Autumn TeaTime

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Yvette

With all these wonderful warm colours of Autumn, there’s nothing better than sitting by a sunlit window, sipping a cup of warm tea and eating a piece of Banana Nutmeg Cake.

Sharing with you my new Royal Albert – Country Roses serving plate. A lovely oval design with cross-hatching embossing,filigree and gold trim, with handles of beautiful cut-out hearts. A beautiful addition to my china collection.

For afternoon tea, there’s a serving of freshly homemade Banana Nutmeg Cake, served in petite paper doilies, and Royal Albert – Country Roses serviettes.

Welcome to all those lovely ladies, who are joining me for tea, and a chat in the afternoon sunlight. Wish you were all here, relaxing with me, just a little time for you and me, and see the beautiful hues of Autumn in our garden.

Piping hot tea served in Royal Albert, bone china petite Val d’or tea cups, and beautiful paper filigree heart – place cards. Can you see your name?

Here’s my quick recipe for Banana Nutmeg Cake

1/2 cup sugar

125grams butter

1/4 cup milk

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup self raising flour

1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

3 ripe bananas

juice 1/2 lemon

Method: Mash bananas with lemon juice. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Stir dry ingredients and add alternately with milk. Gently stir in the mashed banana. Turn into greased tin and bake in moderate oven for 30-35 minutes. Ice with lemon icing and a sprinkling of nutmeg, or leave sliced and spread with butter swirls.

Linking to

TeaTime Tuesday
Simply Sweet
A Return to Loveliness
Table Top Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Tea in the Garden
Teacup Thursday

Design Etchings – The Graphics Fairy

Have a great day, and enjoy the sunshine!

Yvette…x

A Circle of friends

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Yvette

Sometimes life gets so busy, we change, things change us.

Sometimes directions in life are easy, sometimes a little harder. We all set ourselves goals, day by day, week by week…month by month…and even next year.

Every week I set myself some weekly goals to visit my circle of friends. Those whose blogs I adore to look at, read, comment and get inspired from. Our circles of friends are all different. We all have different passions. Those who write poems, who create in their kitchens, who paint, who make tea, who capture things through the lens…and you my friend, are part of my circle, and how lonely my life would be without you.

Today, I wanted to share with you, a reflective corner of blue and white. The changing blue skies and those soft romantic white clouds, are finally appearing and reflecting a new Spring/ Summer .

“The whole earth was brimming sunshine that morning. She tripped along, the clear sky pouring liquid blue into her soul” Theodore Dreiser

Blue and White china mugs…can’t you smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee!

Served with a handsome favourite of Rocky Road. Chocolate, nuts, cherries and marshmallows…Ohhh! what temptation!

I got lost for a ~~while~~ a few hours in the material department, don’t you just love the new textured fabrics I purchased. Fun new colours and designs, enhancing my styling photography.

More blue and white treasures to find…

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Take a little time

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Yvette

Time for a cuppa with me this afternoon and reminisce over the ‘Simple Little Pleasures’, a wonderfully written and illustrated book by Thomas Kinkade. Full of beautiful quotes and images.

‘ Take joy in life’s simple little pleasures, and experience a new sense of romance in your life. When you put just a little time and energy into the things that bring you pleasure, make you feel alive, and affirm your special interests and talents, your world becomes more vivid and memorable. And your life becomes one you can savor, with experiences that strengthen your connections to the people you love and to your own heart and soul.’ Thomas Kinkade

Take a few minutes and capture through my images our afternoon tea together. Join me in a cup of herbal infusion: Cranberry,Raspberry and Strawberry tea with butterflies,dragonflies and bugs (cupcakes). An enchanted afternoon tea.

Marshmallow iced cupcakes…bugs

and butterflies…

A couple more minutes…read on…

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Egg-static!

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Yvette

What a lovely way to celebrate Spring, combined with a touch of Easter. Another Spring theme teaset from my sister’s collectables.

Royal Worcester – Arcadia. Tiny petite pastel flowers. Accompanied by my handmade salted encrusted eggs –tutorial found here.

Sprinkle a little light in your day…read on for more…

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Springtime’s Laughter

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Yvette

Dear Friends,

With the changing seasons, some of us are ready to snuggle in front of fires and candles, Autumn leaves, warm hearty soups and woolen jumpers.

Others are ready to bounce into the joyous season of Spring, blossoms and new sunny days after a very long Winter.I’m joining in the Celebration of Spring- A Return to Loveliness.

The Victoria magazine has been part of my life since 1997, and looking back on many volumes the Spring April issue read like a pleasant opened rose with it’s petals softly falling and every petal a new inspiration and influence to how I could recall the new Spring days.Back issues and more information can be found here.

If we listen carefully, we can hear the music of Springtime’s laughter. The tittering of tiny blossom buds, fresh green leaves that seem to giggle in the breeze, the chatter of tiny flowers, the twittering of newborn birds, rose buds that smile in the suns rays. A rebirth of growth within our garden, and enchanting Spring, a newborn season.

Read on to experience my touch of Spring…

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Lucky Afternoon Tea

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Yvette

Under the shade of a cooling tree, a soft breeze and the soothing cup of green tea. An afternoon tea with a touch of green.

Read on for more…

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Sandy’s Tea Society

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Yvette

Sandy’s Tea Society *****

by Sandy Lynam Clough

An Edible Book Review inspired by Jain at Food for Thought,

and co-hosted by Mary at Home is Where the Boat is.

“ As each Lady shares her original ideas for decorating and setting her tea table, graciously entertaining, developing friendships, and preparing special recipes you will be treated to a touch of heartfelt hospitality and the exciting opportunity to deepen your own friendships.”

Delighting in Friendships Steeped in Love

“Welcome To My Tearoom! Won’t you come in and join us? Please don’t hesitate just because you don’t know anyone else here. I have invited these special ladies to tea because they have one thing in common: They are very rich.Oh, they’re not wealthy financially. But they are truly rich because in their hearts is a wealth of warmth and caring individual style and creativity, all just waiting to be shared.”

After reading this book, which I might say is a Sunday relaxing read, this book is a little treasure of images, recipes and ideas for your next afternoon get together with friends. A wonderful, delightful and fun book.