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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Tea At The Pittsburg Public Library

My cousin lives in Pittsburg, Kansas and visits the public library there quite frequently. She recently got a hold of me to let John and I know that they were going to be having a 'Downton Abbey' tea there and wondered if we'd like to come. We reserved our spot and attended the tea this afternoon, and we were so glad that we did! We had a great time! There was plenty of tea, lots of goodies, a harpist, and Englishman, Rob Smith, who read poetry suitable for the occasion. Below are a few photographs and some of the poems that our English friend shared with us today.

John and I, my cousin, Nancy, and our mutual friend, Kelley.
Our 'Downton Abbey' Tea Hostess
Our Servers 
Harpist Tammy Wilcox

Harpist Tammy Wilcox
Our English Poetry Reader, Rob Smith, and Another Guest

A Cup of Tea by Anonymous



When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.
There is magic in its fragrance,
There is solace in its taste;
And the laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.
The world becomes a lovely thing!
There’s beauty as you’ll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup of tea.

Crumpets and Tea by Eugene Field



Eugene Field, American writer, best known for his children's poetry and humorous essays.There are happenings in life that are destined to rise
Like dear, hallowed visions before a man’s eyes;
And the passage of years shall not dim in the least
The glory and joy of our Sabbath-day feast,—
The Sabbath-day luncheon that ’s spread for us three,—
My worthy companions, Teresa and Leigh,
And me, all so hungry for crumpets and tea.

There are cynics who say with invidious zest
That a crumpet’s a thing that will never digest;
But I happen to know that a crumpet is prime
For digestion, if only you give it its time.
Or if, by a chance, it should not quite agree,
Why, who would begrudge a physician his fee
For plying his trade upon crumpets and tea?

To toast crumpets quite à la mode, I require
A proper long fork and a proper quick fire;
And when they are browned, without further ado,
I put on the butter, that soaks through and through.
And meantime Teresa, directed by Leigh,
Compounds and |xnirs out a rich brew for us three;
And so we sit down to our crumpets—and tea.

A hand-organ grinds in the street a weird bit,—
Confound those Italians! I wish they would quit
Interrupting our feast with their dolorous airs,
Suggestive of climbing the heavenly stairs.
(It ’s thoughts of the future, as all will agree,
That we fain would dismiss from our bosoms when we
Sit down to discussion of crumpets and tea!)

The Sabbath-day luncheon whereof I now speak
Quite answers its purpose the rest of the week;
Yet with the next Sabbath I wait for the bell
Announcing the man who has crumpets to sell;
Then I scuttle downstairs in a frenzy of glee,
And purchase for sixpence enough for us three,
Who hunger and hanker for crumpets and tea.

But soon—ah! too soon—I must bid a farewell
To joys that succeed to the sound of that bell,
Must hie me away from the dank, foggy shore
That’s filled me with colic and—yearnings for more!
Then the cruel, the heartless, the conscienceless sea
Shall bear me afar from Teresa and Leigh
And the other twin friendships of crumpets and tea.

Yet often, ay, ever, before my wan eyes
That Sabbath-day luncheon of old shall arise.
My stomach, perhaps, shall improve by the change,
Since crumpets it seems to prefer at long range;
But, oh, how my palate will hanker to be
In London again with Teresa and Leigh,
Enjoying the rapture of crumpets and tea!

Ode To Tea by Richard Trott Fisher

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Recipe - Valentine Cherry Pie Bars

Photo Credit: Budget 101
This recipe has been going around Facebook the past couple of weeks or so and it catches my eye every time. I determined to make this recipe in celebration of Valentine's Day and our anniversary and I did so tonight. It turned out well and is absolutely delicious! Thought I'd share with you here! Happy Valentine's Day!!! <3

VALENTINE CHERRY PIE BARS

1 cup of butter softened (I used light butter)
2 cups of sugar (I used raw sugar)
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp almond extract
3 cups all purpose flour (I used unbleached, unbromated white wheat flour)
2 cans of cherry pie filling (can use just 1 if you need to)
Preheat Oven to 350F

In a mixing bowl, cream your butter, sugar- add eggs & extract. Beat well to mix. Add flour and salt, mixing well. Spread half of the batter in a greased 9x13 pan, Spoon the pie filling over the batter Randomly drop tablespoons remaining batter over the pie filling. Bake for 35 minutes or until your toothpick comes out clean

If you wish to add a glaze mix 1 c. powdered sugar, 1 tsp. almond extract, 2 tsp. milk and drizzle bars; cool.





Monday, February 10, 2014

Scrapbook Memories

Over the years my husband and I have took a lot of razzing over old photos, but, unless they've known us forever, most people don't realize that my husband and I are completely different people today than we were back in the early days. Those who knew us back then know the insane lives that we came out of and lived; those who didn't cannot even imagine.

My husband and I grew up together. Our dads were best friends and we were together a LOT (our dads usually played guitars together four to six nights a week!!!). After failed relationships on both ends, we finally got together as a couple and on Valentine's Day this year John and I will celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. We didn't have a lot of wedding pictures because the man that took them never got them developed, but we did have a few instant prints...not very good ones, but it's all we've got. I decided to take a chance on more razzing and share some of them here. 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABY! Mi tu amore! Forever and a day...













On The Menu - 2/10/14 - Corn Chowder and Hot Ham and Cheese

Corn Chowder Served With Grilled Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
CORN CHOWDER

1 medium onion, chopped
1 can creamed corn
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup diced potatoes, cooked until tender
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. salt
pepper to taste

In a large saucepan brown onions, cooking over low heat. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for a few minutes.

Monday, February 3, 2014

God's "Rod" And "Staff"


"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." ~ Psalm 23

I know that many are going through trials, tribulation, and troubles of all kinds right now, including many within my own sphere of family and friends, and I know of several who have lost loved ones within the past week. While reading this chapter just now, I couldn't help but be touched by the footnote in my Bible that accompanies Verse 4. It says:

"23:4 - thou art with me. In times of danger, difficulty and even death, I fear no evil. Why? "For thou art with me" in every situation of life (cf. Mat 28:20). The "rod" (a short club) is a weapon of defense or discipline, symbolizing God's strength, power and authority (cf. Ex 21:20; Job 9:34). The "staff" (a long slender stick with a hook on one end) is used to draw a sheep close to the shepherd, guide it in the right way or rescue it from trouble. God's rod and staff reassure us of God's love and guidance in our lives (cf. 71:21; 86:17)."

As each of us travel life's highway, may God's "rod" and "staff" be ever near. Have a blessed evening, one and all! <3