I Love Tea Cups

I Love Tea Cups

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Red White and Blue

The 4th of July is just around the corner.  I wanted to pay tribute to the beautiful American flag we honor.
What I have found about what do the "colors" represent, are:

'Ingrid Bergman'
Red - Hardiness and Courage




'Crystalline-Med Sweet Pea
White - Purity and Innocence


'Delphinum'
Blue - Perseverance and Justice

Thank you for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed!!!!! 

I'm joining
Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
 Faded Charm for White Wednesday. 
Hop over to see more outdoors and white for a  beautiful Wednesday.



Please leave a comment and please be a follower.

Betty
xoxo
  



Thursday, June 24, 2010

Tea with St. Patrick



'Saint Patrick'

My favorite rose is St. Patrick. Our son's name is Patrick. And, when I saw this rose I knew I wanted it in my garden.  Our son was born the day before St. Patrick's Day, 45 years ago.  He and his beautiful wife will be married 25 years on the 9th of November 2010.  And, of course he loves the "Best Ever Banana Bread" I have baked for this post.



"Best Ever Banana Bread"
with
Whipped Cream

2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. cooking oil
3 very ripe bananas
1/2 tsp. soda
2 c. flour
1 c. pecans, chopped- I used walnuts

Cream sugar, oil and eggs and beat well.  Sift soda, salt, and flour together.  Mash bananas real well.  Add the flour and bananas alternation to the creamed mixture.  Add nuts and mix well.  Put into a well greased and floured tube pan or loaves.  Bake at 350 degrees until light brown or test with a toothpick to check if done.
The recipe didn't note time for baking. Try 50 minutes for baking time. Please check after 30 to prevent the bread from becoming over done.


The tea mugs are great for the first cup of tea in the morning.  They are my Thrifty  find.  Also the small cake plate is a Thrifty find.  The American fostoria glass bowl is Vintage and the L.E. Smith  Moon and Stars Art Glass canister is also Vintage.  The tea pot I bought from my dear friend in her charming store on the wharf in Brookings, Oregon.  The cake knife and cake server were a gift from our daughter. I must say it is a great joy to shop in my own home and share with you all in blog land and my family the history of my treasures.






  Playing with a MOSAIC.



Thank you for visiting me at MY COZY CORNER. 

I'm joining some wonderful parties this week.  Please link to the parties and enjoy all the eye candy.

Please leave a comment and be a follower.
I want to thank you for leaving your comments.  I read everyone of them and treasure your thoughts.

Betty
xoxo

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hollyhocks and Artichokes

Please join me for another Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer.

Yes,  I am in heaven during the spring and summer.  So much is going on outside in the garden.  I walk around and see what's new.  So please come along and take a look.



That BIG BLACK spot in the photograph is a BIG BLACK BEE...... I didn't know where he was going to land. And, I was praying it wasn't going to bee on me!!!!!!!


The Hollyhocks are growing against the fence.  When the Hollyhock seeds drop to the ground I find small plants growing everywhere.  I dig the small plants up and move them to the fence area and replant them. The new plants replenish the old plants that die. Each Hollyhock plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial and for beautiful background I just love my Hollyhocks.




In July, after the blooms fade, I cut off the hollyhock stems just above the ground.I continue to feed and water the plants and the roots push out another flush of growth, which will rebloom in September.  This technique demands a lot from the plants.  I continue to feed them two or three times during the regular growing season to produce the wonderful second bloom.


In the garden the Artichoke plants are divided into two groups.  The plants in the sun produce vegetables we eat in the spring. And, the plants in the shade are used as ornamental and landscape value.  The spectacular purple-blue thistlelike flowers are cut for arrangements . It is amazing what nature produces.




Thank you for visiting me today.  Would you please jump back to A Southern Daydreamer and visit more outdoors.

Please leave a comment and be a follower.

Betty
xoxo

Monday, June 21, 2010

Something Sweet


I'm joining Mary @ Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.


The little jar is holding a 'Lagerfeld' rose and Sweet Peas and buds from
'St Patrick' and 'Summer's Kiss'

We've had a couple of warm days and the sweet peas have started to go to seed.  This year I planted them in the perfect spot. And, next year they are going to be planted in the same place.  I plant sweet pea seeds in October and by February the plants are about four inches tall.  If we have cool weather the sweet peas are so beautiful.  And, THIS WAS A FANTASTIC YEAR.

Thanks for visiting MY COZY CORNER. Hope you enjoyed your visit .

Please leave a comment and be a follower.  Drop back to Little Red House and enjoy more mosaics.


Betty
xoxo

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Strawberries and Vintage

The STRAWBERRIES are finished producing this year.  I had a VERY BIG crop.
I 'm excited about today's blog.  I love to share my experiences with everyone in blog land.  It's fun to photograph, bake and play with my dishes. And, I love to make mosaics.  So here goes.
Hope you enjoy the goodies.....

I made Strawberry jam.  Ate Strawberries on Ice Cream.  Baked Strawberry Bars.  Made Strawberry Smoothies and put Strawberries on cold cereal.  I love  having Strawberry plants just outside my back door.  What a blessing.


I found this vintage jam jar at an Estate Sale.  The glass spoon is the cutest.


STRAWBERRY BARS
Makes 2 dozen

      1 cup butter, softened                              
   1/2 cup shortening  
      1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
   1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups strawberry preserves, divided
      2 teaspoons vanilla extract       
      2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
   1/2 teaspoon salt
     Garnish: fresh strawberries, mint 
1. Preheat oven to 350, Line a 13x9 inch pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, letting foil hang over sides of pan.  Spray foil with nonstick baking spray with flour; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine butter, shortening, and sugars.  Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Beat in 1/2 cup strawberry preserves and vanilla.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating to combine well.  Spread dough into prepared pan.  Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes; spread remaining 3/4 cup preserves on top of warm pastry.  Refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight.
4. Lift from pan using foil as handles; cut into squares to serve.  Garnish with strawberries and mint, if desired.  Credit-Southern Lady May/June


Estate sales are great.  I think I have an addiction.  I found this beautiful tea set about a year ago. Just down the street from my house. Two dessert plates, two cups and two saucers. When I was buying the dishes I asked the fellow if he had more of the same.  He said "If I had more I would have put the whole set on eBay." I said. "OK I will buy just what you have."  Thought the dishes would go well with the little red pot. 

Royal Albert Bone China-pattern Nosegay 1935   Total set $6.00 dollars





The harp shaped dessert fork is from my 1847 Rogers Silver plate flatware "FIRST LOVE". 


   'OLYMPIAD'
From my garden

I'm joining Suzanne @ Coloradolady for Vintage Thingies Thursday

I'm joining Leigh @ Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday

I'm joining Michael @ Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday

and

I'm joining Cindy @ My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Thank you for stopping over to see the Goodies...
I know when you link back to the wonderful blogs you will find more Goodies.

Please leave a comment and be a follower
Betty
xoxo

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Pink and Lavender


Please join me for Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer.

I love to see the garden grow.  Let's see what's new in the garden this week. 



Buddleia
FOUNTAIN BUTTERFLY BUSH


Veronica
SPEEDWELL


Summer's Kiss


Lavandula
LAVENDER


Lathyrus
SWEET PEA


Thank you for visiting today.  Hope the Pink and Lavender added a little color to your day.  And, don't forget to link back to A Southern Daydreamer and see more Outdoors.

Please leave a comment and be a follower

xoxo
Betty


Monday, June 14, 2010

Patio Tour

Please join me on a tour of my patio. I moved the wicker furniture from the dining room and put a small rug in front of the swing. The two pillows and table skirt I made for $6.00.  I added a few accessories and made a mosaic.  Just a little something for everyone.

The family enjoy the patio in the spring, summer and fall.  The flower garden is doing well and I wanted to accessorize the patio for the summer months.  In July the family is getting together and I wanted the patio to be comfortable for the family visit. 


I bought a window panel at Wal-Mart and made two pillows and a skirt from the fabric.


The material is a wonderful cotton duck fabric. I had two old pillows that needed a new look. 
 

Measure the length and width of the pillow over the fullest parts and add 1 inch to both  measurements.  For the top pillow section cut to measured length and width.  Stitch trimming, if any, around edge of top section, right sides together.  For bottom section cut to measured width. To length, add 3 1/2 inches.  Fold section in half lengthwise.  Cut on fold.  Make 1-inch hem on both cut edges.  Overlap hems 1 1/2 inches.  Pin overlap together on wrong side. 


Pin top and bottom sections together, right sides facing.  Stitch around edges.  Take pins from overlapped hems at center of bottom section.  Turn sham right side out and press.


With the remaining fabric I cut a square and sewed a 1/2 inch hem around the fabric.  Pressed and Ta Da...






The yarrow, veronica and Saint Patrick roses are blooming so beautifully.  I love the flowers in the french buckets.



I read in the afternoon sitting on the swing.


The television provides entertainment for the whole family.  Sports and family shows are usually watched during the family visits. 


The plant rack is used to store pots and also to accessorize the patio.


Thank you for joining me on the PATIO TOUR.  Please leave a comment and be a follower.

I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

I am joining Mary @ Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

I am joining Ronda @ Southern Hospitality for Thrifty Monday

And, I am joining Marty@ A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Thank you again for stopping by.
xoxo
Betty
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