FABBY: Pewter Tea Set and Carrot Cake

Hello sweet friends!

          This tea table is inspired by my vintage "Royal-Holland Pewter Tea set" and the delicious 'Carrot Cake with cream cheese Icing' I made for my friend's mother who came to visit her from the capital, Quito.

Her mother was ninety just a few days ago.

So, before I take the cake to my real good friend's house, Myriam, I thought I set a table with some antiques and a few different tea cups and not a 'complete set' for a change.

Ok, with that said, here it is, hope you like it.

 

 

Antique "Royal-Holland Pewter" tea set with a pretty tray. I decided to take it out of storage and set a table with it for a change.
 
I've seen lots of them displayed in magazines lately, specially in a couple of Victoria's I have.

'Walnut Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese icing.'

(The recipe is at the end of this post.)

 

The sterling hot tea, 'Samovar' is a treasure heirloom from turn of the 20th. century; that belonged to my Fil's grandmother. Samovars originated in Russia a few centuries ago.

 A few of my tea cups, saucers and cake plates...I chose not to place a complete set of teacups, for a change.

 

The sterling serving cake spatula was my Mil's and as you can see, her initials are engraved, as she was Eulalia de Crespo, thus the 'E. de C.'

I love the idea of the different tea cups and saucers. I think I will do this for a 'real' tea party one day! 

I love the lace border on the Dutch vintage pewter tea set...and to think that more than a century ago, pewter used to be "the poor man's silver!" 

Almost a year ago for our Anniversary I received some lovely antique things from Alejandro and one is this pretty vintage white 'French Opaline' flower vase I love. 

 Organza cut work table topper.

Antique French Opaline flower vase. A gift from hubby for last year's Anniversary. 

 

These are Vintage Dutch, we bought them three years ago in the European Antique shop and we took the 'Duncan Phyfe' we had before, to use in the kitchen nook.

Like I said before; I've been seeing them in magazines the kind of dark pewter pieces, like my "Antique Royal-Holland, Real Pewter "tea set, as I've noticed some of you have them too.

 Therefore, I decided to keep it displayed in the Antique Belgium buffet, along with my other silver things, instead of in the pantry closet!


Walnut Delicious Carrot Cake


2 cups all purpose-flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 cups fine shredded carrot
1 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts  (optional)

In a bowl of the K. Aid, or electric mixer of your choice, combine flour, bp, bs, and cinnamon.
Add carrot, oil, coarse walnuts and eggs. Beat until very well combined.

Pour into one bundt cake, like I did, or two greased and floured 9x1 1/2-inch round baking pans.
 Bake at 350F oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or check your oven, or when tooth pick inserted in the middle of cake comes out clean.

Let it cool 10 minutes in pan and remove. Let cool completely before putting the cream-cheese frosting on it.

Cream-Cheese Frosting

2-3 ounces packages cream cheese
1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
2 tsps vanilla
4 1/2 to 4 3/4 cups sifted powder sugar  (this amount is perfect for the filling too, but ONLY for icing, just on the top; I make less of the amount the recipe asks for)

 In a bowl beat together all ingredients, until light and fluffy. Check to see if it's of spreading consistency.
Spread on top of cake, or use for the filling of two cake layers and on top as well.

Garnish with some walnuts like in the photo.




Thanking you sweet and kind friends for all the comments you leave me, as you always make my day!

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

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:

Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Ruth for Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com
Paula for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Wake Up Wednesday at,  http://godsgrowinggarden.blogspot.com
Debi and Charly for Wednesday's Adorned from Above at,  http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Centerpiece Wednesday at,  http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com
Deb for Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
Deborah for What we Accomlished Wednesday at,  http://www.greenwillowpond.com
Susan for Tablescape Thursday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Anyonita for Tasty Tuesdays at,  http://www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk
Ma. Elena for Tuesdays at our Home at,  http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Sarah for make Bake Create at,  http://hopeineveryseason.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Roundup at,  http://therealhousewivesofriverton.blogspot.com
Natasha for Twitter Hop at,  http://www.serenetyyou.com
Jann for Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Terri for It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Suzanne for Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Wildly Original Link Party at,  http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://www.impartinggrace.com
Cook with Sara at,  http://cookwithsara.blogspot.com
Sherry for Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com

Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
Fabulously Creative Friday at,  http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Debra for Be Inspired at,  http://www.commonground.com
Let's Connect Social Media Round up at,  http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Michael for Foodie Friday at,  http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com
Lucy for The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://www.craftberrybush.com
Holly for Tickled Pink Times two at,  http://www.504main.com
Dolly for Farmgirl Friday at,  http://hibiscushouse.blogspot.com
Beverly for PINK Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Saturday Show Off at,  http://therosegardeninmalevik.blogspot.com
Natasha for Say G'day Saturday at,  http://www.natashainoz.com
Suzanne for Saturday Spartks Link party at,  http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com
Mary for Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Sally for BLUE Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
























 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: "Chinese Teapot Collection"

Hello sweet friends!

       I'll put Valentine's aside for a while, as I think I'm all set for this Friday, the day of LOVE!

I wish each and everyone of you dear friends a wonderful and happy Valentine's 2014, no matter what you do, even if you stay warm and cozy indoors.

I have a cute collection of 'Chinese Teapots,' which I have been adding since thirty years at least and I think they are adorable and fun too. I always wanted to share them with you.

I displayed them all in my kitchen's window sills, with the dark evening background for a little drama, lol!

Here they are, I hope you like them as much as I do, I always have been very partial to Oriental things for the table and for interior home decor; specially different porcelain pieces, such as lamps, dishes, plant pots,tea sets, screens, furniture, etc!

Here they are, I hope you like them too!

Aren't they so petty and colorful?



Oh look, it's snowing here too, lol!

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 2014 MY FRIENDS!

I really love them all...like the White square one with a Chinese sign and the White round one with a Chinese sign are a set. 
The blue elephant with the little boy on the lid, or the round white one with a Chinese sign, or the white and blue elephant other... carrying sort of a box on top.

Blue and white always a winner!

Love the Chinese Red on this one!

Pretty Chinese decal-pattern.

This lovely one with a black background I bought at least 32 years ago in NYC's China Town for $15, I even remember, lol!
(I never noticed the splashed paint on the window glass at your right!)



Here they are, in the two window sills on my kitchen, where I'm keeping them until I get tired and bored...meanwhile I am enjoying them together.

The view is also great out my kitchen windows; in the day time, as is at night, because we are in a 14th.floor penthouse.

Thank you for your wonderful comments my friends, as you always make my day!

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

HAPPY VALENTINE'S!

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:


Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

Paula for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
REDNESDAY at,  http://brownghingam.blogspot.com
Wildly Original Link Party at,  http://gottacreate.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Open House Party at,  http://nominmalisthere.blogspot.com
Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Tickled Pink at,  http://504mainbyhollylefevre.blogspot.com
The Insppiration Gallery Linky Party at,  http://craftberrybush.blogspot.com
Wake up Wednesday Link Party at,  http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Round Up at,  http://therealhousewivesofriverton.blogspot.com
Centerpiece Wednesday at,  http://thestylesisters.blogspor.com
Twitter Hop at,  http://www.serenityyou.com

Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://www.impartinggrace.com
Sarah for The Homemaking Party at,  http://hopeineveryseason.blogspot.com
Under $100 Link Party at,  http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com
Jody and Stan for Simple and Sweet Friday at,  http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com
BeBetsy-Smashingly Good Living  at,  https://plus.google.com
Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Crystal for Ladies Only Blog Share at,  http://mommiefried.com
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com

Lucy for The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://craftberrybush.blogspot.com
Jennifer for Fabulously Creative Party at,  http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Let's Connect at the Social Media Roundup at,  http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Be Inspired at,  http://commonground.blogspot.com
Kathy for Home and Graden Thursday at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Holly for Tickled Pink at,  http://www.504main.com
Alma for Sesonal Sundays at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Mary for Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Sally for BLUE Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Our Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://twiggstudios.blogspot.com
Danielle for Silver Pennies Sunday at,  http://www.findingsilverpennies.com
Cindy for Amaze Me Monday at,  http://www.dwellingstheheartofyourhome.com
Keeping it Simple at,  http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com






















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





 

FABBY: Valentine's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Hello sweet friends!

    I saw this gorgeous cake the other day, a wonderful and luscious, "Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake" from "Merridith Kristoffersen at TWIGG STUDIOS" is where I got the recipe and it's yummy!  Hope you can try it, as it's easy to make too!

Most of you by now know that mother comes to spend the day with us every Wednesday, so I baked the cake in a heart shaped pan for this Valentine's season and we had it with tea in the afternoon.

Here it is, I hope you like it. I highly recommend you bake this cake!

Hope you also join sweet "Bernideen for her Romance is in the Air" at,  http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com




Here is the setting for tea or coffee and this great 'Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake' from TWIGG STUDIOS  http://www.twiggstudios.com/2013/12/lemon-poppy-seed-pound-cake.html
(Check recipe in the link above)

I did the cake in a heart shaped cake pan for the Valentine's season.

The lovely white 'Italian-Tognana' teacups were a super find, as they came in a box of six for $ 5, 45; so I bought the last three boxes... two for me and one for a girl that comes to clean my house sometimes, as her birthday is coming up soon.

You can imagine me running  walking to pay for them carrying my three heavy boxes! Aren't they so 'peatty and sweet looking?'
I paired the white teacups with some English blue and white transferware plates for cake.

Now...this cake is totally yummy!
 

Isn't the cake cute in a heart shape...I loved it, lol!  Thanks to "Merridith Kristoffersen from TWIGG STUDIO" for the recipe.

The link is in the first photo.

The lovely flowers are stil fresh and I have them for a week!

I will use all of my twelve teacups for next Rosary prayer with my friends.

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

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

LOVE,
FABBY

I'm joining:

Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Michael for Foodie Friday at,  http://rattlebridgefarm.blogspot.com
Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthulife.blogspot.com
Sally for BLUE Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Kathryn for Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Mary for Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Lisa for Mix it up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Cindy for Amaze Me Monday at,  http://dwellingstheheartofyourhome.blogspot.com
Nancy for Inspire Me Monday at,  http://www.createwithjoy.com
Kaysi for Motivate Me Monday at,  http://www.keepingitsimple.com
Kathy for A Bouquet of Talent Link Party at,  http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Danielle for Silver Pennies Sunday for www.findingsilverpennies.com
Stephanie Lynn for The Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://www.stephanielynn.com
Linda for Nifty Thirfty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Ma. Elena for Tuesdays at our Home at,  http://ourhomeawayfromhome.blogspot.com
Sandi for Hearts and Flowers Tea at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
The SCOOP Linky Party at,  http://theeverydayhome.blogspot.com
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Kathe for You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
Create, Link, Inspire at,  http://www.naptimecreations.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfullaffirmation.blogspot.com
Anyonota for Tasty Tuesdays at,  http://www.anyinitanibbles.com
Martha for Valentine's Teacup Tuesday at,  http://www.marthasfavorites.com
Deb for Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
Michael for Foodie Friday at,  http://rattlebridgefarmblogspot.com
Deborah for What we Accomplished Wednesday at,  http://www.greenwillowpond.com
Create with Joy at,  http://lambertslately.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://www.impartinggrace.com


 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: Valentine's 2014 Table for Four

Hello sweet friends!

          I wanted to create a table for a Valentine's dinner party for the two of us, plus a couple of friends, so I had to think in more of a practical sense, therefore, I'm using my reticulated dinner plates, plus a porcelain tea set with small red-rose color little flowers.

I also placed it in our alabaster round breakfast table with no tablecloth, as I didn't go with the regular red and heart plates like in my past Valentine's.

Here it is, I hope you like my Valentine's table for 2014.

Valentine's table setting for four on the alabaster breakfast table.
The centerpiece flowers and other decor pieces are in our everyday 'glass lazy-susan.'

The flowers I chose are to match the flowers in the china and are in the pretty white Portuguese pitcher Alejandro bought for me three months ago.

See how the color of the fresh flowers are just like the color in the teaset?

A Brown chocolate heart box at left.

A wicker tray is the same as the chargers.

Brown wicker and cane chargers, reticulated dinner plate, flower porcelain salad plate and teacup to match.

A small romantic cloche with nesting birds.



Little red roses in the dishes.
In the store where I bought them a few years ago, they told me that they were specially made for the store, or 'private labeled'... but the sales lady didn't know where, as in the back it just has the name of the store printed on.

I used my carved like Polish purple water glasses and the purple clear wine stems are German.



The buffet has a Valentine's liquor candy heart box.

The pretty salad plate. I love the cut edges with a gold trim.
They also have some butterflies in it, so I used butterfly napkin rings, made at our former Ceramic-factory.

The teacup and saucer.

Love the flower design with butterflies too, so I used some yellow butterflies napkin rings as well.
The BLUE hatted vintage French figure of a country boy in the back.

Here is the vintage BLUE hatted French country girl holding a sheep.

A small cloche in the glass lacy-susan.

Here's what's inside the small cloche...a chocolate couple and heart.

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

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

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:

Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Paula and Patty for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com
Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Martha for February Tea Cups at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Deborah for What We Accomplished Wednesday at,  http://greenwillowpond.blogspot.com
Sarah for Make Bake Create at,  http://hopeineveryseason.blogspot.com
Charly and Debi for Wednesdays Adorned from Above Party at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com
Melody for REDNESDAY at,  http://brownginghamcreations.blogspot.com
Sarah for The Homemaking Party at,  http://hopeineveryseason.blogspot.com
Terri for A Creative Princess at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Kathy for Home and Garden Party at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com

Jann for Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://haveadailycupofmrsolson.blogspot.com
Christina for Wildly Original Linky Party at,  http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Leslie for Create it Thursday at,  http://lambertslately.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://impartinggrace.blogspot.com
Jennifer for Fabulously Creative Friday at,  http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Kathryn for Anything Blue Friday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
Holly for Tickled Pink Times Two at,  http://504byhollylefevre.blogspot.com
Beverly for PINK Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Saturday S how Off at,  http://therosegardeninmalevik
Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Becky for Under $100 link party at,  http://bec4beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com
From the Farm Blog Hop at,  http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com
Saturday Sparks at,  http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com
Funky Junk Interiors Link Party at,  http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com
Spotlight Saturday at,  http://www.classyclutter.net



























I will be joining Wow Us Wednesday at,  http://savvysouthernstyle.net