Autumn in the Mountains

Autumn in the Mountains

I am getting so excited  because  soon  Im going to be spending a very cosy weekend in  the mountains  with my sweet cousin and Im sure we'll be enjoying  teatime...  Can you imagine  my musings.

Pinterest

NO this isnt her place...  but  is just as  charming!!!

Pinterest

 Yep..  there  will definitely be something pumpkin...  for that Im positive...

Im also sure there will be  cozy  fires  blazing...  both inside

 amd out

this isnt it either,, but it is just  as  remarkable...

I know  there will be every attention to detail....   that's just who my  cuz is!!

both pinterest

Now as  I continue my musings...  my taste buds  start  whispering ... "caramel""'

What would we do without pinterest!!!

And   for tea it would surely be

I can hardly wait.. it  wont be much longer actually...!!!  Giddy!!!

PS...  Isnt this adorable.. this is it!!!

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Summer Travel

This time last year we were planning our trip north that we always break into2 equals parts... stopping always somewhere in Pennsylvania... One of our favorite inns is Swiss Woods Bed and Breakfast in Lititz right outside Lancaster...

Fresh flowers from the expansive gardens are always a welcome  greeting..

 

We can count on  gorgeous sunflowers this time of year!

Beautiful views out of the chalet windows  bid one to  step outside and  wander the  beautiful well manicured grounds...

Every deal both inside and out  calls back to the  Swiss beauty...

Cups of robust coffee are ever ready  along wiht  homemade biscotti....  one of my favorites! I have collected this mugs  for  about 8 years and have a lovely collection in many complimentary colors.. I love the way they feel in my hand!! And of course, remind me of the many  wonderful places we ahve stayed!

Just the right  treat to  take outside  and  just  enjoy a  lovely spot  in one of the many seting areas  through the gardens

I particularly enjoy the area around the fountain.. trickling wter is so soothing!

This  gorgeous bench is not only calling my name...

but it is also right outisde the private entrance to our garden room!

When hubs comes out to join me we'll  retire over under the tree and  enjoy the  cooling evening  air serenaded by  birdsong and the rustle of the breeze...

If I know my man.. he would have  found the cookie jar in the lodge and have a fist full of  

Oatmeal Cookies

This article is  written on the  webpage  ...  shared here for your convenience...and to  advertize   this wonderful    B&B.

"We love this chewy cookie. We used both kinds of raisins in this batch but have made them with only dark ones and with only golden ones. Make sure to not over bake to keep the wonderful chewy texture. Soaking them is the other secret to the perfect cookie."

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar - (packed)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 large eggs

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup rolled oats

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups mixed raisins - golden and dark

1/2 cup boiling water

1 cup walnut pieces

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees..

Pour the boiling water over the raisins...

Mix the sugars, softened butter and shortening...

Add the eggs and vanilla...

Mix the oats, flour, salt and baking powder...

Add to the butter/egg mixture...

Add the plumped raisins and walnuts...

Using a small scoop place balls of dough on a parchment-lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart..

Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. DO NOT over bake.

Swiss Woods Bed & Breakfast Inn

http://wwwswisswoods.com

Debbie Mosimann , Innkeeper

These cookies  make a great  accompaniment to  a cup of tea or coffee..  especially great for dunking!

This week we are planning our late summer turn to see our kids  in MA.  Maybe we will stay here or maybe  a new  place... Deciding  is half the fun, after all!

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Encouragement over Tea

This morning I awakened  hopeful and encouraged  and I was  eager to  work on my  summer Bible Study, Seamless, by Angie Smith... what a fantastic study.. just right for summer.. It is so very  interesting as it   ties up scripture's message into an amazing tapestry, seamless and  glorious.. in easy to understand  text , less homework to write and her videos are  passionate and  shorter so there is more time during meetings for  Holy Spirited  discussion..  I love it!!

This morning I spent time in 1Samuel.. and I enjoyed a wee snack  and  a iced tea in my  beautiful new china mug... 

I absolutely love  Roy Kirkham's  china made in Staffordshire England.  The quality is  sublime.. the patterns modern and  fresh!

Besides the fun of using my new mug...  the message today was  again so  inspired and relevant...  we were reminded that  the leader at that time,  Saul,,  had fallen away from God and leading by what he determined was  the way to go and God told him his kingdom would not endure    God started preparing his replacement... a man after His own heart..  I do see  a bit of relevance here and I am praying  that God will again  evoke this same  principle and  elevate a man with a tender heart for Him who will  surround himself with  godly  advisers   and  seek to lead  in God's will.

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Where There's Tea, There's Hope

Now I  want to join along with  Sandi  at No Place Like Home.

Well, Im a bit sad...   I was planning all day  to  take a  cutting from our hydrangea   to make my first  bouquet of the season...  and I didnt realize  that the blooms were  so far gone... actually  the plant took such a hit  with a late killing frost  the blooms were really slow to  come in... but obviously, I needed to pay more attention..  and then suddenly  a terrible storm  came up  and it rained so hard that the nicer blooms are  bent over to the ground and  are looking  like they've been through  the wars...  so  I will  go  back in time and find  a time when my blooms were looking pristine!!!
So  zing!  
It is  July 2012..  and the day is   simply lovely... no  rain.. no humidity... and the hydrangea  was  perky and  gorgeous!

such inspiration for a bit of a tea party  just for me!


A bit of fruit,a cucumber sandwich, and  a cinnamon doughnut along with a pot of tea.. just for me!!!

I see my Royal Albert,  Flowers by the Month cup with  Roobioos  tea...  This very well might have a birthday gift to myself.. sounds like me!!!

Everything in the garden looks fo verdantly  lush....  quite  a bit  of difference....  I can understand wanting to be outside   on that day...But I am loving the  beautiful  blooms that  are in  various stages of maturity...  from  subtle green... to  white...to blue  so   gorgeous!  There is nothing as pretty as  blue hydrangeas to me....


   

  

Also sharing on
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 Grace at Home

No Place Like Home

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Teacup Tuesday

 Thursday Favorite Things

Home and Garden Thursday   

Ready to Celebrate

Tomorrow  one of my favorite people in the world...  Pam, is coming  to  spend a couple of nights...She is   a  dear, sweet cousin  who lives in NC  and  we are getting together to work on genealogy for the  big family reunion coming up in July!!!  Now that I have bunches of old photos  from my mom    we  want to  put names to  faces and    create  a  photologue   of  ancestors  at least back to  our greats  and   then genealogy  back several generations... So Ive been busy  sprucifying  the house for  Easter!!!

You know how you get  sale  ads  in your email  day after day..  Pier One  ads  we  enticing me  mightily  so I had to stop in there this morning and I  adopted this    wonderful  bunny  just  for   the season.... I had a smaller one  last year  but  its ear  got broken and unhappily I can not find the  ear to glue back on... But I just  love this fellow....    he is really guarding those carrots.. I may need to borrow one for  Sunday dinner!

 I decided to  use my  spring  Johnson Brothers Vintage Charm  plates      paired with my JB  Garden Basket  transferware  salad plates...   just to mix it up a bit!!!

 I love the     beautiful Vintage Charm coffee mug  with the  stately   positioned  bluebird...

 It was actually the mug  that drew me to these  dishes  because of our  beautiful    granddaughter, Birdie!!!!  This setting looks ready for  brunch or luncheon,  which ever  comes first!!! heheheh

 

  The sunroom  is  charming with the  vestages of spring!

   Bunnies are abounding  

 Just about everywhere one looks!

 The mantel in the parlor  is  verdant  and atwinkle!

 Looks like Peter Rabbit has  been hiding eggs  along the shelf!

 And the front porch  is beginning to take shape.. even though it hasnt been fully  seen to.. we  always wait until after  the pollen has   dissipated!  But  a  bit of refreshing  made a statement of welcome!

 Especially since this week we are having such grand  weather!!!

 Even the ktichen  is  laid out  in festive adornment!

 My kitchen helper  may be just the one to help me procure more carrots  form  other rooms!!!

Anyway...    Pam will be here soon, and  then the party  can begin in earnest!!! Amaze Me Monday Make It Pretty  Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party