Faith Family Friends

Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Monday 30 April 2018

Books, Flowers, and Tea


Marilla....realized that the winter was over and gone with the thrill of delight that spring never fails to bring to the oldest and saddest as well as to the youngest and merriest. ~ LM Montgomery - "Anne of Green Gables"

Hello dear friends and welcome back to my cottage where I've been taking a short break after a very busy and stressful few weeks. Last week I didn't post at all because I felt I needed to just come away from blogging and relax for the week.

Thank you to those of you who prayed for my mother. They weren't sure she would pull through but she did and she is doing better. She may be a tiny lady but she's as spunky as they come and a good thing she is!


I also wanted to thank those of you who commented on my new sofa. It's nice to get some feed back from time to time. I am still searching for a third throw cushion and I want to get one I can't live without, if you know what I mean. We are thinking very seriously of painting an accent wall.


The other day we took a drive to Victoria Park down to the waterfront where there were many folks out walking and enjoying the nice weather. The ice is all gone from the harbour and what a welcome sight it is!




I snapped this picture of a darling little spaniel pup that was out for a walk with his master. 
You can see the water and sky were both very blue and it was a delight to be there! Yes, springtime has finally arrived on our little island and I am thrilled!


Hubby surprised me with some beautiful flowers and I thought it a perfect time to set a tea table. Yellow tulips and pink spray roses. He got a good deal on them so he got me two. He really is the best!

Let your joy burst forth like the flowers in the spring. ~ unknown


The table is set with pinks and yellows; perfect for springtime. I made another Irish tea cake and instead of fruit, this time I served it with my vanilla sauce.



The china is all Royal Albert except for the dessert bowl. The bowl is part of a set my mother gifted me with for Christmas several years ago. 

Won't you join me? I have been watching my sweets lately but after the last three weeks, I decided to treat myself with this scrumptious dessert.

The nice thing about this cake is you can serve it with almost anything. It is just wonderful with fruit and whipped cream or ice cream. It is lovely with a lemon sauce. Today, I am serving it with vanilla sauce/brown sugar sauce. 



If you would like my recipe, you will find it at the end of my post.


When you have flowers, books and tea, you are never alone. ~ Alexandra Stoddard

I went into our local Indigo again on Saturday to see if they carried Laura Childs' new book. This time they had it so I snatched it up quickly. I have the entire series of Laura Childs' "Tea Shop Mysteries" and I am looking forward to getting into this one. 

"Plum Tea Crazy" is hard covered and it cost more than the paper back but I'm happy to have it in my collection. I also picked up the newest Tea Time magazine so these should give me many hours of pleasant company.

Thank you for your company today. It's always a delight to have you visit. Have a lovely day and may the Lord smile upon you!

Vanilla Sauce/Brown Sugar Sauce
1 cup brown sugar
3 TBSP flour
1/2 tsp salt

Gradually stir in 2 cups of boiling water.
Bring to a boil and cook until smoothly thickened, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in 2 TBSP butter
1-1/2 tsp vanilla

Yield- 2 cups

The tea cake recipe was shared at one of my HOME parties by a young lady who no longer blogs.

Irish Tea Cake
1/2 cup butter, softened 
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
1-3/4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk

Beat all ingredients together in order of appearance given in the recipe.
Pour batter into a prepared 9" round pan. Spread evenly.
Bake @ 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes, or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool and then turn out onto a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.  Or serve with fruit and whipped cream, ice cream, or a warm vanilla sauce. Enjoy!



I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Home Sweet Home


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

17 comments :

  1. Hi Sandi!Happy Spring!How beautiful your roses are!I love your stunning teacups and that pretty dessert plate.Your dessert looks delicious!Have a lovely week!Hugs!

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  2. What beautiful flowers and tea! Your island is looking beautiful. My son in law's parents are visit PEI right now celebrating their anniversary!

    That cakes looks wonderful.

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  3. HI Sandi, it's lovely to visit your cottage again. I understand blog breaks, as I've been on one myself---for almost a year. I'm refreshed now and excited about blogging again.

    What lovely flowers from your husband. I wish my husband brought me flowers, but long ago (when I was young and stupid), I told him flowers were a waste of money and not to buy them for me. Of course, I no longer feel that way!!

    That cake looks yummy---or maybe it's the sauce that I'm really drooling over.

    You always share such lovely quotes. I especially like the Alexandra Stoddard one. I wholeheartedly agree with her!

    Blessings to you,
    Patti

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  4. It's so good that your mom is doing well, Sandi! Yes, I missed you last week, and I'm happy that you posted today. Your hubby is a sweet man to bring you such pretty flowers. I love your pretty teacups, and I thank you for the Irish Tea Cake, with the sauce, which would make it extra yummy! I hope you have a wonderful Spring week on your little island!

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  5. I am sorry to hear that your Mother was ill. I will say a prayer for her to continue to get better. You know I will have to try that Irish Cake. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  6. I am sorry to read that your mother has been ill. It is such a worry. My tiny Mum hangs onto life with joy and zest that belie her frail physical and mental capacity. Thank you for the recipes!

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  7. So glad to hear that your mom is doing better.

    I also need to watch my consumption of sweets...but I'll join you for tea, anyway. How can I resist the pretty china and yummy cake? HA!

    I borrowed the latest tea shop mystery from the library a few weeks ago. The other day, I caught a TV movie called "Garage Sale Mystery" about a woman who owns an antique shop and solves murders. It made me think how neat it would be if the tea shop mysteries were adapted for TV...I wonder who would play the Indigo Tea Shop staff?!?

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  8. Happy to hear your mother is doing better. Will continue to pray. I am not familiar with the Tea Shop Mystery books. I will have to "check them out". I wonder if they are in the public library. Your tea time is delightful. Love the pink roses and yellow tulips, and the teacups match each. Your cake sounds delicious. Reminds me of my mother's recipe for "Cottage Pudding", which is a similar cake topped with a nutmeg sauce. I will have to make it sometime soon and write about it. I haven't had it in years. It was a specialty of my mother's. Now I want some. :) Glad you are doing better too. Please keep us posted about your sofa and accent pillow and wall idea. Sounds lovely. Enjoy your spring time. The water/sky/boardwalk/doggie are all so lovely. Yes, the sky and water are very blue. So pretty. Blessings to you today. This was delightful.

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    Replies
    1. Pamela, I usually always make the cottage pudding and serve it with the sauce but I find the tea cake is quicker so I've been making it instead. Thank you for your continued prayers for my mother. She is still very frail but improved compared to what she was two weeks ago.

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  9. Hello Sandi,
    I'm glad your mother is doing better. As our parents age, health becomes a real concern.
    Your tea setting is so delicate and springlike. I'm glad the warmth of spring has arrived on PEI. I've been thinking lately about our visit there a couple of years ago. It was in June and still quite chilly.

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  10. It's good to hear everything is going well

    The sky in the photo is amazing not to mention the cute pup featured

    Your dishes are lovely as always. Thanks for the snack

    Cindy

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  11. Sandi,
    I am glad to hear that your Mother is doing better. The photo of Victoria Park is lovely as is your Tea setting. I will have to look for that book series..... I have heard of it but now I will have to watch for books at church flea markets where they are sold rather cheaply or clearance sales at some area libraries.....
    Thanks so much for stopping by! Yes, my nephew is currently holding his own and is now back on chemo....
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  12. Sandi, welcome back! Glad your mother is doing better. Your photos are lovely, and I love those quotes. I always enjoy those moments when Marilla cannot, despite her best efforts, suppress a spark of joy!

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  13. Awe, so glad that I got the chance to visit with you today. Glad your mom is feeling better. I love what you said about her being tiny but spunky. That is exactly how I would have described my grandmother. LOL! OOH, the cake looks so good. I must print this recipe. My 2 year old granddaughter had a tea party recently. So much fun. Hugs and blessings to you dear Sandi.
    Cindy

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  14. Dear Sandi: I am so glad your Mom is doing better! She must be like Aunt Eliza on Road to Avonlea! She was one tiny lady but very lively! Ha! I think your table and cake look divine. I am baking right now so must get back to the kitchen. (a funeral to day at church) So glad you got to the beach to enjoy the weather changes. It is finally happening here too and we are more than ready. Weatherwise we are a good month behind the last 2 years. Have a lovely week.

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  15. Sandi, I'm glad your Mom is doing better. Thanks for sharing pinks! Have a great week. Sylvia D.

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  16. Sandi, I am glad to hear your mother is better. Your walk on the waterfront looks lovely! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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