Thursday, July 16, 2009

PETER RABBIT TEA PARTY

Taking Time for Tea with your children is a great way to teach them some special manners and how to quiet down and have a nice conversation with adults.



I have several "out of print" books that are especially fun which you might look for on ebay, etc. I wish they would reprint Peter Rabbit's Cookery Book. Beatrix would love that!




My little Bee Teaset is from my store and just right - although sadly no cups and saucers...but not to worry as we can always find those!



And what could be better than some Chamomile Honey and Lemon Tea from the Metropolitan Tea Company!

Take time this summer to go out in the garden and have tea with the little ones!



Tuesday, July 14, 2009

GARDEN BIRDHOUSE FROM A FRIEND



So my friend Kathilee gave me this
incredible birdhouse for my garden.


Monday, July 13, 2009

SELMA'S LEMON CHESS AFTERNOON TEA TARTS

Back in the 1970's, my friend, Selma Jones of Seaford, Virginia put a recipe in the Warwick Assembly of God Cookbook for "Lemon Chess Pie".



This is a southern pie made from staples in the kitchen. Now, Selma's very name absolutely drips of southern charm and believe me she has the accent to go with it! I got to see Selma a couple of years ago when she and her husband came to see me for a few minutes at the airport while I was waiting for my flight back to Colorado Springs. She was just as delightful as ever......



Did you know you can tell the great cookbooks by the food spilled on their covers? I know because I have used this cookbook for close the 30 years! Last year I originally did this post on my first blog at Word press but I am now re posting it here. I took Selma's pie recipe and changed it into Lemon Chess Afternoon Tea Tarts. They are very simple and you will love them!
To make the dough for the tarts: this will make 24 tarts: 2 cups sifted flour, 1 tsp salt, 3/4 cup Crisco, 5 Tb ice water
Combine all ingredients to make a nice dough in a medium bowl. I prefer to take a little dough and roll it into a ball in the palm of my hand and then press it into the mini muffin tin making sure the bottom of each tart is covered but not to thick.
The tart filling will fill 24 shells and I had enough left over to pour into 2 creme brulee dishes. The creme brulee dishes should stay in the oven 5 minutes longer than the tarts.
To make the tarts: 1 1/2 cups sugar (this can be reduced if you prefer), 1 Tb flour, 1 Tb cornmeal, 4 eggs, 1/4 cup melted butter,1/4 cup milk plus 2Tb fresh lemon juice and I added the zest of 2 lemons. Combine the sugar, flour, cornmeal and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and beat until blended. Pour into 24 (mini muffin) tart shells Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees- the tops will be golden.

  I just put a dab of raspberry jam on each "after the fact" but you might put it on before baking. These tarts were so easy because more than likely you already have all the ingredients in your pantry.

Friday, July 10, 2009

MY CHILDHOOD TEASET AND DOLL

When I was a little girl I made mud pies outside with this blue willow teaset.....yes mudpies! If you speak with a lady who had a teaset during the 1950's - it was almost always a blue willow teaset.(See the legend of the blue willow on this blog.)


My 50's Sweet Sue Bride doll:



The pink and green set was one I found
in a junk shop in Wyoming.