A Lenten Tea on Good Friday ~ 2010

*I know it is all very similar to what we have done in the past, however this blog is mainly a scrapbook (of sorts) for my children,  and a place for me to record what we have been up to, so I apologize if I seem repetitive.  :)  

Our oldest three children, who were all sick on Holy Thursday, were very pleased that we were having another Lenten Tea for our meal on Good Friday.  It was originally inspired by Alice and very similar to the one we had last year.

Hubby read from the Bible (Mark chapter 15) while I served each item:

~ The Water Bowl ~

My children wanted to use the bowl to wash their hands, instead of using the water to drink.

"Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, "I am innocent of this righteous man's blood."  Matthew 27: 24

~ The King's Crown ~

I used Tostitos"Scoops" once again...

... in addition to a bean dip "Crown"

"And Pilate asked Him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And He answered him, 'You have said so.'" Mark 15: 2

~ Out of Envy ~

Guacamole goes perfectly with the above two items!

"[H]e perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered Him up." Mark 15: 10

~ The Purple Cloak ~

This year I remembered to purchase purple fruit leather.

"And they clothed Him in a purple cloak . . . ." Mark 15: 17

~ The Crown of Thorns ~

I KNOW I purchased Ritz crackers and pretzels, but I can NOT find them! Thankfully I still had some Rice Crackers left over from Holy Thursday and used Rice Krispies for the thorns. 

". . . and, plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him." Mark 15: 17

~ Golgotha Eggs ~

In addition to using the Rice Krispies above, I was inspired to dye our Golgotha Eggs this year by Eileen, who has been doing this Tea for their Good Friday meal for years now.  It took a little bit more time, but my children really enjoyed drawing the sculls and dying the eggs.

"And they brought Him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull)" Mark 15: 22

~ The Seamless Garment ~

Once again, flour tortillas and cheese cubes were quick and easy.  My children ended up making themselves each a burrito with the bean dip, guacamole, and tomatoes. 

"But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.'" John 19: 23-24

~ The Two Robbers ~

I didn't have any luck finding fresh Basil, and I didn't even have any Spinach this year, so I just served each child 2 Baby Carrots to represent the two Robbers.  Maybe one of these years I will actually be able to use Basil.. If not perhaps Pesto Bruschetta would work well!

And with Him they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left." Mark 15: 27

~ Vinegar to Drink ~

"And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying 'Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.'" Mark 15: 36

~ The Roman Centurion ~

Like last year, I cut 50 tomatoes in half, to represent the 100 Roman Centurion.  We still had leftovers.

"And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God.'" Mark 15: 39

~ The Temple Curtain ~

This was a new (to us) addition this year, and when Hubby read the verse bible verse, each of the children tore their napkin in half.

"And God.'" Mark 15: 39

~ Laid in the Tomb ~

Like last year, I made muffins and filled the middle with a little jam.

"And he brought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb."

You can visit Cottage Blessings for the Bible readings, recipes and shopping list.

And when I was making the cards for our Holy Thursday Tea, I also created small card stock signs for each of the dishes in our Good Friday Tea as well, including the short Bible quotes Alice provided. I uploaded the document I made, in case anyone would like a copy.

A Lenten Tea on Holy Thursday ~ 2010

We had another Lenten Tea (inspired by Cottage Blessings) this afternoon, just like we did last year on Holy Thursday.  I had to make a few modifications, in addition to serving chicken broth and crackers to our oldest three who were very sick today,  but it was still nice.  I was disapointed that we weren't able to go to Mass, but I'm just hoping that everyone is healthy again by Sunday!

(Note:  I omitted the "Palm on the Road" this year since I could NOT find Hearts of Palm anywhere.  I've been looking for weeks. . .  I should have just ordered some from Amazon, but then I really didn't need 12 cans!)  

Here is what was included in the menu this year:

~ Costly Oil ~

"And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Mk. 14: 9

~ Thirty Pieces of Silver ~

I served rice crackers once again, this time opting for "Toasted Sesame."

"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver him to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver." Mt. 25: 14-15

~ Unleavened Bread ~

For this we used Multigrain Pita Bread, cut into wedges.

"And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to Him, 'Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?'" Mk. 14: 12

~ The Mount of Olives ~

Once again this was a HUGE hit!!

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Mk. 14: 26

~ The Cock Crows Twice ~

This year, instead of sandwiches, I made mini Chicken Wraps with Chicken Breast, Cream Cheese, Lettuce and Tomatoes, wrapped in a green Spinach Wrap.  (I tried to incorporate the color green when possible since Holy Thursday is also known as Green Thursday.) 

"And Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.'" Mk. 14: 30

~ Gethsemane Figs ~

This year we had Fig Newmans instead of Newtons...

"And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I pray.'" Mk. 14: 32

~ Judas' Kiss ~

This year I served the children one little Hershey Kiss each, wrapped in green. 

"And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, 'Master!' And he kissed him." Mk. 14: 45

~ The Clouds of Heaven ~

A little cloud of whip cream for on top of the Fig Cookies.

"And Jesus said, 'I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.'" Mk. 14: 62

~ Peter's Tears ~

I didn't have any luck getting my children to try the Tic-Tacs last year, so I opted for Altoids. 

Chiquita couldn't wait to try one...  However, she wasn't interested when I offered her a second! ;)

"And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, 'Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' And he broke down and wept." Mk. 14: 72

This year I was able to create small card stock signs for each of the dishes, including the short Bible quotes Alice provided. I thought they made a nice addition.  I uploaded the document I made, in case anyone would like a copy.

I hope you all had a very blessed Holy Thursday!

An Afternoon Tea on Candlemas Day

And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,  he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,  "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;  for mine eyes have seen thy salvation  which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."  And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;  and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against  (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."  And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,  and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.  And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. ~ Luke 2:22-40

Here is what was included in our Candlemas Tea, inspired by Alice at Cottage Blessings:

~ White Cocoa with Pure Hearts ~

My children are not that fond of tea, though I do keep trying... :)  

However, for today, I decided to serve White Cocoa topped with Whipped Cream and Strawberry Marshmallow hearts, representing the purity of both Mary and St. Joseph.

~ Water ~ 

With a pair of turtledoves perched on the handle! 

~ A Pair of Turtledoves ~

Using a lovely Tasha Tudor Dove Cookie Cutter that my sister-in-law sent me for Christmas, I made Dove Shaped PB&J Sandwiches. 

~ Holy Simeon's Arms ~

These mini pretzel's symbolize arms folded in prayer. 

~ Piercing Swords ~

I couldn't seem to find the cocktail swords that I know I have around here somewhere, but swords can always be found in my boys bedroom! ;) 

~ Anna the Prophetess ~ 

Since I didn't want to go to the store to search for the Mallomars that Alice suggested, especially since I was already serving plenty of cookies, Captain suggested using Black Olives.  (The black symbolizes the fact that Anna was a widow.)

~ Edible Candles ~

These were really quite easy and fun to make, 

not to mention delicious! 

All-powerful Father, Christ your Son became man for us and was presented in the temple. May he free our hearts from sin and bring us into your presence. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Tea in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Inspired, once again, by Alice's amazing Liturgical Teas, we enjoyed A Tea in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe this past Wednesday evening, on the feast of St. Juan Diego.

Some of my children had made Tilmas at last weeks Homeschool Craft Day, but those that didn't worked on making theirs while the others colored and cut out Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego Paper Dolls as I prepared the tea and we all listened to Fresh Flowers in Winter: The Story of Saint Juan Diego.

Here is what was included in the menu:

~ Aztec Chocolate ~

Mexican Hot Cocoa with Mini Marshmallows, while praying for the many innocent lives that were sacrificed by the Aztecs.


~ St. Juan Diego's Sombrero ~

Pringles with a little round of string cheese
My children LOVED these and they were so easy!


~ Tepayac Hill ~

I forgot to pick up Guacamole or Potato Salad as suggested and so I resorted to using a package of Idahoan Instant Baby Red Mashed Potatoes. It worked. :)


~ A Woman Clothed with the Sun ~

Instead of Alice's Recipe, I made Pampered Chef's Touchdown Taco Dip:
1 can refried beans, topped with 1 package cream cheese mixed with 1 cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and then topped with cheddar cheese.
(The recipe calls for green onions, diced tomatoes, and olives on the very top after it bakes, but I omitted them for the "Sun")


~ A Mantle of Stars ~

46 stars to represent the 46 constellations that would have appeared in the sky on the night of Our Lady's December 12th apparition to St. Juan Diego.

I found these star cookies at Target. I also ran across Star Marshmallows, Star Candies, and even Star shaped Baby Food Puffs, so there were lots of options!

Also, this was A LOT of Cookies -- almost all went back in the package to save for Christmas. Next year I think I will serve only 12 for Our Lady's "Crown of 12 Stars."


~ Crescent Moons ~

Crescent shaped biscotti!
If I make this tea again, I would probably substitute these for small crescent shaped croissants filled with chicken salad or something, though the biscotti was perfect for dipping into that hot cocoa!


~ Supporting Angels ~

Since I used the Lindt Angels for our Jesse Tea, I purchased these for this one. Aren't they so cute! My girls were especially thrilled and have been "saving" theirs! ;)


~ Praying Hands ~

Praying Hand shaped tea sandwiches, pointing towards the baby Jesus!


~ The Tilma of Roses ~

My children *LOVED* these!!
I did fold them up after taking photos and before serving, and let the children unfold them to find the "roses."


~ Bishop Zumarraga's Miter ~

These miter cookies were leftover from the feast of St. Nicholas and made such a great little addition to the tea!


~ Crushed Serpents ~

~ "Build Me a Church" ~

~ Roses from Heaven Punch ~

For the punch I just used a bottle of Raspberry Spritzer

and added scoops of Raspberry Sherbet.


There were quite a few sweets included in this tea, so I postponed serving the "Build me a Church" and the Roses from Heaven Punch until the next day, which ended up being the perfect time to read The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie de Paola and Our Lady of Guadalupe by Father Lovasik.


Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, intercede for the Church, protect the Holy Father, help all who invoke you in their necessities. Since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the Grace of a firm faith and sure hope amid the bitterness of life, as well as an ardent love and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.