A Little Brown Betty

“For the custom of afternoon tea, we have a peckish English duchess to thank. In the early nineteenth century, Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, experienced a ‘sinking feeling’ at about four, several hours before dinnertime. Not wishing to bestir her staff, she requested just a cup of tea with a slice of cake. Soon friends…

Lemon Tea Cake

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”  ~C.S. Lewis Lemon Tea Cake Makes 2 – 8 inch tea loaves Preheat oven to 35O degrees. Spray two 8×4 loaf pans with Baker’s Joy. 2 sticks butter at room temperature 2 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar…

The Perfect Cheese Plate for a Wine Tasting Party

“The discovery of a new dish confers more happiness on humanity, than the discovery of a new star.” ~Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin I’m planning a wine and cheese tasting party for later this summer. This is such a fun and easy way to entertain. I’m by no means a cheese expert, but Jeff and I have…

A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! I love sharing tea with lovely ladies and boysies 🙂 Building a teacup collection is so much more enjoyable when you can actually use the teacups and share tea with friends! Yesterday I celebrated my 39th birthday with my closest family and friends. Here are some scenes from the celebration.…

What I’m Reading-Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffinegger

“Following up a phenomenal blockbuster is not easy, but Niffenegger rises to the task with Her Fearful Symmetry. Fans will find plenty of rewards in her clever … [and] unique modern ghost story… Her descriptions transport the reader directly into a moody Victorian landscape of beauty and death… Mesmerizing… A deeply moving story filled with…