FABBY: Collections Under Cloches

Hello sweet friends!

Here's another exciting cloche party at Marty's,  Table Top Tuesday. This is Marty's first Cloche Party 2013 and I chose for my collaboration, Collections Under Cloches, like some of my teapots, antique Virgin Marys, which I displayed them in my foyer vintage table and I'm thinking I'll leave them there for a while, I love them here! I also placed under cloches some of my teapots and little creamers...on my formal dining table. I also did a small vignette in the kitchen, again, with a collection that's just starting, which are pepper mills and I just acquired two of them on sale!  Let's join the party...!!!

 My collection of Blessed Virgin Marys statues. The chocolate and candy pretty heart boxes, just for the touch of Valentine's. I also decided I'm keeping the Blessed Mothers here in the foyer's French vintage table, for a time. 

 Up front, Virgin Mary of Quinche is believed to be very miraculous, she is the Andean Virgin..that's why in Quito-Ecuador there's a beautiful church with Her name. My Mil gave it to me when my dear daughter Alexandra was born. She is made of clay and is an antique.

 This beautiful Virgin Mary is the Patroness of Ecuador. She is The Legarda Virgin. She is new, she was a gift from my best friend Myriam for my 50th. birthday...very soon she'll be vintage too, lol.. This Virgin is the only one from recent times, I have.

My favorite is the one at your left, she's a Colonial Virgin, at least 100 years old and it's Alejandro's heirloom from his mother.

 This beautiful Immaculate Conception was my hubby's grandfather's when he was a child..so she is an antique too. My Mil gave it to me, because in my family we worship The Blessed Immaculate Conception. My mother has a big beautiful one from my grandmother, I guess she will give me Her one day.

My kitchen vignette in a tray with my pepper mills, which I just got the Lucite and tall wooden one on sale for $4 each and since I like pepper mills, I decided that would be a great and fun collection! The small wooden one comes with a salt-shaker too and we bought it in Macy's, NY when we first got married and it's French.

The platter in the back was made at our former Ceramic Co...along with the soup-cup and saucer.

You can appreciate a little of the pretty embroidery on the tray mat.

I displayed some of my teapots under glass on my formal dining table. Up front the elephant teapot with the Chinese boy lid.

 Blue Onion teacups and creamer in my apothecary jar and a creamer in the French bronze cloche with pedestal.

A gathering of a bunch of tiny creamers, of all material and makes;..or like we use them around here, for the lemon juice for tea.

At your left is my Mil's silver teapot.

Red English transfer ware looks great under glass too.

Here you have them..along with an oil lamp, candle holder,  which I sometimes use it as a cloche too..and at right, another candle holder.

LOVE,
FABBY

Thank you so much for your visits, they always make my day!

Thank you lovely and gracious hostesses for having me at your fun parties, specially Marty for Tables Top Tuesday and I hope to see all of you there, as again, she's hosting her great "Winter Cloche Party" for 2013 at, http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

Sally for Blue Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com
Open House Party at,  http://nominimalistparty.blogspot.com
Kathe for You're Gonna Love It at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
Make It Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Teacup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at,  http://primp.blogspot.com
Paula for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Rednesday at,  http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Round Up at,  http://therealhousewivesofriverton.blogspot.com



I am participating in Wow Us Wednesday at, Savvy Southern Style

FABBY: Valentines Table, Flowers and Vignettes

Hello sweet friends!

I've been looking at lovely Valentine's tablescapes, vignettes, etc....all over blog land, all the way from January! I decided to make a simple Valentines tablescape for four, specially cause I have some gorgeous roses from my Bil's Rose Farm, Altaflor. February is romance month, so I wish you all a wonderful and Happy Valentine's, even if it's just spending with our misters, family or friends. In Ecuador people call Valentine's Day.. "Day of Love and Friendship,"which I think it's just the perfect title for it, as for many people it comes in different ways and meanings. 


                                      HAPPY VALENTINE'S !!
                                       LOVE
                                      FABBY

    Here is the link to a post I did about ALTAFLOR, my brother in law's prefessional rose farm.

http://fabbysliving.blogspot.com/2012/01/fabby-altaflor-rose-farm-tour-1.html

 I did this simple tablescape around this tablecloth I had made with a cute piece of material I found on sale and it has hearts in red and blue, little flowers and butterflies too, which was perfect for the romantic month of February..Valentine's month!

 I used for this setting my red chargers and the dishes are Polish, almost vintage, as my mom just gave them to me from her old china stash, lol...She didn't give me the gorgeous teacups, which got me swooning, since she still uses them for her tea parties with her school friends and Bible Reading high teas she hostesses. I guess I have to wait for those, lol.. Mother has a few and pretty complete dinner china sets, still.

 A close up of the table topper that has among flowers and hearts, some butterflies too. I paid $4 for the material, $1,50 for the pretty trimmings and $1 for the confection, as I don't have a sewing machine anymore...I gave it away several years ago.

Here is the trimming, which finished the tablecloth nicely.

 My mother's recipe for this delicious bread, I sometimes like to bake and it's easy, really.The recipe is at the end of this post, in case some of you would like to give it a try..it doesn't disappoint!


My mom just gifted me with this set of pretty dinner china and it says, Wawel, Made in Poland and it has a W with a crown on top of the writing. My mother had them forever. I will have to wait for the lovely teacups. The edges of the plates are in platinum-silver and it has cute little blue flowers around the plates and go well with the blue hearts of the table topper.

Dinner plate and soup bowl.

The stems are Italian from my Christmas stash. Two kissing doves on top of the bread.

 The crystal heart with some candies.

I used this china cause it's new to me, you know I adore china and I feel like a little girl with a new Barbie doll, lol... and because the tablecloth also has blue hearts and flowers, among red hearts, butterflies and pink flowers, as well.

This tablecloth will look nice for spring too.

 A vignette with the gorgeous green roses from my Bil's Rose Farm, Altaflor. The crystal base is  Czech-Bohemian crystal. The silver lamp is a "Bourgie, Kartell"...for the touch of modern, although the lamp form is indeed a classic.

A close up of the base and the lovely green roses.

In the antique English buffet, among my English red transfer-ware tea set, are the lovely Cabaret Rose; white-red roses, also from my Bil's farm.

 A close up of the lovely and romantic roses. The flower base is Japanese porcelain.

Here is a gorgeous bouquet, with the green ones and rose-red roses together. This is my vintage French foyer table, where I arranged it with "couples," like my small vintage French busts of a girl and boy, two antique, French bronze dogs, the Capodimonti tray with putis and a crystal heart with red candy...very romantic, lol

This roses are too gorgeous!!

The crystal flower base is Italian.

HAPPY VALENTINES my friends..however you celebrate it, hope it's in a wonderful way, even if it's just staying home.

Thanking you so much in advance for your sweet and kind comments..you always make my day!

Thank you lovely ladies for having me at your great parties.

                                                            GOLDEN BREAD LOAF

4 Cups of all purpose flour
2 fresh eggs, at room temp.
1 Tablespoon dry yeast
1 1/2 Cup milk
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 Cup margarine, melted
1 egg, beat slightly for brushing the top of the bread and sesame seeds for the two loafs; (this recipe yields two loafs). This part is optional. I like how the bread looks so I do it, like in this post's picture.

Preparation:   Melt the margarine in the microwave. Warm the milk a little and add there the dry yeast and the sugar; let it stand for a while. Put all the rest of the ingredients in your Kitchen Aid, with the hook attachment to it...or in your favorite machine. Add all the dry ingredients, the margarine, the eggs one at a time and the yeast with milk...beat well for 5 minutes.

Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. The dough, is very loose and elastic, so distribute half in each loaf and place in a warm place, covered. Let it raise until double. Pre-heat oven to 375F. When the bread has raised, brush the egg on top and sprinkle some sesame seeds, if you want.
Put loaf pans in the oven for 25 minutes. Let them cool in the pans for 5 minutes and than take them out and let them cool completely. This bread is delicious toasted too, with butter and marmalade...very decadent, lol    "Whenever I make it, the scent and aroma of this bread all over the house, is my fav comfort food..because of the memories of my childhood and my young mother..and my dad, who loved this bread! "

The Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://underthetableanddreaming.blogspot.com
Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Kathryn for Make It Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Mix It Up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com
Ivonne for On the Menu Monday at,  http://stonegable.blogspot.com
Mop it Up Monday at,  http://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.blogspot.com
Marty for Table Top Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Sally for Blue Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Kathleen for Let's Dish at,  http://cuisineKathleen.blogspot.com
Paula for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Wow Us Wednesday at,  http://savvysourhernstyle.blogspot.com
Sue for REDNESDAY at,  http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at,  http://primp.blogspot.com
Susan for Tablescape Thursday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Cowgirl Up Party at,  http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com
Kathe for You're Gonna Love It at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Round Up at,  http://therealhousewivesofriverton.blogspot.com
Wednesday's Adorned from Above Blog Hop at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://haveadailycupofmrsolson.blogspot.comOpen
Open House Thursday at,  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
Feathered Nest Friday at,  http://thefrenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Food on Friday's at,  http://carolschatter.blogspot.com
Farmgirls Blog Hop at,  http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com
Farmgirl friday at,  http://hibiscushouse.blogspot.com
Foodie Fridays at,  http://rattlelbridgefarmblogspot.com
Beverly for Pink Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typad.com/myweblog
Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Overflowing with Creativity at,  http://itsoverflowing.blogspot.com
Get Schooled Saturday at,  http://toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com
Sunny Simple Sunday at,  http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com








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

FABBY: My Favorites on the First

Hello sweet friends!

How exciting.. today, February 1, 2013 is Favorites On The First, at The Polo House; where beautiful Alyson hostesses once a month, on the first, her great meme...and my contribution is a small collection of mostly Oriental boxes I love, as you all know, nothing better than little boxes, where we can store our treasures, although,  I include this small collection among my treasures. Here they are, I hope you like them. Thank you Alyson for hosting this great and fun party!

 Three Oriental boxes, the large one was a gift from my best friend Stephanie around five years ago for my birthday. The bronze box is a Chinese one with a sign on top and the last one is an antique, in wood also, that belonged to Alejandro's aunt.

 I love the larger one because it has two compartments to store silk scarfs.

 Here it is opened and Stephanie said she bought it at the China Town in NYC...my fave town!

 Hubby gifted me with this pretty Indian wooden box with metal, and bone insets. The lacquered wooden small box at your right, was my Mil's.

The antique , hand decorated, "canphor Chinese chest", which are from the 18th. and 19th. century, is where I display these two boxes. I love this chest as is like a box in itself and I'm sure it's from the 19th. century too and it was a gift to my husband from his mother, several years ago.

 Here in our foyer's vintage, French table is another small box in porcelain and it's a special one for me... closest to my heart, as it was made back at our past Ceramic Co., Monte Turi.

 A better shot of the porcelain box with a pretty hand made orchid. I love it, as it was made back at hubby's ceramic co. and many, many years ago too. The stunning roses are from my Bil's rose farm, Altaflor.

Here you have it..my small collection of boxes and I think I have somewhere a couple more.. and I hope I can add some more if I ever find something that catches my eye and screams...TAKE ME HOMEEeeeeee...

LOVE,
FABBY

Come join the fun at Alyson's for, FAVORITES ON THE FIRST at,  http://thepolohouse.blogspot.com

Thank you gracious hostesses for your great parties!

Beverly for Pink Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typad.com/my_weblog
Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Marty for Tabletop Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Meet Me Monday at,  http://youaretalkingtomuch.blogspot.com
Motivate Me Monday at,  http://becolorful.blogspot.com
Make the World Cuter at,  http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com
Wednesdays Adorned from Above at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop at,  http://hibiscushouse.blogspot.com
Beautiful Sunday at,  http://dianewantstowrite.blogspot.com
Overflowing With Creativity at,  http://itsoverflowing.blogspot.com
Sunny Simple Sunday at,  http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com
Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com

FABBY: Hubby's Favorite Birthday Cake

Hello sweet friends!

This is Alejandro's favorite birthday cake, it's called Delicious Banana Layer Cake and it's from an old baking book, with the title of, "The Southern Heritage CAKES Cook Book", my friend Stephanie gave me a copy of the book, I mean; as it was her aunt's vintage great baking book, although she was from NJ, not from the South, lol.. believe me, every cake is fabulous, all American heritage cakes and desserts. This Monday, January 28th. is my hero's birthday and there's going to be a tea party held at his sister's house, with all their siblings...hope I can take some pics, as I will be busy helping her. I will try, though. I baked hubby's fav cake today to take, obviously. We're also going to celebrate the youngest brother's birthday that was last Jan. 20th. I'm sharing the recipe at the end of the post. Believe me, it's fabulous!!

I fixed a vignette for tea, (although hubby will have coffee) in our alabaster breakfast table, as hubby loves the alabaster top of it, more than he does tablecloths, lol..

The teacups, saucers and cake plates are from my Multiple Choice dinner china; in black and white. The teacups are so cute, they look like they have black stitchings running  up and down them. The sterling antique, French teapot with warmer was my In laws, as I think it came from my Fil's family. The sterling creamer and sugar bowl came from my own silver teaset.

 I forgot how you called crystal pieces with sterling inlays as the platter standing in the back..it's antique and Italian, from my Mil's. I remember dear Bill, from Affordable Accoutrement's, has a collection and he posted about it a while ago, as he hasn't been blogging for a year and I really miss him...don't you...remember him?

Isn't it a pretty cake with the pecans? This cake makes a great dessert too, for after dinner, as it's very moist.

Here you can appreciate the alabaster a little more. Ecuador has lovely white alabaster and marbles, like our black and white flooring is.

Thank you for dropping by and always leaving me such wonderful and kind comments, my dear friends.

I'm thanking the lovely hostesses for having me each week and for been so generous.

LOVE,
FABBY

                                                          DELICIOUS BANANA LAYER CAKE

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup chopped pecans
Caramel Frosting

      Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yokes one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Dissolve soda in buttermilk, add to creamed mixture alternately with flour, starting and ending with flour. Stir in mashed bananas and pecans.
Beat egg whites at room temp., until stiff peaks form, fold in batter. Pour batter into two greased and floured 8´inch round cake pans.  Bake at 350F for 30 minutes, or until pick inserted comes out clean. Cool cakes 10 min. in pans. Remove from pans and let cool completely.
     Spread caramel frosting on between layers and on top and decorate with pecans, like in my pic, but you don't have to, though.

Caramel Frosting:
 1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
About 1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine

    Combine all ingredients in a heavy sauce pan; cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture reaches soft ball stage, (240). Remove from heat and beat until spreading consistency; add additional milk if necessary. Spread immediately on cooled cake. Yield: for a 2 layer cake.

Mix It Up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com
On the Menu Monday at,  http://stonegable.blogspot.com
Make It Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Mop It Up Monday at,  http://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.blogspot.com
Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Marty's for Table Top Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://sandymyyellowdoor,blogspot.com
Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com
A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelighsomelife.blogspot.com
Valentine's Feature and Linky Party at,  http://isabellethorntonlechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com
Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://rosechintzcottage.blogspot.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com
Kathleen for Let's Dish at,  http://cuisinekathleen.blogspot.com
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://nickoftime.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
You're Gonna Love It at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursdays at,  http://haveadailycupofmrs.olson.blogspot.com
House and Garden Thursday at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Open House Party at,  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Thursday Tea Things at,  http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com
Simple and Sweet Fridays at,  http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com
Richela for Grace at Home at,  http://impartinggreace.blogspot.com
Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Feathern Nest Friday at,  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com





 I'm participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.