"TEA AT DOWNTON" by Elizabeth Fellow

 

I have several tea books that have

recipes regarding the PBS series,

Downton Abbey.   This week I started

looking at the paperback copy of Elizabeth

Fellow's book called "Tea at Downton".

Now don't get confused here as Julian

Fellowes is the unrelated writer

of the television series and movies.

To hear her speak through this book is

 to know that you are hearing from 

someone who has done her research.

Some of us who have teas enjoy sharing 

 the story about Anna the Duchess of 

Bedford and the birth of the custom of

Afternoon Tea.  However, Elizabeth

has added other details that I found

 delightful to hear about for first time.

And for those who still struggle with

the institution of Afternoon Tea versus

High Tea, Elizabeth Fellow has a

 wonderful way of explaining the differences.  My husband and I recently watched the shorter series "Belgravia" which actually shows Anna serving Afternoon Tea and comments are made in the film regarding the fact that she is the first to do this.  I found this

so interesting and the fact that Julian

Fellowes included it in the production.  This was the online photo of the actress portraying Anna in the series "Belgravia". 

 What a tiny waist she has!

I have to say that I am not done reading

this paperback but I am really intrigued.

I will definitely be trying some of the

recipes.

These were the very first spring blooms I picked in my front south facing yard today.

The pussy willow out front

 is definitely

starting to bud out.

In closing I also saw this fun

video on YouTube of a quirky

couple who take you to see

Highclere Castle.

THE DOWAGER'S GARDEN

Like some of you, my husband and I

have been rewatching the television

series of Downton Abbey.  I found one

of my favorite spots in Season Four which

happens to be the Dowager Countess

 beautiful garden.

  I saw on line where the house is in real

 life "Byfleet Manor" in Surrey and is for 
sale or at least was for $6.12 million.

I took these pictures with my camera but they

are of my television set as of last night!

I was very sorry the scenes took but a couple minutes and this lovely garden 

was not really shown that much.

  I would have loved to see more.  Too bad Isobel Crawley didn't ask a few questions and let Violet 

expound on her knowledge!

We do see some lovely flowers just the same!

I wish they had sat down on that

 bench for tea!

Then there was the sweet young man who wanted a job helping the garden - thank goodness!  

Well, at least we know that

 the Dowager liked:

Alliums, delphiniums, hydrangeas,

poppies and what else do you see?

DECOUPAGING IS FUN

This post will be brief......just wanted to share

one of the clipboards I recently decoupaged

on the front and back.

This one is mine:

"A PITY TO MISS SUCH A GOOD PUDDING"

Strawberry Charlotte Russe

The Dowager Countess had it right when she said

"It seems a pity to miss such a good pudding".

  

 I decided to make some Strawberry Charlotte Russe.  I noticed several recipe variations online and decided to put mine in little glass sherbert dishes.  If you have been watching Downton Abbey - you know all about Charlotte Russe from season three.  Here is my version which is super simple!

I am also sharing a lovely old glass sawtooth cake stand that I found last weekend while doing the flea markets in Fort Collins.  I didn't have a small one like this - so that is my excuse for buying it!

You might also enjoy looking at the "Best of Bliss" special edition by Victoria Magazine 2013 as they have a chapter of Elegant English Berry Puddings!

I also found the cup and saucer on the left

 to add to my collection of pink English

 ones to mix and match.

Here is what you will need to make 8 desserts:  4 cups of mashed fresh strawberries, *1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 envelope unflavored gelatine, 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream and 2/3 cup confections sugar, and 2 packages of 12 ladyfingers
*If the strawberries are summertime sweet - you can skip the 1/3 cup of granulated sugar!

#1  Heat the 4 cups of strawberries in a saucepan, add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1 envelope of gelatine and bring to a boil,  stir well and remove to a large bowl to cool in the refrigerator

#2  In a deep medium bowl, whip 2 1/2 cups of whipping cream with 2/3 cup of confectioners sugar till stiff.  Save back 1/2 cup of this (after the whipping) for topping embellishment

Mix the cooled strawberry mixture together with the whipping cream

#3  Line each sherbert dish with 6 pcs of split lady fingers and spoon berry mixture in the middle.  Take the 1/2 cup reserved whipped cream and embellish tops - also embellish with pieces of strawberry.