Victoria Day

The online tea group, Afternoon Tea Across America, conducted a card and tea sample exchange for May and chose the theme Victoria Day. This day is a Canadian holiday that is celebrated during the same week-end as Memorial Day in the USA.

The Victoria Day week-end is a statutory holiday in Canada that commemorates the birthdays of all ruling British monarchs, including the current queen. Although each monarchs' actual birth dates are varied, this holiday was established as overall recognition of the sovereigns' birthdays.

Victoria Day is often referred to by Canadians as the May Long Weekend, a family celebration, lots of good food, and spectacular fireworks.

I received each card with anticipation, as each was unique and represented the personality and creative skills of each sender. It was fun discovering what was in each envelope.

From home-crafted, stamped cards to especially ordered cards from England, each was different and selected according to the interpretation of this holiday by the one who sent it.

Crowns, teapots, and the Union Jack were a common theme.

It's likely that every home that has been decorated in a Victorian-style has a pair of teddy bears somewhere --- and they are sure to have their own china teaset. Just like these!

The maple leaf, fireworks, and words that remind us to celebrate!

And crowns. Lots and lots of crowns! Happy Victoria Day! And a special shout-out to the Canadians who are Afternoon Tea Across America group members!

The Gurgling Fish!

It's always fun when a friend comes to visit. Tari's been my friend since we were 15 years old and met at piano lessons. Recently she came for lunch and we had a pleasant time visiting and eating together.

We have birthdays just days apart. Her gift to me is on the table. Can you guess what it is? It's the cobalt blue fish pitcher in the center of the table. It is so whimsical and more! It is called a GurglePot.

It was designed by Matt Ellison and with the pitcher comes this story:  "Years ago, I attended my brother's wedding in a small village in Southern France. Since there were no hotels in town, all guests were matched with French hosts. My hosts spoke no English and I spoke no French which made the dinner conversation a challenge. Long stretches of awkward silences were compounded by the fact that French dinners can last for 3 - 4 hours. There was, however, one saving grace --- a fish shaped water pitcher that 'gurgled'. I found myself drinking more water than wine so I could fill the silent room with 'gurgling' and unite the table with smiles."

The story of the GurglePot continues by Matt saying that he was "inspired by the lighthearted affect of the gurgling sound, I returned home and began sculpting my own version. Ten years, two kids, 15 molds and one typhoon off the coast of China later, I can finally share the GurglePot with you."

How fun it was to have the GurglePot on our luncheon table! It is true. It produces a delightful "gurgling" sound as trapped air is released from the tail after pouring. Gurgle. Gurgle. Smile!

A Wonderful Day

Lunch with a friend.

A celebration.

Conversation.

Joy.

A present?

For me?

Thank you!

Oh! Special quilting tools.

Complete with personalized instructions

and samples to show me

how to use them.

And tea treasures?

Darjeeling and herbal hot pads.

And a ruffled teapot

tea towel.

And beads.

Such pretty beads!

A delicious lunch.

Mugs of Oregon chai tea.

Lots and lots of conversation.

A happy time.

Thank you, dear friend.

It was a wonderful day!

January is National Hot Tea Month

January is National Hot Tea Month, and of course a post in its honor is in order. Named thus by the Tea Association of the USA, its purpose is to promote the value of a hot cup of tea. The claimed health benefits of tea are many, ranging from an increased immune response to the reduction of heart disease and cancer. To research the benefits of this herb, check out the Tea Association website.
Seeking to draw attention to this designated month, my mind skipped through a variety of things I could write about. Teapots, teacups, gawan porcelain bowls, and three-tiered trays all came to mind. But finding the obscure or unusual to celebrate this cozy past-time seemed important. 
I decided to share with readers about a very interesting and out-of-the-way place in Death Valley, California. Located twenty miles from Ubehebe Crater, eighteen miles from Hunter Mountain, and six miles from Racetrack on a remote and rugged road is a junction named Teakettle. A hundred years ago, miners in search of wealth and adventure would pass this way and mark the junction by placing a teakettle in it's spot. First one, then more teakettles have been added until it's become quite famous as a place to leave one's mark by adding a teakettle of one's own to the stash. Visitors leave a teakettle, signed and dated for others to see at this remote junction. It appears that teakettles serve a serious place in American history, even in remote desert places! If you decide to add a teakettle of your own, be sure to take a spare tire or two with you. The road is very rough and scattered with sharp and jagged rocks! A Death Valley mule might be a better, albeit slower mode of transportation! 
A visit to this historic spot allows the imagination to travel back in time, wondering who passed this way before and what type of delicious hot tea they served around a campfire and with whom it was shared.

Happy National Hot Tea Month!

Black-Eyed Pea Fritters

* 1/2 pound black-eyed peas, soaked 

* 4 garlic cloves, crushed 

* 2 tsp. salt 

* 4 Tbsp. water 

* oil for frying

* lime juice to taste

When the peas have softened from soaking, rub off skins. Soak 
for 30 minutes more. Drain and rinse. In a food processor, process peas, 
garlic, and salt. Add water while continuing to process.  Add enough water
to get a smooth, thick puree. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. In a large skillet, 
heat 2 - 3 inches of oil and fry 1 Tbsp. of batter until it is golden brown. 

Repeat until all the batter has been fried. Place each batch in oven to keep hot.
Serve piping hot and sprinkled with salt and lime juice.

Black-Eyed Pea Burgers recipe here.
Read about the tradition of Black-Eyed Peas for New Year's Luck here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tasha Tudor Day

Today Clarice at Storybook Woods and some of her friends have implemented Tasha Tudor Day in commemoration of Miss Tudor's birthday. Each year for the past four, Clarice has shared memories of how this special woman touched her life and those of her friends.

Be sure to stop by Clarice's blog so you can participate in this special event! Here she shares pictures of garments that remind her of Tasha. And here is her post today which celebrates Tasha's legacy.

Happy Birthday to the memory of Tasha Tudor!

Tea & Tasha

Beloved Tasha Tudor, author and illustrator of many books and gardener extraordinaire, passed away at her home in Marlboro, Vermont on July 18, 2008. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 28, 1915 and was named after her father, Starling Burgess. But her father, who enjoyed Tolstoy's War and Peacepreferred to call her Natasha after a character in the book. Her mother's friends would sometimes refer to her as Rosamund Tudor's daughter. Tasha liked the sound of the name Tasha Tudor, and eventually had her name legally changed to reflect this preference. 

Ms. Tudor received many awards and honors for her exceptional contribution to literature. A Caldecott Honor was given for her work for Mother Goose in 1945 and again in 1957 for the book 1 is One. She also received the Regina Medal in 1971 for her contributions to children's literature. Her prose was always simple and captivating, frequently including rhyming text. Enchanting illustrations were detailed and realistic in soft colors that seemed to fade away onto the page. She was known for her love of nature and flowers, birds, and other charming animals were frequently featured in her art. 

Some of the books she wrote and illustrated are:

Pumpkin Moonshine
A Tale for Easter
Snow before Christmas
Thistly B
The Dolls' Christmas
Edgar Allan Crow
Amanda and the Bear

A is for Annebelle
1 is One
A Time to Keep
Corgiville Fair
Tasha Tudor's Seasons of Delight
The Great Corgiville Kidnapping

Tasha Tudor was one of the great artists of the 20th century. Her love for illustrating New England nostalgia and sentimental illustrations that made one think of a bygone era. She lived her life as she dreamed, simply and sustainably, preferring the old-fashioned in both lifestyle and dress. For 92 years the world has been blessed by her presence and contribution to American culture, literature, and art. Although she is gone from us now, her legacy and spirit will live on through the work she so fluently contributed to all. 

The photographs today are taken from one of my favorite books: Tasha Tudor's Garden by Tovah Martin and Richard W. Brown.

Best Wedding Wishes

We enjoyed a lovely week-end with Dad and Alma. They were here to attend the wedding of one of Dad's friends from grade school and high school days. It's precious to observe a friendship that has endured distance and time. It's also fun to listen to Dad tell stories of the adventures and experiences he and his buddy had while they were kids. There's nothing better than sipping tea while listening to Dad tell stories!

Congratulations to Juanita and Ed! Wishing you a happy marriage and many wonderful years together!

Diamond Jubilee

I would be remiss if I did not pay tribute to Elizabeth II this week as the British Empire commemorates 60 years with  Queen Elizabeth as the reigning monarch. She is the longest-lived and second-longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Festivities are ongoing and included a flotilla of 1,000 boats on the Thames on June 2 with concerts, teas, and other events to follow as the week progresses. I've been enjoying televised segments of some of the festivities on BBC America, as well as timely updates from friends in the UK as they report on celebrations both on a grand scale nationally and communally.They are sharing about community lunches, colorful buntings, flags decorating the streets, and tipping teacups in tribute. It is a festive time that seems to be capturing 100% of their attention! 


In my corner of the world, I look around my own home to see what can tokens and memorabilia can remind me of Queen Elizabeth and her reign. My mother was a young Canadian girl during World War II and she looked up to the Princess Elizabeth who was a teen at the time. When Elizabeth II became Queen of England, she also became Queen of Canada, a position that my mother held near and dear to her heart. I compare it to the fondness that many of us in future generations felt for Diana, Princess of Wales. Mother's fondness and respect were rooted in loyalty and favor, both attributes that Mother passed on her her own daughters. Thus, gathering small tokens of the Queen over the years has been a natural process for me. Here are some of the mementos that I have to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II. The first (above) is a plate commemorating her coronation on June 2, 1953. I received it as a birthday present from my dad about 25 years ago. He found it in an antique store on a trip across Canada that he took with his sisters. They were visiting their childhood home in Manitoba, so for me this plate commemorates that family excursion as well. Although I was not on the journey, my aunties and father have given a full report over the years.

Three coronation teacups honoring E II R can be found in my china closet. Each was designed to celebrate her 1953 coronation and each varies in style and intensity. From the ornate to simply elegant, each implicitly expresses the joy of a nation at the crowning of their young queen.

Added to the celebratory scene are tea candles that Karleen brought home and gave to me last summer after she visited Buckingham Palace. She also brought me tea in the same beautiful packaging. I am savoring it during special times.

Congratulations to the UK as they celebrate in a style only known to royalty! It's a Diamond Jubilee!

Happy Birthday, Friend!

Happy Birthday, to my friend, Karleen!


Wishing you all the best in the year ahead!  
Happy adventures to you!

Cake and Flowers!

"Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men and animal. Some seem to smile."
Henry Ward Beecher

Decorating with flowers is really fun and helps create beautiful and unusual cakes and cupcakes. As you can see, the yellow miniature roses were accented with mint leaves and fresh lavender and were the decoration on the gluten free, chocolate cupcakes. The red and white baby roses were accented with fresh lavender and were what distinguished the wheat flour cupcakes from the others. They were served at the culmination of a family birthday dinner.  Here's the recipe so you can enjoy it too.

Chocolate Cake

1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour* (or all-purpose flour)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar (Florida Crystals)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. vinegar lemon juice
1 tsp. pure vanilla
1 cup cold water
1/2 cup chocolate chips

In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in liquid ingredients. Using a hand mixer, blend until batter is smooth and creamy. Work quickly, as the lemon juice activates the baking soda and starts the leavening action. Gently stir in chocolate chips. Measure into cupcake papers in muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 - 25 minutes. 


*To make your own gluten-free flour blend, consider Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flour Blend or a mixture of equal proportions of cornstarch, garbanzo/fava bean flour, and potato starch. Add 1 tsp. xanthan gum for every cup of flour.