MY FRIEND for "Tea In The Garden"

This week I have a special friend who has agreed to pose for photos in my garden. 

This is the first time in 10 years that my friend Lou Ann has visited with her husband.  We have had a great time. We have been friends since 1966 which is a long time ago.

Lou Ann and I met a long time ago when I went to a small Bible College in Des Moines, Iowa.  I was 17 years old and she had just been married a couple months before. We became great friends and 2 years later she and her husband were in our wedding.  That was just a few years ago - 1968!

Over the years we have enjoyed many

specials meals and moments together.

Our friends lived in Toronto for some

time and we enjoyed visits there.

I set up a little tea vignette out under the tree quickly as showers were threatening any moment. 

My friend was tucked under the tree so even if it did rain - she would not have gotten wet.  Yes, it did finally rain.

I have been cooking up a storm and last night I made a chocolate pie - like the Bishops Chocolate Pie.  It has been fun to have more people to cook for!

Most of the pieces I am sharing today are English.  I do love the yellow depression glass cream and sugar that my Grandmother gave me back in the late 70's.  You might also notice the Victorian Plant Stand I had shared before with the china pieces on the top and lower area.  Remember it was dark before when I shared it and now it is painted shabby chic.  I really like it better!

TEA IN THE GARDEN IN JULY

The little pink Hull Art USA pottery vase below has chips but was a cheap yard sale find:

It's a lovely morning in Colorado and I finally saw a hummingbird this morning in my backyard.  By the time I grabbed my camera - he was gone! 

I tried to take a picture of a raccoon the other night but by the time I "read up" on  how to take a night shot - he was long gone.  My Queen Anne's Lace is starting to bloom - I love it!

Today is TEA IN THE GARDEN and time to take a few moments and relax with a cup of tea.   I love this time of the day before I have to go to work.  I so look forward to retirement when I can do the things I love. 

We did get to go to Denver yesterday afternoon.  One antique mall had it's air conditioning out.  I did a lot of fanning! The vintage runner with the Crinoline Lady or Sunbonnet Lady is new to me and so is the teapot.  Before you get too excited - the handle is cracked at the base of the teapot but I couldn't resist the colors and the squatty shape.  It is Bavarian and was a good price.

Late note:

I was late for work today and another merchant was standing at my door.  He said "I see you really enjoyed your day off!"  He was right.  I wish I could have stayed in the garden all day. 

1950's ROSEBUD BOUQUET CHINA

I love old things.  I don't know why.  I love old china... I don't know why.

I recall a song from a long time ago called

"I don't know why I love you like I do".

We don't plan to use these gloves while

eating but they sure match the design.

This week I found some lovely 1950's dishes that are Rosebud Bouquet pattern produced in the USA.  I got them at 2 separate antique malls in Denver, Colorado!  Would you believe they are 2 different versions of pretty much the same thing.  One is Harkerware and the other is Whitechapel China.  Perhaps that really is the same company with just different backstamps - this I will have to research.

I did see on line where there was an ad in the Binghamton Press Newspaper dated January 28,  1959 selling these dishes at a furniture store.  The advertisement talked about these wonderful CHIP RESISTANT dishes.  Between the two partial sets I have 70 pieces. These are everyday kitchen dishes and very soft and fun!  I plan to use them for everyday but no dishwasher!

Is your style changing or staying the same?  I have been moving toward Vintage Cottage Style this year.  It seems where I am at in life now.  I have moved away from the Victorian Style I used to have.

Today I also got to meet a fellow blogger, Linda Jennings from Friendship Tea who visited my store!  I wish I was skinny for this

picture so I apologize for the fact that I have become the "big girl".  

(Linda on the left and me on the right) 
You know, I think we look alike - 
what do you think - sisters?

MY LITTLE GARDEN BRINGS ME JOY

Just a few photos of the morning garden:

The Queen Anne's Lace is just coming along:

TEA IN GOD'S GARDEN OF BABY BREATHE for "Tea In The Garden"

Very near my home are fields full of wild baby's breathe.....many of the plants are huge - like 5 foot in diameter for just one plant.  Some people call this "fairy" baby's breathe. It seemed like a lovely place to set up a tea!  I hope you can stay for tea.

For as far as your eyes can see there are these

mounds of Baby's Breathe.  I don't know

how many acres there are but it just comes

up every year.  We live at about 7,000 people

but this area feels more like a prairie.

 

I drive past this every night on my

way home from work.

I have set up this table out in front of masses of these plants.  It was hard to choose a spot as there were so many areas.

It is still early enough in the morning for some hot tea!

Would you like one lump or two?  Lemon?  We can just sit here and share our dreams and you can tell me of your hobbies and passions and interests.

CRISPY CHEDDAR CHICKEN

I have seen this recipe several times on Facebook lately and couldn't wait to try it.  I really think 5 large chicken breasts would feed at least 6-8  people.  My pictures are showing most of the chicken in this pyrex dish but I also went ahead and froze part of this recipe which was enough for two people for later.

CRISPY CHEDDAR CHICKEN:  You will need 5 large chicken breasts, 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, 1 cup milk, 3 cups cheddar cheese, grated, 1 Tb dried ground parsley

For the sauce: 1 - 14 oz can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 3 Tb butter and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.  When chicken is almost done, heat in saucepan to serve over cooked chicken dish.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cut each chicken breast into 3 sections.  I used a bread kneader to chop up the crackers in a bowl until they were fine.  Using 3 bowls: pour in milk, shredded cheese and cracker crumbs with salt and pepper.  Dip the chicken into each of the bowls beginning with the milk. Lay into a 9 x 13 pyrex pan which has been sprayed with pam  Sprinkle remaining cheese and parsley on top of chicken.
Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes at 400 degrees.  Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes.

Creamed Cabbage With Bacon and Ham:  You will need 4 slices bacon fried crisp, 1/2 cup diced cooked ham, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 7 cups chopped cabbage and 1/2 cup heavy cream

Saute onion in 1 tsp bacon grease

In a large pot, layer onion, crumbled bacon, ham and chopped cabbage and heavy cream.  Simmer till cabbage is tender stirring occasionally.