I went to my niece’s baby shower last weekend. A three-hour drive up and a three-hour drive home, all in one day. I didn’t mind, though, it was springy and the green landscape was nice to look at after the long winter.

When I arrived, after hugs and hellos, I feasted my eyes on the lovely “high tea” style spread my brother, Jack, the chef, had created.

It was all about tea sandwiches. Or as we plebeians might say, finger sandwiches.

Tea sandwiches are dainty and light, each piece being a quarter of a regular sandwich. The mostly white bread they were made with had the crusts neatly cut off and they were all different shapes: square, triangular, oblong. Also round mini rolls for the “Coronation Chicken Salad,” (yes, that is a real recipe. It was created for the Queen’s coronation luncheon in 1953) and oblong mini lobster rolls.

Not very hearty one might say. But have one or two of each type, trust me you will be very full. A bit deceptive in that way, those little sandwiches.

It was a fun way to eat. My favorite was the grilled gruyere cheese with smoked salmon.

There were, of course, the classic cucumber sandwiches and watercress sandwiches.

Also, there were deviled eggs, spinach quiche and a crudite of slivered Belgian endive, blanched fiddleheads and various other vegetables with a homemade green goddess dressing dip.

A fruit salad served in a watermelon resembling a baby bassinet was complete with a cantaloupe baby.

For dessert we had three-layer coconut cake and key lime tarts.

Oh, let’s not forget the mimosas. Probably not a classic beverage for high tea, but that was OK with me.

That dainty meal kept me from needing dinner. I don’t know how the Royals do it.

— LUCY

So many questions.

A watermelon resembling a baby bassinet? With a cantaloupe baby inside? Seriously?

Weren’t you raised not to play with your food?

A baby shower but no baby food?

Wasn't green goddess dressing outlawed in 1965?

Did you tell your brother the chef he clearly has too much time on his hands?

Just one answer: The family that eats funny food and tea sandwiches together stays together.

— LOU

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