A PAISLEY TEA, MINSTRELS, AND A WORKSHOP

"FAILURE WILL NEVER OVERTAKE ME IF MY DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED IS STRONG ENOUGH."     Og Mandino

HAPPY NOVEMBER, EVERYONE!

I just wanted to share with you a fun paisley dessert set that belonged to my Grandmother. Remember the paisley clothes way back when? Well, I'm bringing it back...this time in China! It is Lefton China and I have a set of 8...perfect for a small group gathering for tea/coffee and dessert. 

The plate is a sweet shell shape...

And look what I found much later....

... Matching tea bag holders at an Estate Sale! Woot Woot! 

 You just never know what you are going to find so keep looking! Well, to be honest I wasn't even looking for these! I didn't know they even existed so imagine my surprise and delight when I found them. They were kind of pricey, if I remember correctly,  but I had to have them of course. They matched a set I already had! Helllooo!! But there were only two so now I'm on the lookout for more...hopefully at a more reasonable price! Let me know if you find any...umm...cheap inexpensive ones!

OK so the other night was Halloween and since we live in an out of the way mansion ( see Plummer House page)  and all the neighborhood kids that we knew have grown up and moved away, we don't get many trick or treaters. So only one group of three kids showed up! They were surprised when I came to the door and realized someone actually lived here! It was three teens with guitars wrapped up in lights ( the guitars were wrapped in lights, not the teens ) and I couldn't tell what exactly they were wearing so I asked if they were "minstrels". They looked at me like they didn't know what I was talking about so I gave them some candy and asked if they would sing a tune for me. The two with guitars started playing and singing....and playing and singing....and playing and singing until the third one waved her hand and said, "OK, that's enough."Actually they were very good! I applauded, gave them more candy for the impromptu concert and asked if I could take their picture. It was dark, and they must have moved, or maybe I moved,  so the picture didn't turn out very well but here they are...I had to put it on here because I told them I was going to...and I'm not going to lie.

And now, if you've read this far and you're still with me...Grab your cuppa tea and head over to my new blog, The Balanced Life, and join in on my FREE online workshop entitled, "Live Your Dream Life NOW". You can find it HERE. 

It started Monday and you still have this week to sign up and get started on the first assignment. You also might want to read the intro on the previous post of that blog so you know a bit about it. And BONUS: There is a Giveaway involved for those who subscribe! So hop on over and subscribe! 

A PAISLEY TEA AND DOING WHAT WE LOVE

This is one of my favorite sayings. It has helped me stay focused when I have so many ideas and don't know which ones to pursue.They're all good things but one can only do so much. Like, in the blogging world, what blog parties should I join? Should I start a blog newsletter? Should I start my OWN blog party? I've been kind of all over the place with my blog, doing the things that others say to do to "build your blog". But then I've lost focus.

Right now I'm working on a mission statement and goal setting for my blog. I'll keep on doing those things I love and let go of the rest.

And one of the things that I love is sharing the china tea cups that have been handed down to me as well as the cups I've collected on my own along the way. I've enjoyed "having tea" with others who share their own lovely tea cups, vignettes, tablescapes, and recipes. I'm able to connect with like-minded bloggers as well as connecting with my customers who are interested in the "pretties" that we collect and sell at our sales events. 

So this week I'd like to invite you to A Paisley Tea. I've brought out  my paisley blue and brown Lefton dessert sets.  I have 6  sets but I'm setting the table for two. These sets were handed down to me from my grandmother. Won't you join me?

"There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life." Lin Yutang, The Importance of Tea

                             
                               A little fall pumpkin and some acorns will add to the fun!

  I've made Oatmeal Cupcakes for us, a treat that I haven't made since my kids were young.  I'm leaving the recipe on this post.

 

                I thought you might like to see the pretty shell shaped plate that goes with the cup.

               I'll  set a  sweet vintage tarnished baby cup with dried hydrangeas from the garden on the table.

                                                    A blue candle will warm things up...

                                     Now we can quietly contemplate life while enjoying our tea. I'm having Peach tea. What is YOUR favorite?

            
Recently I found a cute tea bag holder that happened to match my set. There was only one but now I'm on the hunt for more. A fun find!

                                     Here's the recipe for the Oatmeal Cupcakes:

1/2 C. shortening
1 t. cinnamon
1 C. oatmeal

Mix the above ingredients and pour 1 1/4 C. boiling water over mixture. Cover and let sit for 20".

2 t. vanilla
1 C. sugar
1 C. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 C. flour
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt

Add the above ingredients to first mixture.
Bake for 30" at 350 degrees

Frosting

5 T. flour
1 C. milk

Heat above and stir until smooth. Cool.

Add: 1 C. sugar
         1/2 C. butter
         1/2 C. shortening
Beat mixture until whipped.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

I'm joining  these two tea parties:

Martha's Favorites
Rose Chintz Cottage