Time for Tea

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you had 

a lovely and blessed Easter Holiday.

Thank you for all your Easter wishes
and lovely thoughts.

It means so much to me. 

I have had a quiet start to the week, 

and wanted to share a cup of tea with you, 

while making some garden plans. 

These lovely roses and lilies are 

from my sweet daughter, Jennie. 

I've put away the Easter decorations, 

tidied up the house, and now it's time for tea. 

Come join me - I have 

a little surprise to show you! 

A lovely tea set. 

I joined Stephanie's tea-cup exchange 

through her blog, The Enchanting Rose, 

and this sweet tea-set was sent to me from 

Marilyn who blogs at Delights of the Heart. 

A charming tea towel and herbal teas 

were also part of this generous gift. 

This is my first tea-cup exchange

and I'm so glad I joined. 

Thank you so much, Marilyn! 

When washing the tea-set, in preparation for tea, 

I happened to notice that each piece 

had a beautiful quote on 'Love' underneath!

 I baked some simple 'Cream Scones' 

to enjoy with my tea.

Here is the recipe: 

'Cream Scones' 

2 cups flour

2 tbsp sugar

2 + 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

4 tbsp cold butter, cut in pieces

3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream 

reserving more if dough is dry

and for top. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper

In lg bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt,

whisking well. 

Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture

until mixture resembles course crumbs. 

Add the cream, stirring and patting together with hands. 

If mixture seems dry, add more cream, one tbsp at a time. 

Turn dough onto lightly floured board and knead 3-4 times. 

Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. 

Cut with a round biscuit cutter 

and place on baking sheet 2" apart. 

Brush tops with a little cream. 

Sprinkle with sugar, if desired. 

Bake approximately 10 minutes or until edges 

are light golden brown and toothpick 

inserted in center comes out clean. 

I like mine with a little butter
 and blackberry jam :) 

So does Kai, apparently! 

I chose the Peppermint tea today. 

This tea is from the Pacific Northwest

(where I live), although I have never seen it before. 

It was so wonderfully rich and delicious. 

The packet describes it as 'A great after dinner treat, 

midday breath freshener or car rear-view mirror dangler'! 

I will be sending for more at smithtea.com 

While sipping and nibbling, I enjoyed 

garden planning with some lovely books.

These were written in the 1980's with wonderful illustrations. 

A joy to read. 

I've kept garden journals for many years. 

My latest entry - flower arrangements 

by Lady Butchart, in Victoria B.C. 

copied from Lorrie's lovely blog, Fabric Paper Thread
where she has done a post about The Butchart Gardens.

My sweet sis-in-law, Teresa,
gifted me with the pretty paper weight
made with real flowers.

Another sweet SIL, Donna gifted me with this
precious volume, dated 1912.

I grew up and met Ramblin' Man
in New England where his
sisters still live.

It's been very cool today,
with brief moments of sunshine,
as I gaze out the glass doors.

The forecast is for sunshine and warmth
the rest of the week, so I am preparing
to spend my time in the gardens.

My tea and scone was delicious,
and I enjoyed my little break
with you, my friends,
(and Whitey Bear and Kai :)

There are few hours in life more
agreeable than the hour dedicated to the
ceremony known as afternoon tea.

- Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady -

xoxo

Today I am linking with:

Cooking and Crafting with J & J

The Art of Homemaking Mondays