Birthday Dinner #2

My hubby and I met our son, Steve, and daughter-in-law, Sharon, at 4:00 o'clock Tuesday at our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Charros.  Sharon and I both ordered a Chicken Fajita Salad, and Jerry and Steve got Chicken Enchilada Dinners.  It's SO nice to be able to go out to dinner at a restaurant again!

After dinner we came back to our house for birthday cake.  They got me a Tiramisu cake.  It's the most decadent cake I've ever eaten!  Birthdays can really pile on the calories!

I watched Joanna Gaines [Magnolia Kitchen, Discovery + channel] make Tiramisu last night during one of her cooking show episodes and I'm going to give it a try - but not until I've had a chance to work off some of these birthday cake calories!

In addition to dinner and the Tiramisu cake, Steve and Sharon gave me one dollar for every year of my life!  So today I went back to Hobby Lobby and got two more place settings of the leopard print china.  I also spent my two Macy's gift cards on a very nice large wooden salad bowl and six individual salad bowls.  When the bamboo handled flatware, stemware, napkins and table runner arrive I'll set up a tablescape and post pictures. I can hardly wait to have company to use everything.  Tea is grown in Africa and easy to purchase, but I'll have to research a dinner menu.  Any suggestions???

It all began with the tea set below one of the associate pastors brought me from Africa several years ago, and the carved ebony wood animals my hubby brought home from his missions trip to Kenya.

I'm so thankful for another year of life the Lord blessed me with.  I recently heard a worship song that has become a favorite.  I try to play it at least once every day [preferably before I go to bed].  I'm posting the words in closing, because we all need to be reminded of the goodness of God, particularly during these difficult days.  

Goodness of God by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson

I love You, Lord

For Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I've been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head,

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

Chorus:  And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

In the darkest night

You are close like no other

I've known You as a Father

I've known You as a Friend

And I have lived in the goodness of God.

*  *  *

While I was walking around Hobby Lobby I noticed lemons are popular in kitchen décor this year. In one of the displays I saw a cheerful yellow container I couldn't resist taking a picture of.  It simply says Choose to Shine, which is my prayerful motto with the addition of two words, for Jesus!

 

Birthday Celebrations

Another birthday has been logged into the book of time!   My actual birthday was last Saturday, my first day back to work at The Whitney.  I worked the two seatings and got home shortly after 4:00 p.m.  I was tired, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be after being off work since the shutdown last November.  

I came home to a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my hubby, along with a beautiful card and gift card at Macy's.  My daughter and son-in-law were there also with a yummy carrot birthday cake, and Hobby Lobby gift card.

I worked again on Sunday to make sure the new 'Mansion Tea' was running smoothly, and came home to an empty house since my hubby was in Chelsea watching the Super Bowl game with our son and his family.  I didn't mind the solitude because after two back to back long days I was one tired tea lady!

Yesterday I wasted no time going to Hobby Lobby to spend my gift card.  I got four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four cups and saucers in the leopard [or cheetah ?] pattern that will go perfectly with my teapot from Africa.  The dishes were on sale 40% off, and my hubby paid the difference.  They're the perfect dishes to go with my new charcuterie board. I'm thinking I need to go back and get at least two more place settings.

I'm having fun putting the finishing touches on each place setting.  I searched online for animal print flatware to no avail, but found some bamboo flatware that will go nicely with it.  I ordered Tortoise Shell wine glasses from Overstock.  We don't drink wine, but the reviews said they were large and heavy enough to be used as water goblets.

I'm trying to decide between two leopard print ice buckets to be used as a container for a floral centerpiece, and I think I'll go with black chargers.  I've got to purchase a leopard print table runner and napkins yet and that should do it.  I think I'll get a lot of use out of this tablescape because it's gender neutral and not formal, delicate or frou-frou.  Guys can enjoy it as well as ladies.  

Our daughter and son-in-law treated us to dinner at Olive Garden last night.  I ordered Chicken Parmesan.  My first time eating in a restaurant since they were forced to shut-down last November.  We had a lovely evening together.

I cut my complimentary birthday dessert into four pieces to share with everyone - yummy Brownie Lasagna.

  

We're meeting our son, Steve, and daughter-in-law, Sharon, for a second birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant today.  More celebration pictures to come...

As Seen From My Window

Meteorologists told us snow was coming and temps were plunging, and when I lifted the window shade this morning this is the landscape I saw.   It's beautiful to look at if you can stay inside, which I plan to do, since there's a winter weather advisory in effect until 7:00 p.m. tonight.

Tomorrow I'll return to work at The Whitney for the reopening of their tea service.  At the staff meeting on Wednesday my boss suggested I go to the third floor pastry kitchen to view our new food selections displayed on the tiered server.  The choux pastry shell on the top tier and the wonton cup on the bottom tier will both be hot canapes, and weren't filled yet.  The scones will be served separately when guests are seated.  I'm not sure why the desserts were placed on the middle tier separating the savories.

Below is pastry chef, Eric Bunge, who has been with The Whitney since 2014.  He bakes everything fresh daily and his skills are outstanding.  He has just recently been given oversight of all the food on the tiered servers, and his food presentations are works of art.

On the eve of my birthday, I've already received several cards in the mail.  Some of them are from you who follow my blog. Thank you for thinking of me! Since I'll be working two seatings tomorrow, I declined going out for a b-day dinner on the actual day, and opted for Monday night instead when I'll be perky and rested.  ;-)

I don't normally work Sundays since that's the Sabbath, but I did consent to working this Sunday since the restaurant is just reopening and the staff is getting acclimated to returning to work. We have a new chef and sous chef too, so we're all working together to make this a successful weekend.  My hubby will be going by himself to our son's house in Chelsea to watch the Super Bowl, and at Jeremy's request I'm baking two Boston Cream pies today for Jerry to take.

I ordered two gifts to me from me!  ;-)  A lovely embroidered teapot purse that I saw on Facebook ATAA, and a Beauty and the Beast tea set.  I think my youngest granddaughter might enjoy attending a tea party with this set.  I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of both. There's actually a Mrs. Pott's purse too, but I haven't succumbed to that yet!

A Fun Afternoon With My Cousins

My three cousins came for lunch yesterday and we had a great time.  A big snow storm was predicted for our area over the weekend, and when I lifted the bedroom shade Sunday morning it looked like the forecast would be accurate.  My cousins had to travel about 40 miles, so text messages began flying across cyberspace as to whether we should postpone the gathering. By Sunday afternoon the snow had stopped, and Sunday night they texted that they'd leave the date as planned. 

They came bearing gifts of fresh flowers, Godiva chocolates and a teapot that belonged to their mother [my aunt] as a keepsake.

The tablescape stayed the same as last Saturday, only a little fuller since it was set for four instead of two.

The menu was the same too with the exception of the dessert.  When I thought the luncheon was going to be postponed, my hubby and I had a slice of the Earl Grey tea cake so there was no longer enough to serve on Monday. ;-) Plan B was an Apple Spice Cake made in the crock pot which they enjoyed.  I told them the next time they come I'll use my new charcuterie board.

Sherry had a bit of a scare when her neighbor called and said an EMS truck was at her house. Her husband had just gotten out of the hospital and was home alone, so she called him.  He answered, and assured her he was fine.  Turns out EMS came to their house by mistake.  Her street was very similar in spelling to the one they were supposed to go to.  Yikes!

[Sherry, Tammy, Me and Cindy]

The March/April issue of Tea Time magazine arrived in today's mail.  It's their 100th issue and is 100 pages, an expansion that will continue with all upcoming issues.   I'm honored that an article I wrote appeared in their premier issue, but I'm sorry the tearoom is no longer there.  A lot has happened since 2003.  I have every issue of Tea Time and don't plan to part with any.

They have a fabulous trip to England planned in May, but with COVID and its mutations, I can't help wondering if this is the optimal time for traveling across the pond.

The Whitney reopens this Friday night.  I have a staff meeting tomorrow from noon until 5:00 and return to work to serve 'Mansion Tea' [the new name] on Saturday.  There will be two seatings now 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  The special Valentine's Tea on Feb. 14th is sold out.  

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, so there'll be six more weeks of winter. Living in Michigan that's no surprise, and it'll probably more than six weeks!

A Winter Tea Luncheon

I always say you meet the nicest people over tea, and today was no exception.  I invited the Executive Director of an Independent Living facility to my house for a tea luncheon.  Even though we had never met before, we were kindred spirits as soon as she stepped inside the front door.  

Debbie is a tea lover and wants to incorporate Afternoon Tea in the activities for the residents at her facility. Talking about tea was something we both love and the time flew by.  She came at 1:00 o'clock and left shortly after 4:00 o'clock, and it was such a lovely afternoon.  I wish I would have taken a picture of her to share, but I'll make sure to do it the next time we get together.  It was fun sharing our tea journeys.  She grew up drinking tea because her parents are from Canada and it was an integral part of their family life.

Below are a few pics of my wintry tablescape and two of the food courses.  The table looks a little sparse when it's only set for two, but my three cousins are coming for lunch on Monday and I'm going to use the same tablescape and serve the same menu.  Why reinvent the wheel when this worked so well!  :-)  The tablescape will be more filled out then.

I used my Blue Madrid Depression Glass made by Federal Glass Co.

First course was Minnesota Wild Rice soup with Corn Madeleines.  Tea was "Snowflake Tea" - a black tea flavored with coconut rasps and almond flakes. 

The main course was Ham, Broccoli and Mushroom Quiche with a Spring Salad.  We were so busy talking I forgot to take a picture of it.  

Dessert was the Earl Grey Tea Cake that I mentioned in my last post, but hadn't tasted yet. It's a dense cake, but good.  Debbie liked it too and asked for the recipe. The London Fog Latte was the perfect accompaniment.  I didn't attempt trying to make any fancy designs with the frothed milk.  I'll leave that to talented baristas.  ;-)

Shifting gears... Do you like to watch cooking shows? A week ago while watching Food Network's Diners, Drive-in's and Dives, Guy Fieri visited Kelly O's diner in Pittsburgh which featured a Polish comfort food - Haluski.  I had never heard of it before, but it looked good and easy, so after the program I Googled a recipe and made it.  My hubby and I really enjoyed it - A head of cabbage shredded and sauteed in butter with onion slices.  Then egg noodles and crispy bacon pieces are added.  Yummy!  Ever heard of it?  I'm not of Polish descent, but I love trying ethnic foods.

Tea Cabinet, Earl Grey Tea and Charcuterie Board

I'm happily preparing for a guest for tea and lunch on Saturday.  My menu is established:  Wild Rice Soup with Corn Madeleines, Broccoli, Ham, and Mushroom Quiche with Spring Salad, Earl Grey Tea Cake garnished with Sugared Walnuts and, of course, tea.  I'm thinking I'd like to serve a London Fog Latte to go with the cake.   I asked my guest if she had any food dislikes, and she said only calves liver. ;-)  Definitely no worries there!

My tea friend, Angela, at Tea With Friends blog mentioned the Earl Grey Tea Cake on Facebook.  It was posted by the New York Times, and sounded like a perfect dessert.  I knew I had enough Earl Grey tea in my tea cabinet.  Do you have a designated tea cupboard or cabinet?  Mine is a repro oak icebox.  

One project always seems to lead to another.  When I went to the icebox to look for some Earl Grey tea, I decided it was time [past time really] to clean it out and put it in some semblance of order.  A lot went in the trash, but a lot was left.

I discovered I had five tins of Earl Grey tea!  It's my hubby's favorite, so I better get busy using it.

I put all the empty tins in a tote and took them to the basement.  I always save the larger ones because they make great flower containers for centerpieces at a tea party.  The photo below shows how I used them at a tea for my aunt's 86th birthday.  A guest from each table took one home.   

The tea will taste better in a neater cabinet. ;-)  If not, at least I'll feel better!  I shouldn't buy any more tea for a long time!

I don't normally serve my guests something I've never made before, but I really wanted to try the Earl Grey cake.  If I don't like it there's always ice cream with hot fudge sauce! Below is a picture of the cake out of the oven.  The recipe makes one 8-inch layer.  The large dark spots are mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, and the lighter specks are loose tea.

The frosted cake below.  I can't wait to try it and will definitely let you know if the recipe is a keeper. 

My new charcuterie tray was delivered today.  The one at Hobby Lobby wasn't food save without a liner so I didn't get it, but I found one I liked even better online at Target.  It's made of Mango wood and is 22" in diameter with a 2" ridge.   I'm so eager to use it.

Sunday Musings

Saturday is our Sunday for the time being while we're sharing a church facility waiting for our new church to be built.   My hubby and I drove by the property yesterday after church service to see the progress.  The building is completely enclosed now and the heating/cooling unit installed so work can be done on the inside.  Brick is going on the exterior and when completed the cedar shakes, light fixtures, and pillars will go up.  Below is a picture taken yesterday.  When the steeple went on it began to look like a church.    

Most everyone knows someone who has [or had] COVID-19, and sadly we know some who died from it.  I personally know two people who didn't survive it, and another whose lungs have been so badly damaged he will be on oxygen the rest of his life.

If you've followed my blog for any length of time you've seen pictures of my friend, Linda.  We met through the tea world and have gone to many tea events together.  Her husband passed away on Christmas Eve morning after being hospitalized with COVID. He was 71 and his passing was unexpected.

As with many COVID deaths, his body was cremated quickly and there was no funeral or memorial service.  I wanted to do something to express my condolences but didn't know what, and a sympathy card didn't seem enough.  There was no charity designated to give money to in his honor, and I didn't want to send flowers to the home because I thought others probably did that.  Then it came to me... a Care Basket.  I'm sharing this because you may know someone who passed from COVID and you've wondered what you could do to express sympathy.

In this instance, Linda is an avid tea drinker and I knew one of her favorite teas is Marco Polo by Mariage Freres in Paris.  The Cultured Cup in Texas sells it so I placed an order.  Then I wanted a commemorative mug for her to drink the tea from, so I searched her Facebook page for a suitable photo of her husband and ordered a mug from Shutterfly.  I filled in the rest of the basket with a candle, chocolates and cookies.  I delivered the basket yesterday.

Shutterfly has a huge selection of quality mugs to chose from and I was so pleased with the photo print on the mug.  Service was fast too.  

After delivering the basket, I realized meals would have been a great option too.  She's still grieving and trying to muddle through all the legal paperwork, so I'm sure homecooked meals would be helpful.  I've decided to do that as well.  I can't minimize the power of prayer support either. Those dealing with grief need others to stand in the gap for them.  Hopefully these ideas will be helpful to you.  

To close this post, I follow the Great British Tea Party on Facebook.  The site recently posted two pictures of cakes in my beloved blue and white colors.  They're almost too pretty to eat!

I've been enjoying Harney & Sons Organic Bangkok flavored green tea in my cup.  What tea are you drinking these days?