Tea with the Birds

Hello all my tea-loving friends! I finally got a day (even though it had to be a snow day), to have some teatime and a snack. I sure have missed having teatime the past several weeks. Life has been anything but boring! The hubby and I FINALLY got all of our Christmas decor put back up in the attic and spring decor is coming out...even if we still are having snow! 

I have been hearing some of the birds outside chirping - singing their songs that hopefully spring will soon be here for good! Till then, I have set out my bird decor and recently purchased a lovely set of "bird" themed tea ware.

Having my own little "Tea with the birds"

Love this square dessert plate with what looks like an "Eastern Bluebird" on it. (I'll share about my coffee cake further down).

I also found this matching teacup and saucer.

(All discovered at TJ Maxx)

 This "English Tea Shop" brand tea was also at TJ Maxx. Who knew they sold tea, too? This was the first time I've tried this brand and the combination of pomegranate, rooibos, & acai berry was beyond delicious!

I spent some time reading some of the verses and quotes in a new journal, a gift from our church women's retreat, and writing.

Here is one of the Bible quotes that I liked.

My floral Asian-inspired teapot served me well at my teatime.

I set out my favorite bird-topped cloche, with a crafted flower, that came from a friend.

As you can see, the warm tea was a treat on this cold, snowy day.

I even got into a baking mood and made a new coffee cake recipe.

I started with a recipe from the internet, and added  few of my own ingredients:

Best Coffee Cake Recipe Ever

 Ingredients for cake:(Items in red, I added to the original recipe)

1-1/2 sticks softend butter

2 c. (scant) sugar

3 c. flour, sifted

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1-1/4 c. whole milk (I used soy milk)

   3 whole egg whites, beaten till stiff

1-16 oz. container sour cream

Topping:

1-1/2 stick softened butter

3/4 c. flour

1-1/2 c. brown sugar

2 T. cinnamon

1-1/2 c. chopped pecans 

(I used half pecans and half walnuts) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat egg whites and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour mixture and milk alternately, till combined. Don't overbeat. Fold in beaten egg whites. 

Spread in well-greased 9x13 pan with high sides.

In separate bowl, combine topping ingredients with a pastry cutter until crumbly  (I melted the butter, so that it was a thick gel: I poured half the batter in the pan, added half the topping and repeated that to make 2 layers).

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or till no longer jiggly. 

Serve warm - YUMMY!    

Also on my tea table setting were several of my glass and porcelain birds.

I'm hoping that bringing all my birds out will be a sign to nature to take heed and let Spring arrive for good!

Hope you all have a blessed day...

and don't forget... 

Ann

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

Linking up at these blog hops: 
Teatime Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Teacup Tuesday @ Artful Affir@mations

 Friends Sharing Tea @  Bernideen's Tea time

A Return to Lovliness @ A Delightsome Life  
Teacup Thursday @ Miss Spenser's Blog

Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
 Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Thursday Favorite Things (Katherine's Corner)      
  Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life  
 All Things Thursday @ Glamorous Affordable Life
 Let's Be Friends Bloghop @ The Dwelling Tree   
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
  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 
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House