“ BLOOMING TEA "

MAKE MY DAY

TWO years ago, I lost a most cherished, fifteen year old Cactus specimen, due to an episode with frozen pipes and heating malfunction in our heritage home. Needless to say, 

 I was heart broken.

As you can see it was a massive scarlet  flowering cacti.

 How do you replace such  a  precious friend?

Luckily, my girlfriend, Renate, gifted me a one year old cutting from her Christmas Cactus.  I located the quart sized container into the southern setting of my studio cottage, in the hope that it would find contentment in this sunny location. 

It has been growing for two years now, but as always ... I am sometimes, neglectful in the watering, which funnily enough, cacti love. ( ha ha) 

Did you know that ...

Cactus are a no fuss, no muss type of plant . 

It’s honestly true !!

So, yesterday, after three weeks of neglect, I journeyed into the dining room with a watering can.

Surprise, Surprise... 

IT'S BLOOMING !!!!

YAHOO... 
Ask me if I’m excited !!!!
Look at those gorgeous blossoms.

This just made my day !!!

PLEASE do join me for  this,
  “ Blooming" celebration teatime.

I found the prettiest tea set, at the Hospice shop. It just sort of popped up and said, pick me for teatime with the ladies... 
   So I did!!!
( Ha Ha)

A person can often  find beautiful cups and saucers at the Hospice Stores, at half the price of other antique shops. There is always a vast selection of tea sets that are  reasonably priced, between five and twenty -five dollars ... depending on the manufacturer. 

I paid ten dollars for this one.

 It was a very good deal, when you consider the amount of artistry and gold filigree that is decorating this( above)  

 Queen Anne tea set.

For our, “Blooming" Teatime, I thought that the, 

"Lady Patricia”, Hammersley tea pot would be perfect.

Hammersly, is a well established firm that has been around for over a century ... The company has always  specialized in the production of richly decorated bone china. 

Over the years, it has been associated with Royal Worcester Spode Ltd (1976) and more recently, it’s trade name has been bought by "Ansley" in 1988.

                                  I love all vintage china ... 
                                                  and 
                       am really quite enamoured with the 
                                   golden rose on the  lid.

I mean, who can resist all the  gold gilding !!!! 

Don’t you Love that handle?

This teaset seems to  make you feel like  a Cinderella ...

( ha ha)

It is definitely, china that is reminiscent of another era, when women wore gorgeous tea gowns,  

lacy gloves

 and took the time to sit in their tea parlours “ gossiping" about who’s who and the latest scandal. ( Tsk Tsk)

Shall we pour the tea?

Hopefully, you will enjoy this tasty tea selection that I purchased on Prince Edward Island.

                                     

I believe  that the  “ Apricot with Flowers” tea is going to be exceptionally appropriate for this afternoon’s  gossip session ...OOPS

I mean Teatime .

       There now... Let’s sit down and relax for a few minutes  
                  You can tell me how your day has been !!!!

My hubby has just returned from Asia, so of course, he wants to eat some real food instead of rice, rice and more rice.  His request includes, rack of lamb, lemon baked potatoes and mushroom and spinach sautéed. 

Here’s the quick and Easy Recipe:

(Lemon Baked Potatoes)

6-8 new medium sized Idaho Potatoes( thin skinned)

2-3 Tbsp Olive oil or butter

4-6 Tbsp  Squeezed Lemon Juice

( add more if you wish)

Salt and Pepper 

Directions:

Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of the pan

Do not peel the potatoes

Wash and cut the potatoes in half and place face down in a pan

Pour the lemon juice around the potatoes

Add salt and pepper

Bake  at 350  for 30 minutes

H-m-m-m

That means that this CINDERELLA has to loose the gown and the jewels and don a huge apron.

( BOO HOO )

 Yes ... the glass slippers have fallen off and magically become a pair of slip-ons ... WAIT ... there’s is hope for this daydream. You can still drink your last drop of tea before the dinner bell goes off.

AND 

I’ve decided

 that we’re going to keep 

the  dresses .

 LADIES ... Stay and  have another cup of tea, 

This is our " Blooming” Teatime  daydream 

so 

 I’ll take care of Prince Charming 

and 

BE RIGHT BACK

with 

the APPLE PIE.

                                           ENJOY Your Day !!!!

                                                             

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