Valentine Memories

I cannot believe tomorrow  is February...  the month of  love and  sweet remembrance!
And when Im in a remembering state    I  really  love  the  joy of  vintage  valentines... Why didnt we ever keep all those  sweet sentiments of  friendship and blooming  love..., well, I know why,   but it is too bad we  couldnt  have  squirrelled them away some place...  many of them  are  probably  worth  quite a bit today..  but even then, it would be a shame to part with  any of them..
This one is a dear tribute to tea...  and tea  was on my mind  today  as I dressed the mantel!

First of all, I had to remove all the wintry  decor in the living room and  bring out the red roses...

 As I removed the  Christmas  greenery and  candlelight  garland  I thought  whoa.. time  for a change.. so I shopped the dining room for the  pair of small lamps.. That  felt wonderful to  have a  fresh  perspective...

then  I  dug out  my valentine  artifacts..I love the  velvet candy box Hubs gave me last year..

To  celebrate  tea  this week I  placed my  lovely  pink themed  Royal Albert  Country Rose  cup  under the cloche  at one end

 and at the other end  of the mantel   my  precious  English Thatched Cottage tea pot  with  heart roses  above the door...  If I lived in England, I'd chose to live there  in a cosy cott  with my love!!!

So   with that  I shall  continue my  sweet reverie  with the  following Victorian  valentines...   that  

spark    loving  memories of  bygone friends  and  special times  with  loved ones!!






Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party

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Tuesday Cuppa Tea
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Grace at Home

Cosy Firelight and a Cup of Tea

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." 

- John Boswell

Time to  cosy by the fire with a lovely cup of tea and  a  bit of something sweet..

as  the  snow lies on the frozen ground   daring the sun's warmth to  give it a thaw!.  Time to  just  sit with tea and   smile  with happy memories..

for the only  ice in    the room are the crystals  that line the mantel and the flakes that adorn my plate..  but what a plate...   yum!

 Fresh baked morning scones  with a dollop of  New England apple butter. the tea, a cup of Downton Abbey blend...  an earl grey with vanilla...  perfect for the  day of remembrance..

No better  vignette   for  some contemplation  that  over  an English  serving plate  by the Woods and Brothers,   an English cup  by Adams   which  was  first established in Tunstall, England in 1657,  and  a  mix matched  English saucer  from Johnson  Brothers...

 Yum  these  morning scones   are  delectable and  pretty  quickly  made..

when you  go to her page  search buttermilk biscuits and scroll a bit

  you'll find a video to mkae them.  Here is the recipe  from that page..

Buttermilk Biscuits...  in a regular oven (425ºF for 25 minutes)

Ingredients:
2-1/3 cups self-rising flour
8 teaspoons (2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons) sugar
½ cup butter (1 stick)  frozen  and then grate it  before adding in...
1-1/3 cups buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour, for shaping
Directions
1. Line a buttered 7-inch cake pan with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and sugar. By freezing the stick of butter and then grating it,  the bits of  butter  melt as it cooks and  it makes the  biscuits very flaky and  light. Grate the butter into the flour and stir it in to coat evenly. Gently stir in the buttermilk. The dough should be quite wet.   I recommend watching the video on the  author's page  from  the link.
3. Spread the all-purpose (not self-rising) flour out on a small cookie sheet. With a spoon, scoop evenly sized balls of dough into the flour, making sure they don’t touch each other. With floured hands, coat each dough ball with flour and toss them gently from hand to hand to shake off any excess flour. Place each floured dough ball into the prepared pan, right up next to the other. This will help the biscuits rise up, rather than spreading out. I used a 1/4 sheet pan and  I made 9 biscuits.. They do spread out quite a bit... I had  3  rather  large  globs of dough that I shaped  and placed  three in each row.

And now by the light of my candle  I am deep in my  reverie  as  inspired this morning  on facebook...

I love  all things British  and when I saw this  my immediate thought was   I need to seek out this  painting...

Joseph Farquharson (1846 -1935)

'The Snow Encumbered Branches" 1901
Oil on canvas.

Farquharson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and died at Finzean, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Farquharson was most adept at capturing the warmth and light of sun rises and twilight. He is most famous for his works portraying sheep and his finest works often include a human figure. Men and women of Scotland going about their everyday labours are frequently depicted in dramatic landscapes. Nearly all the early works were inspired by his rural surroundings and he went on to make snow scenes his trademark.
As written on  the Queen's English  facebook page this morning'

My reverie  takes me back to Ireland where  pastorale scenes like this  were  prolific..  but to see it   in January.. now that would be a sight to see... for me..  Love ...love....love!!!!
 So  I  take my  devotional and  peruse    January  inspirations  that  come  from  God's Word...  and I am filled  with the  glory that is  this time of year...  the gift of  frigid air... the  complimentary  gift of  a cosy home and  the  glow of  a  contained  and cheerful  flame.  and I give thanks  for it is all by His hand...  and I am blessed!!Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party

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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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Monday Musings

WHooooooo's Ready for Elevenses??

This morning I looked outside and finally the mums   are  blooming... and I thought.. why dont you   set up an October  vignette in the kitchen,  so  hubs  and I  enjoyed  elevenses!!!  Just a snack to tide us over til lunch..

Early spring this year  while visiting our daughter near Boston.. I  found  these darling owl cups at Home Goods.. They  say on the bottom.. Rose of England..  made in  United Kingdom.  Ive been saving them for  today, I guess... They feel so great in the hand... and  Pumpkin Spice tea is the tea of choice for these  autumn vessels..  Haahaa, I actually heard an owl last night right outside our  bedroom window!!!

It was so funny... I love our  new kitchen,  but  being an English Tudor house,  the kitchen is small and I  dont particularly like  open rooms  so    when we had it redone last  summer we  worked within the  regular foot print.. but  we  got double the storage  by  including a pantry and  cabinets  all around the room.  But the work space  is still  rather limited... When Hubs passed through here  while I was assembling this he said...  "Where is my toaster?  You're not planning on leaving all that up all the time are you?"...Poor guy...  he is so pragmatic and  a  true creature of habit... I love how he  does all the morning  coffee, yogurt, and  muffin   service,, plus he is the primary dish washer...  what a doll!  But things have to be just  so...  Im in trouble if I  move anything... So I will   try to figure out  what I can keep out and  what  I cannot.. but for now it is   making me happy..

Yes, I heated the water in the microwave  whchh invariably leaves that  foam on top of  tea with a tad  of sugar..  But I love how my owls are    camouflaging themselves   into my granite... but I still see you!!!!  And  even though Hubs wasn't too sure  that our elevenses were going to  be enough for him to  ward off the    grumbles... he  was  really excited about the  cup of tea.. it was so delicious!!!

I will also add that I now  have a favorite autumn pairing... 

Hubs so  sweetly brought me a surprise yesterday.. knowing how  much I love  everything Irish.. He found  this  fabulous Irish cheddar all bound up in its  green wax casing.. The label says  made from the rich milk from  beautiful Irish cows  who have  eaten  the lush  green grass of  the  leas of Ireland..well, it is  a  pretty stout  cheddar  which I love  and the ginger  snaps stand right up with them...  a tasty  bite if ever there is one!!!

Make it Pretty Monday

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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.

Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party

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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
Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party

 Grace at Home

No Place Like Home

Friends Sharing Tea 

Teacup Tuesday

 Thursday Favorite Things

Home and Garden Thursday