Not long ago, my Mother had an overnight guest. One of my nieces, Danielle, had come to visit. My Mother got to have fun being a Grandma. According to her, the story goes like this:
After a good nights sleep, Danielle awoke and made her way to the kitchen, In the kitchen she found Grandma and Grandpa were already awake. Grandma asked little Danielle if she would like to have a tea party before breakfast? Well, of course, Danielle thought this was a grand idea.
Grandma set up the tea tray:
Tea and cookies and strawberries.
What a yummy sight for tea!
Pretty Blue Danube tray and china.
Grandma and Grandpa showed Danielle how she could hold the stem (or green part) of the strawberry and eat it without getting sugar on her fingers!
What a fun way for a little girl to start the day!
Danielle also learned to put her napkin in her lap before eating.
Yummy
Danielle loves to visit with Grandma and Grandpa.
Pretty teascape
They always have so much fun.
Mama had so much fun putting together this “teascape” for Danielle. She always has a way of making things special!
What other kinds of “scapes” are out there for:
with Between Naps on the Porch
Today’s Lagniappe: Lemon Tea Cookies
The perfect cookie with a spot of tea.
1 2/3 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
FILLING:
1 egg, beaten
2/3 c. sugar
2-3 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. butter
Coconut or powdered sugar
In medium bowl combine first 4 ingredients; blend well. Chill dough. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. With thumb or forefinger make imprint in center of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; cool. In medium saucepan combine filling ingredients except coconut or powdered sugar; cook over low heat stirring constantly until smooth and thickened. Cool, top each cookie with about 1/4 teaspoon filling. Sprinkle with coconut or powdered sugar. 36 cookies.
During the week, breakfast is kind of a hit and miss sort of deal around here. More often than not, I grab something as I am sitting here at my computer with a cup of coffee as I am working. Weekends, though, are another matter. Even though there is plenty to be done on the weekends, we try to slow down a little and enjoy a weekend breakfast together.
This coming weekend, it is supposed to be in the 60’s and sunny. Perfect for breakfast on the porch. Here are some pics of a previous weekend breakfast on the porch. Look forward for more to come!
We're all set.
Bailey is peeking at us over the table.
Have a seat.
I love the little fruit spoons (far right)
I can see a pretty little flower while I sip my coffee.
Mimosas can be served from the pretty pitcher.
We can keep an eye on the robin's nest.
We can enjoy some good food . . .
some good conversation . . .
At our lovely Southern breakfast!
Thanks for joining me at my Southern Breakfast Tablescape. Check out the other lovely tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch.
Today’s Lagniappe: Eggs Sardou
Delicious – If you don’t want to make these yourself, just head on down to New Orleans and order it from one of their great restaurants! It was created at Antoine’s and named after French playwright Victorien Sardou
4 Poached Eggs (See below)
1 Recipe Creamed Spinach (see below)
1 Recipe Hollandaise Sauce (see below)
4 Artichoke bottoms
Paprika for sprinkling
Divide the creamed spinach in the center of two heated plates, nest two artichoke bottoms per plate on the spinach. Place a poached egg on each artichoke bottom then top with a generous portion of Hollandaise sauce. Sprinkle with Paprika. Serve.
Serves 2.
Poached Eggs Recipe
Fill a dutch oven with 1? of water, heat until just below a simmer. Add a few dashes of white vinegar. Crack the eggs and gently drop them into the water, keeping the shell as close to the water as possible when dropping them in. With a slotted spoon, gently move the ghost like strands of white back to the yolk. The eggs are done when the whites are no longer transparent, and the yolks are still runny. Remove with a slotted spoon and gently dry off with a towel.
Creamed Spinach Recipe
1 Cup Cooked and chopped Spinach, squeezed in a kitchen towel to remove excess water
1 Pint Heavy Cream, reduced by 3/4 of its volume
A pinch Freshly Grated Nutmeg
A pinch of Cayenne
1 tsp Crystal hot sauce
A few drops of Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt to taste
Hollandaise Sauce Recipe
2 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
3 Egg Yolks
1/2 Cup Clarified Butter, warm
Kosher Salt & Cayenne Pepper
1 Dash Crystal Hot Sauce
A few drops Worcestershire Sauce
Place the vinegar, lemon juice, and egg yolks in the top deck of a double boiler. The water in the lower deck should be hot but not boiling.
Whisk slowly until you see the yolks start to coagulate on the sides. If the pan gets too hot, remove it from the heat for a minute, whisking constantly.
Whisk while cooking, minding the bowl temperature, until the yolks are lighter in color and do not leave yellow streaks when the whisk goes through them. If you see any signs of scrambling, remove the bowl from the heat.
When the yolk/acid mixture is good and thick, remove from the heat and slowly drizzle in the clarified butter, whisking constantly, until incorporated.
Add the hot and Worcestershire sauces, and season to taste with the salt & cayenne.
If the sauce is a little too thick, you can thin it down with a few splashes of hot water.
It’s Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.
Click on the pic to see more tablescapes.
Yesterday, I posted pics of my beautiful robins and their eggs.
Robin's egg blue
The color of those eggs are what make me love this china so much.
The light blue color around the rim reminds me of the robin's eggs. The white rose in the center has a blue tint as well.
The pattern is called Sterling Rose by Royal Tettau.
The centerpiece is a pitcher with forsythia that was just starting to bloom.
You may remember that this is the china that I used for my placesetting that I entered in the County Fair.
With silver charger
Chantilly Silver
Silver Victorian knife rest
Small bouquet and white candle
The same place setting without the silver charger.
I may not have won the best of show ribbon at the fair, but this china certainly wins a best of show in my heart!
Today’s Lagniappe: Shrimp Casserole
I love shrimp just about any way you cook it. Here is one way:
8 oz. spinach egg noodles
3 oz. cream cheese, cubed
Cook noodles, and drain. Place in 13 x 9 casserole. Place cream cheese cubes on hot noodles.
1 1/2 lbs. peeled shrimp
1/2 cup butter
Saute’ shrimp in butter, and place all over noodles and cheese.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
1 tbl. chopped chives
Mix all of this, and pour over shrimp.
Sprinkle 3/4 cup grated cheese (your choice) on top. Bake at 325 degrees until cheese melts and all is bubbly.
Meetings, meetings, meetings! This week has been full of meetings and still more to get ready for! So, I’m taking a trip down memory lane to a warmer, slower time. A time when it was hot and sultry instead of cold and frosty (actually, it has started to warm up here and was even in the 50’s today). A time when the full moon was lighting the sky and the magnolias were in bloom. Forget thinking about meetings, I’m going back . . .
back to last summer:
Magnolia leaves under clear plates with gold edging.
Magnolia leaves under clear plates with gold edging.
A magnolia leaf is tucked in the gold napkin rings.
Here is a closer look at those leathery magnolia leaves under glass.
As usual, my birds got in on the picture.
We got the gold stemmed crystal in New Orleans on our honeymoon.
I think the magnolia in the crystal bowl in the center is stunning.
This one that is not quite open is laying along side.
While I was taking the pics, this dove came and visited.
As the sun went down, the candles were lit.
A romantic, sultry, Southern summer evening.
The sun is sinking over the horizon.
The candles flicker gently.
And, we wait for the moon to rise.
Okay, back to work!
Check out a lot of great tablescapes at
with Between Naps on the Porch
Today’s Lagniappe: Magnolia Milk Punch
Perfect for a Sunday brunch.
Ingredient
1/4 cup Bourbon Whiskey
1 tsp Vanilla
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream
4 parts Nutmeg
Directions
Combine ice cream, bourbon and vanilla in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into two glasses and sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg.
Its’ a Thanksgiving preview for Tablescape Thursday!
So, I got everthing out and went for a preview of the Thanksgiving table. Why do a preview? This is a good chance to make sure you have everything. All the butter knives all the salad plates, napkins, candles. I did find a couple of things that I need to check on. I will need more candles and I need to do a little more ironing on the napkins. I also went ahead and got out serving pieces to make sure they are all clean and ready to go.
Looks good so far. I may turn up the lights a little or add more candles.
All the pieces are here for the place settings.
I like the centerpiece
I may add some fall leaves down the table.
I just love the look of crystal sparkling in the candlelight.
Pretty close to just how I want it!
I can’t wait for all the family to arrive. I love making things look nice for them. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday.
As I was running errands today, I ran into so many friends who are struggling during this recession. I am so grateful for friends and my prayer is that we all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and can have just a little bit of time to forget our troubles and be thankful for our blessings, however smal they may seem. I’ll have to say, my heart is breaking over so many people who are just really experiencing tough times. If it is you that is experiencing a tough time, please know that I care and am praying for our nation and for everyone who is facing trying times.
Have a great Tablescape Thursday and check out everyone who has made something beautiful today!
Today’s Lagniappe: Thanksgiving Potatoes
This is a recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks The Silver Palate. I have made this many times and it is always a hit and tastes delicious!
The weather has been so gorgeous lately. Beautiful sunny days and wonderful moonlit nights. I just had to take some time to enjoy being outside with a cup of hot tea, some gingersnaps and a good book. The perfect fall afternoon with a nice setup for Tablescape Thursday with Between Naps on the Porch.
At the edge of the yard in a quiet little spot.
A wonderful spot to enjoy a cup of tea and a good book
and some late afternoon sunshine
Some cookies and a crisp apple to enjoy
The book is The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - a very good book
A little fall decor to make it extra special
A very special fall afternoon
I really enjoyed my time out in the sunshine. I packed up a basket to take out the things to make the table pretty and a thermos for the tea and I was all set to spend some quality time enjoying the beautiful day. Honestly, I am always sad when daylight savings time ends and it gets dark earlier. I always enjoy the last rays of the day, whenever they are.
A Valour IT Update: Project Valour IT, so far, has raised over $50,000 to help wounded soldiers with technology to help them heal!
Project Valour IT is still going on (through November 11). Many of our military who are wounded receive comfort by way of technology. The Valour IT project is a fund raising effort to help provide the purchase and shipment of laptops and other technology for severely wounded service members. If you would like to donate to the help and comfort of our military, please go to the Wharton blog and click on the Valour IT link on the top right.
How else can you help? Join the effort yourself by posting about this on your blog. Help us get the word out. This fund raising effort runs from October 26 through Veterans Day, November 11!
Other needs you can help with:
One-time Care Packages We have nearly 2,000 heroes waiting to be adopted! Would you consider sending a one-time package to help in the interim while we work on getting these soldiers adopted? If you are able to help us with this request, please send an email to soldiersangelsdonna@gmail.com.
Adopt a Military Family for Christmas As the holiday season is just around the corner, we are starting our Operation Outreach for the holidays. This program involves adopting a military family for Christmas. If you would like to help make a military family’s Christmas a bit brighter, please send an email to opoutreach@soldiersangels.org.
Sweats for Military Hospitals
All Combat Support Hospitals and military hospitals are in need of SWEATS. Sizes needed are Medium to XXL with tan or olive drab for the Marines and tan or black for the Army.
If you would like to help with this request, please send an email to angels@soldiersangels.org or if you would prefer to send a monetary donation or a gift card, please send to:
Soldiers’ Angels
1792 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104
Today’s Lagniappe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Apple Cherry Stuffing
A yummy one from Betty Crocker and something to add to Crockpot Wednesday with Dining With Debbie.
1 package (6 ounces) herb stuffing mix
2 medium celery stalks, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium tart cooking apple, peeled and chopped (1 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup Progresso® chicken broth (from 32-ounce carton)
6 pork boneless loin chops, about 1/2 inch thick
1. Spray inside of 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. Mix all ingredients except pork. Place half of the stuffing mixture in slow cooker; top with pork. Spoon remaining stuffing mixture over pork.
3. Cover and cook on low heat setting 6 to 8 hours or until pork is tender.
Well, I would call it a Halloween table, except it is not very scary. Maybe, it is just a friendly Halloween table? Whichever, you call it, today’s table is this weeks entry for Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.
Come in and have a seat.
We're all decked out for the season.
Gold rimmed goblets
Golden Wreath china by Lenox
Bailey is thinking I'm at it again.
So is Princess Grace Calli Cat (who does occasionally play the piano).
I think we are being watched!
We are definitely being watched!
The sun is setting and night is approaching.
The candles will light our way.
The places are set. . .
for our Halloween feast!
All Hallow’s Eve is upon us soon. I think we are ready!
Today’s Lagniappe: Dracula’s Revenge It is said that garlic repels the dreaded Vampires. No vampire could get past this garlicky shrimp!
1/3 cup of butter
1 ½ to 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 to 6 medium cloves garlic, crushed and minced
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 ½ tablespoons of lemon juice
Salt
In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat until butter stops foaming, about 30 to 45 seconds.
Add the shrimp and garlic and sauté over medium heat, turning frequently until the shrimp just turn pink, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the parsley, lemon juice, and salt then stir well.
Remove the pan from the heat and serve.
The weather has been beautiful the last couple of days. After so much rain, we had to take advantage of it. I live within minutes of 2 beautiful lakes and 3 wonderful rivers. Today, we ventured out to Norfork lake for a picnic of corn chowder and smoked turkey sandwiches. The rain is coming back [...]
It’s Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!
It has been cool and rainy and dreary here this week. Days like this make me want to stay in and cook and just be all warm and cozy. That is where this tablescape came from. I fixed a pot of chili and set the [...]
Wow, this has been a busy week. I haven’t gotten around to everyone as I usually try to do. I’m hoping I’ll have more time Thursday and Friday.
In the meantime, I’m so grateful to my friend Darlene for helping me out on this weeks tablescape. Darlene and her husband Mike have a sailboat and they [...]
