Monday, July 31, 2017

WHEN IT'S 95 DEGREES OUTSIDE

It has been plenty hot in Missouri - 
so what do I do when it gets 
too hot to be in the garden?

I was never one to sit on my thumbs, or
watch television in the daytime or
sit around.  So this summer I have
kept busy doing several things
and one of them is something from
the "good ole days" of the 1970's 
and before that - decoupage:


I won't drive you crazy with too many
but here is one I think Beatrix
Potter would approve of:


Wednesday, July 26, 2017

CELEBRATING BEATRIX POTTER for "Tea In The Garden"

I apologize for being late today!  I had
some ladies over for lunch yesterday and
lost track of time!  Time flies.....



So here I am this morning setting up
a little tribute to Beatrix Potter because
this Friday would be her 151st birthday!



I have brought out some of my collection of
 books regarding Beatrix to share with you.
Please pour yourself some tea and let me
show you some of them!




We are out on the patio next to the pond
and even the little fish want to join us.
It has been very hot lately and August in 
Missouri is always hot - so let's get ready!





As I have shared before, this summer I
have been revisiting the craft of decoupaging
and this clipboard is just one of many I have done:




Beatrix of course was quite a special lady with a
huge imagination, talent and creative ability.

  She loved drawing, gardening and nature.
  I also love to learn about her from the
 many sites online. 

 These should get you started:
One lovely site
Wikipedia - Beatrix Potter
Susan Branch's recent post on Beatrix



I am sure many of you have seen the Movie "Miss Potter" which was ever so charming!  Back in 2009
I did a post about that!  I watch that movie
at least once a year.





Beatrix strikes me as a
 "Brown Betty"
 kind of gal
so I chose this teapot in honor of her!




The little squirrel was begging.  I have
 not fed the birds this summer so the 
squirrels are not happy as
they come to rob the seeds but
the feeder is empty.


It is time to get back in where it is nice and
cool - we can admire the view from in here!


Saturday, July 22, 2017

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

WATCHING "ROAD TO AVONLEA" for "Tea In The Garden"

This summer we have had a delightful time
watching the film series "Road to Avonlea". 
 Frankly, I didn't know about this series
 even though I had a DVD copy of
 "Christmas in Avonlea" and of course 
the original "Anne of Green Gables",
 "The Sequel" and "Anne the 
Continuing Story".  It was Gina who enlightened me and also loaned us
her series that covers 91 hours during
 the 7 seasons.  We finished yesterday and of course - shed a few tears too!



Today I am telling those of you who are
interested - that this is a wonderful series.




I especially enjoyed the character of Hitty
King played by Jackie Burroughs who 
passed away  at age 71 in 2010. Also, another
 favorite is the character of Gus Pike played by Michael Mahonen who now is
 53 years old.


For my quiet - reflective tea time today I am
reminiscing about all the wonderful characters and also sharing with you
 some lovely Summertime Scones.




Here are photos of just a few of my
favorite characters from Road to Avonlea - 
can you name them?


I am trying to think what I liked best about
 this former television series largely filmed
 in Ontario with glimpses of Prince
 Edward Island interjected.  It reflects 
the time of 1903 to 1912.  I think it is the 
feeling of "community" that I love the best. 
 The idea of a small town of people
 - more like a village really - working
 together on their journey through life.  
They certainly faced many difficulties
 and had many joyful celebrations.


So who wrote all of these wonderful
 stories?  Lucy Maude Montgomery was born on Prince Edward Island and raised by
 her grandparents.  Many of the stories are fictional knock offs if you will, to real experiences Lucy had after her 
Mother's death when she  was growing up and going to school in Cavendish. (born in New London, PEI)   I see so many similarities
 between Lucy and Anne!


I think you would love these DVD's!


Please  let me know if you have already
 watched this series or perhaps the earlier Anne of Green
Gables series? 



Recipe for my Summertime Scones

See this recipe except I added 1 med-large chopped peach and 4 chopped med-large strawberries!
 Of course you probably know
 two wonderful bloggers who live on PEI:

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

STRAWBERRY PUFFS for "Tea In The Garden"

Welcome to my backyard garden....



Now that you've come this far - let's go back and 
start at the gate.  Please mind your steps as this
yard goes downhill to the back and from one
side to the other!




First we have the koi pond on the 
left and then the arbor ahead of us:


Someone might remember we pruned this 
peach tree last fall and it didn't have anything
left but bulky branches, 
but look at it now - 
just no peaches this year!


Let's go through (we say that all the time now
after watching Downton Abbey). 
 I have set up a table for us
 and I hope you like tea!


I baked us some Strawberry Puffs:



We have the presence of Japanese Beetles now
like nothing I've ever seen.  Thousands - no - must
be millions.  They are eating so much!  Not
hydrangeas though - that's good!




I can't begin to tell you how thrilling
it is to have flowers for bouquets but
next year will be so much better!


 which I made into Strawberry Puffs.

 For the filling I whipped 1 1/2 cup heavy
 whipping cream with 1/2 cup of confectioners
 sugar.  After it was thick I threw into
the mixing bow 1 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
and let them chop up and turn the filling pink.
This is what I put inside each puff after scooping
out the moist dough center.  My recipe made 17 medium size puffs.




Saturday, July 8, 2017

BUTTERFLY TIME


I chased this butterfly around the garden
 today.  Of course he wouldn't land
 on the pretty flowers but always went
 back to the butterfly bush.




Thursday, July 6, 2017

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

A LOVELY BOOK for "Tea In The Garden"

We enjoyed a beautiful June here in 
Missouri and it was much cooler
 than last year.  I was so pleased but
now that is over as July arrives
and the heat is definitely here.



I participated in a Give Away on Janet Collazo's
blog called Rosemary & Thyme and won this
lovely book which I am enjoying so much.









This book is full of table setting ideas,
 recipes and
ideas for entertaining in all four seasons.



Last year I got a Monarda plant at the
 Farmers Market and as soon as I planted it
 the next day a bunny ate off all the branches
pruning it down to the ground. It must of 
been a good thing in the end because
 this spring it was one of the first plants
 to come up again and spread like crazy.
Now I have planted over 20 plants
 all around from that one plant!



The bees sure love Monarda!






Thank you Janet!



I hope you can join my tea
 related blog party
by linking at the bottom: