St. Patrick's Day Challenge

Hello sweet friends!

First of all, I wish all my Irish blog friends a wonderful St. Patrick's Day 2016, along with your families... and to the ones that enjoy this St. Pat's celebration as well.

I always use the green china made back at our Ceramic company, Monte Turi from many years ago.

I know the friends that follow me know that my inspiration for the pattern decoration for all the dishes I made; from the indigenous people of Ecuador's clothing customs and I was lucky to have found this pattern in the men's embroidered shirts, many years ago, as the collar and cuffs had shamrocks on them.

I also used the dinner green plates from last Mother's Day gift china and the shamrocks salad plates.

I will be joining Kathleen, at Cuisine Kathleen annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl this Wednesday the 16th. Hope you do too.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO YOU ALL !

I also baked an Irish Soda Bread from Pinterest. Easy and yummy!

A very GREEN table in honor of ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2016.

The dinner plate is from my last Mother's Day gift. The 'shamrocks salad plate' from our china designed by me and hand decorated by artists.

The napkin ring in green was also made back at Monte Turi, our own ceramic factory.

I also used the teacup saucer for the crystal sherbet.

The "Irish Soda Bread" came out delicious.
 

A while back a guest broke the eight green napkin ring, so I interchanged in each place setting a green one and a blue one like this one, as the china has blue as well. 

Finally the place setting with the sherbet to keep the greens light.

A little green plant as centerpiece... no biggie.
 
The white birds are Salt & Pepper shakers.

The "Irish Soda Bread" from Pinterest came out delish and what you see are currants.
The grandgirls spread it with 'Dulce de Leche' and 'Blueberry Jam' too... yum!



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

 

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

 

LOVE,

FABBY

 

I will be partying here:

 

8th. Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl     www.cuisinekathleen.com

   

  Tablescape Thursday     http://betweennapsontheporch.net

Grace at Home     www.impartinggrace.com

Share Your Cup Thursday     http://jannolson.blogspot.com    

Thoughts of Home On Thursday     www.athomewithjemma.com

Share Your Style Party     www.21rosemaylane.com

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop     http://betsycozycorner.blogspot.com

Creative Ways Party     www.posedperfection.com

Wildly Original     http://igottacreate.com

Home and Garden Thursday     www.adelightsomelife.com

It's a Party      http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com

 

Inspire Me Tuesday     www.astrollthrulife.net

Before and After Wednesday     www.thededicatedhouse.com

Home Sweet Home      http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com

The Weekend Blog Hop      www.clairejustineoxox.com

Foodie Friday     http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com

Friday Feature Link Party      http://ohmyheartsygirl.com

Anything BLUE Friday     www.thededicatedhouse.com

PINK Saturday     http://howsweethesound.typepad.com

A Morning Cup of Joe Link Party    http://thecottagemarket.com

The Homemaking Party     www.classichomemaking.com

 

Saturday Sparks Link Party     http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com

 

Best of the Weekend     www.littlemisscelebration.com

The Creative Collection     www.thecraftedsparrow.com

Chain Linky CLIMB     http://sewcraftyangel.blogpsot.com

A Bouquet of Talent Party     www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com

Share it One More Time     http://everydayhomeblog.com

Dishing it & Digging it    www.rustic-refines.com

MMM #321 Block Party     www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com

Amaze Me Monday     www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com

No Place Like Home     http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Hosting BLUE MONDAY     http://backyardneighbor.typepad.com

 

TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME     http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com

Mix it up Monday     www.flourmewithlove.com

Before and After Party     www.thriftydecorchick.com

The SCOOP     http://confessionsofaplateaddict.com

Wake up Wednesday     http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com

The Wednesday Blog Hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com

Roses of Inspiration     http://theenchatingrose.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm BLUE this Monday

Hello dear friends.

I am BLUE for our dearest, sweetest, lady Sally D'Estephano's passing to live next to our Lord Jesus Christ in heavenly peace and glory.

Although I will miss her almost every Monday, as I joined her since I started blogging four years ago and for me Monday was Sally's Day, therefore, I had to make sure I did or included on my posts something BLUE for her and I knew she always appreciated it and loved it, even if it was the smallest little blue anything and immediately commented back and thanked us and wished us a Happy Blue Monday and for our 'BLUES.'
A very thoughtful and appreciative hostess with the mostess, ever!

God bless your soul dearest friend Sally and thank you so much for all the kindness and support I received from being your bloggy friend and I am very proud and blessed to have known you.

Rest in peace. 

Here are some of my latest posts I joined "Blue Monday, at Smiling Sally Blog."

I'm joining dear Debbie from 'Debbie Double Blog' for this tribute to our dearest Sally.







Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity in the four years I've known you as my sweet bloggy friend.

I will miss you very much and Mondays will never be the same without you, I'll always think of you.

May God keep you in His Glory.

LOVE ALWAYS,
FABBY

 

My New Wall Plate Rack

Hello sweet friends!

I'm sorry I haven't been around for a little over two weeks and I've missed you!

You see we've been having Victoria and Cayetana, our adorable grandgirls for a couple of weeks and I know most of you know how much time kids need from us the grands... and by the way, they're still here, hehehee

I've even hosted Cayetana's ninth birthday bash with twenty kids of various ages and it was a success. I'll do a little post soon, but in the meanwhile, here is my new kitchen 'wall plate rack' I've been wanting and planning it for so long, but never got to go ahead and do it!

Hubby was going to build it himself, but the girls came so he made a draft of what we wanted and had it made at the same place where we had our kitchen cabinets done five years ago... except it's white so it just fades with the white wall.

With that said...

I am so very excited with it, I love it!

Hubby was so great to have it made for me as he didn't have time to make it himself.
He was so clever as to squeeze this piece of furniture in such a small and skinny space 4 inches deep...genius even! 

The picture above shows what the little space behind the entrance door to the kitchen was before, with just the girls drawings when they were very young.
 



I'm so excited this project is finally concluded and looking great too!

 

These three shelves at the lowest part of the plate rack is a bonus, where  I placed some tins with our coffee, Stevia and white sugar pockets, along with all my teas of many different flavors.

 

So Mr. Living 'just' did a little tweaking and he said knowing you, you will have a tin collection in no time to fill this space, lol..

He loved the teas gathered together alone. I think I do too!

My fav platters and plates at arm's reach, cause most of them I forget they exist as they're so deep somewhere in storage.

The last plate shelf contains vintage sterling silver from my Mil.
Thank you Mr. Living, I totally love this... and you too!!

 

The door next to the rack opens to the dining room.

This is what it's like when we open the kitchen service entrance door. Therefore, the plate rack rests on the wall directly towards the back of the door.

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

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





I just found out dearest and sweet Sally D'Stefano of BLUE MONDAY and SMILING SALLY BLOG, has died and it is such a sad news for us bloggers and our small community.
I always thought of Blue Monday when I created a post and was so happy I had something BLUE so I can join her. I guess our Lord Jesus has invited her to join His party, the best one of all!

Rest in peace dearest friend, I will miss you very much.

LOVE,
FABBY


I will party here:

Creative Ways Link Party     www.posedperfection.com
Thursday Favorite Things     http://bettycozycorner.blogspot.com
Created it Thursday     www.lambertslately.com
It's a Party     http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday     http://jannolson.blogspot.com
The Homemaking Party     www.classicalhomemaking.com
Thoughts of Home Thursday     www.poofingthepillows.com
BLUE Monday     http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Metamorphosis Monday     http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Inspire Me Tuesday     http://astrollthrulife.net

Before and After Wednesday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
Home Sweet Home     http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Wordless Wednesday     www.talbertzoo.com
Grace at Home     www.impartinggrace.com
Home and Garden Thursday     www.adelightsomelife.com
Foodie Friday and Everything Else     http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com
Thoughts of Home Thursday     www.decortoadore.net
The Weekend Blog hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
PINK Saturday     http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Feathered Nest Friday     www.frenchcountrycottage.com

Thoughts of Home Thursday     www.decortoadore.com
Make it Pretty Monday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
A Morning Cup of Joe     http://thecottagemarket.com
Friday Frenzy     www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com
Friday Favorites     www.mustlovehome.com
Simple and Sweet Friday     http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com
Flaunt it Friday     http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com
Fantastic Friday     http://olives-n-okra.com
Saturday Sparks Link Party     http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Dishing it & Digging it Link Party    www.lifeandlinda.com

Creative Mondays Blog hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Make it Pretty Monday     www.www.thededicatedhouse.com
Tea Cup Tuesday     www.marthasfavorites.com
No Place like Home     http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME     http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
MMM #320 Blog Party     www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com
Amaze Me Monday     www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com
Mix it up Monday     www.flourmewithlove.com
Tuesdays with a Twist     http://back2basichealth.com
Brag About it Link Party     www.vmg206.com
Create Link Inspire 3/7     http://nap-timecreations.com


  





   


















    

Valentine's Tea Time

Hello sweet friends!

      I just baked a 'Red Velvet Sour Cream Bundt Cake' and it did come out perfect and yummy. Although not that red, but now that I see the pic on Pinterest, it's not as red either.

I must explain to you that I did half the recipe for this small bundt pan and because we don't want a huge cake for just the two of us, that's why I didn't use my 'heart' pan, as it's way bigger!

I'll give you the recipe at the end of this post.

Anyway... have a "Great and Happy Valentine's dear friends."

Red transferware tea set, teacups and saucers. I have a set of twelve teacups and cake plates and a couple of serving bowls. Two teapots, a platter, a sugar bowl and two creamers. I love this set, is my fav!

Up front with the spoons and napkins is an Italian 'Capodimonte' candy dish with 'puti' and delicate flowers... very romantic!

Red Velvet Sour Cream Bundt Cake for Valentine's

Under both goblets with the red candles is a little heart picture frame with my baby Alexandra and Sofia.

The cute little ceramic hearts with my two babies, Alexandra and Sofia.

I halved the recipe for this small bundt pan and for us two. I noticed it didn't come out to red in the pics, but it was a little redder in real life.

Anyaway, it's really delish!

The goblet I have upside down are chipped, so I use them as candle holders. Under this one is a heart little frame with baby DD Alexandra.

Really yummy!

The sterling doves with chain, was a gift from hubby for a Valentine's many years ago, before we had our first DD Alexandra.

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

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

"Happy Valentine's"
love,
FABBY

• "Red Velvet Sour Cream Bundt Cake"
• 3 cups cake flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 yolks room temperature
• 1 cup Horizon sour cream, room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 TBSP white vinegar
• 1 ounce red food coloring
• For Frosting
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and coat a bundt pan very generously with butter.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
2. Beat together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Make sure that you scrape the bowl down so all of the butter gets well combined with the sugar.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Then add the yolks one at a time.
4. Beat in the sour cream, scrape down the sides, then beat in the buttermilk.
5. Then beat in the vinegar, vanilla, and food coloring one at a time.
6. With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour/cocoa mixture. Beat until just combined. Do not overmix.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake.
8. Let it cool in it's pan for 15 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to loosen it gently from the sides. Gently flip it onto a cooling rack and let it cool there completely.
9. While the cake is cooling, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and buttermilk. Once the cake has cooled, spoon the frosting over it. You may not use all of the frosting.

Note: My cake looks small and it's cause I halved the recipe to fit into my small bundt pan.

3.1

 I will be partying here:

PINK Saturday     http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Celebrate it Sunday     http://celebrateanddecorate.com
The Bouquet of Talent Party     www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Making Memories Monday     www.threekidsandafish.com
Inspire Me Monday     http://myuncommensliceofsuburbia.blogspot.com
Table it Monday     www.rustic-refined.com
Amaze Me Monday      www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com
Inspire Me Tuesday     www.astrollthrulife.net
No Place Like Home     http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Tuesdays Cuppa Tea     www.antiquesandteacups.info

Tea Cup Tuesdays     www.marthasfavorites.com
Berneedin's TTCG Blog party     http://blog.berneedins.com
TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME     http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday     http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Saturday Sparks     http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Silver Pennies Sunday     www.findingsilverpennies.com
Creative Mondays     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Table it Link Party     www.rustic-refined.com
Make it Pretty Monday     www.thededicatedhouse.com
Inspire Me Monday     www.create-with-joy.com

Inspiration Monday Party     http://redheadcandecorate.com
Busy Mondays     www.apinchofjoy.com
Mix it up Monday     www.flourmewithlove.com
The SCOOP     http://cedarhillfarmhouse.com
Tuesdays with a Twist    www.godsgrowinggarden.com
Brag About it Link Party     www.vmg206.com
Create Link Inspiration     http://nap-timecreations.com
You're Gonna Love it     www.kathewithane.com
The Wednesday Blog Hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Wordless Wednesday    http://ohmyheartsygirl.com
  














 

A Romantic Valentine's Setting

Hello sweet friends!

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's full of love and joy with your special man, with your kids, with a bunch of friends, with just your best friend; with whom ever you choose to celebrate the DAY of LOVE 2016.

I will be with my favorite man, Mr. Living and we'll have dinner together and the table is set for four for my Valentine's post because the table looks so much fuller and prettier, but, who knows, maybe we'll have a couple more, as maybe a brother and a Sil.

                                     Happy Valentine's 2016

My 2016 romantic Valentine's table setting.

Some of the friends that follow me know I have an entire set for twelve of this reticulated Ivory china and for my romantic Valentine's table I picked the dinner plate from it with a red and white transferware salad plate and an all red teacup and saucer for tea and dessert.

I paired the reticulated dinner plate with red transferware 'Old England' salad plate.

Ending with a red teacup and saucer made in Ecuador and I have a breakfast set of four of these. I love the happy red it is!

A shot from above, standing on a chair which Alejandro always says... 'You're gonna fall one of these days!'... can you believe it!

The centerpiece is displayed on top of my 'glass lazy-susan' and the cupids or cherubs sitting on a red heart taking centerstage, along with red flowers and red transferware teapot, creamer and sugar bowl. 

 

I made the table topper specially for Valentine's when I started blogging four years ago, cause I loved the fabric with different color hearts all over it, flowers and even butterflies.

The red stems are Italian from my C'mas stash.

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

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

Have a great and happy Valentine's!

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be partying here:

Make it Pretty Monday     http://thededicatedhouse.com
Inspire Me Tuesday     www.astrollthrulife.net
You're Gonna Love it Party     www.kathewithane.com
The SCOOP     www.worthingcourt.com
No Place Like Home     http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME     http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Refresh Your Room party     www.jenniferrizzo.com
Tuesdays with a Twist     www.godsgrowinggarde.com
Brag About it Party     www.vmg206.com
Berneedin's Tea Time     http://blog.berneedins.com

Wake up Wednesday     www.godsgrowinggarde.com
Wednesday Blog Hop     www.clairejustineoxox.com
Talk of the Town     http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com
It's a Party     http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Roses of Inspiration     http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com
Table it Link Party     www.lifeandlinda.com
Outdoor Wednesday     http://asoutherdaydreamer.blogspot.com
Share Your Style     www.thevintagenestblog.com
Tablescape Thursday     http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Wildly Original      http://igottacreate.blogspot.com

Grace at Home     www.impartinggrace.com
Share Your Style    www.21rosemarylane.com
Creative Ways Link party      www.posedperfection.com
Valentine's Inspiration party     http://my-littleinspirations.blogspot.it

Simple and Sweet Fridays     http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com
Thoughts of Home on Thursday     www.decortoadore.net
Wordless Wednesday Link Party    http://ohmyheartsygirl.com
Foodie Friday and Everything else     http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com
PINK SATURDAY     http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
A Morning Cup of Joe       http://thecottagemarket.com
Friday Frenzy     www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com
Home Sweet Home     http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
SATURDAY SHOW OFF     http://malevikrosentradgard.blogspot.com
Share it One More Time     http://evedayhomeblog.com
The CHAIN Link Party     http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Simple Saturdays Blog Hop     www.sunnysimplelife.com