BEATRIX'S OWL FIGURINE

This morning I reset the buffet in my kitchen which I often do.  My bouquet of Stargazer's was in the window receiving lots of light and they have all opened to fullness - just about done really!

I am also sharing another Beatrix Potter Figurine that I could not resist because it reminded me of the day the fat little owl landed on my bird feeder and the squirrel came along! 

  Some of you might remember my little vases with birds on them as well.

I was so happy to have spring on the calendar but I am well aware that April can always bring us snow here in Colorado.  The very wet kind of snow.  Is some snow not so wet?  Yes, we have snow that is much more dry - figure that one out!

WILMA'S PINK LADY PIE

This is a reposting from 2009. 

 I am doing my part here to encourage springtime - you know - bring it forward!!!

How about a slice of PINK LADY PIE:

Don't be fooled by that greenness outside -

 these photos are from July 2009.

Wilma Pfadenhauer gave me this recipe back in the 1980's. She was a "waste not want not" lady who new how to get the value out of every dollar.  She always had rhubarb in her garden!

Wilma's Pink Lady Pie:

For the crust you will need 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 1/2 Tb sugar, 1/2 cup oil, 2 Tb milk

Mix ingredients thoroughly and press into 9" pie pan, crimping the edge of the dough around the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool!

For the filling: 2 cups diced rhubarb, ( I also added 2 cups fresh strawberries) 1 3 oz pkg of strawberry jello, 1 cup sugar, 1 Tb lemon juice, 2 cups whipped cream which was 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream whipped with 1/4 cup confectioners sugar

Cook rhubarb and strawberries with the sugar until tender. Add the jello and stir until dissolved. Let cool and add the lemon juice. Fold in the 2 cups of whipped cream and pour into the cooled crust and refrigerate. This pie can now be frozen for later if desired.

Top with additional whipped cream or ice cream when ready to serve.

THE TABLE IS SET WITH PANSIES

Last night I saw my first robin up in a tree behind my house.  I saw one this morning too.  That surely means spring is on it's way - right?  This photo is actually a coffee

set from our private label china at

the store:

This means it is time to celebrate and pull out some pansy table setting pieces and have some pansy fun.

My fondness for vintage doilies is never more pronounced than in the springtime.  

I am sharing a little trivet I recently

 acquired while antiquing:

These sweet hankies can

be used as napkins:

These dessert plates are Crown Dorset.  I used to sell them years ago and I will tell you that Crown Dorset pieces are always exceptional and more embellished with

gold paint.

I have to tell you that it is a beautiful spring day in Colorado.  I really feel guilty saying that as I saw photos of the snow that Carolyn and Sandi received on Prince Edward Island.  

Regardless of the weather, I hope your weekend is lovely!

COTTAGE TEAPOTS FOR SPRING and "Friends Sharing Tea"

Good morning and I hope your week is going splendid.  It is spring break here in town so the children are all happy!  I am sharing my little tea time setting:

I now have 3 Japanese cottage teapots that I have acquired at flea markets and I just adore their whimsical style.  The one below left is the largest but really not that big.  I know there are English ones that were made like these but they are much more expensive.

We are at least glad to have

 spring on the calendar here.  

So please come sit here by the window.  There isn't much of a view as we are still brown - winter brown.  

Do pour yourself a cup of tea and we shall have a chat.  I know you are anxious for springtime like I am.

Yesterday I made an arrangement in this egg I found for $4.00.  I remember these from my childhood in the 1950's.  Grandmothers always seemed to have them.

THE VIOLETS WILL BE THE FIRST TO APPEAR

As we anxiously await spring, I am remembering that one of the first things to appear will be the violets.  

A year ago I found this violet and lilac Bavarian chocolate pot for $6.00.  It had no lid but I gave that matter some thought and ordered a lid that worked.  It has hand painting on it which is wonderful to see

in our age of decals.  I am also sharing two English Violet Cups and Saucers and some violet vintage linens.

It is still somewhat cold weather in Colorado this morning and perfect for hot chocolate so we can use our teacups for that today. So today it will be "Friends Sharing Tea" or hot chocolate!  You might remember this little arrangement I did several years back in an old Victorian coffee pot with a broken spout.

As you can see, this tea cart has sides that can be raised up and lock to create a table.  It is very handy.  Once I failed to make sure the lock was secure and of course - a broken saucer was the result.

I love everything about violets 

and I am sure you do too!