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Lady Pamela's Tea Parlor

Monday, March 7, 2011

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


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







Other favorite places I may visit this week:










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



29 comments:

  1. A perfectly beautiful tea setting! Your two tea cups are real treasures. I Love the violets and the other floral cup is very beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely china and your beautiful table setting.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  2. I love violets...ours aren't out yet. I plan to try your recipe...looks wonderful! Thanks!
    Ruth

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  3. such pretty setting and I really love the violets! lovely! thanks for sharing and have a great week!

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  4. Love the "Tartan Series", but then again, I'm a Scot so I suppose that's natural. Your settings are lovely.
    Liz

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  5. Good morning Pam,
    Your teacups are delightful! Such a pretty tea table! I love the idea of little butter floralettes. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  6. You definitely have an artist's eye for tablesettings! We have wild violets growing in my husband's lawn - just love their sweetness - they have a lovely fragrance - your teacup sets are gorgeous!
    Love the mold idea - will have to do that to make every time a special one! So glad you joined A Return to Loveliness!
    You've made it all the more special,
    Kathy

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  7. What a beautiful tea cup and gorgeous doilies!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  8. So pretty! The muffins sound yummy!
    Happy Tea-day!
    ~Donna~

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  9. Hi, I'm dropping by after visiting Wanda Lee's tea party. I just wanted to say how much I love the purple and white teacups! I host a Tuesday Tea party too, though I'm new to this. I only discovered all of you lovely ladies and your parties about two weeks ago. :o) I've been hosting a little tea time chat for several months now.

    Your photos are so good! I love those candy molds too. I've done quite a few wedding favors with them. :O)

    Lovely post,
    Donna @ Comin' Home
    Tuesday Tea

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  10. Dear Pam
    I love violets and your tea cups are really pretty
    I am glad visiting you every week
    Hugs

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  11. I so love the way the beads are pouring out of the teapot spout and the all the exquisite arrangements. Thank you for giving us the inspirational butter mold idea!
    <><
    Concetta

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  12. Love the violet champagne glass and the violet tea cup. I have the same violet tea cup myself. Your table looks delightful and love the idea of using the candy mold for butters for the muffin. Blessings

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  13. A Lovely post Pam..,

    Alas, you know the Mr. Linky widget 'drill', so to speak.~ When your post is later than mine;(and I do realize that you are super busy); then the info must unfortunately be added manually when your post is then ready to recieve Mr.Linky.

    Glad to hear that you enjoyed dinner with Melanie and Nick..,

    Thanks for visitng my blog.

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  14. Pamela, Gorgeous tea cup and violet in the snow. Love the decorated sugar cubes too. Your photography is exquisite!
    Blessings, Beth

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  15. Love the pretty items, especially the vintage doilies!
    xo,
    Sena

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  16. You have beautiful teacups! Your images are gorgeous!

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  17. I love all things about teas! And those pieces of vintage lace are precious. Such a pretty table.

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  18. Very pretty!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  19. As usual, your tea time post has me in the mood for sipping tea out of fine china cups and savoring the beauty of your table settings. The muffins sound so good and the perfect snack for warming me up in spite of the cold rainy weather we are having. Just beautiful.~

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  20. What a wonderful teaparty. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I just adore the cups. My favorite color is purple.

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  21. Oh this is so lovely -- the violets on the cups are so sweet.

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  22. Your tablescape reminded me of the mixed weather you are having currently - violets on the cups representing the warmer days and little doilies that look like snowflakes for the colder ones.

    Thanks for linking to the party. By the way, I believe everything in creation reflects Christ in some manner. ;)

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  23. what a lovely post!! i love all the collections of your teacups, the laces are to DIE FOR! i'd better hunt for that molds too, thanks for sharing the recipe! Blessings, Susan

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  24. Lets syncronize Mr Linky for next week Pam..,

    You mentioned calling; sounds great! Lets please make a plan then.

    Cheers

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  25. A beautiful piece of fluffery...the teapot is so special. Thank you for sharing your beautiful design. Cherry Kay

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  26. I love violets and adore the ones on your cups! This post is so full of great ideas...love the lace pieces as a runner and your butter in the mold...wonderful (will be stealing a few of your ideas, okay??)

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  27. Beautiful violets and beautiful china! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

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  28. Just beautiful, the china is so precious, love those dainty flowers! Thanks for linking up with VIF!
    hugs,
    Debra

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