Here’s my very own House of Creativity, all decked out for Valentine’s Day! Wouldn’t it be great if I could make smoke rings in the shape of white hearts come from the chimney? (Someone should invent a Valentine heart chimney insert!). Right now, snow is pouring down outside my window, big heavy flakes, a little bit heart-shaped, filling the sky . . . Of course, there is perfect music for this . . .
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
See my windows full of hearts? Our house is at the end of a long street; people come to a stop sign here and face my house, just like this. Because of all the one-way streets, pretty soon everyone has to pass this stop sign in order to get where they’re going on this island. ♥ I feel a certain responsibility to provide a some entertainment for people when they get here; it’s perfect for the short attention span! So I decorated my windows with leftover spray snow from Christmas. I made heart templates, little and big, from a piece of clear acetate. I’ve also made templates from cardboard, but they get a little soggy after about the twentieth heart! You could probably do it all faster with heart doilies!
We got a Valentine from a very special person yesterday! She knows who she is! (Thank you 1000 times ♥) Here it is, on our kitchen wall this morning, before the sun came up. This will be here from now on, every Valentine’s Day, forever! ♥ I love it!
What, I asked myself, can I give the girls this snowy Saturday that has it All? It needs to be sweet and Valentiney, it needs to include chocolate (yes, of course it does), it needs to be delicious enough to give away to someone they love, but simple enough so it’s not a lifetime in the kitchen; it needs to look good on a tea table; it needs to make the kitchen smell good; and it would be very handy if the ingredients were in my cupboard NOW. I thought about my chewy, bendy chocolaty Brownies (so here’s the recipe for those, particularly appreciated by kids, in case you are so inclined ♥) but I was looking for the true Valentine coup de grace, I wanted something heart-shaped. And, so, Voila!
ORANGE and CHOCOLATE CHIP TEA BISCUITS!
I love the flavor of orange with chocolate . . . this is an easy-to-make heart-shaped tea biscuit with melty chocolate chips, the perfect little thing to put on a saucer next to a cup of tea.
Here’s how it’s done; a concise recipe will be waiting for you at the bottom of this post, (if you make it through this whole thing 🙂 and actually, that’s not all that’s waiting for you at the bottom!)
Preheat the oven to 400°; put softened unsalted butter and cream cheese into a deep bowl . . .
Add grated orange zest (P.S. I hope you have one of these wonderful zesters! They’re like razor blades you drag lightly across the fruit, easy, painlessly, gathering the zest in the tray; then pop into your recipe! Best new invention since a MacBook Pro!)
Excuse me, time out: Water came to a boil, need to stop and fill my cup!
OK, toss the orangy goodness into the bowl . . .
Use a hand mixer to beat everything together until smooth . . . mmm, cream cheese, butter and orange . . .
Scrape down the batter in the bowl . . .
Add sour cream for richness and tender crumb. BTW, Don’t you think that when the world lost Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald that an overall mistake was made? Don’t you want to say, please, put them back? They left us music divine.
♥ H E A V E N ♥
Stir in two tablespoons of granulated sugar . . .
Gradually beat in a little flour until well blended . . . Oh-oh, check out the top of the refrigerator, we have company . . .
Speaking of Valentine’s! ♥ ♥ ♥
More beating of the flour . . .
Add mini chocolate chips — if you like walnuts, which I do, you can add them here too . . . which I would if we hadn’t run out! Almost had all the ingredients; but trust me, with them or without them, the word is Y U M.
Stir well, my little darlings . . .
Put a heaping tsp. of dough into each cup of an ungreased miniature muffin pan (I took this photo to show you what a heaping tsp. looks like) . . . I used my black-iron heart muffin pan, which I’ve had for a hundred years — I’ve truly gotten my money’s worth out of it! When it’s not in use, it makes my pantry wall look cute by hanging there. I know a secret about this muffin pan, I’ll tell you at the end of this post!
You want to fill the cups completely down into the little points, around the curved tops, so you have good shapes, and level the surface of the dough.
And bake 15-17 minutes until light brown . . .
Now look who showed up . . . Girl Kitty! Speaking of heaven!
We are complete: we have Beauty on the table, Beast is on the fridge, biscuits are in the oven, and all’s right with the world.
♥ ♥ ♥
Have a basket ready, line it with a clean tea towel . . . pop the biscuits right out of the pan into the basket, you don’t have to let them cool first.
Beautiful and delicious, they can bake as you put on the tea water, and be done by the time the tea has steeped . . . the orange is what you smell first, the chocolate melts on your tongue, and you are happy. ♥
I’m only tellin’ it how it is.
I tried them with this delicious new honey I put on everything these days (it came from Door County by the way, Pat, and all you others who know about and love that neck of the woods — you have the market cornered when it comes to butter burgers and honey!) — but I have to say, although it was delicious, it was gilding the lily; these tea biscuits are good just as they are, straight from the oven; you don’t need butter, you don’t need jam or syrup; you need nothing more. If you are looking for additional cuteness, and who isn’t, you can always sift over a little powdered sugar!
Serve one of these tea biscuits next to a cup of breakfast tea; put them in a basket for a tea party; or if you have a fun Valentine’s tin — they are a wonderful surprise, arranged on a lace doily and dropped by a friend’s house.
And, the secret I had about this muffin pan? Are you ready? OK, this pan, along with the heart-shaped Emma Bridgewater tin in the picture above — they are my Valentine gift to one of you. We’re having another drawing, and even though every one of you is totally deserving, one lucky girl is going to walk away with these two memories of Valentine’s Day 2012! Just leave a comment below (click on the tiny gray letters that say “comment” and you’ll be entered! I figure if I do this often enough and long enough, sooner or later, every one of you will win something with love from the heart of the home and me! That’s my plan.
♥ ♥ ♥
SATURDAY MORNING MARTHA’S VINEYARD
XXXXXOOOOO
Have you heard Paul McCartney’s new Valentine song? Go get a tissue, this is wonderful. I hear love for his new wife in this song, but I think I hear a bit of yearning for Linda too. ♥ Sad. 🙁 But Beautiful.
Bye for now girls . . . have a wonderful weekend!
ORANGE & CHOCOLATE CHIP TEA BISCUITS
- 1/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
- 1 – 3oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
- grated zest of one orange
- 1/2 c. sour cream
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 c. self-rising flour
- 1/3 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 c. chopped walnuts (opt.)
Preheat oven to 400°. In a deep, medium-sized bowl, using a hand mixer on slow speed, beat together butter, cream cheese, and zest until smooth. Scrape down the bowl, add sour cream and sugar and beat well. Gradually beat in flour until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Put a heaping tsp. of dough in each cup of an ungreased miniature muffin tin (heart-shaped if you have it, but just as delicious if it’s round), filling the space completely and leveling the surface of the dough. Bake 15-17 minutes until light brown. Pop biscuits out into a basket lined with a tea towel … cover to keep warm. Can be reheated. Makes a dozen tea biscuits. Make these for you and someone you love. ♥
Hi Susan,
Oh the Hearts in your Window
The snow falling outside your door
A new scrumptious recipe for us girlfriends
Always keeps us wanting more
Thanks Susan………Happy Valentines Day!
Thank you Barb! Lovely!
Dear Susan
A Valentine Prayer
“I said a Valentine prayer for you, and asked the lord above to fill your heart and bless your soul with the precious gift of love.
“I asked him for sincere love the kind that’s meant to stay, just like the generous love you give to those you touch each day!!!
I pray for love from family and from every cherished friend! then I asked the lord to give you his love that knows no end…
“Happy Valentines Day Susan…XO
Beautiful Kimi! Thank you!
Love all things heart-shaped…for now will use a round muffin tin for the biscuits – mini-muffin pan OK? Love the kit-kat pics and all things ♥ – day!
Just read the recipe closely…answered my own ?…..duh 🙂
Saw the duh comment first . . . a girl after my own heart! 🙂 Duh!
Your muffin tin is precious, not much of a chance to win with 886 people ahead of me! But I will have to locate two, one for my best friend and one for me. I think our husbands deserve a little love in the morning too!
Happy Valentines Day to you both from me and the cowboy!
Yes but we leave that part up to you! 🙂
LOVE your blog and emails!!! and I want to make those buscuits!!! Your kitties are too cute!
Pleeze enter me in your give-away! ((HUGGZ)) <3
I’d love a tin!
The tea biscuits are just the touch I need for Valentine’s Day. Thanks for the recipe – and for all the beautiful inspiration you send out. Marilyn
Hi Susan,
Those teacakes look delicious…..I can almost smell them. When I make pancakes I use heart shaped molds. Everything looks better as a heart. Thanks for sharing…love your blog. 🙂
Maureen
Dear Susan,
It is time to run, not walk, to the kitchen to try this new delicious recipe on a cold Sunday morning. Thanking you again for your delightful messages you leave for all of us wherever we might be.
Happy Valentine’s Day
It’s 17 degrees here in Georgia this morning! I can almost “smell” those yummy looking tea biscuits. I think I’ll have to go and check the pantry for ingredients. Thanks so much for the chance to win! Enjoy your snow!
Thanks so much for the recipe. Going to make these for my son, my forever and always Valentine.
Your Valentine post and recipe was the perfect thing for someone who does not have a Valentine this year. It inspired me to decorate my home with red doilies and help the kids with thier school valentines.
I always say “be your own valentine” — you can really do it up right! 🙂
Susan,
Those biscuits look sooooo good, I can’t wait to try them and your house, as always, looks so cute for Valentines Day. I would love to drive by and see all of those adorable hearts in the window….you can just feel the love.
Would love to win this valentine muffin pan. Your recipe makes my mouth water. Yummmm…
Thanks for the chat and inspiration….. sooo glad I found your blog. What a wonderful bright spot in my world! And a kindred spirit….
Happy Valentine’s Day to You and Yours!
Loving the kitty video! I smile just to look at Jack, and Girl Kitty just warms my heart every time I look at her. Love, love, love the whole blog, Susan! Thank you, THANK YOU for doing what you do.
Leslie
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM ME TO YOU SUSAN….Thank you for the delicious recipe for the heart shaped tea biscuits and for giving your lovely pan away….I hope you have an extra one for you?? I agree with you about Paul McCartney’s true love and heart belonging to Linda…..I’m wishing him luck with his new fiance this go around. So sad this morning with the loss of Whitney Houston….so many gifted/talented souls lost to soon. I loved the video of Girl with Jack watching from above…..again, thank you for your big heart and generous giving to the Girlfriends!!!
This receipe is just perfect! Thank you. Would love to win the pan
The cats are always fun to see. Happy Valentines to you!
I would love the tin and the muffin pan, and the cats, too, but they aren’t in the giveaway, are they?
Noooo, couldn’t do that!!! 🙂
Susan, we’re expecting our first snowfall of the season late tonight/early tomorrow morning, and these tea biscuits look like the perfect thing for a snowy day! I made your hot milk cake (and sauce) this past week & it was so so good — can’t wait to try this. Thanks for taking so much time to share your wonderful thoughts, life, etc. with your girlfriends. Happy Valentine’s Day!
What a cute muffin pan! Thanks for the chance to win.
I had snow at my house yesterday too!!!! lovely. I’m going to make these biscuits and bring them to work to share. Here’s hoping they come out ok! Would love to win your pan so next year the biscuits will be heart shaped!
They will and everyone will love you! xoxo
Happy Valentine’s Day, Susan! Thanks for sharing your funny Jack and beautiful Girl with us…they make me giggle. The muffins look amazing and sound perfect. Your blog has become an inspiration for me each day. Thank you.
I’m going to make those for Daughter and Hubby on Valentine’s Day morning! What a wonderful way to start the day…I can smell them (and taste ’em) already! Thanks for your constant inspiration, Susan!
Remember the valentine boxes in elementary school? The teacher would decorate a hatbox with colored paper hearts, paper doilies, and ruffled crepe paper and the top would have a large enough slit to accommodate the biggest valentines. We were all given a turn to pass out a few valentines to our classmates when the box was finally opened. My girlfriends and I would get together that evening to count how many we each got, especially the valentines from BOYS!!! That’s what really counted.
I do remember those decorated boxes, wish I had one from back then!!
Susan, I love the recipes and all of the creative ideas you share. The music and pictures make me feel like I’m a welcomed visitor in your home and I always look forward to receiving my e-mails from you. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess. Happy Valentines!
Thank you Frankie!
Love you, love your kitties, love your blog!!
There is only one happiness in life…to love and be loved. George Sands
Your house is just adorable. My Grandma Gracie decorated for every holiday, including Valentines. I am making that my personal vow this year to decorate for the passing seasons.
You don’t need a heart chimney insert, girl, you just need Photoshop to put hearts in the pictures. Have fun this week and give Joe an extra kiss from all of “girls”. He seems like such a sweetheart.
That would look cute — but you know how when people used to smoke, they blew smoke rings . . . I think it would be fun to have a smoke ring blower in my chimney, only instead of rings, they would be hearts. Joe says, “Good idea, how are you going to do that?” I said, “That’s what I need YOU for!” 🙂
I love the hearts in your windows! They are quite fetching! Ha I love that word! SO, my daughter is sitting here next to me and she sees the picutres of your kitties and asks….why does she always have the cats on here? I tell her its because you loooove them, and she says, I would love them too, so can I borrow them? Aww…..well, I had to let her down easy. My darling british husband loves his “puddings” (desserts for those who do not know british language). He loves chocolate most of all. I do not enjoy chocolate. I know somehow I am a freak of nature, being a girl who doesnt love it, but there you go! So I am looking for a fabulous rich and dark chocolatey something or other to make for him on Vday! Any suggestions? Happy Happy Valentines Day to you!!!! Pollyannna
Too many to say, I hope you have my Autumn Book — go to Birthday Cake — it’s a flourless chocolate cake to die for, if you have a heart-shaped springform pan (or a round one of course!), you are done, no more worries! 🙂
Ooh thats sounds like a winner! I bought your Autumn book for my mom a few years ago, so Ill call her right away! Thanks for your suggestion!! The Brit will be thrilled Im sure! Xoxoxoxoxo
Tell him I wish him a Happy Valentine’s Day too!
I am going to try the chocolate molten cakes that were on Sharon Lovejoy’s blog the other day….looked decadent!
Hi Susan,
Bless you for inspiring so many of us with your whimsy!
ashley
I am smitten with Jack and his silly moustache! He looks like the king of all he surveys sitting on the fridge. Loved your blog this morning (and every day!), and wanted to jump right up and start baking – the tea biscuits look scrumptious. I think I could even smell them through the computer, Yummm. Thanks for the great recipe, and a wonderous giveaway!
Oh, what a nice cozy message from you this one is, all full of hot tea, warm muffins, purring kitties, and hearts, all topped with a dusting of snowflakes… what could be nicer?
(…well, winning the tin and pan, but other than that – perfection!)
♥ A Happy Valentine’s Day to you and all the girlfriends! ♥
Love the kitties!
Joy
Would love the tin and I thank you for the opportunity to win it, but greater thanks for being such a kindred spirit and inspiration to us!
You have to be one of the sweetest people in the world : ). I so enjoy your blog….
Happy Valentines Day to you!
I’m not that sweet, but I’m really glad it’s coming across that way!!! 🙂
Elizabeth, I’ve met her in person and she really is a sweet person! 🙂 LOL
LOL Pat!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY 🙂
Dear Susan,
It is such a pleasure to have my second cup of morning coffee and read your blog. It is like chatting with an friend. Thank you for the time you share with all of us who read your blog. Happy Valentine’s Day!
PS: after months of unseasonably warm weather we have lake effect snow here in Ohio. The kind that has big flakes and makes the christmas trees look magical.
This morning is a wonderland in Cheyenne, WY. Last night we had fog. Couple that with snow and temps in single digits and everything is coated with frost, right down to the barbed wire.
If only I were the one to be blessed by this dear valentine drawing, I’d be
spinning in happiness.
All the best and my thanks for everything.
Mornin’ Susan! Loved the kiddy-viddy! My two bunnies, Oreo and Daisy Jane would love to come and play! They have a ball with a jingle that they like to push around and play with too. Daisy Jane may outweigh Jack at this point!! I have a mini-chocolate chip muffin recipe I have made for years, but will modify it now to incorporate the wonderful additions of orange and sour cream! Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine Day to you and your vineyard family!
Kiddy Viddy … you girls are hot this morning! 🙂
That’s right, when you live on a “T” you have everyone taking a good look at your house…and how lovely it is. Thanks for including the recipe and a giveaway!
Perfect way to describe it…yes, I’m the middle of the top of the T!
Susan,
I love seeing your house and what you do for Valentine’s Day. I use your calendars from years past to decorate my kitchen and family room for Valentine’s Day. I turn all of my past calendars to “February,” and my house is a happy water color Valentine’s party. (My mom has given me, my best friend, and my sister in law your calendars for years. So when I get to their houses for different holidays—it looks like my house, we all do it.) I set them up in plate holder and recipe readers.
Christl
Cute! I should do that too! 🙂
I love the heart muffin pan but I hope your not giving yours away. I put your Hot Milk Cake recipe and the heart shaped Girlfriends Forever in my Valentine Day cards to my girlfriends. I laminated them and cut them into HEART shapes:) Thank you always for sharing your home and family (Beauty and the Beast:)) Have a nice day.
No it’s not mine, we carry them in our store, it’s one of those — mine has too many memories in it to give away!
adore this blog post- always forward to my daughters who are away at school- it feels like a piece of home sent their way!
Happy Valentine’s Day Susan and Joe. Love your blog with GREAT music!
Valentine’s Day is big in our hearts. We’re finishing up our Valentines this weekend. We make them each year. This year it’s small colored paper hearts all connected to make one big heart ~ alot of gluing!! And now I have the perfect little something to bake Valentine’s Day morning . . . thank you!!
The heart-shaped pan would make them complete! <3
Happy Almost Valentines Day Susan!! Cant wait to try this recipe. I have already made your hot milk cake 3 times. There are never any leftovers, and it is so easy to make!! Love the 2 kitty pictures -I just want to hug them both 🙂 Have a wonderful Sunday
Susan, Once again you have wowed us. I just ordered one of those zesters. I have finally arrived at the time in my life to LOVE me! I am my own valentine and we are going to have a great day. As always, I love your posts. I love sitting here with my tea and reading and listening to the music. I also agree about Ella and Louis. I listen to them all the time, especially when they sing Cole Porter. (heart thump) I just received my copy of Paul’s new CD and agree with you about his new love and the love for Linda. (I was always in favor of that relationship since he didn’t marry me, he married another Linda!– That from the perspective of a small child in love with Paul McCartney. ) Have a wonderful Valentine’s day with Joe and the kitties.
Love that you are your own Valentine!! Life’s way too short not to be!
Dear Susan,
You always warm my ♥ with all your wonderful pictures and ideas!
My ♥ really needs warming today though since it’s only36° in sunny Florida!
Love,
from another Susan
OK, while I am really excited about trying these biscuits—the minute I get home—the real excitement for me was the ‘top-of-fridge’ picture. That is the most handsome cat ever, and what a lovely valentine surprise for us all!!
Thanks so much—Leslie
I just love your kitty videos. They are so cute, and they brighten my day. I must get to the store for ingredients to make the tea biscuits. I will have to bake them in a small muffin tin pan that I have, so they won’t be valentiny, but I’m sure they will be good anyway. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Susan, I loved your comment about Beauty and the Beast. We call our kitty “the little beast”. We have so many nicknames for him, depending on what he’s up to at any given moment.
Those heart-shaped muffins look divine. What a wonderful, yummy treat on a cold Winter day!
I know whoever wins the heart-shaped muffin pan will put it to good use. And what an honor to use something that was used by our favorite homemaker!!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Oh noooo, I hope I didn’t give that impression . . . I’m giving someone a brand new one, mine has little bits of prehistoric biscuit dough stuck to it!!!
Be still my heart! I would love to win your Valentine gifts! My husband and I have tea every afternoon, since we are both retired and spend a lot of time together! I would love to make your heart shaped biscuits for him…..
What a great way to celebrate together at tea time!
Hi Susan!
WOW! Almost 1,000 comments on this sweet post! You are truly bringing a lot of happiness to so many fan girlfriends ..I’m so happy to be one of them! Your house looks so pretty all decked out with window hearts. Your idea to use the “snow'” spray with a heart template to make them is such a neat idea I am going to borrow! 🙂
Your orange chocolate chip scones look so delicious and especially so because of their heart shape. I love the zester you used ..it looks so sharp and I like how the zest collects on top without making a mess.
I agree when I heard Paul McCarthy’s new song that his is remembering Linda, and I think his new wife would be OK with that. It is a very sweet song.
Have a very beautiful Sunday!
Hugs,
Pat
I think she would too, which makes it even better.
Okay, no beating about the bush here, me and my two kitties say ~ we havta have your valentines heart pan, we hafta have your valentines heart pan, we hafta have your valentines heart pan…..PLEEEEZZZZZEEEE!!!!!! and thank you!
I’m going to make some of your muffins for Sunday afternoon tea – they sound wonderful. I’ve just been reading in the newspaper about how Valentine’s day is over-commercialized, and not really a holiday at all. But I think that whatever opportunity we have to make a day special for our beloveds and ourselves is worthwhile. Thanks for helping us celebrate!
Somebody trying to stir things up!
Your recipe is a wonderful Valentine to all of us! My husband loves the orange/chocolate combo so I can’t wait to try the recipe. I always enjoy Girl and Jack and the hearts in your windows are adorable! I, too, consider it my “civic duty” to decorate for each and every holiday and season.
Yes, civic duty! 🙂
That heart shaped muffin tin is super cute, if I don’t win it I may just have to go out and find one!
We do have them in our web store if you don’t find one (or win it!!) — I linked to it at the bottom of the post!
I think today we will make some valentines. My older son (2yrs) has a nasty cough and cold so we need to do some quiet things to stay busy. He will like a little craft project. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Poor baby! Get well soon.
Thank you for all the loveliness I find when I stop by here.
I am excited to make those biscuits. They won’t be nearly as lovely as yours in that heart shaped pan. 🙂
Hi Susan & All My “Girlfriends”
Since we are speaking of hearts….I’d like to just take a moment Sue and share a few matters from my heart (and I’m sure a few of the “girlfriends” might be able to connect with this, since we are all kindered spirits.) I know you hear all the time how wonderful your blog is and how much everyone loves you and your paintings and your kitties and Joe of course, but I wanted to sincerely tell you this Valentines Day that…..you do make a difference in my life. Your like a friend who comes for coffee and shares what’s on her mind, what she’s up too. You share things that touch your heart at the same time your touching mine. Life is so much nicer when you have people in it that make you feel special and for alot of us….you do that. I can only hope that our posts return the feeling that I get when I come here for a visit. You have a way of making us feel like we’re friends that just pick up the phone and call your home for a little chat. I’ve met so many nice women here and we share a friendship on FB. We share pictures and cards ….well….things that girlfriends do….all because of you. Thanks so much for being who you are and I thank your parents for raising you to be such an open and loving person. Happy Valentine’s Day! Please give Joe a peck on the cheek from all the “Girlfriends”! FOSB 4~Ever! ~ Doreen ~
Thank you Doreen – I think it’s all a big two way street, for all you say I do, you, and all our girlfriends, do it too! We are just recognizing it in each other! xoxo
I love the cozy warm I’m home feeling it gives me…that’s why I need my SB fix everyday. The “girlfriends” posts do it too. Sometimes I just sit here and laugh my head off. If someone was looking in my window they would think I was nuts. Like last night….I was bored and I turned on the computer and there you were giving me something to do…make muffins!!!! I sat here last night at 11:30 eating muffins and drinking a cup of tea thinking…..I wish Sue lived in my neighborhood! We do have our own private little neighborhood going on here I think….don’t you? Well, enjoy the rest of your day…there’s one muffin left and I think I’ll have it with my afternoon tea. FOSB 4~Ever! ~ Doreen ~
Can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks so yummy. By the way, the milk cake recipe was a winner too! Love your house decorations and your Sue & Joe Valentine. It’s very cute.
PS….Are you sure your cats are not people? I think they think they are 🙂
I think you’re right!
Your recipe looks heavenly, especially with Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald singing in the background. : ) Thank you for the lovely valentine post.
I’m a romantic, and would love to make these biscuits in your muffin pan!! Thanks for the giveaway, and have a lovely Valentine’s Day. Kathie L in Allentown
OH my I love this pan!! I used to have a heart waffle maker and loved it, but sadly it broke. I am going to try the muffins they look so good!! ( will they work out fine even if I don’t have a cast iron pan??) Valentines Day is my most favorite day of all, since I was a little girl!!!
They’ll be just fine!
You make everything sound so beautiful and yummy and homey. Can I come live with you? LOL
Hahaha Kathy…get to be back of the line! We are all want the same thing. I could just move into the Peter Rabbit room by the time the sun goes down tonight. Why…I’d even let Jack sleep on the end of the bed with me. Every thing looks so homey and cozy, don’t ya think? FOSB 4~Ever! ~ Doreen ~
Having a wonderful “snow globe” snowfall here – perfect weather to make biscuits ( in a sweet heart biscuit pan)!
Happy Valentines day….my valentine arrived a week early.our grandson walked in the door from afganistan and surprised me to death. He is on a RR from the army . Only one of his friends knew he was coming.it sure was unexpected
Hugs
Pat
How fabulous! Have fun!!
Oh what a delicious treat to see this morning 🙂 well dinner time now lol
Just what the doctor called for 🙂
We had a bad ice storm last night. We lose a juniper, birch and my plumm tree so far 🙁 Grandma tree took a beating too, poor old thing.
Perfect day for a nice post from you <3 loved all the pictures, can't wait to try them!
Have a nice day!
Love,
Denise of Ingleside
Oh, so many comments here, but I cannot pass up the chance to win a heart-shaped muffin tin & heart box; they are my favorite motif of all. I think the muffins will be a wonderful addition to a cold Valentine’s morning here in St.Louis, too : ) Thank you again, Susan, for all the hearts, all your books & all your blog entries!
Lucious recipe, cuddley cats, cozy kitchen ~ thanks for sharing your Saturday morning!
Good morning, Susan~
We’re on our way over to spend some time with my dear sister, Wendy, who lost her husband just 4 mos. ago. I’m going to quickly bake up a batch of these biscuits to take to her before we leave. I’m sure this is going to be a lonely Valentine’s Day for her. I do wish I already had the heart-shaped pan but oh, well… The heart part will be baked right into the muffins, right?
I wish I could show you a picture of my backyard this morning…..just like a winter wonderland! So pretty with about 5 or 6 inches of newly fallen snow! The white snow brings such a lightness to the morning…..thank you, Lord!
Wishing you and Joe a very loving, romantic Valentine’s Day… hope you’re able to celebrate all you mean to each other!
Talk to you soon…
Debbiexoxo
Love to you and to Wendy!
Thanks so much, Sue. We had a very nice afternoon….she loved the tea biscuits…they were so yummy with our pot of coffee. We spoke a bit about you and your wonderful blog and I learned that one of her fondest memories ever is of a romantic trip that she and her husband took to Edgartown for a long week-end several years ago. They had a fabulous time and always wanted to return. It was good to talk about some of her happy memories today.
I’m sure that meant a lot to her Debbie! ♥
I doubt that comment # nearly 1000 has a chance! I’ve been a fan since I first purchased Heart of the Home in the 80’s? 90’s? Thanks!
Susan you have inspired me to organize a tea luncheon for my work girlfriends. Eight of us will meet in a room at our work place and share a pretty lunch. One gal will bring in real china cups and plates and cloth napkins and everyone will bring food. I will be making tea sandwiches cut in heart shapes and tea that brews pink color. I have printed your Love bookmark and will write on the back”a good friend with a good book is love” Thank you for motivating me with each of your stories 🙂
Your work is perfect! That’s how it should be!! Loved this story xoxo Tell everyone I said Hello — leave a chair there for me!!
Susan, I love the hearts on your windows. This is why: About 20 years ago, when I was about 20 years old, I walked to work everyday and back home. Everyday, I passed this one house that made me happy, and gave me hope, and planted the seedlings of what my future life and self would blossom into, as I gained more understanding of my own self, and worked toward realizing my potential. Growing up, we were not allowed to celebrate holidays of any kind or do anything that other people did like be a girl scout, socialize…basiclly anything fun. Fun was out (religion). I got away from that as soon as I left home. Back to this house…..it was a plain ranch brick house in a neighborhood of retired folks who had mostly lived there a long time, so I picture the Lady who lived there as 50+. She decorated ALL the windows of her house for every single Holiday you can think of. She had a fake white Christmas tree in the front window, that stayed all year, rotating ornaments and thems to go with the current holiday. For Valentines, she had BIG red hearts all over the Christmas tree and doilly hearts on all the windows – pink, red and white. St. Patricks Day, big green shamrocks all over the tree and windows. It changed all the time, duckies and eggs for Easter, Turkeys and pumpkins, Flags…….. it brought such joy and hope to my heart. I am a huge lover of Holidays and decorating and although vinyl clings on every window is a bit much even for me, it like to do a little bit in a mirror or small space just kind of im rememberance and honor of that lady and her house, and the blessing that it was to my heart. The baby is crying…you get the jist. Love you! well, bye!
I do get the jist, the celebration of the joy of life, God’s gift to us all. Love it Tamar!
Hi Susan,
I just finished reading ‘Autumn” and couldn’t get enough. Can’t wait to read them all. They put me in a perfect state of mind. I have been looking everywhere for that iron muffin pan and here it is on your blog. I’ll be making your recipe today as I have everything (except the nuts) in the house. Thank you so much for the perfect tea time treat for today. Wish me luck!
Good luck Rita May!
I want to live at your house. You always have something yummy cooking and I your house looks so comfy and cozy. Happy Valentines Day!
Wait! You’re giving away your sweet muffin tin after all these years? You really must LOVE “The Girlfriends”! (and we love you right back<3).
Your post today took on a personal note when I got to the picture of honey being put on one of your darling muffins…. the little dish the muffin is sitting on is the china pattern I grew up eating off of every day. My mother's "wedding "china (she's in her 80's now)- "Bristol" English Ironstone. She let me have one of her cup and saucers to put on a shelf in my kitchen so I could think of her and get a little rush-of-home when I look at it…
Oh, no … not mine — as I told someone else, mine has prehistoric biscuit dough stuck to it — I found these heart pans, put them in my web store, I’m sending one of those — the same thing, but new!! Love that charming Bristol!!
I’m going to make a batch of these yummy tea treats right now! I’d love to win the muffin pan and the tin – hearts are my favorite shape any time of year and your ideas for using them everywhere from your windows to the tea table are inspirational. Joe must be a very happy guy! I wish you both a hundred more Happy Valentine’s Days!
Monica
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for answering my e-mail reply and getting me to this point. I truly am one of your biggest fans, and was hoping somehow to be able to be a small part of your millions of friends out there. Your blogs lighten up so many of my days, as I am quite home-bound with my hubby who has Alzheimer’s. And being an original New Englander from MA, too, I can relate to many of your stories. Thank you for letting us pick through the “nooks and crannies” of your brain . . . and opening up a new and comfy fantasy world for many of us.
Oh good Jeannine, now you can read everyone else’s comments and join the girlfriends! Love having you here! Best to you, so sorry about the tough time you are going through, you are a hero. Don’t ever forget that part!
Valentine’s is special to me because my hubby and I began seeing each other after a dance on valentines! It will be 31 years since we started our journey together and it has brought us a beautiful daughter, a handsome son and as they both married in the last two years our family is growing! I don’t have a heart pan but I am going to try these biscuits as they look NUMMY!
Thank you for the recipe. It sounds soooo good! The muffin pan and tin are too. What a kind giveaway!
Susan,
The tea biscuits sound wonderful! I love heart shaped things,always have. That pan is really cute. Thanks for the recipe! Also enjoyed your Valentine decorations. I usaually decorate too, but am not quite feeling well enough to do that yet. But, Easter is coming! Happy Valentines Day to you!! Jan
Hope you feel better soon Jan!
From your heart (muffin tin)
to my heart 😉
My fingers and toes are crossed that it finds the way to my kitchen!
Hearts to You Susan!!
I just got up and made my self a cup of tea and sat down to read my e-mails, where of course I must see if “Susan” has any new posts first. And to my delight Yes! she has. I now am going back down to the kitchen to make some scones to go with my tea and then continue my e-reading. Thank You Susan! You are such an inspiration!
I am off to switch on the oven…those look good for tea! Thanks Susan xxx
Greetings Susan,
Reading your blog makes me smile each and every time:) I also have a tuxedo kitty that reminds me of Jack. His name is Ace and he is a big love <3
Happy Valentines Day to you and yours-
Lisa
Every blog post is like a mini-vacation! When I read them, I connect to someone who’s so much like myself, while I’m transported to a place of peace and tranquility! Thank you for bringing that to me!
So glad to have you here Tammy!
I love the white hearts in the windows!!!! What a cute idea. Since buying your books I have made so many more soups than I ever used to and always in my big cast iron dutch oven. Partly because I love seeing it on my stove top. :o) Hope my name is drawn for the precious little cast iron heart pan. :o)
I know exactly what you mean! I do that too, get inspired by cooking equipment!! 🙂
Happy Valentines Day! Love your blog. Very inspirational. I also love tea towels and all kitchen things. Would love to bake “anything” in the sweet heart mold pan.
I saw my first Robin yesterday, actually, 4 Robins in my front yard. I live in Missouri. I always wait to see this sweet bird, to know Spring is here. So early, I hope they know something we don’t. Expecting 3 in. snow tomorrow. Our first, this year, amazing. Thank you for the “Valentine Gift”, I hope I see them at my house soon.. With Love and Prayers, Lana
Happy Valentines Day Susan,
Your house looks so festive. I especially love yor kitchen assistant, Jack. All he needs is a tiny chefs hat. I once had a fluffy grey cat named George who loved to watch me make pie. Nary a grey hair was found in my pies. Thanks goodness, because I couldn’t bare to tell her she could watch me roll out pie dough.
I love your muffins – they look delicious. I can’t wait to try the recipe. Hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!
I can’t wait to make these little biscuits, they will be perfect for our Valentine’s
Day Tea Party. We are expecting a rainy Valentine’s Day here in Westlake Village, CA.
We will have our tea party in front of the fire, just my husband, myself and our white kitty snowflake. I am loving reading “Dancing with Mrs. Dalloway.” It should be mandatory reading for all students. I think if they knew what inspired these famous writers, they might be inspired to read more I know I am. I love to read but know I would like to go back and read somethings I hadn’t read before.
I always look forward to your blogs, like a letter from a friend.
Love, Doris
And maybe inspired to try for something themselves! It’s a wonderful book!
Thanks for the recipe. Also, for the inspiration I receive every time I read your blog. Have you thought about making products for teachers? I would love to decorate with your style in my classroom.
I’ve thought about it!! Maybe someday! Would be fun!
thanks so much for the ~i~n~s~p~i~r~a~t~i~o~n~ that you bring to us! I love, love, love the heart-shaped muffin tins!
I live on a street where lots of cars pass on their way to work and home again later in the day. I have often thought of my opportunity to spread a little joy by changing things out for the season. One time I went to my mail box to discover a post card from an anonymous neighbor, thanking me for the tulips we planted in our garden. She said she and her children talk about them every day when they go to school. Spreading a little joy is an important thing to do!!
Love that! So nice that you did that!
You are so right need a tissue for Pauls new song….Loved it..Thanks. Always enjoy seeing Jack and Girl K.
Hi Susan,
I love the heart-shaped muffin pan and the heart tin and hope I win. Also, loved listening to Louis and Ella singing while reading your blog. Your house looks so pretty with the valentines in the window. Happy Valentines Day. The biscuit recipe looks delicious too!!
Looking forward to making the Tea Biscuits, and maybe one day (soon) in a heart shaped pan.
May your Valentine Day be special, of course it will, you have Jo. :>)
Thank you for another wonderful give away, I sure would love to bake with that heart shaped pan. Please put my name in the hat, and please draw my name!
Smiles, Barbara
This recipe sounds delicious and I happen to have all the ingredients…except the heart shaped pan, so drop biscuits will have to do! Winter has finally found us here in Illinois and snow is predicted for Monday, so a good week to cook, bake and eat. Hopefully my SB order will arrive on Monday so I can have tea in my new hearts cup while having a biscuit.
Thank you for your tour last week – loved seeing and hearing about your trip.
HI Susan,
Thank you so much for always posting ways we can make holidays and any day special for our famlies with wonderful decorating and cooking ideas. Our anniversary is on Valentine’s Day and so it is extra special for me! My husband and I usually celebrate on a different night with a fancy dinner out and so on Valentine’s Day I make fondue for our family! I also LOVE making scones, so I am adding this recipe to my box! The heart shaped pan would make the scones that much more special! We had a dusting of snow here in southern Virginia last night, but not as beautiful as in your picture! Have a super day!!