45th Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday, Violets

Welcome to...

45th Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

"Ah, March, we know you are kind-hearted,

Spite of ugly looks and threats

And, out of sight, are nursing

April violets."

(Helen Hunt Jackson)

A warm winter's welcome to all who gather around the tea table today.  Whether this is your first time or a return visit I consider you a special guest.  Please settle into a comfortable chair as I finish stirring the muffin batter.  It has been another very busy week, I pray you are in a gracious mood, once again.

Spring is closer every day. Our friends to the south have already shared the tips of tulips sprouting in their gardens. But here, we are in that topsy turvy month of March.  The last week teased us with above seasonal temperatures, warm sun, cold winds, rain, freezing rain and heavy snowfalls. With such a grocery list of weather, all in a few days, I know Spring is lurking in the woods. One of the first flowers we will see are the violets even in the snow. Hence my inspiration for my tea today. It seems to me that there are alot of purple flowers in spring. The colour of royalty.  I wonder if God created them, in celebration  for the true King, our Christ?

May all who enter find....an understanding heart, anda listening ear  ...as well as a cuppa tea.


Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.

- Job 37:14

Getting organized

Favorite white teapot

(Do you see a violet in the snow?)

Decorated sugar cubes

Three pieces of vintage lace

placed together to make a runner

Detail on the handle of the plate

Violet-coloured champagne

to serve butter for the muffins

Using a candy mold to shape the butter.

Place filled mold in freezer for 30-60 minutes

 and pop out promply

Which place setting would you favour?

Violet in the snow

EVER READY MUFFINS 

from Tosca Reno's

Eat Clean Cookbook

 here



These are called "ever-ready" because the batter stays good in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. The great thing is that you can mix these up and have them ready at all times for a quick snack. Make sure to add the optional additions just before you bake them, it's best that they don't stay in the batter for a long period of time. The full recipe makes 40 muffins.  I like to use the small muffin tins.  They appear daintier for a tea treat and I can indulge in two and feel decadent. (maybe more)


Dry Ingredients:

4 cups whole wheat flour, Power Flour(see recipe below) or other whole-grain flour

4 cups natural bran (I used wheat bran, oat bran works too)

4 tsp. baking soda

4 Tbsp. flaxseed

2 tsp. sea salt

1 cup Sucanat or rapadura sugar


Wet Ingredients:

4 cups buttermilk (you may use soy or almond milk and sour with lemon or vingar)

1-1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce

3 egg whites + 1 whole egg, well beaten (I used 1 whole egg & 1 egg white when I halved the recipe.)



Method:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Prepare muffin tin by lining with paper or silicone cups or by spraying with natural non-stick spray.

3. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

4. Combine all wet ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.

5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix JUST until combined. Do NOT over mix! Add optional additions and fold in.

6. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups until 3/4 full.

7. Place in hot oven and bake for 15 minutes or until golden. (Less time required for smaller muffins)

8. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.

Optional Additions- 1 cup total: chopped dried fruit, nuts, shredded carrots or apple, coconut or combination thereof. You can also add 2 tsp. or to taste of apple pie spice (see below, I at least double the recipe for convenience next time).

Calories: 107 Protein: 4 g Total Fat: 1 g Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 7 g Sodium: 268 mg


Power Flour:

1/4 cup barley flour

1/4 cup brown rice flour

1/4 cup amaranth flour

1/4 cup spelt flour

1/4 cup kamut flour

1/4 cup unbleached whole-wheat flour (Omit for gluten free)
(Or a combination of above) Again I at least double the recipe for next time. Stores well.

Apple Pie Spice:

1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp. cardamom

~ I encourage you to stop by and savour another cup of tea while you enjoy their pretty vignettes.

The more the fun!

We don't want to miss a single teacup or teapot!

*************

As always, we cherish your comments and participation

with our Tuesday meme.

~You will be warmly welcomed if you choose to become a follower!~

Welcome to, Tuesday Tea Time In Blogland!

These are the links to the other oh-so-delightful tea parties and tabletop parties that I attend.

I invite you to drop in. ~ Many thanks to those who faithfully host each week.

~ Hope to see you there!!

( Our own memes are marked with an asterisk * )

*~The 73nd, 'Tuesday Tea For Two'

~ Tuesday Teatime with Lady Katherine

~ Teatime Tuesday with Sandi

~ Teacup Tuesday with Martha

~ Teacup Tuesday with Terri

~ Tabletop Tuesday with Marti

~ A Return to Loveliness with Kathy

*~ The 45th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday', with Wanda Lee and Pam @

http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/

and  http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/

Other favorite places I may visit this week:

~Tablescape Thursday with Susan

~ Foodie Friday with Michael

~Show and Tell Friday with Cindy

~Sunday Favorites with Chari

Cheers and hugs from Pam and Wanda Lee; ( Wanda Lee is the other half of our weekly blog tea party meme; 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'.., @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com