It's a beautiful day here in Texas and I'm serving blueberry muffins that I've made using my sourdough starter that I have kept going for the past 18 years.
I have faithfully fed this starter that was given to me from my son Mike's, girlfriend's mom, who said that it was from the Civil War. I've made and given countless loaves of bread from this starter. My granddaughter, Harper, calls it "Nana Bread". I eat it toasted every morning! During the pandemic, I had mentioned to Susan, from Savoring Time In The Kitchen that I had a sourdough starter, and she asked if I would consider sending her some. Susan lives far from me, and I had previously only shared my starter with those that I could hand it to. I read the article that Susan had mentioned on King Arthur Arthur Flour's website, and found out how to spread my fed starter on parchment paper and let it dry for several days. I was then able to break it up and package it, and mailed it to Susan. I also sent Debbie, from Mountain Breaths some of the starter . You can read about Susan's results with the starter here, and Debbie's results with the starter here. They have kept it going since then, too. King Arthur also has information on making your own starter on their website if you'd ever like to give it a try.
I have to say that this luncheon cloth that my friend Joy gave me is probably my most favorite, along with one that my mom embroidered. All the embroidery detail on this is simply amazing, and the teacups make it extra special. The blue crocheted edging is so intricate. I truly cherish it!
I'm using another of my great Aunt Kitty's painted trio sets. This is my very favorite one of all. Aunt Kitty painted the plate, but in this one, her teacher painted the teacup and saucer.
My beloved dad gave me this sweet Goebel piece way back in the 1970's.
The recipe for the muffins can be found here. They were good, but not my very favorite blueberry muffins.
My East Palatka Holly trees took a terrible beating during our February arctic freeze. I had them trimmed of all the dead branches and I have fertilized them, but I'll have to see if they make it. My teapot wind chime is trying to perk them up a bit.
I bought a new birdhouse to place beside my waterfall, I did see a red finch make a visit, but there isn't a sign of a bird nest inside.
Thank you for your visit! xo
I am sharing with:
Love Your Creativity Link Party
Meal Plan Monday
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
I love your backyard, and it is the perfect spot to enjoy a blueberry muffin with tea. With thanks to you and Susan, I am still making sour dough bread!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you could dry starter and revive it Kitty! What a wonderful story and way to share it. I love your pretty embroidered tablecloth and sweet painted dishes and teacups handed down to you from your namesake. Hope your trees recover and I love your pretty new birdhouse. ♥
ReplyDeleteI hope your trees come back better than ever Kitty! Have a great week:@)
ReplyDeleteKitty, I have never heard of sending a starter kit like that through the mail. WOW! I LOVE that teacup and saucer! So very pretty and I know that you must enjoy it so much. Enjoy your little outside visits lady as I know that heat will crank up soon where you are at. Here is Florida....well, here lately we do not know what the weather will be. I always enjoy your blog. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteI love that story about your sourdough starter Kitty. How nice to give some to your blogging friends. Your yard looks so nice and cozy and the muffins look and sound delicious tasting. I hope you have a nice week Kitty.
ReplyDeleteEverything is so pretty Kitty, I adore you blue and white teapot cozy, and of course the beautiful teacup and saucer and embroidered cloth! I wish I had the patience for sour dough, I know Debby is really enjoying hers...incredible that yours dates back to the Civil War! Have a great week Kitty, I'm so sorry about your storm damage~
ReplyDeleteJenna
Oh wow!! I cannot believe you have a sourdough starter which traces back to the Civil War! This is amazing to me. Your tablescape of your beautiful Aunty Kitty's china, your dad's gift of the sweet little children, the teapot being hugged by the pretty crochet cozy, all sitting on the exquisite embroidered luncheon cloth is restful to my eyes and soul. Just exquisite, dear Kitty. And, of course, it wouldn't be a cup of tea if there wasn't a delectable baked muffin/cake of yours to enjoy. Oh....and I forgot....of course there is a teapot birdhouse sitting in your garden welcoming the wee little birds to sit a while. Why if I was a little bird I would happily sit inside and listen to the quaint little teapot chimes singing merrily away. LOVE this post❣
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about sourdough starters so it blows my mind that yours originated from the Civil War, and you were able to mail it to blogging friends! Science is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this week's blue theme. The new teapot birdhouse is also fabulous!
Wow! Sourdough starter dating back to the civil war?! That's amazing. I didn't even manage to keep mine alive for a week.
ReplyDeleteI just love your posts! I rush over here when I see you have a new post up. The simple, sweet beauty of your tablescapes and your wonderful recipes are such a bright spot in this world.
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty! WOW- neat about your starter - that is wild. I did the Amish Friendship Loaf starter sharing years ago and I failed, haha - and never tried it again. And now don't really have to since the hubs is the bread baker in this duo.
ReplyDeleteI love your embroidered tea table linen and love your Auntie Kitty's painted wares - that set is beautiful and extra special due to her teacher's hand making a lovely appearance as well.
So sorry about your trees and all the damage you all took there. It was shocking how much snow we got......and now just a few days later it was in the 80s today. God's creatures and plant life have got to be SO confused. We even are and we are a bit higher on the food chain of life. Just bizarre.
Hi Kitty - love all the blue today, with the charming little tablecloth and pretty Aunt Kitty plates. Love the crochet tea-cozy, too. Amazing about the sourdough starter from the Civil War - my goodness, I love that! As a new sourdough fan, I am enjoying this new hobby and always looking for new recipes - so thank you! Sorry about your trees - poor things, but I know with your love and care they will come around. Hope you get a birdy friend in your new little house! Sending hugs xo K
ReplyDeleteHow nice to continue to pass on your starter. So interesting how to mail it. I love your marble heart shaped cake plate and the charming table topper. I admire the workmanship and time and love that went into the embroidery. We have lost that I am afraid. Delightful post full of sweet momentos.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love the teacup, saucer and table topper! I knew you had sent the sourdough starter to Debbie, but I didn't realize what you did to get it there - wow! Amazing. I hope your trees have weathered the storms, Kitty. It's very sad to lose a tree you want to keep.
ReplyDeleteoh that embroidered tablecloth is precious!
ReplyDeleteLove all the pretties, and you certainly had me at blueberry sourdough! YUM! I want to bake the muffins.
ReplyDeleteKitty, such a beautiful tablecloth. How proud you must be to have it. Love the blue tea set and that cozy is darling. So sorry about the tree damage. Love your new bird house.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank for the mention, Kitty! My sourdough starter from you is still healthy and very active! I was worried about it when we went on a short trip lately but it was fine and rebounded very quickly from a week's neglect :) I had to stop making those muffins because my husband would have one every morning for breakfast and we've been watching our carbs lately. I put a streusel topping on mine and they seem to turn out much lighter in color. Maybe it's because I make them in the extra large muffin liners :) I adore all of your teapot and teacup decor!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is such an interesting story about your sour dough starter! I used to do this with Amish Friendship bread, but I had to let it go at some point. Your Aunt Kitty was so talented, and I think you are a whole lot like her. God bless you, sweet friend!
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