He sets the items on a three-tiered silver plate, with finger sandwiches on the bottom and the top two layers with sweets.

WSJ: Tricks of the Trade: The Modern Tea Party

The dishwasher was full, so I washed the three pots, plate, utensils and such - taking another 15 minutes.

CNN: Blog: Getting by during the last week

Three bidders fought over the placemat-size still life, which depicts several golden-hued apples stacked on a white plate near some smaller, green fruit.

WSJ: Art Sellers Show Confidence