Friday, August 12, 2016

EDITH HOLDEN'S BOOKS for "Tea Not In The Garden"

I usually do my "Tea In The Garden" post 
on Thursday but yesterday with
 temperatures in the 90's and doing 
other projects - it just didn't happen. 
 So this morning I thought we'd just
 stay inside where we can be cool and  comfortable.  I apologize
for arriving a little late.




I promised my husband I would keep the teapot displays out of the "living room". 
 I am happy to have this spot in my
 Victorian parlor near the kitchen for
 my armoire and what
not shelves:



I think I am a little slow about finding out
 how you can get great books on Amazon
 and used ones work great for me too. 
 Several of the books I ordered have come
 and I have been enjoying them. (very inexpensively) I already had a copy of
 Edith Holden's "Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady".  This week two
other books that I ordered arrived:
 "The Nature Notes of An Edwardian
Lady" and "The Edward Lady" - 
The story of Edith
Holden compiled by Ina Taylor.


With my tea chest nearby you can pick
from the many types inside:



Edith Holden grew up in the Edwardian
 era and was an artist who loved birds, flowers and nature.  She kept a diary
 where she drew the  birds and flowers she
had seen each day on her walks in the nearby woods.





I am just getting a chance to look at these
 new to me books and since this is August
 let's see what she
 drew for this month.







And please help yourself to tea and one
 of these Buttermilk Brownies I baked
 last night.   Really, they are more like a cake than a brownie.  I had baked a Quiche last night and since the oven was already hot it seemed like a good idea
to just keep it going! 



Here is the recipe for the
 Buttermilk Brownies:

Ingredients: 1 stick butter, 4 Tb cocoa, 
1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup water, 
2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup 
buttermilk, 2 eggs, 1 Tsp vanilla, 1 Tsp 
baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt

Melt the butter, add the cocoa, oil and water.  Boil for several minutes.  Pour this mix over the flour and sugar, mix well, add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, soda and salt and mix again.
Bake in greased and floured 13 x 9" pan 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
I also added 1 cup chopped walnuts to this batter.

Frosting:
1 stick butter, 4 Tb cocoa, 6 Tb buttermilk, 3 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 tsp vanilla

Melt the butter and mix in the cocoa and buttermilk in mixing bowl.  Add this mix to the sugar and vanilla - mix well pour over the brownies while they are slightly warm. 
 Sprinkle the nuts evenly on top.




I feel like we have had a wonderful summer.  Yes, it has been hot as expected.  We are supposed to enjoy some temps in the 80's
 here soon so if that happens - I won't complain. 





We have spent our summer working on the long list of projects and repairs here on our house.  My husband is currently staining the deck.  



22 comments:

  1. Hello Bernideen,
    I too have a Tea Not In the Garden today. One thing I wanted to do while my family was home was to have a little tea party with my granddaughter. It was fairly rushed and it wasn't easy getting all the guys out of the house. But we managed to spend about an hour enjoying our quiet tea time. I was happy to be able to snap some pictures and the memories made, the little one will remember.
    I love your lacy pillows! We have rain here today but we need it as the ground is fairly parched. Thank you for hosting and enjoy your weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  2. I would love to help myself to a cup of tea and a buttermilk brownie, dear Bernideen. Thank you very much! Your tea are is so pretty and perfect for relaxing, near you kitchen. We are expecting cooler temperatures next week, and it will be such a relief after every day in August being in the 100's. Thank you for hosting your delightful tea party!

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  3. I brought my garden in for tea. The camera lens would have steamed up in this weather! Thanks for hosting!

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  4. What a beautiful setting for tea today!! So cozy looking!! You make the tea and I'll bring the cookies!! Thank you for letting me join your party today!! I love sharing!! xo! Jina

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  5. Dear Bernideen, with the temps being horrific like they have been---even thinking of going on the porch has been impossible. And our remodel, leaves no table not stacked with totes and buckets of items...short of shoving a cup in your hand, I can't tea party---but so will join you all soon. Love your home---it's cozy and interesting---love the tea chest...such a perfect touch for YOU! Sandi

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  6. O my tea looks wonderful and it looks as if your home in coming along just great things looks lovely.. Buttermilk Brownie sound lovely, will have to try them.. Thank you Hapoy Friday with love Janice

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  7. Bloggers are such busy people! I so admire you hostesses. Your table is so pretty. I love Edith Holden's books too and have hunted them down online for ages in order to pass them on. You find some in absolutely new condition. I guess we are getting the cool weather that belongs to you! Real nice here. Happy weekend!

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  8. Since we don't have a/c and our garden is cooler than in the house, my tea is in the garden. It is iced tea this week for our 90 degree days. Love the teacup with the sweet photo.

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  9. I order books from Amazon also and like to find a rare unusual book from time to time. However I don't get those buttermilk brownies very often.
    I love your calico tea pot. I'll be doing lots hot tea when our 100 degree temperatures goes down to zero
    Hope to see you at a sale soon

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  10. Bernideen, this savory tart full of roasted summer vegetables is perfect for a summer tea. It tasted so good with a cup of Earl Grey. I usually stick to the traditional British afternoon tea menu, but sometimes I have what I call a "table tea" for just a small group of us at the dining table, and then I give everyone a fork and an extra plate and serve this or another savory tart in addition to the sandwiches. I think you're right about staying inside for tea during this horribly hot weather.

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  11. I'd love to sample one of your yummy buttermilk brownies. I've ordered new books from Amazon.ca, butt have never tried the used books sellers. Thank you for hosting and stay cool, Bernideen!

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  12. Doesn't buttermilk make brownies taste so much better?
    Your tea party looks very inviting, I'd love to join you!
    I have the same Edith Holden book and love it.

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  13. Bernideen,
    I love your tea pot!! Those books sound interesting and something that would be right up muy alley. Your home looks lovely!! It has been ungodly hot here and the humidity is awful. I do not do well physically in the Summer. More arthritic problems... I do much better in the Winter. I am so ready for Fall , which is my favorite time of year.
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  14. Hi Bernideen,
    So sorry I am late this week to link up and sorrry that last week I didn't even have my post ready in time. Your home is exquisite with your collectible furniture and pretty china. Your brownies look delish and I love, love, love your teapots! Thank you for hosting! Blessings, Karen

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  15. I have those books too! I often have them out with the paintings for the month displayed!

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  16. Your new home looks very elegant, charming and cozy, dear Bernideen !!!
    Thank you for sharing and hosting.
    Have a great week, Carmen

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  17. I so enjoyed seeing some of your living space, which is really charming, thanks to the not in the garden tea!

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  18. Aren't those books a lovely way to escape from anything the least bit hectic or demanding? The bring one's blood pressure right down. The buttermilk brownies sound delicious - and I have buttermilk!

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  19. Those books look fun, I've never seen them before. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  20. What a wonderful visit I've had tonight. I love the books. I'm going to look them up for myself. How lovely are your pictures, too. I had lots of fun. Also, I'd love to have you link up to my party at Crafts a la mode

    I like decorating and anything beautiful!

    So nice to meet you. Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2016/08/what-to-do-weekends-party-187.html

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  21. I've just found your blog and I'm enjoying it very much. What is that thing hanging from the tea spot? A drip catcher? I too love finding a nice book to read. If they're Kindle that's fine but I do love a real book in hand. I just received two reasonably priced used books via Amazon that I heard from other bloggers. The Book of Still Meadow by Gladys Taber and Hollyhocks, Lambs and other passions ( a memoir of Thornhill Farm) by Dee Hardie. They didn't have Kindle editions so I was glad to get them and they were in good condition. I always check the rating of the 3rd party seller. I shall look at some more past postings now.

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  22. What a beautiful post! I love the artwork of Edith Holden also! Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth! :)

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