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

Teal We Meet Again...

Spring had come once more to Green Gables....the capricious, reluctant Canadian spring, lingering along through April and May in a succession of sweet, fresh, chilly days, with pink sunsets and miracles of resurrection and growth. ~ LM Montgomery - "Anne of Green Gables"

Hello dear friends! Oh my, I have been so busy lately that I am posting a little later than usual. It's funny how one's days can run together when one is on the go so much. Sometimes I have to stop and try to remember what day it is!

My mother who is in a nursing home hasn't been well the past week or so. She has the flu and is on oxygen so we have been concerned for her. I would appreciate your prayers for her. With my many appointments and visiting my mother, we have been kept pretty busy and I wasn't sure I would have time to get a post ready this week.

If you were to ask what is most important in a home, I would say happy memories. ~ Lilian Gish

We may replace our furniture, carpets, wall colour, etc., and it makes us feel good to have an update in our home. But what's most important in a home are the memories you make there with your loved ones and friends.

Some of you may remember Hubby and I purchased a new teal blue Lazy Boy sofa back a few months ago. It was delivered about six weeks ago and since then, I've been looking for throw cushions. The plain teal throw cushions that came with the sofa didn't add any oomph to it so I replaced them with two that have a bird motif for the spring and summer months. The cushions look more blue but there is some teal and turquoise in them. The gold in the cushions pick up on the soft wheat/gold recliners across from the sofa.

I am searching for a smaller cushion for the middle, hopefully in a soft gold. I am also debating whether or not to paint an accent wall in light teal. What do you think? Down the road we will also get a rug.

When I first sat down on the sofa, it was way too high and my feet wouldn't touch the floor so we had to go back to the furniture store and get another set of legs. These legs aren't fancy but they are the perfect height and now I am able to sit comfortably on it. 


I thought about choosing a neutral colour for the sofa but Hubby wanted some colour so we chose the teal. I decorated with a lot of blue while my guys were growing up. After they all moved out, I used a lot of pink and soft aqua which I still love but teal is a nice change and one I can live with for years to come.

A cup of tea is so welcome during the few quiet moments we have these days. 

I am using my beautiful teal blue Aynsley teacup with the violets inside. I love, love this beautiful cup and saucer because of its shape and colour. The gold filigree makes it very attractive as well. 

A cup of tea warms the soul like a good friend. ~ unknown

Some purple tulips and a nice cup of tea with a Victoria Tea Pleasures magazine to enjoy for a few moments of leisure.

Thank you for your visit and God watch over you and your loved ones..."teal" we meet again!



I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Home Sweet Home


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

April showers bring May flowers ...Or so they say! We got snow last night and unless it warms up considerably, there won't be too many flowers blooming around here for a while. Hubby had to wear his heavy parka out today. 

We did see the first purple finch at the feeder the other day. I wonder why they call them "purple" finches because they're really more red than purple. It's exciting to see the songbirds coming back. This is a picture I took last spring after the trees had budded. No green here yet.

Spring would not be spring without bird songs. ~ Francis M. Chapman

In spite of the cold, damp weather, Spring is officially here so I'm looking on the bright side. 

Knowing the weather will eventually turn warmer, I am setting my table with blue and white. Those colours echo the colours of the sea and the sky which are predominant when you live on an island.

These napkins I got from Avon and they go wonderfully well with my blue and white china. I also have these adorable bird napkin rings. 

Now you know my theme for today.

Soon the birdies will be building their nests. I love the wee bird's nest my son found for me!

The very sight of a teapot puts a smile on the face of most people. One cannot help but think of more serene and genteel times. ~ Barbara Roberts

I took my pictures before the snow came last night which is why you don't see snow in the background. It's quite a different story today.

I used a variety of blue transferware for my tea table. Johnson Brothers Devon Cottage, JB Old Britain Castles, and Churchill Victorian Calico.

Tradition gives us a sense of solidarity and roots,
a knowing there are some things one can count on. ~ Gloria Gaither

Every afternoon we enjoy our refreshment, be it tea or coffee, between two and three o'clock. It is a tradition here in my home and oftentimes it is taken without a treat of any kind although Hubby prefers a sweet. Personally, I prefer a little tea sandwich. It is just lovely to sit in a cozy room and have that time to relax and a little chat. Do you set aside a time for tea?

Thank you dear friends for stopping by for a visit. It's lovely having you!

Friendship is a word the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm. ~ Augustine Birrel

I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Home Sweet Home


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Happy Easter Monday!

Everything is new in the spring. Springs themselves are always so new, too. No spring is ever just like any other spring. It always has something of its own to be its own peculiar sweetness. - LM Montgomery

Hello dear friends and Happy Easter Monday! It is now the month of April and it's cool but sunny here on PEI. Our weather hasn't quite reached that stage of balmy breezes yet but we know it's coming! 

Easter was early this year but I like the bunnies, chicks and eggs about. They bring some pretty signs of Spring while the earth is still showing signs of winter around these parts. In about three weeks all the songbirds will be singing outside my windows and there will be sprouts in the garden. It is a happy time of year and I understand the term spring fever very well. One can actually notice a spring in folks' steps as they anticipate the lovely weather ahead.

I have set my tea table with some daffodils. Have you ever noticed their lovely fragrance? 

I have chosen some of my favourite colours; robin egg blue and pink for tea today. Easter is such a lovely holiday and its soft colours whisper to us of more loveliness to come.

The robin egg blue teacup and teapot are made by Gracie China.

Our friendship is like a pot of tea...

a special blend of you and me. ~ unknown

 

The pink teacup is Aynsley made in England. 

Water is the mother of tea, a teapot its father, and fire the teacher. ~ Chinese proverb

Bunnies and chicks are joining us. The chicks around the vase of daffodils actually hop. My aunt and uncle sent them to me one year just for fun. The napkins are a gift from a blogger friend. Aren't they pretty with their scalloped edges?

Tea is like a hug and a handshake; something about it warms friendships and inspires confidences. ~ Victoria magazine

I have made some little chocolate pudding tarts decorated with coloured eggs. My grandchildren are going to love these! The rest of the pudding Hubby and I will enjoy in a simple parfait I'm making. The pretty Limoges plate was given to me by my Aunt Judy.

Thank you for visiting and I wish you all a lovely week of sunshine and smiles. 

I am joining the following parties as well~

Share Your Cup

Friends Sharing Tea

Home Sweet Home


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi