Ever dreamed of having a Victorian-style backyard garden tea party with little finger sandwiches, fresh fruits and cheeses, homemade jams and crumpets, tiny desserts, and sweet tea served in jelly jars? I would’ve loved to have had one!

I was in to “Victorian” years ago when I had a Victorian-style farmhouse back in Indiana that I fixed up. I had a HUGE front porch that our family, friends, and all of the neighborhood kids used to gather with us on to spend the afternoon or evening!

Us adults would sit on the front porch with assorted libations, while the kids would play and do gymnastics in the front yard by the Golden Delicious apple tree that I planted. 

But I most would’ve loved to have created one in the backyard when I was a little girl! I loved those long, hot days of summer that never ended!

Afternoons of hours upon hours laying in the warm grass with the hot sun baking my skin and turning it golden shades of brown, just watching the ants build their little towns and imagine all sorts of creatures passing by in the puffy white cotton candy clouds above!

Those were the days, weren’t they? Not a care in the world. 

Every single day a new adventure of climbing trees, collecting golden buttercups and sweet purple thistles, building secret forts out of mama’s blankets and quilts, and serious contests of who could jump the farthest, run the fastest, win at hopscotch, and pick up the most jacks were the day’s only tasks!

And when a neighbor got a new fridge…OH BOY!…you can be sure that there was soon to be a 5-cent lemonade or Kool-Aid stand opening soon! 😉 There was never a single throw-away thing that all us kids in the neighborhood couldn’t take and make something out of that meant the world to us!

Simpler, more innocent times can still be had. By young and old alike!

Something as plain and simple as a glass of tea can create a whole new adventure when served in the backyard on a quilt, in jelly jar glasses, laying on our backs and watching the clouds pass by!

No iphones, no texting, no radios blasting, and no shoes allowed! 😉 🙂  Just the sound of the breeze blowing through the leaves on the trees, the birds singing, and the occasional buzzing of a bumblebee passing by.

Talk of fun times, plans, and dreams still to come! They are all still there if you just take the time to remember and make them new again!   

So whip up a pitcher of this sweet, fruity tea, invite your best friend over into the backyard, lay back upon a blanket spread out on the cool grass, and simply just relax and let your mind wander and dream!

Life is just too short not to! 😉 🙂 You have the whole entire summer ahead to enjoy! Don’t let it slip away! 😉   

VICTORIAN FARMHOUSE RASPBERRY~CRANBERRY JELLY JAR ICED TEA

Makes 10 cups

5 tea bags

2 cups boiling water

1/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cup sugar

3 cups cold water

5 cups Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry Juice

ice cubes for jars, optional

fresh lemon slices for garnish, optional

fresh mint leaves for garnish, optional

10 ( 8-12 oz.) clean jelly jars, ( 8 oz. without ice, 12 oz. if serving over ice)

DIRECTIONS: 

In large 4-cup glass measuring pitcher, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Remove, stir in baking soda, add tea bags poking them down, and cover with a plate. Steep for 30 minutes. Remove tea bags to the plate. Stir in sugar until dissolved.  

To a 3 quart glass pitcher, add 3 cups cold water. Add steeped sweet tea concentrate and 5 cups Cran-Raspberry juice. Stir to mix. Chill.

(*Never add tea first! Hot liquids can shock and crack glass!) 

Serve in clean jelly jars over ice if desired. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and sprigs of mint leaves for a fun, backyard Victorian Tea Party!   

*Note: Cut back on the sugar if an old-fashioned-style southern sweet tea is not desired.