FABBY: Tea in the Bedroom

   We are in the process of  painting our dining, living rooms, the den and the foyer... from a pale yellow to a soft, mother of pearl, a stylish new shade hubby and I chose.  

We are also changing our window treatment, or curtains from 18 years ago to modern draperies custom made Hunter Douglas proudly made in the USA.  We are so lucky since we have distributors right here in Cuenca-Ecuador, so we decided on them, this will collect very little dust than the regular, all fabric classic cloth draperies and we are going to love the more modern look too.  

We are very happy with this new change as it was long overdue... the paint job and  the new window treatment.

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 Here is this small corner of our bedroom where I'm visiting with you and having afternoon tea with some "dulce de leche" squares.

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 My dearest dad is keeping me company, he past away in 1996, I was very close to him, I was the apple of his eyes, (only girl). 
I'm having tea in my Royal Albert's Oct. birthday cup,  my Oriental teapot with Chai-tea on top of my Italian evening shawl with ostrich feathers fringes in the ends.

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 Great book I'm reading, it's NYT best seller, by Bethany Frankel, A Place of Yes... about finding your truth, act on it, and everything about your business and owning it!  I recommend it, it is fabulous!

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 This mosaic with pictures of my dear family at left, I love looking at!  In the upper picture I'm with my Mil at left and mother at right, when we brought my baby grand home from the hospital, now Cayetana is 4 1/2 !

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 I was thinking you'd get a kick out of looking at my "treasure chest"!  I keep mostly my fake jewelry here, lots of earrings, neckleases, bracelets,  and other knick-knacks. 

At left a pic of my mother with me in 1953.

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 The beautiful 3 string pearl neckleas is from the collection of Jacqueline Kennedy, it's Majolica, along with the ring.  That pretty wide mother of pearl bracelet was my Bil's present.

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 The pretty bowl with lattice top was made at our former Ceramic Co., we gave that as favors, it's a custom here to remember my daughter Alexandra's First Communion. 

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 The silver bracelet is from Italy.  I love the pearl ring! In the drawer of the chest I keep the pearl necklaces, white and silver pearls and others.

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 In the upper pic at left is me when I was 20 in Central Park in the early 70's.  My husband Alejandro and me in the middle picture, in Galapagos.  At left a portrait of my husband our daughter Alexandra painted, she's such an artistic this girl, she's a professional photographer too.

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           Thank you so much for your sweet comments, as you always make my day!

Thanking the gracious hostesses for having me at their great parties!

                                                                         LOVE
                                                                       FABBY


Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at:   http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Lady Katherine for Tea Time Tuesday at:  http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Sandy for Tea Time Tuesday at:  http://sandymyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
Wanda Lee and Pam for their Tea Things Parties at:  http://theplumethpen.blogspot.com/
Martha and Terry for Tea Cup Tuesday at:  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com/
Trish Tea Party Tuesday at:  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Bunnie's Blog Hop Wednesday at:  http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/
Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday's at:  http://missspensers.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home at:  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Friday at:  http://myromantichome.blogspot.com/
The Charm of Home at:  http://thryftythingsfriday.blogspot.com/

FABBY: My Crochet Heirlooms

I always wanted to see all my crochet treasures together, specially the ones that were crocheted by my grandmother Stella whom I loved so much, she was a real treasure to me to start with, I was her first grandkid, however, she was close to me as I am also the only daughter, of  her only daughter, my mother... therefore, she saw a lot of me since I was a little girl.  My grandmother used to go to NY for long visits, two years at a time and for many occasions.  I met my hubby on one trip to Ecuador I made with her when I was 19, we got married 4 years after.  When I started my life here, in Ecuador,  we were so very close too, for a while she was my 2 daughters only grand, my  parents lived in NY until 1987 when they came and retired here.  My grandmother died in 1998 at the young age of 94, having  wonderful health all her life, God blessed her.  Love you grandma!

 This crochet, king size beadspread, was made by my grandmother for us, 30 years ago, along with the two pillows to match.

 Don't you just love it?  I displayed all my family heirlooms on my formal dinner table which is quite large.

 These doilies were also made by my grandmother Stella, along with the cream color runner.
 The cream color runner my grand made with such pretty rose design.

 A close up of her beautiful work on this big round doily.

 The tablecloth my mother crocheted for me, I guess she inherited her mother's talent...I didn't, LOL!

 My mother also kneated a matching long runner for the buffet and another  for the large dinner table, along with a tray mat and a bread basket doily in the same pattern, it's a complete set!

 Mother crocheted the tobacco color large runner (bellow) for the dinner table and buffet.

 This runner is my very favorite, I just love mother's finest work on it, don't you?

 A better close up of the gorgeous runner mother made.

 My mother also made me for one of my "many" birthday's 8 doilies for the use on chargers, so the dinner plates don't scratch the fine chargers.   The other pic I shot of  12 doilies she also made for my chargers came out white, so I didn't replace it.

 This tablecloth was inherited by my Mil , it was made for her mother's hope chest, so who knows how old, or an antique it is!  Later, it was passed on to us after my mil died almost 3 years ago. 

 This stunning crochet tablecloth was my mil's, we also inherited upon her death.  My mil didn't crochet, she had it made around 40 years ago.

 A closer shot of the magnificent work some lady did by hand so many years past.

   Hope you like my treasures from my grandmother Stella, my mother, my hubby's grandmother and his mother.  I might add that my two daughters have mother's crochet tablecloths each, along with  doilys for their chargers.  Thank you all in advance for your very appreciated and lovely visits.  Hope you have a great start of a new weekend.
    I'll also be at some linky parties, where I always enjoy and have so much fun!  Thank you gracious hostesses for having me.             Lots of love,     FABBY

Feather Your Nest Friday at:  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Vintage Inspiration Friday at:  http://commonground.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home at:   http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Friday at:   http://myromantichome.blogspot.com/
Open House Party at:  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Potpourri Friday at:  http://apotpourrioflifeat2805.blogspot.com/
Pink Saturday at:  http://howsweetthesound.blogspot.com/
Few of my Favorite Things at:  http://bargainhuntingandchattingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/
Sunday's Favorites at:  http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/
Seasonal Sunday at:  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/
Metamorphosis Monday at:  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
   


 

FABBY: Pumpkin Chocolate-Tart

 I was in the mood for baking this past Sunday, so looking thru a Martha Stewart's old magazine, Nov. 2003... I found this great looking Pumpkin-Chocolate Tart with chocolate drizzle on top and I also  garnished it with some  pecans, it turned out very delicious, I suggest you try it, you will not be dissapointed at all!

 I decorated the table for tea for two with splashes of  fall, like the gourds inside the cloch and some faux leaves and flowers.    The tart with the chocolate drizzle plus some pecans too. 

 The sterling sugar spoon is a vintage Art Noveu style with a hand holding a fan.

 I used my three white porcelain cake stands in different sizes, along with my Noritake cups and saucers and cake plates.

 I like the pewter candle holder that my sil's mother gave  me last Christmas. I could use it as a flower vase too.

 Here is the pumpkin tart cut up for hubby and me.  I had it with tea and he with coffee.

 My Dutch porcelain  dog figurines, gourds, (we didn't eat the gourds!lol) and a piece of tart.

 Tart and tea.  I used two different sterling silver antique heirloom spoons.

 I used under my old (22 yrs.)  and inexpensive lace tablecloth a plain burned orange topper to accent the fall color to the tea tablescape mostly white.

I just got into the mood this past Sunday to bake and indulge with something sweet, but not like a big cake, or anything I could have a big piece!, lol...so  looking thru a Martha Stewart's magazine I found this incredible Pumpkin-Chocolate Tart with chocolate drizzle on top.   I  garnished it with pecans too.   We later had a piece with hubby with some tea.  I decorated our tea for two table with touches of fall, with some cute small gourds I found in the farmers market. 
I hope you can come and visit and who knows maybe I'll still have a piece for you too my lovely and sweet friends! Lol
Thanks to all the charming  ladies that host such fun parties.  Love always,     FABBY

Lady Katherine for Teatime Tuesday at:  http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Sandy for Teatime Tuesday at:  http://sandymyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
Wanda Lee and Pam for their  Tea Things Party at:  http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/
Martha and Terry for Tea Cup Tuesday at:  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com/
Marty's for Tabletop Tuesday at:  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Trish' Tea Party Tuesday at:  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Bunny's Blog Hop Wednesday at:  http://bunnyjeandecorandmore.blogspot.com/
Susan's Tablescape Thursday at:  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

FABBY: Quito-Ecuador Tour

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is nestled in an Andean valley at an elevation of 9000 feet. The city is literally surrounded by volcanoes -- some of these, like Mt. Pichincha, very much active. Quito is considered to be one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. The historic center of Quito, known as the "Old City" is replete with narrow and winding cobblestone streets, magnificent churches and open squares. The buildings that line the streets reflect Spanish colonial influence with their balconies, red-tile roofs, thick columns and central patios. The importance of the colonial remnants found in the Old City prompted UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) to declare Quito a Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1979.

Old TownThe Old City of Quito lies over the ruins of the pre-Incan city of Kitu, principle city of the Shyris (12th Century). Kitu was later replaced by the capital of Atahualpa's Incan empire (16th century). The city was razed by the Incan general Rumiñahui as a measure of resistance against the conquering Spanish. The city was founded as San Francisco de Quito on December 6th, 1534 by the Spanish conquistadors.

I'm joining today at Alma's great Party at,  "Oh the Places I've Been"!  The Tablescaper.



 

 A gorgeous pink Spanish home. These big homes usually belonged to people sent from the King  for  government jobs and they were also huge because they had at least 12 children, if not more!

This is the Bolivar Theater, it still functions.

I love this gorgeous white house.  Look at the beautiful door frame!

Another beautiful pink house.

My hubby and our friend, which was our tour guide.

A row of  beautiful iron balconies and houses.

A typical Spanish iron window with flowers.

The Carondeleg, the government Palace.

The Compañia de Jesus Church. there's fabulous churches and cathedrals here, with the inside of them full of  gold...unfortunately they don't let you take photographs.

The Government Palace of Carondelet

I love this gorgeous yellow house with such incredible ornamentation, like the full length white angel statues.

A row of pretty town houses and the cobblestone streets and plazas.

This is a stunning house that it's almost finished being renovated for a hotel.  The house belonged to a family for 200 years, so it'll be called after them: Casa Gangotena.

The inside of a house, most of them had this very Spanish patios. After this patio you see here, most of them had a big garden right in back; with flowers, fruit trees and even a vegetable garden next to the other two, usually for the families use, as they were so many, thus the huge homes.

The side walk around the patios were paved by small river stones, like you see here.

A door with a Christ.

I had to take a pic of this door knocker in the shape of an iron hand

The incredible view from my daughter's apartment window.  The panorama is so much wider than the photo.

One of the biggest not active volcanoes in the world called Chimborazo.  Snow is all year round.  You can see part of it from my daughter's panoramic window from her high rise.

Historic Quito is the oldest and best preserved colonial sector in South America. The famous Escuela de Arte de Quito flourished in the old city and is well known for its unique baroque style. This style is reflected in the rich and profuse decorations of the interiors of many of the Quito's churches. These European influences were combined with the inspiration of indigenous art to create a unique Quiteño style. For its artwork, Quito has been termed the "Florence of America."

With that being said. hope you like the photos I took the other day while visiting our daughter Alexandra.....mind you, I'm not a professional photographer like our daughter Alexandra, and  the old city is so much better in person.
   

Thank you so much for reading about it and for your  wonderful visits.
I will be linking to the following great parties.  Thank you so much  to the lovely ladies that host them every week.

I'm reposting this tour of Quito-Ecuador for, "Oh, the Places I've Been"!   http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com



Beverly's Pink Saturday
Chari's Sunday Favorites
Seasonal Sunday
Metamorphosis Monday
Master Piece Monday
Amaze Me Monday