Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts

Cookies, Coffee, Robert Burns, and Knock-off China

2:52 PM | Labels: , , , , ,



Come Autumn, sae pensive in yellow and grey,
And soothe me wi' tidings o' Nature's decay!
Ah, that ol' Robert Burns could turn a phrase, couldn't he?
Even if he did talk funny.   :-P                

Outside here, it's all gray skies, dark gray tree limbs, with a few
brilliant leaves still soldiering on.
Yellow and gray and pensive.
November.

The perfect day for a cuppa and a something-else in the study at That Old House.
Sorry, it's not tea for me today; it's French press coffee.

I'm using pieces from a luncheon/dessert/tea service for 6 that I got two years ago at a hospital thrift shop.
It's an unknown manufacturer, but it's a dead-on ringer for Noritake's Adagio pattern.

This, below, is the real McCoy; it has silver trim, the imposter has gold.
Noritake Adagio,
picture filched from an eBay listing.

I discovered Adagio as a newlywed, and thought it so graceful and charming, but we couldn't afford it.
I was delighted to find this knock-off at the thrift shop.  I like it as much now as I did 30 years ago!
Love the rust and blue and gray design.  Such good colors for November.

This isn't fancy, delicate bone china.  I don't hold my pinkie finger up when I drink from this cup.
But I think it's pretty and I know it's practical -- I put it in the dishwasher despite the gold trim.
How daring is that?

Now . . . about that something-else snack.  
I usually have Duncan Hines brownie mix on hand; I think it's the best of the bunch.
And you can make cookies with it.
You need:

And you follow these instructions:
For "other stuff" think: white chocolate, nuts, raisins,
coconut, dried cranberries, peanut or butterscotch chips . . .
pretty much anything but olives.
Use a meatball scoop to form the cookies, or a coffee scoop.
Be generous.

After baking, you end up with these, and boy are they good:

Confession:  I did not bake those cookies today (Sorry, Howard).
I baked them almost exactly two years ago, when I first used these pictures and recipe in a post.
Pictures of That Old House are from this afternoon.
Hey -- I'm busy with my TBDBT List!  I'm not baking until the day before Thanksgiving! -- Cass

**********************************************
Love dishes?  Lust over all types of china? 
Then you'll want to enter the Giveaway for the big new coffee table book
on dishes, called DISH!  Just go to Monday's post and leave a comment.
**********************************************
Link Parties:
Marty at A Stroll Through Life hosts Table Top Tuesday.   Click here.
Diane at A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words hosts 2nd Time Around Tuesday.   Click here.
At Linda's Coastal Charm blog, it's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.  Click here!
And now for the Tea Parties:
Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage, and Tea Time Tuesday.  Click here!
Wanda Lee at The Plumed Pen, and Tea For Two Tuesday.  Click here!
Wanda and Pam of A Breath of Fresh Air host Tea Pot and Tea Things.  Click here!
And ... it's also Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations with Terri.  Click here!


Tea Cup Tuesday



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Posted by exotic
6:35 AM | Labels: , , , ,

A Soft Goodmorning….

I am sitting at my desk this early morning reading emails and visiting blogs…


I am waiting for my son to call me to let me know he’s arrived home. He’s a Sheriff’s Deputy and works evenings – getting home is sometimes the toughest part of his night.




I collected these sweet roses yesterday, marveling at their beauty this time of the year. 




This sweet diminutive multi-petaled soft pink rose is just now blooming its heart out. It is a mystery to me what its name is.



I will probably have to take one bud – measure it, count the petals, determine the shape and size of the leaves to begin exploring its name in my massive Rose book.



Unless, anyone out there recognizes it. It is a climber or a rambler – in the heat of the summer the wee blossoms seemed to burn – in the chill of this November days it seems to thrive. It has a very, very slight scent…..



The rosebud next to it is Sheila’s Perfume – a gift from my son. I think the yellow one below is Thomas Graham.
The tall statuesque buds are Memorial Day – I shared a post last year with the song and poem, “The Last Rose of Summer” here.



Below is a sweet new rose to my garden, Pretty Lady – she too is enjoying these mild autumn days. 



Frost and freeze have been kept at bay in our Georgia garden – although we’ve had very chilly north winds from time to time.




 I have had ghostly images in my garden – sheets covering delicate plants until I can move them to their winter shelter.

Fighting Winter Blues


Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise...


Benjamin Franklin


This cheerful pitcher seems to be singing with happiness!

We had time change this morning and I was considering the phenomenon of SAD while waiting for my boy to get home. Sunlight is so important to us and these autumn/wintry days give us precious few hours – we do so need the restorative vitamin D from the glorious sun!



I found some things to consider, if you are affected by the blues this time of the year:
Make lists – this sounds innocuous, but when we have fewer daylight hours – returning home when it is very dark – we don’t feel like doing those necessary chores or errands. Make a “6 Most Important Things To Do List” Do them!



In that list include healthy menu plans – because of hormonal changes this time of the year, we have an increased appetite – we’re more likely to gain weight (yikes!) this time of year.
Take a brisk walk when possible – Seratonin – a mood lifting hormone is created!
Get as much restful sleep as possible – if you don’t consider the over-the-counter hormone – melatonin – but, most importantly – talk to your doter first!!!
Light boxes, early in the morning help your body – it has something to do with the circadian misalignment…look it up – fascinating!
An extra cup of coffee or tea won’t hurt you – the caffeine boost can help you when you’re sleepy in the afternoon.


I love this generous white cup my daughter gifted me last year!

Listen to uplifting music! That always helps me no matter what time of year!
P.S.
More mood lifters:


Citrus fragrances
lavender sachets
scented candles
treat  yourself to a bouquet of flowers
watch a funny movie
stay connected to friends and family!


I think the most important thing, is to be aware of the time of the year – appreciate it for what it is and to not let winter blues envelop you like a cloak and weigh you down!

I will be sharing this post with these Delightsome Blog Parties:



The House in the Roses' Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday
The Plumed Pen's Tea for Two
Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday
Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday
A Breath of Fresh Air's
and Silken Purse's
Artful Affirmations Teacup Tuesday
Sweetology's Tea Time Tuesday
Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday


I hope you’ve had a good night’s rest, have a brilliant morning and a marvelous day!

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Posted by exotic

Country Living Fair Reflections

7:50 AM | Labels: , ,



Sweet Finds



I am reflecting with a strong cup of coffee and the latest issue of Country Living on the wonderful weekend I had with my friends. 
You can go here and here for more pictures.




 This is my go-to mug when I am having my morning coffee – I love the red toile pattern with the chicken!


Anticipation of an event is exciting – reflecting on that event as now a memory – is heartwarming.


It could nearly be overwhelming when you first enter the 
Country Living Fair.
You stand in line just beyond the gate waiting with throngs of other women, and some with their stalwart husbands, eager to get inside to see all the wondrous creations and finds displayed.



You can first view the setting created by the folks at Country Living and at times have opportunity to meet the Editor in Chief and 
contributing Editors.


Then you begin your trek along winding paths lined with seemingly endless rows of tented booths.


Creativity abounded. Some vendors created inviting entrances with their tents showing their style of ware. There was shabby chic, primitive, country and even eclectic styles of booths and wares.


So much for the eyes to behold, so much for the imagination!


I came away with treasures that caught my eye
And have plans for embellishing them to make them my own.


A large ceiling tin
A chicken feeder 


A chicken feeder 


embellished mercury glass votives


zink canning jar lids


an old lock and some old keys


two wire planters and a planter hook (not shown - will show later!)


a birdhouse-picket fence pot holder and three painted pots


I had a terrific time with my friend Maria, you can find her blog here. As well as with her friends, and now mine – Debbie and Connie (hope I spelled your names correct!) Who, by the way, have a booth Simply Vintage in Cooper City Antique Mall. Their eye for beautiful things and talent in creativity are well worth taking a trip if your or live in the Florida area.


I hope to be able to return next year with them.
Better prepared for the throngs of participants and armed with means of toting all the beautiful treasures that might catch my heart and eye!

I do so much appreciate your visit and am trying to catch up on returning the calls!
I am sharing this post with our Delightsome friend’s blog parties:


The House in the Roses' Show Off Your Cottage
 

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday
The Plumed Pen's Tea for Two
Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday
Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday
A Breath of Fresh Air's
and Silken Purse's
Artful Affirmations Teacup Tuesday
Sweetology's Tea Time Tuesday
Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday


I wish you a very Delightsome day!



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