Saturday, March 15, 2014

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:
 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
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

20 comments:

  1. This is lovely. I went to shop for tea yesterday and I saw this brand of tea. It looked good. I ended up coming home with some Darjeeling tea. I have never tried it. Your coffee cake looks delicious.
    Sherry

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  2. Ooooh. Darjeeling sounds pretty tasty, too! This was my first time trying this brand and I am hooked! The coffee cake was delicious!!! (Obviously, all gone now!) Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Hi Ann,
    Your bird theme is really cute and the coffee cake looks wonderful. I have a bird cloche almost identical to yours but didn't bring it out for my party. I couldn't use everything. As it was, I was running out of room. Your tea sounds good too. Hopefully, the snow will soon be gone and we'll all be enjoying the green grass and flowers again. It has been a very long winter this year. Thanks for sharing and joining me for tea. Have a lovely week and Happy Spring!

    Blessings.
    Sandi

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    1. Hello, Sandi! Yes, I saw your bird tea setting on your "Teatime Tuesday" Link-up. You surely have lots of birds to decorate with! I agree with you that it has been a long winter! We both will be so happy when Spring arrives and winter is finally done!!

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  4. I am printing your recipe out as it looks wonderful! I love all your fun bird things for this posting and what a delightful view you have!!!

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    1. Thanks, Bernideen, for stopping by and leaving you kind comment! Yes, our view is amazing, anytime of the year!

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  5. Hi Ann: A perfect post for the bird tea today. Love your tea cup. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

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    1. Yes, Martha, I love the thought of birds surrounding me while I sip on my tea! May you also have a blessed week (and upcoming weekend)!

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  6. I enjoyed seeing all your birds! Thanks for your coffee cake recipe. I have printed it out to try!

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    1. Sweet! Hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I did!

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  7. Your plate and mug so pretty! Thanks for sharing your delicious looking recipe!
    Nancy

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    1. Thanks, Nancy! You are so kind! It was my pleasure!

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  8. You've created a welcoming birdie tea with the yummy looking coffee cake and the snowy scene through the window.

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    1. It was fun setting this table and making the goodies to go with it. Thanks for stopping by Judith!

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  9. What a lovely setting. I love the birdie china! Wish we had a TJ Maxx close! And the birds and birdhouses are perfect!
    Ruth

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    1. Thanks, Ruth. I am a TJ Maxx addict! (Ours has only been in our area for about a year.). Have a wonderful week!

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  10. Ann, I love your cup and plate! They are so pretty. Thank you for sharing and thank you for the sweet comment at The Dedicated House about the painted piano. The piano was given to me by some dear friends while I was in grad school studying Opera. I want to invite you to share this lovely post at my Make it Pretty Monday party which is still live. Here is the link if you want to check it out. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/03/make-it-pretty-monday-week-93.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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    1. That is so cool that your piano was a gift that you have been able to keep all these years! I will be stopping over at your other link-up party right after I post my comment! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Oh my, what a charming tea setting! I would love to share a cup of English tea with you and a slice of that scrumptious coffee cake. Adorable cup and dessert plate and they complement so prettily with your bird cloche and the entire theme:) Thanks for sharing with us! Happy Tea time!~hugs, Poppy

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  12. I love your cheerful birds, Ann! Someday we'll have to enjoy a cup of tea together! Oh, and be sure to bring that coffee cake!

    Blessings, Joan

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