Teatime on the Sun Porch

Well, it's been a long few weeks, so I haven't posted here in a while, again. Unfortunately, when my schedule gets too busy, this blog is what gets let go. I guess some things just must take precedence to writing about cottage life, teatime, and my outfit posts. Today I'm stopping for a bit of tea...

The weather here has been so fickle (for Indiana, that's not uncommon, though). Last week we had our first snowfall (just a light dusting). Over the weekend we held up under the storm front and multiple tornadoes that surged through most of the Midwest. Check out my post over at "Christ in the Clouds". I got this photo of a double rainbow over the lake. It's a bit blurry, but I didn't even think my camera was working right at the time I took this, so I am happy to have this picture.

I'm finally finding some time to relax again and enjoy teatime by myself, something I cherish. This "alone time" allows me to unwind and spend time in the Bible/communing with the Lord! 

 “Tea should be taken in solitude.”

― C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy

The large owl is also a cookie jar. The lid is the owl's head and is removable. (Now, that's really losing his head!)

“There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.”
― Lin Yutang, The Importance Of Living 

I even tried a new recipe - Mississippi Tea Cakes. They're quite simple to make(I had all the ingredients already in my pantry/fridge.) and they are really delicious! I made half of mine with the regular ingredients and with half, I added a mixture of sugar/cinnamon.

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup buttermilk(substitution: 1/4 T. lemon juice added to 1/4 cup of milk)

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2.	In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda; beat into the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
3.	Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

I still love having teatime with friends, too! Unfortunately, our church decided not to have their annual "Ladies Tea" this year, as we have done for many years. There were several reasons behind this, but I do hope they return to having it next year! I will definitely miss seeing the more than 80 tables, each personally decorated for teatime, the wonderful music and speakers that would also be a part of the afternoon, and the delightful women and young girls (over 600 in one room!) that would gather together.

Maybe I will try to have a few friends over for tea over the holidays! I have had such a wonderful time with my dear friends when we have teatime together!

 “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
― Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

The Tea Party 

"I had a little tea party
This afternoon at three.
'Twas very small-
Three guest in all-
Just I, myself and me.

Myself ate all the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea;
'Twas also I who ate the pie
And passed the cake to me.”
― Jessica Nelson North

Do you like to have time to just sit, read, pray, whatever and sip on some tea by yourself? Do you cherish that time or are you more of a extrovert and don't like to be alone? 

Ann

“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb

Linking up at these blog hops:

Thursday Favorite Things (Katherine's Corner)   
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life  

TeaTime Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
 Let's Be Friends Bloghop @ The Dwelling Tree

Thumping Thursdays @ Mom in the USA

   Cottage Style Linky Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage 
 Simple and Sweet Fridays (Rooted in Thyme)     
Feathered Nest Friday(French Country Cottage) 
  Friendship Friday @ Create With Joy 
  Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 
Be Inspired @ Common Ground
  Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill    
  Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm  
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
 The Clever Chick blog hop @ The Chicken Chick
Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch