Biting off more than I can chew?

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At some point during the last week, I realised that a week today there will be approximately 120 people at my house for what I was intending to be ‘afternoon tea’.

The phrase ‘biting off more than I can chew’ springs to mind.

I did KNOW this, but the full implications of this have only really hit home. I have invited people hence I will need to cater.

I googled ‘afternoon tea’. Dainty, individual bakewell tarts, slices of this and that. Sandwiches with interesting fillings. Cheese straws (apparently so). This, I am clearly not going to manage.

I am setting great store by the fact that there will be alcohol – in a fit of organisation a couple of weeks’ ago, I got this organised at least. With a wistful nod to our beautiful weekend in Venice (did it really happen?), we will be quaffing Prosecco. The helpful wine merchant is also going to provide glasses. Phew.

Tea? A quick word with the ‘facilities manager’ at school – the wonderful Mr H – has secured me loan of the PTA’s water urn. A friend of a friend will lend me her collection of tea cups and saucers. I am on the scrounge for teapots – I have 2, but I’m not sure this will really be enough...

And cake. Cake for 120 people.

The Husband evacuated the children and left me in the kitchen this afternoon.

spot the rogue ingredient...

 I love him. (The Husband - not Gordon)

2 tray bake bakewell tarts, 2 traybake lemon drizzle and 1 tray of chocolate and walnut brownie (from Domestic Goddess) later and I feel calmer. And almost in control.

 Allotment Junkie is going to make some chocolate éclairs and ginger shortbread, and some of my lovely friends are going to bake 12 cupcakes each to fill 46 cupcake holes in my Lakeland cupcake stands.

I have been stashing smoked salmon when it's come up cheap and so there will be sandwiches. There will also be puff pastry swirl things - something a friend showed me: very easy. I'll post about them later in the week...

 

Now, about the weather...