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

40th Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday, brownies

Welcome to...

40th, Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday

Seldom can the heart be lonely,

If it seek a lonelier still;

Self-forgetting, seeking only

Emptier cups of love to fill.

Frances Havergal

Wasn't last week wonderful!  How generous you were, dear friends,  with sharing your tea treasures and comments. All much appreciated.  I did not feel lonely, nor my cup of love empty.  I am anticipating with great excitement  what my eyes may be delighted with, this week.  There is  always an invitation and  a welcoming place for everyone on Tuesday at the tea table.  Thank you for sharing with us.  We feel blessed.

Do you ever imagine people as teacups?  There are just as many shapes of people as there are shapes of teacups. Full-sized ones, petite ones, tall ones, all with their own unique character and appeal. The colours and rich designs are as varied as the complexity of the friends we have. The shape of their handle, the curve of the lip, each offering a different experience in which to embrace a warm cup of tea.  When taking a moment to contemplate  a relationship , I oft reflect and ponder  if perhaps a friend may require a spot of love in their cup, from me? What a difference it could make in that person's day, perhaps even in changing their path in  life, maybe eternally?  I believe that nuturing loving and caring relationships is our ultimate calling. 

I invite you to relax and settle yourself for a sweet treat with your tea.

By a sunny window

A touch of sweetness

Still mismatched crean and sugar

I have discovered that their mates are packed!

Who knows when I will have them together again?

Larger luncheon plate is a set of 6 from an aunt

The smaller plate is from a set of 4, found

in the local thrift store for $5.00

I love that they are diffent shapes

I used larger plate on the pedestal

to create a larger serving piece

Cream and sugar now on the table

I changed my mind.  Do you ever do that?

Please don't eat all of them.  I need a few to decorate.

See below.

Tea is served!

Luncheon Plate

Small plate

My inspiration for a dessert came from the one and only Martha Stewart,

                                Brownie Heart Cupcakes, I have included her recipe here.



My adaptation is a little quicker.

When using a mix, use the best.

I am grateful that three packages come in one box,

at Costco.

For Valetines' Day I add chopped candied ginger to the batter and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter

Ice and top with a heart-shaped ginger snap cookie if I can't find

 my teeny-weeny heart-shaped cutter.

Or pour batter into a greased and floured large, rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. When cool, cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter Pour into a greased and floured large, rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. When cool, cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter

~ I encourage you to stop by and savour another cup of tea while you enjoy her 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
in 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 68th, '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 40th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday', with Wanda Lee and Pam @


Other favorite places I may visit this week:

~Tablescape Thursday with Susan

~ Foodie Friday with Michael

~Show and Tell Fridays 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 memes; 40th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'/ 68th, 'Tuesday Tea For Two'.., @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/ and also @ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/



A Cup of London Fog

A CUP OF LONDON FOG

 for FOODIE FRIDAY



I love researching recipes. I am always looking for the BEST recipe that is fail proof and the least complicated and tastes the BEST. Don’t get me wrong I love to play gourmet but I enjoy savouring the product of my labour more.

                                                                          

EARL GREY LATTE
London Fog (also known as Vanilla Tea Misto or an Earl Grey Tea Latte) is the name of a drink which originated in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, http://en.wikibooks.org/

Things to Know Before You Start

Tea
If you have a refined palate for tea, you would no doubt use only the finest loose leaf Earl Grey tea with a tea infuser. For simplicity today I will use tea bags, but excellent quality tea non the less.
Earl Grey tends to get a little bitter if it is oversteeped, so be sure to use double the amount of tea to get double strength tea for your tea latte instead of simply letting the tea sit longer. You are making Earl Grey tea concentrate. Let steep for 2-4 minutes to achieve optimum flavour.

Milk:
You will just have to find your own middle ground in this department. You may choose from skim, 2%, up to half-n-half. Not to be forgotten is a variation  Manchester Fog - steamed soy milk with a sugar free vanilla syrup in Earl Grey tea.
 
Vanilla and Sweetness
Here is where I found several variations. You choose:

The simplilest
1.
brown sugar
1/2 tsp.pure vanilla extract /per serving

OR
2.
3 tbsp pure vanilla syrup/per serving( see bottom of recipe) or purchase

OR
3.
agave Nectar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract/per 2 serving


The Recipe
2 Earl Grey teabag or 1 tsp loose
1 cup of boiling water
1 cup of steamed milk, (your choice skim, 2%, half-n-half)

2 Tbsp. brown sugar,1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

OR
6 tbsp pure vanilla syrup

OR
agave Nectar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Pour hot Earl Grey tea into a large mug or other serving glass. Stir in sweetner and vanilla or vanilla syrup.
Steam milk, or heat it in the microwave and whisk until very frothy, and pour it into the sweetened tea.
Tea for two.

Garnish
An elegant touch is to put a cinnamon stick in along with the tea bag and leave it  to steep in the pot or mug Or sprinkle cinnamon, drizzle honey on foam
Serve in a large mug, settle into a large chair and enjoy.

                                                                                     


Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup

1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 vanilla bean

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Slice vanilla bean lengthwise and drop it into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring once the mixture comes to a simmer, until all sugar has been dissolved. Remove from heat and scrape vanilla seeds out of the vanilla bean and into the syrup. Cool completely, then store in the refrigerator to use as needed.   Many other uses.

Herbal Infusions suggests two options to using Earl Grey

• Loose Leaf Tea – Dorian Grey Blend (its our version of Earl Grey but along with Bergamot contains apple pieces, elderblossom, linden and mallow flowers, daisy white, cornflower petals, and a subtle caramel finish) or Buckingham Palace (black tea, jasmine, cornflower petals, and bergamot). I find both to be not as overpowering as straight Earl Grey and have a few more layers of complexity to them.
Can be purchased online http://www.herbalinfusions.ca/


DAN  from

                                                       

                                

How to Make a London Fog Gourmet Tea Latte

eHow.com

http://www.bukisa.com/

http://www.herbalinfusions.ca/

http://breweddaily.com/

20th, 'Tea Pot And Tea Things Tuesday'

Welcome to the 20th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday!

"I've learned that true friendship continues to grow,

even over the longest distance."

                                                  Unknown


I am so delighted to join in the fun this week.  Do I dare say that the time went by so quickly last week that I was unable to keep track of time and Tuesday came and went without me realizing.

I just walked in the door thirty minutes ago, arriving back home from the east coast.  We spent the week visiting my dear friend Wanda Lee  (Silken Purse & Plumed Pen)and her husband and helping my daughter get settled with them as she prepares to start a new degree at university.  But before unpacking I wanted to say I missed all of you and I will be posting for Tuesday, however it will be after work tomorrow. I am anticipating a very enchanting tea party, indeed.

Blessings 'til then.  Pam


Is  It  Ever  Too  Late  for  Tea?

I hope not.  Catching up and unpacking has taken much longer than I anticipated.  I really need a cup of hot, flavourful tea to revive me. I invite you to put your tasks aside for a moment and join me for a cuppa.

China to celebrate the coming of Autumn and the bounty God has blessed us with.

A cup for you and a cup for me

This was from Kelita's mother's collection

Kelita's story  Cotton Candy Blossoms

This is from my mother's collection

Purchased at an estate sale last summer

Hand painted

Love the detail

Each side of the dish is different

I wonder who this was?

What was her life like?

Cornflower cream and sugar compliment so much

A touch of Autumn with yellow and orange sugar crystals

added to granulated sugar

A set of six matching plates from dear Gladys

My faithful white teapot with a touch of whimsy

I attached this brooch from my mother's collection with a clear elastic

Tea is served