Winter Garden Tea Party :

Happy Sunday and today I am in the backyard c sharing some flowers and Tea with friends. We are having a Tea party to celebrate the beautifal weather and Grandma Camellia bushes. They are in Full bloom and to wonderful not to share with others. So enjoy my backyard and my Garden Party.

Camelia

The South is the heart of camellia country. Indeed, common camellia (Camellia japonica) is even Alabama’s state flower. Although it seems these plants, which are so well suited to our area, must have been born here, they actually hail from eastern and southern Asia. These lovely evergreen shrubs and trees are members of the tea family, Bringing blooms to our gardens during the cold months

Fall blooming :

Sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua). These species grow more compactly than common camellias, reaching about 10-12 feet tall and wide at maturity. They produce beautiful, glossy, green foliage and big blooms just as the rest of the garden is settling in for a long winter’s nap.

My bushes were planted by my Grandmother and are at least 75 years old. They bloom every year about this time of the year .

Tea in the Garden : after visiting the backyard- we are having Tea ( in Grans tea cups) and some of Grandpa’s tea cakes. It only seems fitting. Lisa

Grandpa Tea Cakes :

1 stick unsalted butter room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda and set aside.
In the bowl of your mixer, add butter and sugar and mix together on high speed until fluffy and smooth (about 4-5 minutes).
Turn mixer to medium speed and add in one egg and vanilla extract and beat until well incorporated.
Lastly, turn mixer to slow speed and add in flour mixture in intervals of three beating after each addition to incorporate.
After dough is well mixed, turn off mixer and remove dough from mixer and add to a ziploc bag and place in your refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up dough.
Once dough is firm, remove from fridge and preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Taking a measuring tablespoon, scoop out cookie dough the size of the tablespoon and roll into a ball. Using your thumb, gently press the center to flatten a bit and place on the tray.
Do the same for the rest of the dough leaving at least an 1 1/2 inches between each dough ball.
Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden brown on the edges and remove from the oven.
Cool for 5-10 minutes and serve.