Friendly Village and Chocolate

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~ Edith Sitwell 

Hello my lovely friends! We have been having the loveliest weather here and oh, to have the whole winter like this would be grand! Then the rain came on the weekend! But it has been mild, and until the two days of rain came, we had sunshine; what bliss!

I have most of our Christmas put away now. I replaced the little tree in the dining room with a tray of some Friendly Village china and one of the little trees I used at Christmastime.

We shall have our tea using this china today. Johnson Bothers, one of my favourite makers, produced this charming pattern first in 1952 and it has attracted generations of admirers and collectors over the years. Each piece depicts a different scene which creates a delightful story for your table. It's appeal is as great today as it was when it was first introduced more than a half century ago.

I was planning to make these little nuggets for Christmas but just didn't get around to it. So, I made them on the weekend. 

The chocolate raspberry truffles are very small and delectable, and they are a delightful little treat with your cup of tea or coffee. I have served them in one of my King's Crown red rimmed sherbet glasses. The truffles would be lovely for Valentine's Day. A little chocolate also makes you feel good.

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. ~ Charles M. Schulz

The truffles recipe is from a mystery novel authored by, Joanne Fluke, a New York Times bestselling author. A number of her books were made into movies as well, and I have them all. This particular recipe is from the book, "Plum Pudding Murder." Sorry, I do not have permission to share the recipe, but if you go to her site or Pinterest, you can find the recipe there. 

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

I have acquired quite a number of mystery novels and other books over the years. I love a small library of books that I can go to at whim. I love to read. How about you?

Some of these mystery novels are written by Joanne Fluke and some are written by Laura Childs, who is also a New York Times bestselling author, of the Tea Shop Mysteries. I have every one of Laura Childs' tea mysteries. I really enjoy Childs' character, Theodosia Browning's exploits along with her tea shop employees/friends, tea master, Drayton, and baker extraordinaire, Haley. Their adventures take place in Charleston, South Carolina. If you enjoy a good mystery and a cup of tea, you will enjoy her books. She always includes tea recipes and tips. 

Joanne Fluke's character, Hannah Swenson, on the other hand, owns The Cookie Jar, a coffee shop in Lake Eden, Minnesota. She too loves to solve a mystery, oftentimes at the chagrin of her detective friend, Mike, and dentist friend, Norman. With the help of her family and partner at the coffee shop, she has helped solved many sticky situations, and loves to share her many recipes. 

I recommend both of these authors' books. They are wonderfully entertaining and good books to curl up with on a winter's day.

Thank you for visiting today and I hope you have an especially lovely week. Take one day at a time and glean every drop of JOY you can from it. 

Every day is a second chance. ~ author unknown {from the Hallmark movie- A Joyous Christmas}

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi