I decided we’d throw a tea party for her and my Aunt Francie (mother to 5 boys, needs-some-estrogen-in-her-life aka tea party extraordinaire).

We sipped away at black tea from my mother’s gorgeous silver family tea set and ate mini curried chicken salad sandwiches. A long Sunday afternoon, it was a rarity to be able to have my sister, my mom, and my other mom gathered around the table talking freely for hours.

Though Queen Cathi did not bring her two Welsh corgies, the affair was still quite regal. I’ve been dreaming of scones for months now, and these cranberry-orange scones turned out quite delicious. Apparently, they are called “cream biscuits.” They key to any biscuit-type sweet or baked good is barely mixing the dough. A few quick pulses in the food processor and then a quick marriage of dry+wet  ingredients. Other variations that sound delish to me: chocolate almond, maple oat, lavender honey, lemon thyme

Usually if it’s a bit dry, I just liberally dust my cutting board with TONS of flour to make the mess more doughy!

who needs sandra lee tablescapes when I’ve got Marie and Mom?

I think this is my “sup, i’m proper” face

picture on the table is from my parents and the Quigleys first Christmas as friends

lady quigley with us!