FABBY: Another Cake!

Hello sweet friends!

What's with me, baking away like there's no tomorrow?!!!  The thing is that I decided to try this yummy looking cake I saw at Martha's great blog, 'Lines of Linderhof' and I had all the ingredients and so I got to work... and let me tell you, it came out wonderful! I had apples and bilberries..not blueberries as the recipe calls for; but it turned out delish too!

If you want the recipe is at http://www.lflinderhof.com/search?updated-max=2013-07-17T22:16:00-05:00&max-results=7

I will save a big piece for my mother when she comes and meanwhile, Alejandro and me are having a piece in the den, while we watch Pope Francis in Brazil. We will have coffee, which he prefers and I do love coffee too,...we are having 'coffee-cake' aren't we?  Oh...but you can have tea if you wish!




These dishes are Alejandro's favorites from the designs I did back at our own Ceramic Factory. I used to called this pattern, 'Carnations' and the design is inspired in the Ecuadorian indigenous women embroidered blouses.

This "Apple-Blackberry Cake" came out yummy from blogger friend, Linderhof's' 'Lines of  Linderhof great blog.

Hand embroidered mat made in Quito, a gift from my dear Mil and the tea napkins are from my Mil's embroidered collection as well.

Please disregard the chords under the TV table; as I am in the search of an 'antique piece' where I can hide inside the TV here in the den and to make it fit in the space...meanwhile it's not so pretty! The counter you see in front of the television is a counter-bar, because our den is right next to the living room, so when we have many guests they can sit in both places and mingle.

Here is the cake sitting on top of a cake stand with pedestal I DIYed myself. Looking for something else I found this beautiful Italian blue crystal platter, which I never use and have for a thousand years. Than it came to my mind that I have a small blue bowl I could glue it on and make a cake stand to go with blue china, like here.

Thank you so much for coming sweet friends, as you always make my day!

I appreciate the gracious ladies that host such wonderful parties each week too.

LOVE
FABBY,


I will be joining PINK Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typad.com
Dolly for Farmgirl Friday at,  http://hibiscushouse
The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://craftberrybush
Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper
Sally for BLUE monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Anything Blue Friday at,  http://thededicatedhouse
Saturday Show Off at,  http://therosegardeninmalevik
Ann for Blintzed on Pinterest Link Party at,  http://onsuttonplace
Share Your Creativity at,  http://itsoverflowing
Saturday Night Special at,  http://funkyjunkinteriors
Saturday Sparks Linky Party at,  http://piercedpastimes
Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://bedifferentactnormal
Diane for beautiful Sunday at,  http://dianewantstowrite
Kathy for A Bouquet of Talent Linky Party at,  http://lakeshoredrive
Mary for Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage
Market Your Biz Giveaways at,  http://homemakeronadime
Inspire Me Monday at,  http://createwithjoy
Cindy for AMAZE ME MONDAY at,  http://dwellingstheheartofyourhome
Mix It Up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove
Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://rosechintzcottage
Nita for Mod Mix Monday at,  http://modvintagelife
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife
Kathryn for Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse
Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites
The Scoop at,  http://confessionsofaplateaddict
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime
Ma. Elena for Tuesday at Our Home at,  http://ourhomeawayfromhome









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












 

FABBY: Lovely Tablecloth Find

Hello sweet friends!

     I made a small tea table for my friend Carmen who had a birthday yesterday, July 21...so I baked for her an 'Orange Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze' and the recipe is at the end of this post.

My other good news is that our local beautiful home store had a great Anniversary sale and I was so lucky to buy two gorgeous tablecloths! This lovely square lace-openwork tablecloth, was with a 50% off and the other is a white embroidered huge one for my formal dinner table, that was with a 60% off, which I will make a table scape with it for Kathleen's white party at 'Let's Dish' the 31st. of this month. Anyway, hope you like my new tablecloth find and the cake.



                                      Here I used my reticulated tea cups and cake plates to go with the
openwork beige new tablecloth and instead of the same tea set, I decided on another set with pretty flowers for a touch of Summer.

Don't you love the openwork-lace around it?.. this tablecloth is square, much better as the fall is so much prettier than of the round kind..at least I prefer the look of square cuts for round tables.

Here is the lovely center work in it too. My reticulated tea cups, saucers and cake plates to go with the color and style of the tablecloth.

Some tea anyone?

This gorgeous tea set, (if I may so myself) in ivory color with flowers from a few years ago, is made in the Philippines; specially for this store, as they have many things made just for them, in India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines in this case, and I imagine other countries too. I am thrilled because of my two very loved blog friends, Christine from Christine Home and Travel Adventures and Chie from Chubby and Chic...who are both from the Philippines.

The cute tea napkins are perfect for this linen and were from my Mil's tea napkin stash, along with my mom's First Communion, Antique sterling set of tea spoons, which I have a dozen. Mother also made for me the crocheted doily under the tea set.

Love the cheap astromelias from the grocery store; I always buy them for the house as they're $1.17 and so pretty... and also my Lady Carlyle three tier server I bought early this year.

The " Orange Bundt Cake with Orange glaze." I have the recipe for you ladies who'd like to have it, at the end of this post. The cake stand with pedestal was DIY'd by me and I also made another in blue glass too. I will make a post one of these days.

Our breakfast room area, which also helps when we have many guests, as it's next to the formal dining area.

I haven't done anything about fixing, or changing two things here...#1-our pug Ben who died almost three years ago just chewed the legs of this table and #2- he also loved to sleep under it in this old and ugly white rug, lol..  I wonder if it has something to do with missing Ben so much...

Thank you lovely friends for visiting me, as you always make my day!

I appreciate the great parties such wonderful ladies host each week.

LOVE,
FABBY


 'Orange Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze'

1 Cup soft butter (unsweetened)
1 Cup sugar
3 eggs
1 Cup sour c ream
1 3/4 Cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 Tblesp. grated orange peel
2 Tbsp. cocoa
2-3 tsps. cinnamon
1/2 Cup sugar for sprinkling in pan.

For the glaze:
1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup fresh pure orange juice

Preheat oven at 325F.
 In large bowl of electric beater, cream butter,sugar and add eggs one at a time while you beat.
Add the sour cream, flour, orange peel and stir in slowly until combined.

Grease and flour a bundt cake pan. In a small bowl just mix 1/2 C. sugar, cinnamon and cocoa. Sprinkle in pan a couple of Tabls. and leave 1/3 Cup for later. 
Pour the cake batter and sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture on top of cake.
 
Bake cake for 50-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on pan. Than when totally cool brush the glaze.

Make Glaze

Cook in a heavy sauce pan the sugar and orange juice and make it a little thick. Let cool and brush on top of cake, if you want make small holes with a toothpick and pour all the remaining glaze on top of it.



Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife
Sandi for Tea Party at,  http://rosechintzcottage
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness  at,  http://adelightsomelife
Mix it Up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove
Nifty Thirfty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm
The SCOOP at,  http://confessionsofaplateaddict
Bernideen for Tea in the Garden at,  http://blog.bernideen.com
Paula for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants
Kathe for You're Gonna Love it at,  http://kathewithane
Angie for Kinick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime
Jenna for Give me the Goods Monday at,  http://rainonatinroof
Terri for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfulaffirmations
Martha for Tea Cup Tuesdays at,  http://marthasfavorites
Kathleen for Let's Dish at,  http://cuisinekathleen
Wordless Wednesday at,  http://thehuntcreatewithjoy
Sarah for Make, Bake, Create at,  http://hopeineveryseason
What We Accomplished Wednesday at,  http://greenwillowpond
Home (work) Wednesday at,  http://worthingcourt
Wednesday Adorned from Above at,  http://adornedfromabove
Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergarden
Open House Party at,  http://nominimalisthere
Home and Garden Party at,  http://adelightsomelife
Terri for It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess
Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady
Jann for Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://haveadailycupofmrsolson
Christina for Wildly Original Linky Party at,  http://igottacreate
Richella for Imparting Grace at,  http://graceathome
Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome
Sweet and Simple Fridays at,  http://rootedinthyme
Debrah for Be Inspired at,  http://commonground
The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://craftberrybush
Bloglovin' and Pinterest Blog Hop at,  http://lifeonlakeshoredrive
Courtney for Feathered Nest Friday at,  http://frenchcountrycottage
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove
Festive Friday Fiesta at,  http://thehomegirl
Foodie Friday at,  http://rattlebridgefarm
Fabulously Creative Linky Party at,  http://jenniferrizzo











 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.





















 

FABBY: Before and After Chandy

Hello sweet friends!

   After we placed the crystal Antique Italian Chandy in our formal dining room, we of course, had to take down our previous Italian bronze chandelier we had for 30 years. Than I thought I will give it away to one of my girls, which both didn't want it... so I proceeded to place it under one of the guest room's bed and forgot about it.

The other day I was looking through Internet, (as I often do) for interior decorating ideas, or just for the hell of it! To my happy surprise I saw a very similar chandy hanging lovely on top of a round foyer table and voila!.. I remembered our 'bronze chandy' under the bed and right away I mentioned it to Alejandro, that I'd love it atop our vintage French table in the foyer too; for which he agreed and immediately called someone to help him hang it up, so here it is! Hope you like the Before and After Chandy.

This is how it looked without the chandy only yesterday.

The foyer area is ready for the dirty work of placing the bronze Italian chandy up...and me, not so ready for the after clean up!

I cleaned her and buffed her thoroughly with a cream specially for bronze, (broke two nails), or for gold metals, yesterday; to get her ready for today's hanging...so now it's shining, spic and span and she's up doing her work of illuminating us beautifully once more, hopefully for another 30 years, lol..,

I'm so happy the girls didn't want it and I kept it, cause it looks perfect in the ceiling atop the foyer vintage French table. I'm loving it!

You won't believe how familiar she looks hanging from the ceiling again...like she wasn't  more than a year under a bed, lol!!!

Don't you love it when you find something beautiful and perfect right in your own home, which you already had, stashed some where doing nothing?!

Thanks for coming sweet ladies, as you know you always make my day!

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

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:

Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch
Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife
Mary for Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage
Diane for Beautiful Sunday at,  http://dianewantstowrite
Aimee for Share Your Creativity at,  http://it'soverflowing
Richela for Grace at Home at,  http://impartinggrace
Kate for Flaunt It Friday at,  http://chiconashoestring
Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at, http://adelightsomelife
Kathy for Bouquet of Talent at,  http://lifeonlakeshoredrive
Cindy for Amaze Me Monday at,  http://dwellingstheheartofyourhome
Stephanie for The Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://stephanielynn
Kaysi for Motivate Me Monday at,  http://keepingitsimple
Kathryn for Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse
Dare to be Different Upcycling Challenge at,  http://mypersonalaccent






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







 

FABBY: Tea and Cake in the Foyer-Table

Hello sweet friends!

   I was craving some pound cake after seeing a blog with a recipe. I made a small one, actually, half a recipe... enough to share it with Alejandro, my friend Carmen, maybe someone else and me of course...just one little piece for me, as I hardly ever have any carbs, lol..

The other thing is that we'll have the tea and cake at the foyer's 'Antique French' table. The foyer table is flanked by the living room and formal dining room; so I have prepared a 'Little Tour' of this area too, for a bit more fun! Ok, say no further and come on over for some tea and cake...or coffee if you prefer.

Alejandro, (Mr. Living) bought this vintage French beauty 2 1/2 years ago at the European Antique Imports shop, (some might even remember it) we have around here; which brings lovely things from Europe all year round. I didn't have anything in the center of the foyer, so the table was just the perfect thing!

The French table has white Carrara marble top and goes well with our marble floor. I used the tea set from my beloved blue and white Onion china from the Czech Republic.

I love this inexpensive flowers from the grocery store, too! The doggies in the back are vintage French, as well. The two small busts, with blue hats are also vintage French.



This pretty china set didn't come with a teapot, as it had broken in the store, but I had this lovely blue and white, Bareuther Indischblau-Bavaria teapot, that matches beautifully! In the back, a small vintage French girl's bust holding a sheep, and wearing a blue bonnet.

The two vintage French busts is of a boy with a flute, here... and a girl holding a sheep, like in the previous photo and they're from the Antique European shop from a few years ago. The yummy pound cake!

To your left you will enter our den. My Starbucks mug at left, with my green tea; which I drink it all day...it supost to burn fat and yeah, I do believe it! The Scandinavian Antique chair has real leopard skin on...sorry Pita people, too late!

In the foreground is Alejandro's grandfather's antique piece of furniture, with blue and white Dutch Delft pieces and some family photos in silver frames. Mercury glass candle sticks.

To the left you can see a little of the formal dining room. Up front a Capodimonti tray with Puti.

Last month when we were on vacation in Florida, I bought on sale at 'Bloomingdale's- Orlando' this big set of 80 pieces of 'Reed and Barton,' classic flatware. Here are some teaspoons and cake forks. The set is for 12, with regular knives and stake knives as well... and lots of serving pieces. I love it!

The Chinese hand painted, black secretary I love. My grandgirls's portrait in the wall.



The pound cake came out delish and thanks to blog friend from: 'The Kitchen is my Playground.' I placed it on a mercury glass cake pedestal.

A marble side-half moon table that goes with the coffee table in the living room. The mirror is an antique from hubby's grandma and it's brass with 'mother of pearl.' The Armillary-Sphere is also brass, as is the little ashtray. A brass Hansen arm lamp on top.

Towards the living room.

I took this shot sitting in the couch's living room and you can see my lovely orchid. I'm also having fun playing with my new camera, that I bought in Florida and it's a cute little Canon.

This bowl is Imari- Dutch Delft, hand decorated and it's now carrying my orchid plant in the living room. In the foreground you can see our den area and fire place mantel.

The marble coffee table I had custom made 20 years ago from an, Architectural Digest issue where Francois Sagan, French writer had in her living room and I fell in love with it! In another pic before, you saw how I had a small half moon side table made to match this one.

This is exactly how the foyer looks. Couldn't do anything with the big arm of the side couch to get rid of it in the picture, lol.. Anyway, the upholstery is Italian silk brocade.

The water pitcher with blue etchings is vintage English.



This is it, my friends. I hope you enjoyed this part of our house and the little tea setting. The chairs you see here are 'Chinese Chippendale.' The entrance door is next to the painting in the back. Good by for now and thank you for coming. You always make my day!



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


LOVE,
FABBY





Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife
Sally for BLUE Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Kathryn for Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse
Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites
Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor
Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://ladykatherineteaparlor
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://antiquesandteacups
A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife
Ricky Jill for My Happy List Tuesday at,  http://artandhome
Kathe for You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at,  http://kathewithane
Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://rosechintzcottage
Angela for Efforts and Assets at,  http://hickorytrail
Bernidden for Tea in the Garden at,  http://bernideenteatimeblog
Paula and Patty for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants
Wow Us Wednesday at,  http://savvysouthernstyle
WildlyOriginal Linky Party at,  http://gottacreate
Suzy for Home (work) Wednesday at,  http://worthingcourt
Rverton Housewives Round Up at,  http://therealhousewivesofriverton
Debbi for Wednesdays Adorned from Above Blog Hop at,  http://adornedfromabove
Kathy for Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://adelightsomelife
Wildly Original Linky Party at,  http://igottacreate
Simple and Sweet Friday at,  http://rootedinthyme
Suzanne for Vintige Thingies Thursday at,  http://coloradolady
Create it Thursday at,  http://lambertslately
Terri for It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess
Festive Friday Fiesta at,  http://thehomegirl
Library Day at the Homemaking Party at,  http://hopeineveryseason
Feather Nest Friday at,  http://frenchcountrycottage
Holly for Tickled Pink at,  http://504mainbyhollylafevre
Kathryn for Anything Blue Friday at,  http://thededicatedhouse
Jennifer for Creative Friday at,  http://jenniferrizzo
Dolly for Farmgirl Friday at,  http://thehibiscushouse
Debrah for Be Inspired Friday at,  http://commonground
Suzanne for Saturday Sparks Linky Party at,  http://piecedpastimes









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











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