1. Peel cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise. Remove seeds with a small teaspoon.

2. Cut each cucumber into paper-thin slices.

3. Salt and pepper cucumber slices, then set aside.

4. In a small bowl, cream the butter with a wooden spoon and mix in the mayonnaise.

5. Choose a small cookie cutter (heart-shaped or scalloped edged round cutters work well). Cut shapes from the bread, making certain to cut an even number of pieces for tops and bottoms.

6. Lightly coat one side of each piece of bread with the butter-mayo mixture.

7. Squeeze the cucumbers in a tea towel to remove any excess liquid.

8. Spread the cucumbers on half of the bread cutouts. Cover with the remaining bread cutouts to form a tea sandwich.