I Saw a Bee!

 Hello Everyone,
How was your weekend? I wanted to share the last Sunflower blooms of the season. The Sunflowers have been blooming now for over 45 days in my yard. I've seen critters and birds enjoying the seeds. A squirrel has been traveling along the fence feasting on the dried flowers.

While watching the entertainment of nature yesterday,  I Saw a Bee!  I don't usually get to close to bees, but this one was nice and I was able to get a closeup for this photo.

Now it's officially fall I can start to do some serious yard work. The weather is cooling down and life is simply wonderful.  I'm so excited about moving plants into My Secret Garden Go Here. I will be down on my hands and knees during late October and November trying to get everything in the ground before it freezes.

Boo Bee!

Thank you so much for visiting My Cozy Corner, while I act up and have a little fun writing about my Joyous Life.
On another note. Update regarding my mother. Sweetheart and I took a trip to see my mom in the hospital Thursday.  Around five in the evening she was transported to a skilled nursing facility. Because of her stroke of 20 years and her age 91, she was a little tired. My sister and I are pleased with the care she is receiving and she seems content for awhile. She will receive physical and occupational therapy and be back in her own home in a few weeks. She has a smile on her face and is eating and resting.
We are so blessed!
I will be joining some wonderful bloggers this week so stay tuned. Oh that's radio talk. LOL!
Monday
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Tuesday
Ms Green "thumb" Jean for It's Bloomin Tuesday 
Sidewalk Shoes for Garden Tuesday
Wednesday
A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Friday
Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday
Floral Friday Foto for Floral Friday Foto
Thank you again for joining me as I jump from party to party.
Hope you have enjoyed looking at my big bee!
xo
Betty

Copy Cat Challenge~BHG Inspired

Welcome everyone,

Today I going to the Magazine Copy Cat Challenge over at Debbiedoo's blog. 

 I was inspired by the Better Homes and Gardens October issue.

 As most of you know I love cloches.

 I saw this cover and I knew instantly I could do this.

I started my copy cat challenge by cleaning my dirty terra-cotta dish. The "Big" cloche was in the living room   decorated with summer decor.  Go Here.  And see the BIG cloche~ 

I've had the Spanish moss and green moss balls in the foliage bin in my studio .

And I was set to design away.  

Next I went shopping at Michael's craft store. I bought two lemony colored mini pumpkins, two orange colored pumpkins and a sprig of oak leaves.

 

I love the faux vegetables. I can use them next year and maybe even buy more.
 A person can never have to many pumpkins. LOL 

Capturing Fall in a Jar

 

A few pumpkins and leaves are spilling outside the glass onto the table. 

Thanks for visiting My Cozy Corner. I had a blast putting this post together. 

I say that every time I finish a post. Blogging is a great hobby. It adds so much to my joyous life.

I will be out of town for the weekend. My dear sweet mother (91 years old) was in the hospital on Monday and Tuesday and tomorrow she is going to a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy. Sweetheart and I are going to visit her and give her a kiss and a hug...

I will be joining 

DIY by Design for Fall into Fall

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday 

Debbiedoo's Magazine Copy Cat Challenge

Stonegable for Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

   Thank you great friends and followers.

Until we meet again.

xo

Betty 

Tablescape # 53 *Sunflowers and Acorns*

Welcome everyone.

 The country kitchen is set with Sunflowers and acorns.
Autumn is just around the corner (Saturday September 22, 2012)

Acorns are bountiful. The acorn dishes are the inspiration for this tablescape.
Thanksgiving 2011 also featured the acorn plates. Here  

The stemware with the gold trim is a perfect match to the gold flatware on my Autumn table.

To kickoff the fall season.  Did you get the pun (kickoff) football, autumn leaves, acorns and the last bright sunflowers reaching for the sky.
Is there a correct placement for the acorn plate? Acorn top up or down?

I  found the lovely yellow pottery tea cups and saucers at a thrift shop. The soft buttery yellow compliments the yellow design on my tea pot. The little sunflower votive candles I found at TM on clearance.

The .99 cent store provided the cream colored plates.
 I think the cream color adds a natural earthiness. Instead of stark white.

I have waited patiently until the end of Summer for an abundance of blooms on the sunflowers to arrange this bouquet. I wanted a full and colorful bouquet with several different colors and sizes.
To see more Sunflowers  Here.

The gold trimmed salad plates were a 50th wedding anniversary gift. Ralph Lauren

I found this glittery autumn leaf patterned fabric to make four napkins.
The leafy napkins and the bling from the glitter blends wonderfully with the warm wood table.

The green dinner plates are another thrifty find from the Dollar Tree.

Handmade napkin rings with acorns add a little bit of whimsy to the place setting.

The dinner plates are Ralph Lauren. Also a Golden Anniversary gift.

The flower bucket was kicking around awhile. It was green and I painted it white and took some brown stain and dabbed it on the bucket. I found a sticker of the Eiffel Tower and glued it to the bucket.
Ta - Da  A french flower bucket.

I love serving tea with dinner. My tea pot has the same golden yellow color of the sunflowers and the amber trim accents the acorn plates.  

My french pillow and caramel colored candles glow on my country table. It's so romantic.

A final look at the First Fall Tablescape for 2012...

The iconic rooster

I hope I've brightened your day!

Thank you for visiting My Cozy Corner 

I will be visiting some friends and I would love to have you join me.

Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish

The Lettered Cottage for Fall Table Decorating Ideas

 Thursday 

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Friday 

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home  

The Charm of Home's Home Sweet Home Giveaway 

  The Charm of Home's Home Sweet Home Party sponsored by Appliances Online.

Bernideen's Tea Blog for Open House Friday

The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday

The French Cupboard for Viola!

Saturday

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

Natasha In Oz for Say G'day Saturday

Sunday

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

Under The Table and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase Party

Thank you all for your wonderful supportive comments.

I love to read them. 

xo

Betty 

Lemon Loaf and Pink Saturday

Hello Everyone, 

It's Tea Time~This week I wanted to share my Nifty Thrifty Tea set. While visiting my mother a couple of years ago, sweetheart and I went to a city wide yard sale. We had a great time. A lady was selling these beautiful dishes for a song. She suggested I use the dinner plate to serve a pound cake.  She was from Europe and she said " that's what they do with a dinner plate."

I have the perfect pound cake to serve on my beautiful plate.

Lemon Loaf Lavandula
More about Cooking with Lavender in yesterday's post Here

Print recipe Here

The lemon loaf goes well with the pattern on the plate. And the lavender buds are so delightfully tasting. 

The stacked tea cups and saucers are accented by a pink napkin

Some cream cheese and pomegranate jelly tastes wonderful on the lemon loaf.
And the lavender is wrapped with a pink polka dot ribbon.

A closer look at the china pattern of 'Theodore Haviland ' New York - Made in America

'ANNETTE'

Now for the nifty thrifty part. 11 piece set for $12.00 dollars. I LOVE A BARGAIN! 

I always want to throw a little love into my tea time. 'First Love' 1847 Rogers Bros. is my wedding silver pattern. What a beautiful presentation. The tarnished detail is so appealing to me.

Some sugar for our tea?

The slice of Lemon Loaf is ready for a bit of cream cheese and jelly.

YUM!

Two cups are ready.  Would you like to join me for a spot of tea?

A joyful collage to make my tea complete. 

Thank you so much for joining me at My Cozy Corner.

I will be joining some wonderful friends for tea.  Please come along and we will have a great time.

Monday

Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

Tuesday

Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Cup Tuesday

A Stroll Thur Life for Table Top Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
Trish's Heart and Home for Heart and Home
A Delightsome Life for A Return to Loveliness
Martha's Favorites for Tea Cup Tuesday
Artful Affirmations for Tea Cup Tuesday
Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Wednesday
Bernideens Tea Time Blog for Tea with Friends
The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Thursday
Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Things
Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Saturday
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday
Thank you so much for visiting me and please come back soon.
xo
Betty 

Cooking with Lavender-Lemon Loaf Lavandula

Hello Everyone, 

Welcome to My Cozy Corner. Today I'm cooking with Lavender. As you know if you are a follower or friend I love lavender. My quest is to find as many things to do with lavender as I can. I'm in the process of writing a Q and A post from comments I received from my Purple Reign Post. Go Here. 

Lavender shares family bonds with mint, rosemary, and thyme, with a lovely scent and a unique flavor. 

A favorite for teatime or dessert, lemon loaf lavandula travels well, slices neatly and tastes sensational

Please join me tomorrow in blogland  as I serve this delightful Lemon Loaf Lavandula to friends, followers and visitors.

This moist, delicious tea or dessert loaf  has a subtle lavender flavor. For a more intense flavor, add no more than another 1/2 teaspoon dried buds to the creamed mixture.
Now, let's get baking!
INGREDIENTS
Cake
1/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon dried lavender buds
(off the stem; no leaves)
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

Glaze
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lavender
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind

Heat the oven to325 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-by-3 inch loaf pan.  Cream the butter and sugar until soft.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating until smooth.  Add the rind and lavender.  combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing lightly with spoon. Add the dry ingredients and the milk into the creamed mixture, alternating in  two or three pours.  Beat until just mixed.  Don't over-beat. Pour batter into greased loaf pan and smooth top with a knife.  Bake for about an hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Toward the end of the baking period, combine glaze ingredients in a small pan, bruising the lavender between yours fingers before adding it.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and when the sugar is dissolved, remove from stove.  When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and prick the top of the loaf all over with a toothpick.  Pour the glaze slowly over the top of the loaf until all of it is absorbed.  When the loaf cools a little, remove from pan.  It's best to let it sit for 10 to 12 house before slicing.
Go Here to print recipe
Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this great Lemon Loaf with Lavender
Thank you for visiting My Cozy Corner
I will be joining some awesome parties, please hop along with me.
Monday
Stonegable for On The Menu Monday
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday 
Tuesday
Home Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday 
Wednesday
DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
Thursday 
Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday 
Friday
Simple Living for Foodie Friday 
Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday
See you soon!
xo
Betty 

Little Yellow Tea Pot

Hello Everyone,
I hope you've been enjoying the Autumn weather. I know it's not Autumn on the calender, but there is something in the air. Cooler nights and shorter days.  I have been having a great time lately going to the thrift store and finding some little treasures. I shared with you last week my pink tea pot. Go Here. 
Today the Little Yellow Tea Pot is going to be center stage.  Of course a little Lavender is always fun.
Gibsons  Staffordshire England

I set the little white table in the corner with my indoor plants as a back drop. Added some candle light and my lavender cups and saucers.
Royal Albert Bone China 'Lavender'.

A basket of Lavender and a yellow linen napkin...Little lavender buds are scattered on the napkin.

The vintage bird cage has a new home for the fall and the 'Peace Plant is blooming again.
A Twinings Limited Edition of Lavender Earl Grey in the choice of tea today. While on my trip to England I visited the Twining's store in London. I brought a few samples of tea home to enjoy when I feel the desire to go back for another visit. (And it works too.)  

I love linens. This is a sweet pale yellow and it's so charming.

Small tea spoons from my great-grandmother. The delicate silver engraving is amazing.
 
My basket of lavender adds a wonderful scent to my tea table.

The yellow tea pot is decorated with hand painted gold trim and a very attractive trim.

 Please join me for a cup of tea

Thank you for visiting me at My Cozy Corner.
I will be linking to some great parties.  Please join me for the fun.
Monday
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Tuesday 
Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Cup Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
A Delightsome Life for A Return to Loveliness
Martha's Favorites for Tea Cup Tuesday
Artful Affirmations for  Tea Cup Tuesday
Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Wednesday 
Bernideens Tea Time Blog for Tea in the Garden
The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
Thursday
Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Things  
Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
Saturday 
Natasha In Oz for Say G'Day Saturday
Sunday
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday
Thanks again for visiting
xo
Betty