is coming to Bermuda. I would like to have a tea party for her, as we have never met. Please offer your suggestions. -- AW, Warwick Dear AW: The Japanese have a very beautiful tea ceremony where they whisk the tea leaves in a bowl with a little hot water. The aroma fills the air and whets the guests' appetite. The western world enjoys a much simpler flair, making tea in a teapot. Serve it with dainty sandwiches and tea cakes.

A lemon chiffon cake would top off this delightful tea for your daughter's new mother-in-law and will earn you some well deserved compliments.

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches 1 of an English cucumber (seedless) 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. dried dill weed 1 tbsp. salad cream (salad dressing) or mayonnaise 8 slices of very thin white bread 2 tbs softened butter CUT 16 paper-thin slices from the unpeeled cucumber, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for garnish. Peel remaining cucumber and cut into paper thin slices. In a small bowl toss slices with salt and dill weed. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes, stirring a few times. Trim crusts from bread slices. Spread one side of four slices with butter and spread one side of four slices with salad cream or mayonnaise. Press water out of the cucumber slices with your hand to drain excess liquid. Top the four buttered bread slices with cucumbers. Place remaining bread slices on top, mayonnaise side down. Press lightly. Cut each sandwich diagonally into quarters.

Devilled Egg Tea Sandwiches 3 eggs, chopped 3 tbs. mayonnaise 1 tsp. yellow mustard 1 small rib of celery 1 tbsp. parsley 1 cup whipped cream cheese 9 slices of very thin whole-wheat bread PUT eggs, mayonnaise, mustard and celery in processor and blend until mixture is very fine. Put in bowl and mix with parsley that has been snipped into small pieces. Trim crusts from bread slices. Lightly spread one side of each slice with cream cheese. Spread the egg mixture on cream cheese side of six slices. Stack two slices, egg side up. Top with another slice, cream cheese side down. Gently press sandwich together. Repeat to make three sandwiches in all. Cut each sandwich stack into four slices. Serve cut side up.

Curried Chicken Tea Sandwiches 1 5-oz. can of chunk chicken 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tsp. applesauce 1 tsp. curry powder 10 slices very thin white bread 10 slices very thin whole-wheat bread IN a small bowl, mix first four ingredients. With a fancy cookie cutter, cut two shapes from each bread slice. Spread chicken mixture on the whole-wheat shapes, using two teaspoons per sandwich. Top with white bread shapes. Garnish with thin slices of radish if desired.

After preparing these sandwiches, line cookie sheets or jelly roll pans with damp paper towels. Place tea sandwiches in pan or on sheets. Cover with damp paper towels to keep bread from drying. Cover pans or sheets with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chocolate Dipped Fruit Whole fresh strawberries Chunks of fresh pineapple Dried apricots Maraschino cherries (with stems) 6 1-oz. squares semi-sweet chocolate RINSE strawberries with running cold water, but do not remove stems. Pat dry fruit. In a small heavy saucepan over low heat, melt semi-sweet chocolate until smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat when thoroughly melted.

Dip fruit in chocolate, leaving part of each fruit uncovered. Shake off excess chocolate or gently scrape fruit across rim of saucepan, being careful not to scrape off too much chocolate. Place fruit on cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Dear Miss d'Arcy: Does baking soda really absorb odours in the refrigerator? -- HA, Flatts Dear HA: Yes, an open box of baking soda really does absorb odours, but don't expect one box to last a lifetime. You should change the box every three months. To keep track of the date, mark the box with the date you need to change it not the date you put it in the refrigerator. When you change your baking soda pour the outdated box down your kitchen sink to keep it fresh smelling.

Dear Miss d'Arcy: Can I use "lite'' foods in my diet? -- AG, Smiths Dear AG: You will have to speak to your dietitian. "Lite'' does not necessarily mean light in calories or light in sugar content.

If you have a question about cooking or grocery shopping which you would like Miss d'Arcy to answer in her column, please telephone Taste (295-5881 ext.

250) and leave a number where you may be reached. Miss d'Arcy regrets she cannot answer your questions personally.