Afternoon Tea Fit for Bag End

Tablescapes of Middle-earth

“As for the Hobbits of the Shire, with whom these tales are concerned, in the days of their peace and prosperity they were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colours, being notably fond of yellow and green […]”

• The Lord of the Rings, Prologue - Concerning Hobbits

Enjoy the first of many examples of the tablescapes that I will create for Hobbit Day. This is for the first course: an afternoon tea fit for Bag End. 

I chose, of course, shades of yellow and green, to reflect the hobbits’ love of these colors. There is an air of refinement that we can imagine our Bagginses having, yet I’ve also selected textiles and dishware that are sufficiently rustic, such as the acorn embroidered centerpiece and the tiered wooden trays.

I'll be serving:

Egg and watercress tea sandwiches

Mushroom tartlets

Mini apple honey caraway cakes

Cucumber dill tea sandwiches

Mini tomato galettes

Mini raspberry rose cakes

Victorian style scones

Strawberry jam

Homemade clotted cream

Black tea

Herbal tea

Finnriver Cidery's Autumn's Blush cider

This course has, by far, the most individual items being served, so it is scheduled as the very first course by design to frontload a lot of the hardest work to be done before guests arrive. 

Vintage dishware used: Vernon kilns "Shadowleaf" pattern. These Hobbits get a bit of a Mid-century Modern flair! Some of the items, like a fair portion of the Shadowleaf dishes, have been collected over the years (this is a pattern that my partner collects). Some items are bought new. But many of the pieces used in the table setting have been thrifted. I find a lot of joy in bringing together the disparate pieces from thrift stores to really bring Hobbit Day to life.

Traditionally, I would also include some flowers in the mix. I may do so this year, but since we have added two kitties to our home recently, I know that I will have to be very careful about my flower selection, since many flowers are toxic for cats.