Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

CHECKING OUT THE FOOD BLOGS

2012-01-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

I took a few minutes - well actually several hours - and went down my list of food blogs on the lower right! There are fabulous recipes there! Don't miss them - I printed out a pile of recipes myself!

These blogs are all great........but don't miss the Sticky Thai Chicken Recipe at Wives With Knives

FIRESIDE TEA FOR ONE - FOR "FRIENDS SHARING TEA"

2012-01-24T11:47:00.001-07:00

The wind begins to howl

as the trees in rhythm bend -

a copper kettle whistles on

as heat my wood stove sends.

A cozy spot is set nearby

where warmth is found in measure

with quiche and salad waiting there

and a teapot full of treasure!

Bernideen Canfield

The song "In The Bleak Midwinter" comes to mind lately! My yard is so brown and dreary. We need moisture here in Colorado and I am well aware I will need to water on some warmer days to feed any perennials that cry out for a drink of water. I think I lost perennials here for years because I failed to understand that.

If you would like to join me each week for Friends Sharing Tea - please put my logo button at right on your blog!

The recipe for the quiche is so easy:

Preheat oven to325 degrees. Boil a bunch of brocolli till tender-
about 1 1/2 cups chopped - drain - set aside

Butter a pyrex glass pie plate. In a medium bowl, mix together 1 cup bisquick baking mix, 1 cup milk, 2/3 cup sour cream, 2 eggs 1/2tsp salt, 1 cup colby cheese and 2/3 cup sour cream.
Bake for 1 hour.

If you have something to link from your blog about tea, a tea party you are planning or your own collection of tea sets, etc - please link below:

"BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE" - Time for Tea Inside and "Quilter's Brew"

2012-01-23T10:10:00.006-07:00

With winter in full swing, this is a time for indoor activities. Our former snows have melted but more is expected tomorrow. Those of us who miss gardening turn to other hobbies and interests during the winter. For some of you, it might be curling up next to the fireplace with a great book. Some love sewing, knitting or crocheting. For those who love to cook and/or bake, we welcome the extra warmth our ovens create in the kitchen. Perhaps your passion is needlework, cross stitch or quilting. I have one of those large plastic storage boxes full of old table cloths and crochet just waiting to be reintroduced into new lives as tote bags, purses and mantle scarfs.

Regardless of what you love to do - you will enjoy this recipe from an old 1985 issue of Southern Living Recipes. You can make some Quilter's Brew....or rename this accordingly "Reader's Brew" or "Sewer's Brew" or whatever........

Quilter's Brew (as recipe originally was published)

9 cups of water, 9 small teabags with paper tags removed

spice bag: 12 to 14 whole allspice, 8 whole cloves, peel from 1/2 large orange, cut into small strips

Lastly: 2 cups water, 1 12 oz can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey

1980 Instructions: Pour 9 cups water into a 12 cup percolator. Combine

next 4 ingredients in percolator basket. Perk through complete cycle of electric percolator. When percolating is completed, remove the basket. Add the remaining ingredients to tea mixture;stir. Heat thoroughly. Yield: 13 cups. Nora Hendrix, Augusta, Georgia

IN THE 1980's, percolators were still very popular - not anymore. You can make this tea on top of your stove in a pot using a paper filter such as a T-Sac bag for the spices, a large 3" infuser or even a fabric spice sachet bag. Bring 9 cups of water to a boil, steep black tea bags 4-5 minutes with spices. Remove spice container and proceed with other ingredients. When done, keep warm on stove. Pour some into a prewarmed teapot.

Sandi, at Tea Time Tuesday is having a 2nd Anniversary Celebration so please visit her blog: Rose Chintz Cottage

and Kathy at A Delightsome Life

SUNDAY CELEBRATION

2012-01-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

I Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat,or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

CELEBRATING BEATRIX POTTER'S GARDEN

2012-01-20T13:52:00.001-07:00

We are all so thrilled to find the Early Spring issue of Country Gardens with a special feature on Beatrix Potter's lovely country Lake District Garden, known as Hilltop Farm. You definitely will want a copy of this!

As many of you know, a few years back I began the process of turning my small backyard into a Beatrix Potter Tea Garden. This article is very informative regarding the types of flowers that Beatrix planted and her personal garden skills.

There is a list of her favorites and I find they are mine as well! I love the informal style framed by boxwoods. I know that many of my customers and blogging friends have been to Hilltop Farm. I would love to visit! My garden pictured below from 2011:

CHOOSING A THEME FOR YOUR TEA PARTY - THOUGHTS FOR "FRIENDS SHARING TEA"

2012-01-18T13:48:00.003-07:00

Today is "Friends Sharing Tea" and if you have a post about tea on your blog please link below and join in the fun! I want to talk about choosing a theme for your Tea Party:

Most Tea Parties focus on the time of the year when they occur, or regarding the "group" they are for or birthdays, baby showers or bridal showers. This makes it pretty easy . Colors come to mind for each season too. The month of January is time to celebrate new beginnings. February we think of Valentines Day. It doesn't just have to be about romance. A Valentine Friendship Tea works very well. March, April and May bring us Spring, Easter and St. Patrick's Day. Summertime is perfect for out of doors garden teas and 4th of July Celebrations which work well on porches and patios as well. Fall with all it's splendor of colors and pumpkins and then Christmas and Snowmen..... even Cabin Fever winter tea

So you see, the year is filled with OPPORTUNITY for tea.

You might like to have a tea for little girls which focuses on the story of Anne of Green Gables....I just enjoyed watching this movie with my grandaughter and was reminded of it's charm and delight!

Actually the list of possibilites for other teas are endless....according to your own personal interests. Are you a quilter or someone who travels? You can dream up lots of ways to implement those things into a tea! Do you dream of a trip to Paris? Go there - at your tea party!

WHILE IT SNOWS OUTSIDE - HAVE SOME TEA INSIDE!

2012-01-17T09:40:00.001-07:00

I love the fact that Tea Time can be all year long! It is snowing today in Colorado Springs and my thoughts turn to plans for my next tea event. I always have a tea around Valentines Day. These snowy days can be perfect opportunities for you to pull out your tea books and organize ideas for your menu, decorations, teapot selections and theme.

As most of you know, I have a store loaded with tea and tea accouterments. I have been so interested in tea for a very long time but as always, I tell people you don't have to have the finest of everything to begin! Start with what you have! Remember you can take a plain white teapot and do a lot with it by just buying wired ribbon in a few colors. I suggest red wired ribbon will work for both Christmas and upcoming VALENTINES DAY!

Some of your RED Christmas items can work for Valentines Day easily! Always have your eyes pealed at garage sales for possible further tea party decorum. I think in turns of Valentines, Easter/Spring, Fall and Christmas. You might also like St. Patrick's Day, etc.

If you have never given a Tea Party, start smaller and consider a tea buffet. This is so much easier and you will just be restocking the buffet, instead of serving at a table. Try to arrange your finger foods at levels by stacking your cake plates on top of one another!
Also, something CHOCOLATE is a MUST HAVE FOR A VALENTINE TEA!

I am linking today to: Tea Time Tuesday and A Delightsome Life

BACK IN THE OLD ROUTINE

2012-01-16T10:33:00.002-07:00

I am happy to be through my long, long drive home yesterday from Missouri! I had a wonderful time with my grandkids and son for a week of baking and cooking in their household. I probably spoiled the grandkids by picking them up after school with homemade cookies waiting the the back seat of the car! I am glad my Daughter in Law arrived home safely from her trip to Ghana.

On the way home I was very sorry to see some signs of our bad economy. The antiques shops in Ellis, Kansas - ALL gone! I was so saddened. I always stop where a dear lady imports from Scotland and she was gone. Earlier, I realized the Smokey Hill Vineyard, near Salina, Kansas had been up for sale and all their outlets were closing. I was hoping to get some Sweet Lady Apple Wine for a recipe they had posted several years ago in the Kansas Visitors Guide for Sweet Lady SCONES. I am very sad about our economy and how businesses are being impacted.

On one positive note: A purchased what I consider a wonderful fundamental cookbook for only $19.88 at Barnes and Noble in Columbia, Missouri - with my card 10% more off. Too bad I din't have that 15% off coupon with me too!

I'm back in the saddle again.............

BREAK FROM POSTING

2012-01-07T16:53:00.001-07:00

Just letting my blogging friends know - break time is here! I will be taking a little blogging break! I am currently helping with my Grandkids in Missouri while my daughter-in-law takes students on a health service assignment trip to Africa. I have been cooking and baking cookies up a storm! I will return to blogging next week.

MORNING TEA MOMENTS FOR "FRIENDS SHARING TEA"

2012-01-04T10:44:00.003-07:00

I seem to always be "on the go". This year I begin my 25th year of owning my gift shop. I notice that so many bloggers are Homemakers and I can only "dream" of the extra time that would give one to post. I did make a New Year's Resolution to find more time for posting this year....

Regardless of how busy I am - there is always TIME FOR TEA. This morning I pulled out a few tiny little tea books and began to enjoy some English Breakfast Tea. We still have some snow in our backyard. Looking out at the scampering squirrels in the morning is a daily routine.

I love putting honey in my tea and since I have my own line of food products-a jar of honey comes home.

Last weekend I made another Bacardi Rum Cake and you can find that recipe here: http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/bacardi-rum-cake.html

I have many other blogging friends who love tea too and they are invited to link below! Now that we are in the midst of winter - we are taking our tea very seriously on these cold days.

Please link if you have something to share about tea! I am also linking to Tea Time Tuesday and also A Delightsome Life and

Tea on Tuesday

2012 AND NEW BEGINNINGS!

2011-12-31T16:16:00.001-07:00

PHOTO REFLECTIONS FROM 2011

2011-12-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

January: Meyer Lemon Marmalade

February: Heart Shaped Cherry Scones

March: Blarney Scones

April: French Lemon Tart

May: Tea in the Garden

June: Table Setting

July: New Patio Tea Cart

August: Tea in the Garden

September: Fall Tea Sets

October: Morning Time for Tea

November: Holiday Scones

December: Snowlady Tea Party

AFTER CHRISTMAS TEA SCENES FOR "FRIENDS SHARING TEA"

2011-12-27T14:35:00.001-07:00

I leave all my Christmas Decorations out for several weeks - after all the work, I am in no hurry to put them away! This Christmas was very busy as it always is since I am in retail. I wrapped so many packages for customers - you wouldn't believe.

The same goes for my teapots and teasets! I especially love my Nutcracker Teapot:

We always leave tea out for Santa too! He needed a little caffeine after all that milk!

If you have something to share about tea - please link below! No non tea related links please!

I am also linking to some other blogging friends at A Delightsome Life and Rose Chintz Cottage!

WHAT DID YOU COOK/BAKE FOR CHRISTMAS?

2011-12-26T10:08:00.004-07:00

I was happy to stay home Christmas Day and spend it in my kitchen! First off, I baked my Lovely Lemon Pound Cake:

I have one of those Emeril Lagasse Enamel Dutch Oven's. I love it and it works so well for Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon from "Mastering The Art of French Cooking":

I also made a Creamy Fruit Salad. I took it out of the mold too early though and it fell - no photos to show that one! But did it get eaten? Of course! Really, the Congealed Salad should have been made first - not last! We had sat around in our pajamas and time flies when you do that - right!

Pound cakes are wonderful at satisfying the sweet tooth and get better each day after they are made!

You will need these ingredients which you probably already have on hand: 2 sticks of butter at room temperature, 3 cups of sugar, 5 eggs, 3 cups sifted flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 cup of milk, 3 Tb lemon extract (yes this is correct) For the topping you will need 1 cup powdered sugar, 5 Tb lemon juice and the zest of 2 lemons

Grease with Crisco and flour a bundt cake pan!

#1 In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugar with a mixer adding the eggs and continuing to beat and now adding the milk

#2 In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and lemon extract

#3 Combine the second ingredients to the first mixing well

#4 Pour the batters in the prepared bundt pan

#5 put in the middle of a cold oven and bake for 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees. Anotherwords -turn the oven on when you put the cake in it! Last time I baked this cake I preheated - but really - it is better to put it in without doing that! You will cover the top with loose foil after 1 hour to protect the cake from over browning!

A LOVELY GLAZE: Combine the powdered sugar and the

lemon juice stirring together and put 1/2 of the zest in the bowl and reserved the rest to sprinkle on top of the cake. If the mix is too thick - add a little more lemon juice

MORE SNOW FOR THE SNOWLADY FOR "FRIENDS SHARING TEA"

2011-12-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

LAST NIGHT it snowed about 4 inches at our house and more is expected tomorrow night. I was really happy as it makes things seem so much more Christmasy and white.

Needless to say, my Snowlady was so delighted she had a cup of tea to celebrate! I am hoping now to have some more time this week for "personal baking" and cooking. There are so many things I want to make......more to come on this!

I already had the teapot and cream and sugar....but when a customer failed to picked up 2 cups and saucers at my store - THEY WERE MINE! We have been sold out and so is the company so I am delighted to have just two!

I do hope all my tea blogging friends will join me for Friends Sharing Tea by linking below at the bottom of this post.

This is definitely a case of "the weather outside was frightful, but the fire is so delightful".......

I wish you a very Merry Christmas............I am also linking to two blogging friends: Kathy at A Return to Loveliness and Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

SNOWLADY TEA PARTY FOR "FRIENDS SHARING TEA"

2011-12-14T11:28:00.002-07:00

Welcome to Friends Sharing Tea and I do hope you will join me by linking a special TEA POST below! My Snowlady invites you to join her for her very own teaparty:

I hope you are enjoying getting ready for the holidays, baking, listening to the beautiful Christmas music and wrapping packages!

This Christmas has been a bit of a struggle for our family as my Mother-in-Law passed away last week - that is as a Christian we say she went home to be with the Lord. My husband has been in Iowa and I have been very shorthanded in my store which of course is much busier this time of year. Both of the dear ladies helping me have been ill but came to work to help.

I have been running in every direction and making plenty of messes along the way. My Snowlady says " Slow down and enjoy a cup of tea". This is good advice for all of us!

Snowlady was so excited when the newest issue of Tea Time arrived and she recommended a Fireside Tea which is in the issue!

If you have something to share about tea - please link below and have a wonderful week!

"FRIENDS SHARING TEA" MOVES TO WEDNESDAYS

2011-12-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have had requests from so many bloggers saying they don't post on the weekend - I am moving "Friends Sharing Tea" to Wednesdays and hoping that will help! Hope you have a great week and can join me Wednesday with anything about TEA!

"CHRISTMAS PRESENT" for FRIENDS SHARING CHRISTMAS TEA

2011-12-09T13:16:00.001-07:00

What better time of the year for tea than Christmas?

Welcome to my home and the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas filling the air! Time to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus!

This years tree is a White Fir like the last 2 years - this seems to be our favorite type of tree.

I have invited other "tea blogging friends" to join in the celebration and they will link below! I hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season and take time to relax with tea!

I love Nicole Sayre and added a new angel to my collection:

We have a wood burning stove insert which can heat our whole house! We love a nice warm fire!

Thank you for visiting "Friends Sharing Tea"!

Please link below and join me if you have a special post for "Friends Sharing Tea".

VERY EASY CHRISTMAS GIFT LABELS

2011-12-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

After looking at some labels for Christmas packages I thought it would be easy fun to make my own! Here is all there is to it:

Copy some photos from your blog photo gallery or others in your computer photo format in the "wallet" size. I didn't want to use all my ink up so I just put 6 photos in the wallet size on white paper and took a pen and drew them into a label. I took these to Office Depot to have them copied on card stock. I got a pretty tin to put the finished labels in....

I punched a hole in each and ran some fun sparkle Christmas Wire through them and see - how EASY - SIMPLE AND FUN!

I made some for the grandkids with their pictures and other ones with tea themes and even more for my business with my decorated store front picture!

CHRISTMAS PAST AND COMING SOON....CHRISTMAS PRESENT

2011-12-06T10:40:00.001-07:00

This week, I AM IN THE PROCESS of decorating my home for Christmas so I today I am sharing some "Christmas Past" photos today :

Some of my decorations go back many years:

I will be sharing a new Nicole Angel with you this weekend for "Friends Sharing Tea". I love the art of Nicole Sayre! I love collecting angels....

I got this Nativity Set over 20 years ago when I had my store in Spring, Texas. Many people used to take their family pictures in front of it in front of my store......Does anyone remember?

On Tuesdays (although I seem to get there late) I link to two other bloggers: Kathy at A Delightsome Life With a Return to Loveliness and Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

For me...Christmas is clearly the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

CHRISTMAS PAST AND COMING SOON....CHRISTMAS PRESENT

2011-12-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

I AM IN THE PROCESS of decorating my home for Christmas so i today |i am sharing some "Christmas Past" photos:

On Tuesdays (although I seem to get there late) I link to two other bloggers: Kathy at A Delightsome Life With a Return to Loveliness and Rose chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

YE OLDE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS TEA EVENT AT "BERNIDEEN'S"

2011-12-03T16:33:00.003-07:00

I had fully intended to take pictures of my event at my store today.....I baked all day yesterday. I always forget to take the pictures! You know how this happens! We had all sorts of things that were yummy at our OLDE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS TEA which was a special Christmas event at my store but here are a few photos I took earlier yesterday getting ready at my house:

Sugar Cookies with Ribbon Candy below:

Sugar Cookies with Ribbon Candy:

You will need to purchase one box of ribbon Candy!

Ingredients: 1 cup of butter, 1 tsp vanilla,1 ½ cups of sugar ( in high alt.

Decrease 1 1/2 Tb), 3 eggs, 3 1/2 cups sifted flour, 2 tsp cream of tartar,

1 tsp soda (in high alt reduce ¼ tsp), ½ tsp salt

This recipe will make 24 large or 36 med-large cookies or more smaller!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (400 high alt)

Cream butter & vanilla and add sugar gradually till fluffy. Add eggs

One at a time and beat after each. Sift dry ingredients together.

Add this to creamy mix. Chill for about 30 minutes

Roll on floured surface –sprinkle with candy which

Has been crushed with a mallet.

Cut to desired shapes and bake on ungreased sheet for

About 8 minutes. No need for icing here as the

Candy makes each cookie colorful!

I also made some wonderful Apple Cranberry Crisp with a carton of Aspen Mulling Spices in it!

Bernideen’s Aspen Mulling Spice

Apple Cranberry Crisp

For the Filling you will need:

1 Carton Original Aspen Mulling Spices, 5 Large Granny Smith Apples or other baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced, 1 cup chopped cranberries, 2 Tb Light Brown sugar, 2 Tb melted butter

For the Topping you will need:

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour, 1 cup rolled oats, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 1 ½ sticks of cold unsalted butter, cut into bits.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Make the filling by combining ingredients in bowl and put into 9 x 12 Rect ovenproof dish which has been buttered.

To make the topping: Combine all ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle over first mixture. I like pushing some of it down into the filling too! Bake 35- 40 minutes – watch for browning Let cool – it will thicken as it cools!

Then below, my Olde English Trifle with Devon Custard:

Here is the recipe:

Olde English Trifle

made with English Devon Custard

In a glass bowl or compote layer the following:

Split lady fingers turned sideways around the edge of the glass bowl or cubes of pound cake, fresh fruit of your choice or according to seasonal availability, raspberry jam and Devon Custard (repeat layers again to the top)

At the top of the bowl, pile on the lovely

**whipping cream (cool whip could work too) – maybe maraschino cherries on the very top!

**To 2 cups whipping cream – whip in ¼ cup of powdered sugar till stiff

I am also linking to French Country Cottage

I hope some other FRIENDS SHARING TEA will come link with me now! Please join in below if you have something special to link!

LEGEND OF THE ROBIN REDBREAST

2011-12-01T05:29:00.008-07:00

The Legend of Robin Redbreast

On that first Christmas, it is said, the night
was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the
stable was nearly out, and the Mother Mary worried
that her baby would be cold. she turned to the animals
about her and asked them for help.

"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the
fire might continue to keep my son warm?"

But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did
not hear her. Next, mary asked the donkey to breathe life
back into the fire, but the sleeping donkey did not hear
Mary either. Nor did the horse or sheep. She wondered what
to do.

Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking
up, she saw a plain, brown-coloured little robin fly into
the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals
and had come to help her himself. he went over to the dying
fire and flapped his wings hard.

His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air
onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He
continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the
ashes began to kindle.

With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks
and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly
burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red.
But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it
crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The
Baby Jesus slept happily.

Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done.
She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame,
and said "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed
reminder of your noble deed."

And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.

~From 'A Christmas Stocking' Louise Betts Egan

JOIN ME DECEMBER 10 - 11 for "FRIENDS SHARING CHRISTMAS TEA"

2011-11-30T05:09:00.007-07:00

I hope you will join me for December 10 - 11 with a Special Post
you have prepared! Simply copy this logo and place it on your blog.

Pull out those lovely dishes and get creative! Share a recipe, teapot or table setting! There will be a link for you to join in as there is every weekend.

CARL'S HOLIDAY SCONES

2011-11-29T10:41:00.003-07:00

I SAW THIS WONDERFUL RECIPE in the "Tea House Times Cookbook" and called Carl Povlick, Innkeeper at the Naeset-Roe Inn in Wisconsin to get permission to print the recipe on this blog! Carl was so sweet to let me! You know what great bakers Innkeepers are so are you ready for some Holiday Scones? Carl's are so lovely! You know those little plastic cartons of candied fruit at the grocery store? BUY ONE! You can visit Carl's Bed and Breakfast at naesetroe.com

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees: Here is what we your will need to make them:

2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder (reduce in high altitude to 1 1/2 tsp) , 1/8 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp all spice, 1 stick of cold unsalted butter, 1 large egg lightly beaten, 1 tsp almond extract, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 cup of candied fruit, chopped.

The egg mixture for brushing scones: 1 large egg, lightly beaten and 1 Tb heavy cream whisked together to brush on top before baking. Place rack in center of oven and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl sift cry ingredients. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with your hands or a pastry cutter. Work it until it looks like course crumbs. Add chopped fruit and the beaten egg,cream and almond extract.
Add this mixture to the flour mix. Stir with a fork until just combined. DO NOT OVER MIX.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead dough gently. Roll out and cut with a scones cutter. Parchment paper works great on top of your baking tray. Brush tops with egg and cream mixture. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve with jam, lemon curd, butter or my favorite - clotted cream!

I hope you have a started a collection of scone cutters in various sizes - they do come in handy!

I am linking today to Sandi on Prince Edward Island and also Kathy at "A Return to Loveliness" at A Delightsome Life

BAKING WINTER SQUASH: Butternut!

2011-11-28T13:23:00.002-07:00

Winter Squash is wonderful! These 2 butternut squashes make a tasty casserole that is easy to make. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Wash and cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and pulp (I feed these to the squirrels) and cut into pieces to boil in a large pot. When tender, remove and peel off the outer rind. Put the soft flesh in a large bowl and mash it. (should be about 3-4 cups) I use the pastry cutter.

Add to this:

1 cup sugar, 2 beaten eggs, 1/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix well and put in a buttered casserole dish.

The topping will go on next before it goes in your oven. Mix: 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 2 1/2 tsp melted butter and 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Sprinkle on top evenly. Now....Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

SUNDAY CELEBRATION

2011-11-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

From Psalm 103: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all his benefits...

A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS SALAD FOR "Friends Sharing Tea"

2011-11-25T18:14:00.002-07:00

Several friends have told me they are having an evening HIGH TEA DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. This is a complete multiple course meal with hot tea as the beverage. This salad would be wonderful on your menu!

Time to pull out all those lovely Christmas Recipes and enjoy the wonderful dishes of the season. Many years ago - actually back in the 70's - Marilyn Long of Des Moines, Iowa gave me this recipe. I just made it this week and was reminded of many wonderful Iowa memories. You will love it for it's color alone!

To make this congealed salad, you will need the following:

1 10 oz frozen raspberry package drained (reserve syrup)
2 3oz packages of raspberry jello
2 cups boiling water
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 6 oz can pink lemonade
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Thaw and drain the raspberries reserving the syrup. Dissolve the jello in boiling water, add ice cream by spoonful and stir in till melted. Stir in reserved raspberry syrup and lemonade. Pour into a ring mold. Chill until partly set. Add raspberries and nuts. Chill till firm. Turn out on a favorite plate on cake stand.

This has been a busy week in the USA with Thanksgiving. A whole lot of "COOKIN GOIN ON"! I invite you to link below if you have something to share regarding tea, a recipe, upcoming teatime or table setting. Allow plenty of time for your photo to download -sometimes it takes 3-4 minutes!

FRIENDS SHARING TEA FOR THANKSGIVING

2011-11-18T17:51:00.002-07:00

This is my last "Friends Sharing Tea" before Thanksgiving next Thursday. Whether you are sitting at your own table or going to someone else's home or a restaurant - be sure and enjoy the moments and think of all you have to be thankful for! I will be taking a break for a week to enjoy life!

Our Canadian friends have already celebrated their Thanksgiving weeks ago....many of my blogging friends all getting ready for Christmas now.

I look forward to making some yummy foods and do some baking as well.

And relaxing a bit.....

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving....and please join me below if you have something to share about tea. Be sure and go slowly as sometimes it takes a few minutes for your photo to download!

ANGELA McRAE'S NEW TEA BOOK

2011-11-15T15:29:00.001-07:00

TODAY the mailman brought a surprise! I saw a padded envelope laying behind the counter and opened it - surprise.....Angela McRae has written a lovely new tea book "Dainty Dining" which includes recipes, memories and memorabilia from America's department store tea rooms. I was thrilled to see her research on all these special places from our past. I personally am thrilled to see the old Younkers Tea Room because I went there twice while attending a small Bible College in Des Moines, Iowa in the late 60's-70's. Senior banquets were often held there. I remember getting off the elevator Angela mentions in her book. At that time I recall feeling like the decor was "old" and charming.

I was deeply touched to read Angela's "Acknowledgments" in the front of this book and see my name listed there among her "blogging" friends. We have never met, but we have communicated leaving comments on each other's blogs! I started blogging in June of 2008 and Angela was one of the first to leave me a comment. (on a former Wordpress blog) You can visit Angela's Tea With Friends right here!

The photo below is much as I remember the Younkers Tea Room:

BUSY TIMES ARE HERE

2011-11-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Today I feel a little like that sign that I hung on my dormitory door when I was in college: it read, "The Hurrier I go the Behinder I get!" Today I just present a few collages as I am on the run in my business.

Since I don't have a lot of time to chat - I send you to two blogs I am linking to: Kathy at A Delightsome Life and Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

FRIENDS SHARING TEA AND GETTING READY FOR THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-11T11:13:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving and Christmas are truly delightful times of the year! The colors of each occasion, the smells in the kitchen and the table laden with decorations, faces and delicious foods....WELCOME TO FRIENDS SHARING TEA!

Don't you find this to be the most wonderful time to bake as heat in the kitchen is no longer a problem? Cookbooks are piled on the kitchen table awaiting research! File folders have been pulled to reveal past holidays and past menus.

We have had many occasions to fire up our woodstove and I find myself sitting at the kitchen table nearby reading recipes. This is the perfect time of the year for FRIENDS TO SHARE TEA!

Please link below if you have something to share about tea.....

I have been spending quite a bit of time going through recipes for ideas for this years celebration of Thanksgiving. I always want to learn new things - new recipes. There is so much to learn even about all the different types of squash! You might consider adding one new dish to your menu each year.... What will you be making?

CANNING IS FUN!

2011-11-09T10:12:00.001-07:00

I am always enchanted with any new canning book that is published and Gloria Nicols just wrote a winner! There is a basic section in the front of the book with canning basics that train you and prepare you! Then come the wonderful recipes and by the way - perfect for us AFTERNOON TEA LOVERS who want to make lemon curd and jams and marmalades and can them too!

The recipes in this book are unique - I love combining unusual fruits and creating fabulous combinations like the gourmet food companies do!

One example of many is Lemon and Fig Marmalade!

If you are interested in learning something new - I recommend this cookbook! Take for example, Apricot Chutney - so often restaurants serve chutney's on top of steaks. You can make them yourself and surprise everyone! This Holiday season, food gifts are perfect!

Gloria Nicol's lives "on the border between England and Wales" in a rural setting. I imagine she has a lovely garden too!

ANOTHER GREAT TEA TIME RECIPE BOOK: TEA WITH BEA

2011-11-07T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here comes another great recipe book loaded with recipes such as Lavender Shortbread, Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake, Lemon Curd and Red Velvet Cake! And....these a recipes from Bea's of Bloomsbury located in the heart of London since 2008.

I don't think you can have too many cookbooks or tea related cookbooks! I sit at my kitchen table and read them like the newspaper. I compare scone recipes right and left and get so many great ideas!

I am linking to two other blogs: Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday and A Delightsome Life with Kathy

NANA'S SEWING ANOTHER SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR LILY

2011-11-07T10:04:00.001-07:00

I think I have been bitten by the bug - sewing for my grandaughter!

I loved sewing for my kids when they were little, always dreaming up something new for my daughter - now years later, I am having fun with sewing again. I have an old White Sewing Machine from the l970's. No serger - I just zigzag the raw selvage edges. This time the theme was OWLS - LOTS OF OWLS!

This was made with an official pattern which I found so much easier! I just wanted to share my project. Also, I bought her a pair of hot pink leggings and a long sleeve T shirt to go underneath!

FRIENDS SHARING TEA AND MOVE OVER IN THE KITCHEN!

2011-11-04T00:09:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Friends Sharing Tea. I wanted to share this picture painted by Doris Lee back in 1935........especially since Thanksgiving is coming in a few weeks!

And the reenactment that was in the 1987 edition of Country Magazine.....the kitchen seems to always be the heart of the home! Can't you just smell it!

I want to encourage everyone to think now about sharing your table and bounty with others less fortunate this Thanksgiving . I don't know about where you live - but earlier this year our unemployment in Colorado Springs was 10%. Find someone who needs a lovely meal and have them join you at your

Thanksgiving table!

If you have something to share regarding tea please link up and join the group below - we love having you show us what you are up to with tea!

MORE SNOW THIS WEEK IN COLORADO

2011-11-03T14:04:00.000-06:00

What ever happened to tea in the garden? It would be just a bit chilly indeed:

This is our 3rd snow lately and I wonder if this is going to be a long snowy winter - it's looking that way!

AND THE WINNER IS.....drumroll please!

2011-10-29T12:09:00.000-06:00

Deanna from Home Haven Ministry at: http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/

She is the winner of my Give Away Drawing! Congrats to you Deanna!

WALNUT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING for Friends Sharing Tea

2011-10-28T06:08:00.002-06:00

Your family and friends will love this cake - just make sure not to serve it to
anyone with "nut" allergies.......I cut this recipe out of a Southern Living Magazine back in the 1970's. Over the years I have baked it many times and so can you! Great for fall!

Ingredients: 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup shortening, 2 cups sugar, 5 eggs separated, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups chopped black walnuts, 2/3 cup coconut, 1/2 tsp cream of tartar.

Cream butter and shortening: gradually add the sugar, beat til fluffy, add egg yolks beating well. Combine buttermilk and soda - stir together. Add flour to creamed mix alternately with buttermilk mix. Stir in vanilla and add walnuts and coconut stirring well. Beat the egg whites with clean beater blades and cream of tartar until stiff. Fold egg whites into batter.

Pour batter into 3 cake pans which you have greased and floured. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes....watch....maybe 25 minutes. Cool completely before icing.

Now for that icing: 3/4 cup softened butter, 1 8 oz and 1 4oz softened cream cheese, 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar and 1 1/2 tsp vanilla. Blend all till smooth and ice the cake between every layer and on the outside. Sprinkle with more walnuts.

Please join in below and link any post you might have about tea! We would love to have you join ! Do you have a special recipe, tea setting or tea time?

FIRESIDE COMFORT FOOD ON A SNOWY NIGHT: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

2011-10-27T10:49:00.000-06:00

Yesterday it snowed all day - we got about 8 inches at my house!

Blue Jays and Rocky Mountain Bluebirds come to my back door to squabble over the nuts....

and inside I decided to make some true comfort food - Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes. Nearby the woodstove was fired up and cozy!

This recipe is so yummy and easy. That's important - yummy and easy! Here is what you will need for your meatloaf:

1.25 lb lean ground beef and 1 lb of ground turkey, 1 cup of chopped mushrooms, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup quick cooking oats, 3/4 cup of dried chopped parsley, 1 medium onion, chopped well, 1/2 tsp dried sage,1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. I purchased a meat loaf pan which is basically 2 pans with the top one having holes in it for the juices to drip into the bottom pan. I like this pan. They have them at the grocery store or any discount market.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until well blended. Place this thick mixture into your butter loaf pan. Bake until loaf is firm and browned - about 1 hour 15minutes.

Remove from oven and let sit 10-15 minutes. You will be serving this with mashed potatoes and gravy. I sliced mine and froze 1/2 right away for later use!

Now that I have made this gravy, I recommend doubling the recipe as we like a lot of gravy and could have used more!

Recipe for gravy: 3 Tb butter, 1 small onion chopped, 1 cup chopped mushrooms, 3 Tb flour, 1 can of beef stock - 1 1/2 cups, salt and pepper

This gravy is wonderful and so easy - you will use it often! In your saucepan, melt the butter and saute onions and mushrooms in it. After the onions begin to brown, add the beef stock and stir in the flour and whisk it nicely to combine and reduce lumps. Keep stirring into a gentle boil and reduce heat as it will thicken nicely.
Salt and pepper to taste and after you make this you will never need to buy any of those little brown gravy packets again.

MY FALL GIVEAWAY DRAWING THIS SATURDAY!

2011-10-26T09:54:00.001-06:00

It's time for my Fall Giveaway Drawing: Please leave your name and make sure I will know who you are on a comment on this post!
This Giveaway is a $200.00 value from my store! The drawing will be October 29th! We will ship this to anyone in the continental USA! Not pictured are 2 packages of stickers and 2 packages of Kimberly Shaw's Tea Pins.

For starters, you know how I love - love Kathy Thiessen's Book "Somewhere in Thyme". She shows you how to make a table top fountain out of a teapot. Her decorating ideas at her Bed and Breakfast are fabulous! Vintage everything....

I also have a bone china tea for one, some teas, a heart shaped teacup infuser for loose tea, 5 new past issues of Victoria, an easel, and 2 lovely linens: a 36 x 36 topper and also a 16 x 72 inch runner with hand pearl bead work.

You can make yourself a cup of hot Market Spice Cinnamon Orange Tea.

See the pearl details on the runner below:

THE MOM'S APPLE PIE TO END ALL MOM'S APPLE PIES

2011-10-24T14:16:00.000-06:00

During the last few weeks I have been trying some different apple pie recipes - you know, ones you have never tried before but have had the recipes for a long time...

I must give this one an A+ because it is delicious! An apple pie is especially cheap to make when someone shares some apples!

This one must be from an old magazine because it looked like I had kept it a long time.

You will be preheating the oven to 400 degrees and baking this for 30 minutes:
Ingredients: 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, 3 Tb flour, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 6 large tart apples, sliced, your own unbaked pie shell ready to fill, 2 Tb butter

The topping will be: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 Tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup(1 stick) butter

Combine sugar, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, add apples and toss well. Fill the pie shell with this mix. Dot with the 2 Tb butter

For the topping, combine all and scatter over apple filling

Bake 400 degrees 30 minutes until nicely browned. Cool before cutting. Enjoy!

Today I am linking to Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage and Kathy at A Delightsome Life

FRIENDS SHARING TEA AND TEA TIME WITH CHOCOLATE PIE - WHY NOT?

2011-10-21T10:06:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Friends Sharing Tea:

If you have something to share about tea - please link up and join in at the bottom of this page! Maybe you have a great recipe you just tried or some photos to share about your recent teatime.

Teapot is on, the cups are waiting

Favorite chairs anticipating

No matter what I have to do,

My friend, there's always time for you.

Author Unknown

Last night the fire was crackling and we were rewatching "Julie and Julia". The scene where Julie is coming home from work and decides to make a chocolate pie sent me to the refrigerator and pantry. Yes, I had the necessary ingredients.....what is it about a pot of hot tea together with dessert that is so lovely? Relaxation - that's it.

See my post from 5/1/2009 for this recipe for chocolate pie!

WHO'S THAT IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH?

2011-10-20T09:58:00.000-06:00

WHY NOT AN OLDE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS AT YOUR HOUSE?

2011-10-18T10:10:00.000-06:00

Every year English Home Magazine puts out a special supplement in the holiday edition. Last year I became aware of this when mine arrived and I recommended it to my readers. Now, the 2011 supplement is out and you will find it delightful!

You can make yourself a nice cup of tea and relax flipping the pages. This publication will educate you on the birth and meaning and all our favorite traditions!

I look forward to my regular copy of English Home but this additional insert is a great reference copy for learning more about history and the origins of our holiday customs.

We all loved them movie, "The King's Speech" - but what about the Queen's Speech?

Today I a linking with two other bloggers and their special weekly events: Kathy at A Delightsome Life and also Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

Have a wonderful week!

HOFFMAN MEDIA HAS A NEW COOKBOOK: "SCONES AND TEA"

2011-10-17T10:21:00.000-06:00

I've said it before - a girl can never have too many tea books. Over 100 recipes - almost exclusively scone recipes fill this new edition from Hoffman Media and you will love it. There are sweet scones and savory scones, glutten free scones and spreads!

This tea book features 12 tea rooms that will probably be mostly new ones that you have not read about - except for a couple of them! It's nice to hear about interesting tea rooms and get their recipes to try - also a wonderful History of Tea section as well. This book is moderately priced at $19.95.

This one is wonderful - thank you Hoffman for loving afternoon tea like we do!

SUNDAY CELEBRATION

2011-10-16T11:10:00.001-06:00

Psalm 105:1-3 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. KJV

FRIENDS SHARING TEA: COCONUT CREAM TARTS FOR YOUR AFTERNOON TEA PARTY!

2011-10-14T13:30:00.003-06:00

Do you love baking like I do? Last night I made an Apple Pie after making homemade soup all day in the crock pot! I haven't tasted either yet because of a medical test I was awaiting but I am looking forward to having some of that pie and soup tonight! Here is a recipe for "Friends Sharing Tea" that is easy for your Afternoon Tea Party.....some lovely Coconut Cream Tarts..........

You will be making the shells first: You will need 3 cups of shredded coconut, 1 cup of sifted flour, 4 eggs and 2 tsp vanilla.

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well, spray a mini muffin pan with vegetable spray and press dough into the cups. Keep them thin as I got mine a little thicker than I should have in the bottom of the tart. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Watch for browning!

Now for the coconut filling: 1 cup of heavy whipping cream should be whipped with 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar. In a separate bowl mix 1 large package of coconut cream instant pudding with milk as called for on the package - then mix with cream. Easy! Refrigerate till firm.

Spoon into those shells. Should make around 48 tarts!

Do to the fact that I had a lovely colonoscopy this morning - this is a repost from 2009! ( I think you will understand) BYA: I had a good report!

If you have something to share about tea such as a recipe, table setting, any ideas for a tea party or anything tea related, please link up!

THE LEGEND OF THE BLUE WILLOW CHINA

2011-10-12T15:22:00.002-06:00

The Legend of the Blue Willow China is the story about 2 "Love Doves" Koong and Chang....

This pattern was produced in England in the 1700's but probably was copied from a Chinese pattern. The legend about the china began in 1849 when it was printed in an English magazine as a very romantic story about a young couple.

A wealthy young woman named Koong fell in love with Chang who was just a poor secretary. She was forbidden to marry him or even see him. Her father demanded she stay at home and quickly made arrangements for her to marry a man of financial security.

Escaping from her home, she met up with Chang and the couple fled across a bridge to an island. In hot pursuit, Koong's father follows but suddenly the couple are transformed into love doves who fly away to safety.

No wonder we love this pattern so much - maybe your mother had it?

This is a repost from 1/18/09!

LEMON MADELEINES FOR TEA (A Repost)

2011-10-11T09:30:00.000-06:00

The hunt is on for some lovely lemon madeleines!

Madeleines are super easy to make if you have the pan!
I'd hate to see you hand carving these!

Today is Tea Time Tuesday so I am reposting this recipe and invite you to visit Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage and also

Kathy at A Delightsome Life

These madeleines are so easy to bake....you will get about 40 mini madeleines or 24 large ones if you have the large pans. I prefer the mini bite size ones!

You will need: 2/3 cup sugar, 3 eggs plus 1 more egg yolk, juice from 1 small lemon, and zest from that lemon...also a pinch of salt, and 1/4 cup sifted flour and 1 stick of butter melted.

Butter each section of the madeleines baking pans......in a medium deep bowl beat the sugar, eggs, and lemon juice and then fold in the flour and mix in the butter - stir all ingredients. Spoon the batter into the mold and fill 2/3 of the way.

Bake 18 minutes for the mini's or 20 minutes for the large at 350 degrees in a preheated oven.

SEWING WITH AN INSTRUCTION SHEET INSTEAD OF AN ACTUAL PATTERN

2011-10-10T11:39:00.001-06:00

When was the last time you sewing something? Or should I say, sewed some clothing? Well, I recently purchased a jumper "pattern" in a darling quilt shop around the corner.....Nana's Quilt Cottage

When my children were young I loved sewing so it was time to start again for my 7 year old grandaughter! The new mystery to me is this isn't a "cut it out" pattern but rather an instruction sheet and it was a challenge. Next time, it's a true pattern for me! It is done now and on to other projects:

SNOW IN OCTOBER - OH BOY!

2011-10-08T18:10:00.000-06:00

This was my backyard this morning..............surprise!

FRIENDS SHARING TEA and can purple be a fall color too?

2011-10-07T10:26:00.000-06:00

I love the combination of orange, brown and purple for fall!

and what about grapes - they are harvested in late summer and look so lovely still on the vines when the leaves begin to drop!

I don't have any grapevines in my yard but used to spend time every fall in the woods making my own grapevine wreaths with my friends. I got into poisonous sumac once in Burlington, Iowa pulling the vines off a telephone pole. That was an itchy experience to say the least!

You have probably seen some of these crochet trivets in antique malls - they are crocheted over bottle caps. I also make no secret about my love for vintage embroidery linens and crochet.

Today I am posting "Friends Sharing Tea" which is an opportunity for you to link up below and share something about tea. I often go out in the morning and set up a little tea vignette in my garden or yard. This bench is made from an old antique bed frame.

If you have something personal to share about tea (other than a selling blog) please join me below and please visit my blogging friends who have done special posts here! Have a wonderful weekend!

MORNING MOMENTS WITH TEA

2011-10-04T11:40:00.001-06:00

Morning moments in the garden are wonderful

......especially with a cup of tea!

And time to leisurely flip through a few old Victoria Magazines to find some inspiration.....

Some lingering flowers in the garden mixed with

herbs make a scentful arrangement combined with the smell

of basil and dill nearby:

I have invited one of my dolls to join us!

Please pour yourself some tea and relax a while!

Our forecast today is for 80 degree temperatures getting cooler the next few days. Lovely weather to sit outside and daydream.

I am joining with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday and also with Kathy at A Delightsome Life today!

Have a delightful week!

A RIDE BY GARDEN OF THE GODS AND MANITOU SPRINGS

2011-10-03T11:23:00.001-06:00

Yesterday my husband and I took a ride around Garden of the Gods where there are unique rock formations and around Manitou Springs which is 2 miles down the road from Old Colorado City!

It was such a beautiful day and there were many

tourist out and about:

The castle above is Miramont Castle and has
The Queen's Parlor Tea Room:

You can also have tea at the Cliff House Bed and Breakfast below. When I moved to Colorado Springs 17 years ago, it was all boarded up in great disrepair and neglect. Nine million dollars later, it is lovely!

This home in Manitou has extensive work being done on it right now:

Nearby at Garden of the Gods (named by the Indians) there are many rock formations.

You can just barely see the Kissing Camels to the left below.....

Definitely, watch out for rattlesnakes!

And don't sit on this!

Time to go home.......

SUNDAY CELEBRATION - Proverbs 3:5-6

2011-10-02T12:11:00.000-06:00

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

FRIENDS SHARING TEA AND SCARECROWS SHARING TEA TOO!

2011-09-30T16:09:00.002-06:00

Welcome to "Friends Sharing Tea" and even the Scarecrow Display in front of my store reflects my love for sharing tea!

For the past few weekends I have been posting along with other friends and you are invited to join us! Do you have something to share with us regarding a tea you are having, a special table setting or anything really we would love about tea? Please link at the bottom and join us! You can also download one picture there. It isn't hard - just go slowly!

We are just loving our cooler weather here in Colorado. Believe it or not, we have already had a fire in the wood stove one night! It felt so good! Our evenings are getting quite cool now and the leaves are turning and falling.

The weather now is perfect for black tea with pumpkin flavor and spices.....

I love the colors of fall! Our God was so creative to design four uniquely different seasons!

Please join me if you have something to share about tea! (no sales blogs please)

COOKING AND BAKING JANE AUSTEN STYLE

2011-09-28T10:06:00.002-06:00

Back in 2004, Kim Wilson came out with this wonderful "Tea With Jane Austen" which really gave us an education into planning a special tea event with a Jane Austen theme and great recipes representing the Regency Period. Now we have another wonderful guidebook to turn to for ideas for our next Jane Austen Event!
The Jane Austen Cookbook is by Maggie Black and Deirdre Le Faye:

What a better time of year than fall to host your own Jane Austen dinner at home or even as a fundraiser for your favorite charity! This new book is a gem for ideas, recipes that a converted for your modern kitchen and lots of great information and insight! (It is available at my store) Get ready for some fun!

FALL TEA AND DECORATING - EVEN IN THE GARDEN!

2011-09-26T13:57:00.001-06:00

Welcome to my home and welcome to the beginnings of fall here in Colorado! The Virginia Creeper and the Trumpet Vine are beginning to turn from our cool nights! Soon they will be quite red before they fall to the ground....

I just finished making a new jumper for my Scarecrow Lady! I had cut it out last year but worked on it yesterday. Burlap is so scratchy but I don't think she will mind! I used doilies for her pockets and bib front on the jumper.

Looking out into the garden you can see it is getting to be fall there too! We already have snow on Pikes Peak at 14,000 feet. My house it at around 7,000 feet.

Mr. Peter Rabbit stands guard over his prize winning cabbages!

and inside a lovely cup of tea awaits us with some pumpkin muffins! Yesterday I enjoyed working in my yard and doing some projects at home.

Help yourself to a cup of tea!

I am linking to Kathy at A Delightsome Life and Sandi at Rose Chinz Cottage today! Enjoy your day!

"FRIENDS SHARING TEA" AND BEST 'FALL BAKING' AT THE GROCERY STORE

2011-09-23T12:47:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Friends Sharing Tea! If you have something to share about tea - please link at the bottom and join us! Perhaps a tea recipe or special tea time or ideas you like to share or tea in your garden or home? We love seeing what you are baking!

(no sales blogs please)

It was still dark out this morning and truly time for a cup of tea!

Don't you just love that early morning time that is quiet and you can just sit and relax with tea? I love reading my recipe books during tea time.

The squirrels weren't even begging yet at my back door - they were still in bed!

I have been doing some baking again now that the weather has cooled off I have been pulling out all my fall and Thanksgiving cookbooks. I just picked up a new copy at the grocery and it is wonderful! You know, those inexpensive little paperback baking books. I prefer the ones that give recipes made from scratch. If you flip through them you will quickly see if they are just to promote certain cake mixes, etc.

This new "Fall Baking" by Pillsbury is loaded with great recipes and was only $3.99 as opposed to others I saw for more. The recipes look wonderful. I can't wait to get started on trying these! I have quite a collection of these cookbooks from some time back when they were $1.25 and up. Yes, the 1970's for sure!

If you have something to share - please join me and please link back to me as well! Do take time for tea this weekend! IT'S THE BEGINNING OF AUTUMN! Enjoy!

WELCOMING AUTUMN WITH "A DELIGHTSOME LIFE" TEA IN THE GARDEN

2011-09-19T17:55:00.003-06:00

Welcome to Bernideen's Tea Time Blog and the celebration of the arrival of Autumn! You can smell it in the air....fresh, alive and full of joy! A season of refreshment:

I have set up a little tea for you in my garden and some friends have come to celebrate with us!

Pour yourself a cup of hot cinnamon spice tea and relax a bit!

I am celebrating the arrival of Autumn with Kathy at A Delightsome Life

It is a beautiful day as the sun comes up from the east.....

Looking back at older Victoria magazines is a favorite past time! Every season brings unique ideas that are timeless. Sometimes it inspires me just to clean house, go antiquing or

pull things out from the cupboard and rearrange!

Miss Tabitha and Jeremy Fisher are happy to see

some new chrysanthemums in the garden...

Will you be enjoying your fall decorations now? Please also pay a visit to Prince Edward Island but just going to Rose Chintz Cottage with Sandi

If you are interested in this Cherry Lemon Cream Cheese Cake Recipe:

http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/cherry-lemon-cake-with-cream-cheese.html

FRIENDS SHARING TEA AND MY "FRIENDSHIP TEAPOT"

2011-09-17T16:48:00.000-06:00

Welcome to "Friends Sharing Tea" .....if you have a post about Tea please feel free to link (but no sales blogs please as this isn't about selling) Your post could be any number of things - just so it is tea related! I hope you will join me! You can also copy the button to the right for your blog!

My Friendship Teapot is one of my Favorites !

Patsy Clairmont wrote a book back in 1997 called "Tea with Patsy Clairmont" and one of the chapters featured this darling teapot with 2 little girls on it. Patsy also told the story about how her friend bought her this teapot and then the friend found one for herself.

After I saw this I looked and found one to give with the book to my friend. Would you believe she later found the same teapot for me! If you start your search you may find one too! I have seen this teapot in many Antique Malls around the USA. Probably from the 1950's they were very sturdy which contributed to their survival! Should you decide to go on a search.....this is a perfect gift for a FRIEND! You will also see another one with sailboats.

I know I have seen this teapot on Miss Spenser's Blog and I am wondering who else might have one? I have another one which was cracked so it is in my garden!

I wish you a wonderful weekend and do link below if you have a post to share about tea!

COCONUT PUMPKIN TART FROM VICTORIA MAGAZINE

2011-09-14T17:31:00.000-06:00

Recently I was looking through some Victoria Magazines and saw a wonderful recipe in the September/October 2008 issue for a Coconut Pumpkin Tart. Don't you just love the smell of pumpkin and spices in the kitchen this time of year?

Last night after work I baked this tart. Actually, I made the dough the night before to save time so it would go together quickly!

For the tart shell you will need:

2 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 cup toasted coconut, 1/4 cup sugar, 3/4 tsp tsp salt divided, 5 Tb cold butter and 1/3 cup ice-cold water.

For the filling you will need: 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, 1 Tb cornstarch, 1 Tsp ground ginger, 1 Tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 Tsp ground cloves, 1 1/2 cups fresh or canned pumpkin puree, 3 eggs, beaten, 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk. (Actually I thought about adding 3/4 cup fresh coconut to this as a tweak but forgot to do that)

Here are their instructions:

1. In a food processor, pulse the flour, coconut, sugar,1/4 Tsp salt. Cut the butter into cubes and add to the flour mixture; pulse until mixture is crumbly, about 20 seconds.
2. Gradually add the water in a slow, steady stream, until mix forms a ball. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and shape - wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to 1/8 thickness. Place in a 9" fluted tart pan, pressing up the sides.
4. Line dough with parchment paper; fill with pie weights and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove pie weights and parchment and bake an additional 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.

(I don't have a food processor - I burned mine up and haven't replaced it so I just did the above in a bowl by hand. I used rice on top of the parchment paper to weight it down)

5. In a large bowl, combine the remaining salt, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin puree and eggs.
Gradually stir in the evaporated milk and pour into prepared crust.
6. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat now to 350 degrees and bake 15-20 minutes or until the center of the tart does not move.

I definitely would have added the coconut to the filling if I had remembered. (not in original recipe)

WONDERFUL OLD JOHNSON BROTHERS "WINDSOR WARE" PLATES

2011-09-12T17:00:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday afternoon I found some new "old" plates at an antique mall. I have found so many things that this mall over the years and a few times I have passed something by and had "buyers remorse".

So these plates were a must have even though I already have 2 sets of "Thanksgiving type" plates for fall. A girl can never

have too many though!

Today is Tuesday so I am joining two other ladies for their blog parties:

Kathy at A Delightsome Life and

Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

I enjoy visiting these blogs all the time!

Last night, I put the plates out. I see scratches on them from use so I really don't know how old this Johnson Brothers Pattern is and haven't had time to do any research yet. I'm sure they are just old and not antique. It used to be that the rule of thumb was an antique was 100 years old. Now, I believe we often use the term vintage for something old but not antique.

I love everything on these plates: pomegranates, grapes, roses, chrysanthemums, pears and plums!

FALL WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT PUMPKIN COOKIES!

2011-09-12T06:06:00.010-06:00

Here is a perfect recipe for your Fall Afternoon Tea Party - you won't be able to stay out of these and your kids will love them too!

I first did a post on these on 9/9/2011 but last week I baked them again and you will want to make them every fall too!

This recipe came from my Tea Cozy Lady (who sews them for my store) who got it from her neighbor.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter the baking sheets which you will put in the refrigerator.

Ingredients: First of all blend the following together: 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp lemon juice

In a large bowl mix these together: 2 1/2 cups sifted flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ginger, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon. After combining these- mix with above 6 ingredients.

NOW ADD THESE: 1 1/2 cups of canned pumpkin, 3/4 cup nuts and 3/4 cup raisins. Keep the cookie sheet cold before dropping heaping tablespoons of dough on it. And chill dough between each batch.

Bake 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool cookies on waxed or brown paper.

Now for the icing 1/4 cup canned pumpkin, 4 Tb melted butter, 1 lb (which is 3 3/4 cups) powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, pinch of salt. Wait till they cool to ice. Icing can be thinned with a little milk if too thick. Makes around 5 dozen or more.

SUNDAY CELEBRATION

2011-09-11T06:17:00.002-06:00

Proverbs 13:28 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.