Our Blue Themed Tea in the Garden

Ella decided that she wanted a Blue Themed Tea Party in the Garden.  Why, you wonder??  She had a pretty blue dress that she wanted to wear!  She chose the blue runner and matching napkins that I had made while ago, as our table covering, but she thought it needed something underneath.  I just let her go for it!  She used the yellow roses that her dad, my son, Tim, had surprised with me with on what would've been my 50th wedding anniversary.

Ella loves hummus, so we put some in a pretty blue teacup, along with some carrot sticks, cucumbers, and blue corn tortilla chips, in a side dish for us to share.

We put together a Cobb Salad with a spicy ranch dressing.  Ella is like eating with a girlfriend, because she loves to eat, and likes most everything.  Do you notice our blue iced tea?  My friend, Pat, gave me some Adagio Blue Mango Tea that you make with cold water and leave it in the fridge overnight.  It actually turned that bright blue color.  I used my maternal grandmother's stemware.

Ella arranged the Feta cheese, tomatoes, egg slices, turkey, avocado and bacon on top of the chopped lettuce.

When we decided our theme, Ella thought that blueberry muffins would be good, and she ate two!  I'm again using my beautiful cake dome that I won from Linda, at Life and Linda.  It's the perfect size for tea party treats!  Thank you, again, Linda!

We were ready for our dessert and I surprised her with Mochi Ice Cream balls.  Have you ever tried them?  They're only about 100 calories, and they are the perfect little treat.  Yes, I got a chance to dress up, too, which is always nice because I never go any where to do that!

This yummy blueberry center was inside the Mochi treat. 

Ella chose this teacup, which is by Grace's, that my sister had given to  me.  We had blueberry tea, but Ella wanted ice in hers.

I chose this Nasco teacup, called Lakeview, that I received in a teacup exchange, but I had mine hot. 

I hope you enjoyed our tea in the garden.  Even though the temperatures were in the 90's, we didn't mind eating outside on my shady patio. 

I recently won this wonderful book from Cheryl's giveaway at Homespun Devotions.

Thank you, Cheryl, for this lovely giveaway!! 

If you've ever visited Marilyn at Mountaintop Spice,you would realize what a beautiful God-given gift that she has, through her photography.   I always thought that she should have a book, because her photos are so amazingly wonderful, and now she does!   To get your own copy of this fabulous book, you can visit Marilyn.

Thank you for your visit!  xo

I am sharing this with these lovely parties:

Keep In Touch

Full Plate

Love Your Creativity Link Party

Meal Plan Monday

Giveaway Gifts from Mary and a 1st Birthday!

 Recently I was one of  the recipients of Mary's Halloween giveaway.  Mary blogs at Home Is Where The Boat Is, and she always amazes me with her creativity, inspiration, kindness, and generosity.  

 Mary was so sweet to include my granddaughter, Cissy, who comes to bake with me  every week.  I waited until Cissy came over so that she could do the honors of opening the box.

 Look at all these Halloween baking goodies that we won! Included in the box were two tea towels, cookie stamps, a Jack-O-Lantern cookie cutter, 48 cupcake cases, and 24 assorted toppers, a spatula, and a container of Halloween sprinkles.  Cissy and I were thrilled!!!!  Mary wrote the sweetest note to Cissy and I, and signed it, "Happy Baking!  XO, Mary, Gracie and Lola".  Gracie and Lola are Mary's two adorable pups.

 Since we needed to get to one of Cissy's brother's football games, we made a quick treat of Halloween Bark, and added the Halloween sprinkles.  Who doesn't love to lick the spatula??

Here' s Cissy with her bag of Halloween Bark to take home to her family.  Thank you so very much, Mary, you are so kind, thoughtful and generous! 

 My youngest grandchild, Hayden, celebrated her first birthday!!

Here's adorable Hayden, who is the sweetest, most pleasant baby ever!  I made her this outfit, which looked so precious on her.  I think she likes her cake, don't you?

I'm off to be with my dear mom, who's health is failing, and I may be gone for awhile.    Please say prayers for her during this time.  Love to all, and God bless you!

Thank you for your visit!  xo

Black-Eyed Pea Soup and a Wonderful Giveaway Winning

Being a girl that was born in Pennsylvania, and brought up in Ohio, my Mom always fixed pork and sauerkraut for New Year's Day.  This year  I changed it up and fixed a pot of Black-Eyed Pea with Sausage Soup to bring in the New Year.  

 I'm using a favorite Winter teacup that's marked Clarence, Bone China, Made in England.  I love the pine cone spray inside the teacup. 

 

 I saw the recipe for this stew on The Today Show, but adapted it to make a soup.  I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful and spicy it was.  I will definitely be making this soup again.  Here's the adapted recipe:

Black-Eyed Pea and Sausage Soup:

• • 1 lb. Italian Sausage (I used a mixture of hot and mild)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced(I'm not sure this is needed with the hot Italian sausage)
  • One 14-ounce can Italian tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 3 cans black-eyed peas, drained
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 
  • 1 cup water
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus leaves for garnish, optional

Preparation

1. In a large dutch oven, brown the sausage.

2. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeño to the dutch oven and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until just beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, the black-eyed peas, along with the broth. Season lightly with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover partially and simmer until the soup is heated through.

3.Add the chopped cilantro, season with salt and pepper and simmer the stew for a few minutes.    Spoon the pea-and-sausage soup into deep bowls, garnish with cilantro leaves and serve. 

 

Recently I won a ThermoWorks  Chef Alarm, which was coordinated by Jean's blog at Delightful Repast.  This probe can be used for so many things, one of which I used for my Civil War Starter Bread, to make sure that reached the proper temperature.  As you can see, Jean even asked what color I would like to pick for my Chef Alarm, and of course, I picked red! 

Once a year, I splurge on a beef tenderloin for Christmas Eve, in honor of my late Beloved Husband, who loved to have it for our family's Christmas Eve meal.  The probe was used for this,  to make sure that it reached the perfect temperature.  Thank you so much to ThermoWorks for this Chef Alarm, and to Jean, who reviews these fabulous products and coordinates it all.  I know I'll be using it to check the temperature of so many things.  

 

Pope Francis has declared this the Year of Mercy, and I had been learning about mercy this Advent season.

Here is a prayer that I wrote for my family for Christmas. I was so hoping that it would be meaningful:

I pray for God's Mercy for each of you and may you bring God's love and mercy to everyone you meet.  Mercy is a gift that you can give and receive.

I pray, also, for peace in the world, in my home and yours,  and peace in myself and for all of you.  Amen.

Happy New Year to all my friends.  Thank you for all your thoughtfulness and kindness that you've shown me throughout the year.  You mean the world to me.

I am sharing this with these lovely parties:

No Place Like Home

Tuesday Cuppa Tea 

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage and Garden Blog Party

Tea Cup Tuesday 
Roses of Inspiration 
Cooking and Crafting with J & J 

Share Your Cup

Full Plate

Foodie Friday

Weekend Potluck

Thank you for your visit!  xo

Peppermint Crunch-Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

 My fireside tea is being hosted by another of my baking Santa's.    I'm using some of the gifts that I won from Gina's most generous giveaway.  Gina blogs at With Twigs and Branches.   Please stop by and tell Gina "hi".

The bouquet of roses that I'm using as my centerpiece is from my sweet friend Stephanie, from The Enchanting Rose.  The bouquet was delivered from The Bouqs Company and I must say that they are extraordinary! What a lovely surprise they were!  Thank you so much, Stephanie!

 

I'm using my Merry Christmas teacup from Johnson Brothers. 

Isn't this the sweetest, most old-fashioned pattern?  Perfect for a girl like me!

 This little Santa was given to me from my late beloved hubby, and has a special place in my heart.  Santa is checking over the cookies that are oh so tasty.  Please help yourself, as I think you'll love them!    If you already have a favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe, just use half milk chocolate chips and half of the Andes Peppermint Crunch chips, in place of the two cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips. 

Peppermint Crunch-Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (from culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com, found on tastebook.com) 

After researching, I found that the recipe is  actually adapted from Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz.  Here's the recipe:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup packed light brown sugar

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs, at room temperature

7 ounces milk chocolate chips

7 ounces Andes Peppermint Crunch Chips

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a bowl by hand), beat together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla on medium speed just until smooth, about 2 minutes.

Beat in the eggs one at a time until thoroughly incorporated, then stir in the flour mixture followed by the chocolate and peppermint crunch chips.

On a lightly floured work surface, divide the dough into quarters. Shape each quarter into a log about 9 inches long. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, preferably for 24 hours .  I froze my logs).

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Slice the logs into disks ¾ inch thick and place the disks 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. If the chips crumble out, simply push them back in.

Bake, rotating the baking sheets midway through baking, until the cookies are very lightly browned in the centers, about 10 minutes. If you like soft chocolate chip cookies,  err on the side of underbaking.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets until firm enough to handle, then use a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack.

Look at all these wonderful gifts that I received from Gina!  Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart, Gina!  I was  overwhelmed by your generosity, and have enjoyed the Christmas CD's, the beautiful dishes, the darling towel,  the three Yankee holiday scented candles, the notepads and the books.  The handmade card was  soooo beautiful!  What creativity and love was put into that.  I so appreciate everything.

I am sharing this with these lovely parties:

No Place Like Home

Tuesday Cuppa Tea 

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage and Garden Blog Party

Tea Cup Tuesday 
Roses of Inspiration 
Cooking and Crafting with J & J 

Share Your Cup

Full Plate

Foodie Friday

Weekend Potluck

Halloween Treats from Mary

 I was the happy recipient of these wonderful baking goodies from Mary's giveaway from Home is Where the Boat is.What wonderful treats were packed inside the box....a baking mat, a trick or treat spatula, cupcake liners and toppers, sprinkles, colored sugar,  and a sweet note card from Mary.  Thank you so much, Mary!

 I had to fix my Halloween tea inside today, for we are getting much needed rain here in Texas.  How about joining me and my friendly witch for some yummy cupcakes?

 Recently Mary showed us how to make a flower topped pumpkin without hollowing out the inside.   You can buy floral foam in a double pack at the Dollar Tree, soak it and place it on top of the stem.    You can check out Mary's tutorial here.

Here's the pumpkin topped with floral foam, ready to have a blooming topper. 

I bought a $3.99 bunch of flowers from Trader Joe's and went to work.  I also added some extra stems, coleus and blackfoot daisies from my yard.  I love how it turned out!

 

I followed Mary's directions for Halloween Oreo Surprise Inside Cupcakes.  I then decorated them with the fun sprinkles that I won.

 I also followed Mary's directions for making witch shoes sticking out of the cupcake.  The straws are from the Dollar Spot at Target and the shoes are made from Tootsie Rolls.  

  The five of my seven grands had fun at Nana's Cooking Camp with all the baking goodies. Please go visit Mary at Home Is Where The Boat Is and you'll be inspired by her beautiful tablescapes,  creativity, and the cutest potting shed that she decorates seasonally, and be sure to tell her "hi"!

Thanks Mary!!!

 

I am sharing this with these lovely parties:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea 

Friends Sharing Tea

Tea Cup Tuesday 
Roses of Inspiration 
Cooking and Crafting with J & J 

Share Your Cup

Full Plate

Foodie Friday
Weekend Potluck

Thank you for your visit!  xo

Snickerdoodle Bread and My Giveaway Win!

 For my tea today, I am sharing the wonderful electric tea kettle that I chose from winning a $100.00 Williams-Sonoma gift card from Michael Lee West at Rattlebridge Farm.  Michael Lee is such a generous and kind person,  and she is also the host of Foodie Friday.  I have a butler's pantry between my kitchen and dining room and I have it set up now as my tea station.

 

An electric tea kettle is so quick in preparing the tea water.  THANK YOU Michael Lee!  I will think of you each time I use my new kettle, and which for me,  is several times a day! It's so shiny and pretty, don't you think?

 

 

I was gifted this pretty mug with a picture of my newest granddaughter.  Isn't this adorable? I'm going to sip some cinnamon vanilla tea from Trader Joe's. 

 

In looking for a recipe to use a package of cinnamon chips that I had in the pantry,  I found this wonderful recipe at Barbara Bakes .  It has such great flavor and it's like eating a snickerdoodle in bread form! 

Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cup cinnamon chips (1 pkg. Hershey's)
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350º.   Spray the bottom of two 9 x 5" loaf pans with cooking spray that has flour.  (I actually used 3 mini loaf pans and one 7 x 3 1/2" loaf pan.   Barbara used 5 mini loaf pans.)
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and 2 cups sugar, until fluffy, about two minutes. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and sour cream and mix to combine. Add flour mixture and mix just until combine. Do not overmix.
4. Coat the cinnamon chips with 2 tablespoons flour and stir into batter.
5. Spoon batter into greased pans (Don't fill more than 2/3 full.)
6. Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the batter in the pans.
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into a crack in the center of the loaf comes clean. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Remove from pan and let cool completely before serving. 

I am sharing this with:

Make It Pretty Monday

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea 

Friends Sharing Tea

Tea Cup Tuesday 

Share Your Cup
Full Plate
Foodie Friday
Weekend Potluck

Thank you for your visit!  xo

Harvest Bars and A Snickerdoodle Candle

 My tea today is in honor of my Snickerdoodle candle that I won from bj at bj's Sweet Nothings!  Oh my goodness I wish you could smell this heavenly aroma!  The lovely people at Goose Creek Candles let me choose the scent that I wanted.  I, of course, LOVE foodie scented candles and chose Snickerdoodles.

 I'm a blogger copy catter and made this sweater-encased pumpkin that I found from

Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict.   You can find the directions here.  I even had a few of my grandchildren make these. 

 Here's a close up of my candle.  I couldn't for the life of me get a good picture when it was lit!  Thank you bj and Goose Creek Candle Company for this wonderful candle.  When I light it, my house smells like I've been baking.  The candle came wonderfully packaged, too. You can find the candles at their website here.     Stop by and say "Hi" to bj for me.  Bj is like the Susan Branch of Texas.  When you visit her blog, she just makes you smile and she oozes warmth and happiness.

Now for these delicious Harvest Cookie Bars, which won first place in the Easy Cookie Category of Holiday Cookies at the Dallas Morning News in 2013.  My adaptations are italicized.

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked (I used Old Fashioned Oats)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 (5-ounce) package dried cranberries

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, melted

1 1/2 cups prepared pumpkin butter (I used Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter, which is only 10 ozs, but worked and it's only $2.29!)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Combine flour, soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add oats, sugar and dried cranberries. Stir in margarine and mix well. Press half the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Top with pumpkin butter. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until brown. Cool and cut into bars.

Makes 36 bar cookies.

I am sharing this with:

Make It Pretty Monday

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea 

Friends Sharing Tea

Tea Cup Tuesday 

Share Your Cup
Full Plate
Foodie Friday
Weekend Potluck
Fresh Cut Friday 

Thank you for your visit!  xo