Friday, April 12, 2013

FABBY: New Gorgeous English Tea Pot!

Hello sweet friends!

The other day I went by the window of the European shop and dropped dead!...Ok, no I didn't die, but had the need to go inside and buy the gorgeous tea pot I had seen! Isn't she just to gorgeous? It just says: made in England, in the same white porcelain, so you can hardly see it...anyway, I didn't care what it said, I just totally loved it and mother seconded me on my purchase, since we were together...and here she is!
 
My granddaughters, 8 and 6 will be staying with us for two weeks, therefore, be patient and be sure that I will  visit you and leave you comments, even if it takes me somewhat longer! Thank you my dear friends for understanding.

My daughter Sofia came for the long weekend herself and to drop off the G'girls for a couple of weeks to spend with us. Therefore, the new teapot will contain hot chocolate  for us four, (the girls will use pretty children's mugs), along with some Madeleine French cookies, I made for them. One side of the tea pot has hand decorated vessels.

The other side has hand decorated English soldiers... and maybe they're arriving in American shores?..lol

The peak has a gold lion's face..or something I'm not sure what it is yet.

I did a small setting for the hot chocolate with the Madeleines and the two Polish teacups my daughter Alexandra gifted me two birthdays ago.

On one side the teacups have yellow birds and in the other, blue ones.
Here you can appreciate the pretty blue birds on one side of the teacups.



The other side of the pretty teacups with the yellow birds.

My small setting is done in our alabaster breakfast table.
The Madeleines are yummy and the recipe is from Martha Stewart.

The friends that have followed me know I bought in January lots of sale things, among them, the Madeleine-pan.
 

The English soldiers in the "American shores...hubby made the joke..hehee..I'd love it if I knew it was a certain thing!

The hand decorated English vessels. As you can see, I am in love with the darn teapot! Hope you liked it too.


Thank you so much my friends for stopping by and always making my day.

I also appreciate the wonderful ladies that host some great parties!


LOVE,
FABBY


Beverly for Pink Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typad.com/my_weblog
Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.co
Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Natasha for Say G-day Saturday Linky Party at,  http://natashainoz.blogspot.com
Anything Blue Friday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Share Your Creativity at,  http://itsoverflowing.blogpost.com
Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com
Foodie Friday's at,  http://rattlebridgefamr.blogspot.com
Sunny Simple Sunday at,  http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com
Mop it Up Monday at,  http://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.blogspot.com
Amaze Me Monday at,  http://dwellingstheheartofyourhome.blogspot.com
Mix It Up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com
Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
The Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://underthetableanddreaming.blogspot.com
Make It Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Sandi for The Titanic-for Tea Time at,  http://rosechintzcottage.blogspot.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com
Sally for Blue Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
The Scoop at, http://thefarmhouseporch.blogspot.com
Kathe for You're Gonna Love It at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com
A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Kathleen for Let's Dish at,  http://cuisinemagazine.blogspot.com
What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephnats.blogspot.com
Terri for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com
Charly and Debi for Wednesday's Adorned from Above at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com
Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://haveadailycupofmrsolson.blogspot.com
Open House Party at,  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Sherry for Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://impartinggrace.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove
Food on Friday at,  http://caroleschatter.blogspot.com
Tracy and Winsome Wednesday at,  http://thefruitoflove.blogspot.com




Between Naps On the Porch I will be participating in Tablescape Thursday at, Between Naps on the Porch.












 I will be participating in Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.













 







Tuesday, April 9, 2013

FABBY: Apple Pancake in the Kitchen Nook




Hello sweet friends!

I made an up-side down Apple Pancake, for an afternoon coffee or tea time..which is very easy and so yummy, because it's very fast to make. I also serve it with vanilla ice-cream on the side; it's great for an after dinner dessert and everyone loves it!  I hope you like it too. The recipe is at the end of this post.
 
Hubby also made a country Artisan Italian bread recipe, but only he knows how to make it, since he learned it from an Italian cook that worked at his grandparents house. I haven't learn how because he enjoys making this bread very much..so he takes the credit alone, lol.. I arranged our afternoon, tea or coffee setting at our kitchen breakfast nook... for my mother, Alejandro and me. Ok, here it is.

I hand embroidered this blue linen tablecloth in orange leaves, several years ago...specially to go with this china, made back at our former ceramic company, Monte Turi...as the china has lots of blue and orange. Here is my afternoon coffee/tea setting, with my upside down Apple Pancake, home made bread and some cheese for the bread.

I used these pretty brown chargers, my everyday Spanish dinner plates, the hand decorated cake plate, made by us and ivory color flatware to match.


The complete place setting.

Alejandro made this great Artisan Italian bread, he enjoys making it for the family. We are all fans of it, as it's wonderful with cold-cuts and almost any kind of cheese, butter and marmalade, etc..

My Apple Upside-down Pancake. (recipe is at the end of this post). Very easy and fast to make.. aand yummy!



The entire place setting and the pretty teacup. Here you can appreciate the embroidery in the blue linen table topper; it's even showing through the amber glass, lol..




Here you have it..our afternoon tea/coffee time in our kitchen nook.

Thank you so much sweet friends for stopping by and making my day! 

I also appreciate the wonderful parties such lovely ladies host each week.


                                                                    LOVE,
                                                                     FABBY

                                            
                                                           "Apple Pancake"


2 small Granny Smith apples, or 1 big apple
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, (not margarine)
1 tsp. of ground cinnamon 
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
4 eggs, separate
1/3 cup sugar (for the egg whites)

Peal, core and slice apples and cut in thin wedges and sprinkle some lemon juice so they don't tarnish til you use them. In a heavy skillet place the butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and cinnamon. (don't use margarine because it makes the apples separate from the batter).  Now, arrange apple wedges, or slices, all around the skillet on top of the butter mixture. Make two circles, one big and one smaller, until the bottom of the skillet is completely covered with apples, (like the pic) and cook for 3-4 minutes and turn off flame. 
With an electric mixer, beat flour, milk, the 2 egg yokes, b.p. and salt. In another bowl beat the egg whites til stiff peaks form and add while beating, 1/3 cup sugar. Fold them into the batter. Pour this mixture evenly on top of the apple wedges and bake it in a preheated oven at 350F- for 15 minutes, or so..check it inserting a toothpick in the middle of cake.
When it's ready remove sides of the pancake with a metal spatula and immediately turn it into a cake plate. You can serve it warm or cold and with vanilla ice cream on the side...if you want, otherwise, alone is perfect too.


Kathleen for Let's Dish at,  http://cuisinekathleen.blogspot.con
Paula for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Primp your Stuff Wednesday at,  http://primp.blogspot.com
Ricky Jill for My Happy List at,  http://artandhome.blogspot.com
Make Bake Create at,  http://hopeineveryseason.blogspot.com
Dining with Jesus and Share the Shelter Linkup at,  http://ashelteringtree.blogspot.com
Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavandercottage.blogspot.com
Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Wednesday's Adorned from Above at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Round Up at,  http://therealhousewivesofriverton.blogspot.com
Dolly for The Country Homemaker at,  http://dollyiscooking.blogspot.com
Open House Party at,  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://haveadalycupofmrsolson.blogspot.com
Ivonne for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits at,  http://stonegable.blogspot.com
Terri for It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Made U Look Linky party at,  http://madeinaday.blogpot.com
Suzanne for Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://impartinggrace.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
Courtney for Feather Nest Friday at,  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Food on Friday at,  http://caroleschatter.blogspot.com


















 I will be participating in Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.



Between Naps On the Porch I will be participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.








Friday, April 5, 2013

FABBY: Two Pretty Ladies for Tea

Hello sweet friends!

   I made this coffee cake for my brother and sister in laws two days ago. Alejandro is the fourth child of seven children that my dear Mother and Father in law had. Now we're following a tradition to get together and celebrate some of the birthdays that come close, between February and March, therefore, I baked this coffee cake out of request from my Sil for blowing the candles after dinner. My inspiration for this tea time post is my antique Chinese tea set, with see-through bone china, that is also called, "onion skin", or egg-shell as you can see through the tea cups when raised to the light. The teaset is from after WWI, a tea "Kutani egg-shell porcelain Tea-set". Along with two lovely ladies that joined me for tea. Hope you like it.



Here is my tea scape with the antique, bone china Oriental tea set from WWI. My guests are these two pretty ladies hubby bought for me, a few years ago on a trip to the capital to visit our daughter; cause I just fell in love with them, as they both have a sweet bird posing in their hands. They're also so dainty, with very thin fingers and dangling bracelets in their wrists..I love them!

The little plates are simply adorable!

"The Perfect Coffee Cake" recipe came from an old Good Housekeeping magazine. At the end of the post is the recipe if you like..it's yummy!

The sitting down young lady in pants.

The other pretty lady standing up. I love how they both have a small bird standing in their wrists.




Here you can appreciate the family pattern in the plate, with the father a bigger figure in center stage, at left mother, at right child..both smaller than the family "patriarch".
The recipe if anyone would like, is at the end of the post.
The tea cups and saucers are so like "onion skin, or eggshell.." bone china, which is very transparent if you pick it up to the light.

I think I'd like to make believe these lovely ladies are my dearest, Oriental-Philippine blog friends..Chie and Christine! The set came with one big tea pot at your left, a smaller tea pot, both with handle sand spouts in a dragon shape..and a sugar bowl, plus the eight cups and saucers. Here I'm showing four plates and four tea cups and four saucers.

Here you have it..a tea party with two lovely ladies as guests.

Thank you very much wonderful friends for your sweet and kind comments, they always make my day!

Thanking the gracious hostesses for having me each week at their great and exciting parties.

LOVE,
FABBY


"The Perfect Coffee Cake"



1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
3 Cups, plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3/4 Cup chopped pecans
1/3 Cup packed brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 Cup granulated sugar
3/4 Cup butter or margarine, (1 1/2 sticks) softened
2 1/2 tsps. vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 container (16 ounces) sour cream
1 Cup confectioners sugar
4 to 6 tsps. milk

Pre-heat oven to 350F. Grease and flour 12 cup fluted baking pan
2) On waxed paper, combine baking powder, baking soda, salt and 3 cups flour. In small bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon and remaining flour.
3) In large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat granulated sugar, butter and 2 tsps. vanilla until creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Alternately beat flour mixture and sour cream, beginning and ending with flour. Beat just until just blended, occasionally scraping bowl. 4) Evenly spread 2 cups batter in prepared pan; sprinkle with half pecan mixture. Top with 2 cups batter. Sprinkle with remaining nut mixture, then spread with remaining batter.
5) Bake cake for 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center come out clean. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Loosen the cake on the sides and invert onto rack to cool completely. 6) For Glaze:  In small bowl, stir confectioners' sugar, milk, (I use lemon juice for that sour-sweet taste) and 1/2 tsp. vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cake with a Tbs. spoon and stick on top some slivered almonds, (optional). "Look at my pictures for the decoration of the cake". Enjoy, it's really wonderful!





Feather your Nest at,  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Foodie Friday at,  http://vintageinspirationfriday.blogspot.com
Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Simple and Sweet Friday at,  http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
Shine on Fridays at,  http://oneartsymama.blogspot.com
Marty for HOW I FOUND MY STYLE at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Fresh Cut Flowers at,  http://rosevignette.blogspot.com
Tickled Pink at,  http://504mainbyhollylafevre.blogspot.com
Festive Friday Fiesta at,  http://thehomegirl.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Friday at,  http://myromantichome.blogspot.com
Frugalistic Friday at,  http://theshabbynest.blogspot.com
Flaunt It Friday at,  http://chiconashoestring.blogspot.com
Fabulous Creative Linky Party at,  http://jenniferrizzo.blogspot.com
Beverly for Pink Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typad.com/my_weblog
Say Gday Saturday at,  http://natashainoz.blogspot.com
Sally for Blue Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Friday at,  http://hibiscushouse.blogspot.com
Overflowing with Creativity at,  http://itsoverflowing.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com
Wednesday Adorned from Above at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com
Beautiful Sunday at,  http://dianewrites.blogspot.com
Sunny Simple Sunday at,  http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com
Mop It Up Monday at,  http://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.blogspot.com
Amaze Me Monday at,  http://dwellings.blogspot.com
Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Ivonne for On the Menu Monday at,  http://stonegable.blogspot.com
Mix It Up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com
Kathryn for Make It Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Sandi for Tea Time at,  http://rosechintzcottage.blogspot.com
A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://antiqueandteacups.blogspot.com
Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Get in my Tummy Recipes and party at;  http://isabellethortonlechateudesfleurs.blogspot.com
You're Gonna Love It at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://nickoftime.blogspot.com


















 




Monday, April 1, 2013

FABBY: My lamps for Alyson's "Favorites on the First"

Hello Alyson and sweet friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, along with your dear families. I did, as in a predominantly Catholic country we have a long weekend, starting from Good Friday.
 
I'm so happy to be here, partying with all of you, along with dear Alyson, from the Polohouse, who always hostesses her interesting and exciting meme, "Favorites on the First"..just like it says.."every first of the month." This First of April the party theme is, our favorite lamps, so, for my contribution I have posted some of my favorites.. I hope you like them too! May you all have a wonderful month of April and may it brings you pleasant surprises, only!      

                                                      Let's par-tay!!

This is a quite modern floor lamp I liked immediately at the store, some few years ago and I decided to place her next to the Belgium antique buffet; that we purchased a year ago in March 2012..and flanked also by my fav table lamp, the Italian Kartell you will see in the following pic.

Here is my Kartell Bourghie, Italian Design; which is my favorite table lamp around the house...but it doesn't mean I don't love my other ones too.. had I not, I would have replaced them long ago!

A close up of the modern, minimalist type floor lamp, with glass slits forming the circle shade.

Here you have them, flanking the antique buffet piece from the 1940's, as I love to mix old with new; a little eclecticism is always very interesting and fun.
This coconut tree lamp is another one I like a lot, with it's woven shade.

The light coming through the woven shade it's very pretty, soft and warm.
In my living room, in each end table, I have oriental lamps, which I'm very partial to. I love the scenery in this particular one.


This oriental antique lamp with the Samurais was from my Mil. Originally it was a flower vase, but Alejandro made it into a lamp, back when he had the ceramic company, as he also made ceramic lamps. Look Alyson!.. the vintage French jockey boy, bronze figurine.. which always reminds me of your Polohouse!
Another pretty vintage oriental, flower vase from my Mil, which Alejandro turned it into a table lamp, as well.. and it has a dragon..I love this one too and I have it at the end table, next to our yellow couches in our family room.

This is a floor lamp that's in our den and I like it cause it has a marble top to it and it matches another small, half moon end table in the living room.
Here is our beautiful hand painted stained glass, skylight we had done to order for our kitchen ceiling, when we totally remodeled it, three years ago. In the evening, the light reflecting through it, it's simply lovely; with all those bright colors.. and turned off, it's just as pretty, as it't in the photo day shot, here.

 
I saw part of the design in a House Beautiful magazine, but I decided to add my touch to it and thus the hummingbirds and the frame. The artist in the shop really interpreted our wishes very well and made us very happy with the end result.
The most gorgeous lady in our house, is our antique from the 20's, Marie Therese Italian,  chandy, that hubby purchased at the antique European shop last year. She is so regal, as every crystal facet is hand cut as they were back than, since no one piece is similar to the next. I understand the modern ones are machine made standardized size and shape. This was a real surprise to me from Alejandro, because I never thought we'll be replacing our previous, also Italian brass chandy any time soon..or ever!!

Ok, here you have some of my favorite lamps around our house. Thank you so much Alyson for the great party! Hope to see you there, my friends on the "Favorites on the First"!   http://thepolohouse.blogspot.com

 Thank you for you sweet and kind comments, as you always make my day!

Thank you so much, lovely and gracious hostesses for having me at your great parties.


LOVE,
FABBY









Marty for Table Top Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Show me What you Got Linky Party at,  http://ourdelightsomehome.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com










 I will be participating in Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.




Between Naps On the Porch I will be participating in Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.