Sunday, May 15, 2016

High Tea Afternoon at Home


Hello sweet friends!

   I hosted an afternoon Tea Time for a special guest of honor, my mother's cousin who came to live here, in Cuenca-Ecuador, after she retired and lived in New Jersey for 54 years or so and I knew her since I was a child in Astoria, NY. and have so many memories with her and her family. She is now a widow as well.

We were ten friends among my guest of honor and I served a special 'Angel Cake' that was my Mil's recipe and it's a local treat people love here, so I thought it would be good for my mom's cousin to remember her childhood.
 
'This Angel Cake' is made out of farm-country eggs, as the yokes are so much yellower then the regular ones.

You can see it in the pics.

The Angel Cake is also served with "clotted cream" not the regular whip-cream kind, so it gives it a special, richer flavor on top of each piece of cake.
 
I heard the English serve it often for 'High Tea' on top of scones.

In case you want the recipe is at the end of this post.

A little crooked... I was so busy at the time I took these pics, sorry..





A 'Country Angel Cake' made with 10 yokes from farm eggs, which is what makes it so yellow, more then regular eggs... plus 5 whites.

Delish recipes from Pinterest for Ham and Avocado finger sandwiches.

I will give you the recipes names so you can look them up. My guests loved them !

1) Avocado Tea Sandwiches for Tea  2) Cream Cheese and Ham Spread Sandwiches.

The cookies are my recipe for 'Sugar Cookies' and the others are 'Chocolate Chip and Coconut Cookies.'

On top white Chocolate Bonbons.

You can see it up front the white bowl with the "Clattered Cream" for the top of each piece of 'Angel Cake.' The Clattered Cream it's easy to buy it locally in some of the bakery shops.




This is my favorite tea china for twelve place settings, teacups and saucers and cake plates in addition to, two teapots, two creamers and two sugar bowls, plus two sandwich platters.
Pretty complete and perfect for a big bunch of guests and I just served ten.



Thank you so much for your comments dear friends, you always make my day !

Thanking the lovely hostesses for having me at their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY


Old Fashion Angel Cake



10 yolks from farm eggs and,

5 whites

 6 ounces of potato flour, Sieved

8 ounces of  powder sugar, Sieved

The little cup of the bottle 'measurement' of Anisette liquor

The same measurement for lemon juice



Instructions:



In your stand beater beat the whites to soft peaks and then add the yokes one at a time while beating at the same time.



Add the sieved powder sugar slowly while beating.  Now the same thing with the potato sieved flour... beat slowly again.



Then finally while beaters are going add the lemon juice and Anisette liquor.



I use a 9' inch Spring form type pan for a big pirce, but if you have more people, like I did, I used the nextbigger size spring form pan and it was perfect enough.

 I use a piece of wax paper to cover the bottom because sometimes it spills on your oven and it stinks and burns badly on your oven and it could also ruin your cake.


Grease it and flour it too.  Pour the batter and put into a previously hot oven on 300F for 20 minutes... then raise the oven to 350F for another 20 minutes. You check your oven... on mine it's only 15 more and it's ready to go. It shouldn't be so dry, so there's a trick my Mil taught me. Place a metal bowl with hot water under the cake in the oven while it bakes and it'll make it humid.

Take  out the ring of the pan. Let it cool at room temp. After it's cool you can sprinkle powder sugar on top of it to serve with 'clotted cream' on top, so it's not dry.

Now some young people have it with 'Dulce de Leche' too. Specially cause they don't like cluttered cream that is.

 I'm partying here:


Dishing and Digging it Link Party     www.lifeandlinda.com
Make it Pretty Monday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
No Place like Home      http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden     http://blog.bernideen.com
Tea Time Tuesdays     www.marthasfavorites.com
Home Sweet Home     http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Inspire Me Tuesday     http://astrollthrulife.net
Amaze Me Monday     www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com
Tuesdays at Our Home     http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Creative Mondays Blog hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Cooking and Crafting with J & J    http://julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

Mix it up Monday     www.flourmewithlove.com
Inspiration Monday     http://refreshrestyle.com
The SCOOP     http://confessionsofaplateaddict.com
You're Gonna Love it     www.kathewithane.com
Tuesdays with a Twist     www.godsgrowinggarden.com
The Wednesday Blog Hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
The Homemaking Party     www.classicalhomemaking.com
Wow Us Wednesday     www.savvysouthernstyle.net
Talk of the Town     http://knickoftime.net
Wake up Wednesday     www.godsgrowinggarden.com

Wildly Original Link Party    http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Share Your Style     www.21rosemarylane.com
Thursday Favorite Things Link party     http://katherinescorner.com
Tablescape Thursday     http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Thoughts of Home on Thursday    www.athomewithjemma.com
Home Sweet Home     http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
The Weekend Blog hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
PINK Saturday     http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Saturday Show Off      http://malevikrosentradgard.blogspot.com
Friday Features Link Party     http://ohmyheartsygirl.com
The Chain Link CLIMB     http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Simple Saturday Blog hop     www.sunnysimplelife.com
    

   



    



    







   





 


Thursday, May 5, 2016

Happy Mother's Day Everyone !


Happy Mother's Day to all my wonderful blog friends!

Blogging is such an important part of my days, now that I am a retired lady for five years. I say this because the best part is to see you almost everyday along with your beautiful work, in decorating, cooking, talented DIYers and the tablescapers.

Now, I know I will rejoice looking at your gorgeous tablescape ideas for Mother's Day!   Most of you know I have a 'special love for china,' dishes and accessories for the table, tablescaping is what I love the most.

In lieu of that, I've created this table for my Mother, my Sil's, my friends and all of you Mothers in the world for 2016, as it wasn't difficult to think of, as I love my Mil's inherited beautiful antique 'Pink-Rose' china from her wedding.

The tablecloth is one I recycled last year from the guest room's chintz draperies (previously our two daughters' bedroom). I loved the chintz cause it has many pink flowers and roses, very feminine for the occasion, indeed.

I already received a couple of presents I'm sharing with you. One is a gorgeous doily, crocheted by mother, who was cleaning her linen drawers the other day and for my luck she parted with it in my behalf.

The other are the gorgeous Cala-lily plants daughter Sofi gave me and a perfume from Alejandro I'm not sharing, lol..

With that said:

     I'm sending you a trunk filled with love and blessings on Mother's Day !



My dear Mother at 86 years old.

Thank you for being my mom, I am so lucky !


The star of this table setting for Mother's Day 2016 is our antique Pink-Rose china that was from my Mil's wedding and we inherited. Perhaps many years old.

Reticulated chargers are used here, as they're ivory as the china is.

I recycled this pretty tablecloth from a pink rose chintz material of my girls draperies from their single bedroom.
 
I had plenty cloth spared to make 12 napkins which I did, but now I used my pink ones for a better contrast formed in a 'fan fashion.'

The place setting is stacked with my lace like charger, you've seen many times before... the dinner plate, the salad plate, bread plates and dessert small bowls and yes, it has soup bowls not shown and serving pieces as well.

 

My wooden tool box with my Sofia's Calla-lily plants she gave me for Mom's Day while we visited them last week, Sil and our little girls.

Etched Venetian crystal goblets for water and wine.

Loving the miniature Calla-lily plants, as I love indoor plants, they make a home warm and inviting.

A close up of the pink, lavender or lilac Calla-lily... I love them!

Pink and butterfly napkin rings from our former Ceramic Co.




 




I fixed this vignette with mother's 'French Limoges' china plates, she gifted me several years ago and this one too must be way over fifty years old.

The French 'Art-nouveau' aqua centerpiece came from Alejandro's father's side of the family and it's from turn of the last century... maybe my oldest piece. 

Mother was cleaning her linen drawers the other day and she gave me a couple of weeks ago, this gorgeous crocheted doily she, specially cause she says she doesn't know WHERE to display it in her house, lol..



Thank you for your sweet comments my friends, they always make my day!

Thanking the lovely hostesses for having me at their great parties.

                                            Love for Mother's Day,
                                                   FABBY

I will be partying here:

Tablescape Thursday     http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Weekend Blog Hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Home Sweet Home     http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Share Your Style     www.21rosemarylane.com
Mostly Food & Crafts     www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com
Anything Goes PINK Saturday     http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
No Place Like Home     http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden    http://blog.bernideen.com
Tea Time Tuesdays      http://www.marthasfavorites.com
The Art of Home-Making Mondays   http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.ca

Inspire Me Tuesday     www.astrollthrulife.net
A Morning Cup of Joe     http://thecottagemarket.com
Saturday Show Off     http://maleviksrosentradgard.blogspot.com
Saturday Sparks Link Party     http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Chain Linky CLIMB     http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Dishing it and Digging it Link Party     www.lifeandlinda.com
Anything BLUE Friday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
Bouquet of Talent Party     www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Simple Saturday Blog Hop     www.sunnysimplelife.com
Creative Monday     www.clairejustineoxox.com

Amaze Me Monday      www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com
TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME     http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
You're Gonna Love it     www.kathewithane.com
Create Link Inspire     http://nap-timecreations.com
The SCOOP     http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com
Make it Pretty Monday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
Home and Garden Thursday     www.adelightsomelife.com
Share Your Cup Thursday     http://jannolson.blogspot.com




























Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Table for 5 de MAYO, 2016


Hello sweet friends!

Hope you are all fine. I just got back from visiting the girls and I feel so much better with all the fun we had together. We pretty much disconnected somewhat from the country's latest tragedy.

When I first started blogging friends would all be eager to design tables for every occasion, as 5 de MAYO is; but lately, in the last couple of years I hardly see any tables capes with this theme, as I find them to be so much fun with all the colors and dishes to go with it and I love the inspiration too! 

Actually, 'tables cape designs,' or 'setting' are very scarcely posted anywhere, somehow it may be just my idea. 

I too didn't make one last year, so here goes my inspiration for 5 de MAYO  2016.

" I've been trying to post my new entry to blogger for a couple of hours now without any success, because my thumbnail doesn't show at all ! It's happened before, but after a few tries there it was."

Does anyone know? Has it happened to you before?


I had this table topper made some 25 years ago in 'Ikat weave,' as I even had some chairs upholstered with it. Now all I have is the topper which inspires me to make my 5 de Mayo tables.

I mixed and matched different green plates and the bowl is for 'shrimp ceviche'... nothing to do with a Mexican menu, lol..

The cutwork place mats are made of 'balsa-wood,' made in Ecuador.

The terracotta pot (was also made at our factory) in the back, (right side) is for making a very light chicken and veggie recipe. Which reminds me I should cook it one of these days.

The ceramic ceviche bowl was made by us on top of cheap, but cute green apple plates.

The flatware is in the basket and a Tequila bottle, hehehee

The cute chicken napkin ring was made at our former ceramic company...

... and here is the rooster napkin holder.


Ok, here you have it, my 5 de MAYO 2016 table setting, where we will have lunch with my mom tomorrow.

Thank you for your sweet and kind visits, you always make my day!

Thanking the lovely hostesses for having me join their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY

I will join the fun here:

Inspire Me Tuesday     http://astrollthrulife.net
Tuesdays at our Home     http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Make it Pretty Monday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
No Place Like Home     http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Brag About it Link Party     www.vmg206.com
Create Link Inspire     http://nap-timecreations.com
Mix it up Monday     www.flourmewithlove.com
You're Gonna Love it     www.kathewithane.com
Tuesdays with a Twist     www.godsgrowinggarden.com
Tuesdays with a Twist     http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com

Celebrate Your Story Link party     www.thesweetsensations.com
May You're Gonna Love it     www.kathewithane.com
Talk of the Town Link Party     http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com
Wake up Wednesday     www.godsgrowinggarden.com
Wednesday Blog hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden     http://blog.bernideens.com
The Homemaking Party     www.classicalhomemaking.com
Wow Us Wednesday   www.savvysouthernstyle.net
Share Your Cup Thursday     http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Home and Garden Thursday     www.adelightsomelife.com

Tablescape Thursday     http://betweennapsontheporch.net









    




 



Thursday, April 21, 2016

I'm so Sad, I Baked a Cake


Hello sweet friends!

   Most of you know that Ecuador, my country too, has suffered one of the worst earthquakes since 1949... and I so want to thank all the wonderful, sweet, kind and generous friends that prayed for Ecuador at my request and on your own as well, even before I even knew you had heard of the tragedy in the news and for thinking of me and my family.

I will be forever grateful!

Today's post has a title which is just that!  "I'm so sad, I baked a cake."

While looking at the new posts you my friends sent out today, one caught my eye and it's from; "Living the Gourmet Blog and the cake is, New York Style Crumb Cake." 

 
I have a little secret to tell you... most cakes I make, I give hubby a piece and the rest I give it away to family and friends. I hardly ever eat one piece, or just maybe a tiny one when it's a new recipe and this one is a new recipe to me, so I had a 'huge piece' for a change, you can tell by the cut.  I feel better now!

Let me tell you, it is delicious, so yes, go ahead and try it with a good cuppa of steaming hot tea in pretty dishes too !


It looks and tastes superb ! There's a little glass container with pure honey, which I swirled a little on top of the New York Style Crumb Cake from Living the Gourmet Blog... for a little more sweetness, lol..

We had some tea in this beautiful set of dishes.
I don't know the brand as they have the name of the store specially made for them, where I bought them several years ago.

Ain't it petty looking? Boy it tasted great too!

Someone said that cake is the ultimate 'comfort food' and I totally agree.

This teatime afternoon happened here, on my farm house table, that came here from our 'real farm house' where we lived before, so it's my nostalgic piece of furniture and it helped raise my spirits up remembering happier and simpler times back in our 80's when our little girls were growing up.


I was so happy to have a big piece of this luscious cake; it sure raised my spirits up, as I knew it would !


Thank you so much for your sweet and kind comments dearest friends, you always make my day.

Thanking the lovely hostesses for having me at their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY

I will party here:

Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop     http://bettycozycorner.blogspot.com
Thoughts of Home     www.athomewithjemma.com
Home and Garden Thursday     www.adelightsomelife.com
Simple & Sweet Fridays     http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com
Grace at Home     www.impartinggrace.com
Share Your Cup Thursday     http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Tablescape Thursday     http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Foodie Friday and Everything else     http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com
PINK Saturday     www.howsweetthesound.typepad.net
Home Sweet Home     http://thecahrmofhome.blogspot.com

Welcome to the Weekend Blog hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Share Your Style Party      www.21romarylane.com
Creative Ways Link Party      www.posedperfection.com
Wildly Original Link Party      http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
A Morning Cup of Joe     http://thecottagemarket.com
BTTCG Blog Party     http://blog.bernideens.com
Make it Pretty Monday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
Tea Cup Tuesday     www.antiquesandteacups.info
Inspire Me Tuesday     www.astrollthrulife.net
No Place Like Home     http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Saturday Sparks     http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
The Chain Linky Climb    http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Simple Saturdays     www.sunnysimplelife.com
Friday Frenzy     www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com
Share it One More Time     http://theeverydayblog.com
Bouquet of Talent party     www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Sweet Inspiration Party     www.theboondocksblog.com
Dishing it & Digging it Link Party     www.rustic-refined.com
TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME     http://mariaelenesdecor.blogspot.com
The Scoop     http://confessionsofaplateaddict.com

Mix it up Monday     www.flourmewithlove.com
Tuesdays with a Twist     http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com
Brag About it Link Party     www.vmg206.com
You're Gonna Love it     www.kathewithane.com
Wednesday Blog Hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com



















   


 

Monday, April 18, 2016

Pray for Ecuador, Thank You


Hello sweet friends!

Ecuador needs lots of prayers as most of you know this past Saturday night there was a horrible earthquake in the coastal region of Manta-Ecuador.

Thank God nothing happened to the Andean region which is where we live. We are fortunate that our DD Sofia is well too, although she lives in the outskirts suburbs, half hour from main big city-Port of Guayaquil.

Please pray for the families that have lost loved ones and the survivers that are suffering so and have lost it all.



Thank you so much for your prayers, as I know some of you are already doing it.

Love always,
FABBY


Poster of the Coastal Ecuador Earthquake of 16 April 2016 - Magnitude 7.8

Tectonic Summary

The April 16, 2016 M 7.8 earthquake, offshore of the west coast of northern Ecuador, occurred as the result of shallow thrust faulting on or near the plate boundary between the Nazca and Pacific plates. At the location of the earthquake, the Nazca plate subducts eastward beneath the South America plate at a velocity of 61 mm/yr. The location and mechanism of the earthquake are consistent with slip on the primary plate boundary interface, or megathrust, between these two major plates. Subduction along the Ecuador Trench to the west of Ecuador, and the Peru-Chile Trench further south, has led to uplift of the Andes mountain range and has produced some of the largest earthquakes in the world, including the largest earthquake on record, the 1960 M 9.5 earthquake in southern Chile.
While commonly plotted as points on maps, earthquakes of this size are more appropriately described as slip over a larger fault area. Events of the size of the April 16, 2016 earthquake are typically about 160x60 km in size (length x width).
Ecuador has a history of large subduction zone related earthquakes. Seven magnitude 7 or greater earthquakes have occurred within 250 km of this event since 1900. On May 14th, 1942, a M 7.8 earthquake occurred 43 km south of this April 16th, 2016 event. On January 31st, 1906 a M 8.3 earthquake (reportedly as large as M 8.8 in some sources) nucleated on the subduction zone interface 90 km to the northeast of the April 2016 event, and ruptured over a length of approximately 400-500 km, resulting in a damaging tsunami that caused in the region of 500-1,500 fatalities. The April 2016 earthquake is at the southern end of the approximate rupture area of the 1906 event. A shallow, upper crustal M 7.2 earthquake 240 km east of the April 2016 event on March 6th, 1987 resulted in approximately 1,000 fatalities.
Earthquake Report

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