It’s a perfect day for a
Guess what I’m doing today (or did I already give it away)? Something fun! Here’s your Sunday morning MUSICA for celebration.♥) I’m meeting a new person by the name of Betsy Bray. She’s a Trustee for the Beatrix Potter Society and she is coming to our own Vineyard Haven Library to give a talk entitled “Beatrix Potter, A Woman Ahead of her Time.” Winter. Clear blue sky. Sunday, 2pm (like a matinee). Library. Beatrix Potter. Who could ask for anything more?
But more is what I’m getting, because Betsy is bringing along her friend Barbara, plus another associate of the Beatrix Potter Society, their North American Liaison Officer, Suzanne Terry. Joe and I are going to the talk, then we’re bringing them home (first class carriage, the Fine Romance Van); Betsy asked if they could have a tour of the Peter Rabbit Room (hope they are not expecting grand, if they blink they will miss it, probably have to take them to top of stairs one at a time due to room being under eaves and tiny), and then tea, in front of the fire on this beautifully blustery day.♥
So this morning, the big decisions are being made: what dishes to use and what to make??? The market opens at 7 am and I will be there. Cake. Must have cake. Right now I’m torn between Orange Cake with Pineapple filling, 
Orange-Lavender Polenta Cake, Pineapple upside-down cake (in vanilla sauce), or perhaps even tiny little Chocolate Eclairs — or Milk Cake??? Yikes! Must narrow this down. Imagine you are there, which one do you want? I’m definitely going to make crunchy cucumber sandwiches. And soft tender little egg salad sandwiches, with tiny bits of minced onion, sweet pickle relish and lots of pepper. And slices of juicy Honey Crisp Apple.
Food is always very important, but the coup de grâce for me is, as always, which linens, which dishes??? Playtime!
Trying to decide between pink or blue dishes . . . think I will go blue. Thinking not formal. Too rainy for formal, must be cozy. Cozy mugs instead of cups and saucers. I’ll take pictures and show you final layout!
For sure we’ll have our special guests join the party, they are always so well mannered, nicely dressed, quiet, and they never make pigs of themselves except of course for the one in the blue dress . . . But I better get going or all of this will be just imaginary!
Have a wonderful day ♥ Downton Abbey tonight! How’d you like the first one? We haven’t hashed it over yet. That’s not like us.
Sending sunshine! XOXO
I would definitely want the Orange-Lavender Polenta Cake from A FINE ROMANCE!
I agree!!
Orange cake with pineapple filling gets my vote! What a perfect day for a tea party and how fortunate those women are to have a tea party with you!
…awww, Susan…’sooo happy for you !!…it is a perfect day for a tea party and you have the perfect company coming !!.. ‘sounds so delightful !!..(as for choosing the cake to accompany your tea, ah well, that’s a tough one !..any one of those would be wonderful.. I would probably choose the orange cake with pinapple or milk cake..).. have a grand time and thank you , as always, for including us !!!…with love, as always.. ‘so excited for you !!
Good morning Susan and Joe, have a wonderful Sunday. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Aren’t libraries wonderful?
You have a very exciting day planned. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Whatever you choose for cake will hit the mark. It definitely sounds like a day for tea and cake by the fire…a wonderful day for your guests. They will be very blessed.
Hello, Have a wonderful tea party! I adore your blog. I received your Fine Romance book for Christmas and have read it already…delightful. Hope to go to England some day and the book was so inspiring. Wondering if you have heard of the book, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life:The Plants and Places that Inspired the Classic Children’s Tales by Marta McDowell? Have your 2014 mini calendar, Heart of the Home hanging in my craft room, it makes me smile every time I look at it. Love tea parties,gardening books, quotes and water color artwork, your musica so essential on these sunless days. Take care, Cindy
Yes, was surprised with it at Christmas by my English girlfriend (who was in A Fine Romance) Rachel! Love it. Thank you Cindy!
I think I would go for eclairs. You don’t have to fill them with cream, but they are very nice, quick to do and easy just topped with a powdered sugar glaze. (what in England is called glace icing). Have fun this afternoon. I shall look forwards to the following report!
ps I have just recommended your Fine Romance book to my Norwegian sister in law who is planning a Spring visit to England.
Just ”love it” …when something special happens for YOU !!! Memories are made today for you and Joe!!! Awe~some~ness!!!
Im having a little teaparty today too! all of my daughters and daughter in laws are coming to make valentines! I will be serving brownies and orange cranberry scones along with little chicken salad and cucumber sandwhiches and of course.. tea!
have fun with your company! and Happy day!
xoxo
vivian
Wishing I was there…all the desserts sound delicious…hmm good. How lucky to have a visit from the society at your library. Enjoy your day…I think the sun might just shine, but will be windy.
OMG!!!!!!!!!! How exciting for you and Joe!!! You MUST call the mugs Beakers (that’s what I heard them called them in England 🙂 I would go with a more American type of tea party – show them what great stuff we are made of – rather than make it more British (cuz they can have that any ole time). yes, not the cups/saucers but the beakers 🙂 and do the pineapple upside down cake. I am sooooo excited for you and for the Branchie girlfriends because we know we’ll be able to hear you re-tell every single detail 🙂 YAY for everyone 🙂 Don’t worry about your little bedroom, they adore tiny spaces in England. Make sure your Laura Ashley hat is perches on the bedpost 🙂 I have already watched Downton Abbey 3 times – while taking down Christmas tree and decorations and putting the house into more plain decor. Christmas certainly does take over the house doesn’t it? Man, that was a lot to put away into storage! xoxo
Oh! How very exciting. Can’t wait to hear all about it and see the pictures. Whatever you decide will be perfection….. you have wonderful taste! Enjoy…..
Oh, they’ll have a lovely time at your house, Susan! I love both the pink and blue! I watched Downton last week. It was borderline sad, right? Oh well. I guess the actor who played Matthew has to apologize over and over again for leaving the show because everyone is so sad for Mary.
Have wonderful time enjoy your tea and your guests
Give hugs to the kittens do they like company
Keep warm
The eclairs would be my choice along with a few other cakes. What kind of tea will you be serving??? Have fun and enjoy yourselves.
I’m sure it will be the most delightful tea for you all. I am sure the sweet Jack will be the most entertaining of gentleman. I cannot wait to see your pictures and hear how it went, I know they will love it all as do we. ❤️
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Sunday. Enjoy!
How exciting! I could catch the ferry in Wood’s Hole and be there on time for the show. Seeing that I am dilly dallying on the computer on this dilly dally Sunday it looks like I won’t make it unless I come in my p.j.’s. It’s so mild this morning, I am expecting to hear the spring birds tweet! It sounds like you have the rest of the rain we had yesterday. I guess we blew it down your way. There is something about raindrops that make me smile,too, I have to say. Enjoy your day and your cozy tea.
Hugs,
Alyssa of Boston Bee 😉
Oh, how fun will that be!!! My vote would be the orange-lavender polenta cake. They might never have had tasted it before. We will be thinking of you and waiting to find out all the lovely details of the day!! 🙂
I vote for the orange lavender polenta cake too! What a wonderful afternoon to look forward to – and how happy the Beatrix people will be as host and hostesses.
How will you keep the apple slices from turning brown?
Have fun!
Mary
I cut them just before serving and squeeze over lemon juice.
Thanks for sending sunshine! We soooo need it here in South Bend. (A few weathermen are saying we’ll have sunshine and 40 degrees today. So far? No go!) Have a wonderful day with your guests. No matter what you decide to serve, or what linens or mugs you use, it’s YOU that will warm them up and make them feel like queens. Can’t wait to get another look at the Peter Rabbit room 🙂 TaTa! Ethel
We made it to 40 degrees with lots of Frosty the Snowmen popping up around here. Hope you had a wonderful day!
I’m glad you picked the blue dishes. There is something nice about blue and white in January. I’m sure your table/scape, oops tea & coffee table/scape will be so homey. I am torn between the pineapple upside-down cake or the orange lavender polenta cake. It’s like living in the world of the Crawley’s with such a major decision for their day. Leave your pinky out. 🙂 Ta-ta!!
HAHAHA, I know, decisions decisions, back to real life today! New calendar pages laid out along the back of the sofa . . . pinky still out!
What a dilemma! Hummmm……if I was there I would think the Pineapple Upside Down sounds just divine! Oh but wait, I love anything with lavender. I guess if I had the opportunity to be at the library, hear the discussions and head back to your place for tea and yummies I would enjoy all of it. Take pictures please and let us know how things went. Have a lovely day. xoxo
Sounds like an absolutely delightful day! Yes, do tell us all about it. I agree with Elaine in Toronto. Libraries are wonderful. I didn’t visit the one in Martha’s Vineyard, but did visit the one in Nantucket (Frederick Douglas spoke there!) and one in Vermont (old and elegant). You have such a charmed life now, I’m glad you share it with us. It truly does uplift me and reminds me to keep dreams alive.
The Polenta cake or hot milk cake, but I’m sure it will be yummy and fun whichever you choose. Have a fine time!
After seeing the picture, I would like the pineapple upside down cake, and with vanilla sauce? Oh my, over the top yummy. I would like your recipe 🙂
I can’t wait to see your blue dishes, I’m sure your table will be beautiful and cozy.
As for Downton Abbey, it was so exciting to get to watch it again. So glad Lady Mary chose life like her grandmother suggested. I don’t know what to think of Edith coming back as Cora’s maid. She is surely fulfilling the position that O’brien “filled” so well :-/
Looking forward to tonight. Have a great afternoon!
Her name is Edna, not Edith. And oh my, tonight’s episode. Poor poor Anna. I am so sad right now 🙁
Joy, I agree with you. Anna and Mrs. Hughes are the rocks in the entire house. I love the Anna character and the episode made me sad as well.
Betsy, now my mind is wondering where this story is headed with poor Anna and Bates. I don’t want to say what I think is in the future. I am worried about Branson too, he feels so out of place.
Good Morning Susan, can’t wait to hear all the fun, juicy details of your tea with such exceptional guests! No matter what cake you choose or which tea service you use, I’m sure they will enjoy themselves immensley. Best wishes for a glorious, cozy tea time!
Sounds like a perfect day! The “Sunday with Friends Lecture on Beatrix Potter: A Women Ahead of Her Time” sounds wonderful! And how exciting to have such fun company at your home. They’re going to love your Peter Rabbit Room. 🙂 Can’t wait to see the pictures of your final choices for linens, dishes, mugs… all of it! Oh, and my vote would be for your Milk Cake, yummy! Have fun Susan and enjoy your new friends, I know you will. Happy Sunday! ♥
Susan and Joe, Enjoy the talk and my vote is for the hot milk cake. Can’t wait to hear all about the event and tea!
Good Morning! What fun! Any of the desert choices sound nice. Wish I could come too! I would love to have a sleep over in your beatrix potter bedroom. You crack me up with the dishes! I am reminded of a book I grew up with and then read to my little girls as well. It’s about a little bear named Francis with a little china tea set all in blue. I cant remember the name of the author. I think that sweet little book got me started with my love affair with dishes. I got my love of sewing watching the little birds on Cinderella make her that lovely pink dress. Have fun today!
I just looked up the book about Frances…she is not a bear she is a badger! The author is Russell Hoban.
Susan, I think this is the most exciting news yet! It would be great if the NT carries your book…..I don’t think it would ever go out of print then. Don’t worry about the details of your tea today–I’m sure they’ll love no matter what you do! Just be yourself, as they say, because that’s pretty wonderful. 🙂
P.S. Love the Paul McCartney “English Tea” song.
Wow Susan, can’t believe I’m so close to the top of your post this morning. First time ever that I discovered one of your posts right after you printed it up for us.
I’m so like you, in that I play “house” when I have company, or family over for dinner/lunch. I’ve been playing “house” ever since I was a child. Love linens, china, pretty things with lace, & colors that blend together. I have the Calico Blue china that you took a picture of. Just love it, love it. I’m a blue lover though. Anything that’s blue captures my attention. Just remodeled my kitchen. Guess what the predominant color is? Even bought a new “blue” mixer. I couldn’t live without a mixer & my old one lasted over 40 years, with heavy use. Your menu sounds so yummy. The planning is half the fun, don’t you think? I’m sure your Beatrix Potter guests will enjoy themselves immensely. Last night I invited one of my Grand Sons (18 years old) & his lovely girlfriend over for dinner. We made a fire in the patio fire pit, roasted hot dogs on long pronged forks, had french fries (a Grand Son request), salad, & SMores (also grilled over the fire). Dinner was a hit. The kids loved it. There was a gorgeous moon out last night, which added to the rustic decor, When it got chilly (as it gets ona CA evening), we went inside. Dinner was fun planning. Easy & quick.
As for which cake to choose. I guess you’ll tell us which cake you purchased, but my vote is with the Pineapple Upside Down cake. Wish I could stick a fork in it, it looks so delicious. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
How exciting for you (and US, because you’re letting us come along!) to spend time with the lovely National Trust ladies!!!! I know you will make it just perfect for them and it will make a wonderful memory for them on their trip to Martha’s Vineyard! Have a fun day!!! xo
Oh my, I forgot to comment on Downtown Abbey. I hate to tell all of you, but I fell asleep last Sun. night while watching DA. I didn’t find it all that charming, as it usually is. I’m drawn between DA & Shameless tonight. Guess I’ll use the remote a lot tonight & go back & forth, except I’ll miss something, as they’re aren’t any commercials on DA. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Good Morning Susan !
Oh sounds so delightful for the day! Wish I lived closer….I vote for the Orange Lavender Polenta Cake too. Sounds so delightfully light, airy and lifting of spirits. Just love Beatrix Potter on any account…..and the tea would be the frosting on the day too! Set out an extra chair so we can all join you in spirit ! What a wonderful thought ! Thank you Susan – we would all be so delighted to join you ! Oh happy day !
How Grand and Fun I hope you have a Wonderful Day!! My dessert vote is the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake…..and of course you can never go wrong with your Orange Cake just make it easy on yourself!! I’m sure whatever you serve it will be delish. Susan, even special cookies served with Tea is an idea? I know you will make it special how fun to spend a Sunday afternoon doing what you LOVE.
What a fun time you have planned!! I would choose the pineapple upside down cake. I LOVE Downton Abbey. Unfortunately, I got the DVD last week from a PBS donation and have watched the whole thing!!!! But, I’ll be watching tonight as well :). Enjoy your day.
Oh, how fun..the preparation, the anticipation, making things pretty. My vote would be for one of the orange cakes and the mini chocolate eclairs. Orange and chocolate are divine together! Have only fun!
I’m thinking Orange Cake with Pineapple filling and your blue dishes. Whatever you make will be wonderful. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Oh Susan, I hear your excitement in Williamsburg. I’m tickled pink (or maybe blue) for you. Looking forward to seeing the pic’s of your final decisions.
Revel in this wonderful winter moment.
Bliss!
Marie xo
Oh! And, I did watch Downton Abbey….been waiting for it so long. Glad that Mary is finding her way. Hope she warms up to sweet baby George. When she called him a poor little orphan it broke my heart! Good for Anna for speaking up! Have to say that while I do like Lady Grantham’s (Mama)logical viewpoint on things, I’m getting pretty tired of her whininess….she always has such a frowny face. Hope Edith finds lasting happiness. And Thomas and that new little snippy lady’s maid are up to no good together!!! Could be an even more volatile combo than him and O’Brien! So glad, though, that Nanny is gone! Oh.my.word!!!! How wretched she was to little Sybil!!!
Wretched!
Sounds like you will have a wonderful day! Hope you enjoy every minute!
Oh what fun Susan!! I can’t wait to see pictures! I would have a desire for the polenta cake!! Enjoy your day with your new friends! So exciting!
Good morning, Susan!
By now you’ve probably decided on dessert, but I’d love those mini eclairs with a tea party! What a fun day for you and Joe, not to mention the ladies who will be your guests. I’ll be with you in spirit! Looking forward to the pictures and recap.
I enjoyed last week’s season premiere of Downton Abbey. I was worried that I wouldn’t be interested anymore after the ending of last season, but I think the script handled it pretty well, and gave us more to look forward to this season. I’ll be watching tonight!
It sounds like a fabulous day, Susan. I have to agree with my fellow Canuck (above) about libraries being wonderful and the source of all sorts of delights.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall to see your teatime today (loved Paul singing the tea song, by the way).
Have fun,
Karen
What a wonderful day to look forward to! Have the orange lavender polenta cake and the chocolate eclairs!!
I can’t wait to hear all the details. Have fun,
Oh my gosh….what fun you’re going to have!! For me defiantly the Orange-Lavendar Polenta cake!! I would so love to be a little mouse in the corner (maybe in your van…then, I’d follow you to the program…back in the van and into the house! I would scurry up the stairs to your Peter Rabbit Room…I’m so small, you’d never even notice me! Finally, I’d savor in the crumbs from your sandwiches and cake that would fall to the floor!! smile) I’m goofy I know…but the imagination can take us any where we really want to go! Have an amazing SONday!
We’d put you in the red chair that Joe’s Great Aunt Petit-pointed. With entire sandwiches of your very own! 🙂
Ha..ha..I’d love that! Nibble..nibble…nibble…
How terribly exciting. They are going to love the Peter Rabbit Room. You are such a wonderful hostess; they will remember their day with you and Joe with fond memories I am sure. Have fun and take lots of pictures, maybe video? Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Hi Susan,
I hope you all have a fabulous time today. I’m voting for the milk cake…although I know whatever you decided is already made. I love the milk cake. I made it this summer for my grandmother’s 90th birthday party (along with many other yummy things). My husband and I are on series/season 3 of Downton Abby and hope to catch up by next Sunday. We just love it…what great story lines…what great actors! It’s lovely to see how popular it is and….what??…no cursing….no nudity…how can it be? My imagination takes me as far as I need to go….I don’t need to see or hear it. Sorry to be on my soapbox, but I just love a good story! xox
Enjoy your week,
Maureen
Susan…Just want to thank you…for you and Joe, inviting me into your world and for making my world bigger and joyful…always fun listening to your choice of music that you share…a big thank you, from the heart….
Happy you’re here Mimi!
You have a lovely, beautiful day planned! The sun is out here in Stoughton, hope the Vineyard is bright and sunny also! A tea party sounds so delightful!! That pineapple upside-down cake looks awfully good! Have a great day!
hi susan!! you must be in seventh heaven!!..and your guests certainly will be….what a interesting fun fabulous day in store with Downton Abbey to cap it off…. we loved the season premier…. heart-broken for Lady Mary; teary-eyed during the tender scene with her and Carson…(so lovely)..and that darn Barrow..why are there always those devilish chaps lurking in the shadows causing mayhem???….oooooohh…can’t wait until tonight!!! 🙂 Can’t go wrong with any of you cake choices…I think the Polenta cake would look beautiful against the blue china and besides..it’s so totally yummy!!! Enjoy it all!! I know you will!! love, cindy
Made me cry with Carson too. 🙁 I’m so glad he gets to put in his two cents!
Milk cake ! Sounds cozy with the blue dishes – what a wonderful afternoon you have in store. Enjoy it – I know your guests will.
Anything you make will be magically delightful. How fun for you! Can’t wait to see.
xo Suzanne and Lucy
Such fun!! You must tell us all about talk & tea soon! My Sunday involves doing laundry….. but PBS on the tele for sure tonight.
Orange-Lavendar Cake, for sure!
Oh dear. Decisions, decisions. Can’t wait to hear what you ended up doing. I can guarantee whatever you and Joe choose, it’ll be wonderful. Enjoy your grand day!
What gracious hosts the two of you are! How lovely it would be to join you for tea!
And for tea dessert, my favorite would be the chocolate eclairs, hence the name!
But, anything you made would divine! This morning I am making chocolate chip cookies, so yummy right out of the oven and a perfect snack while watching our favorite show “Downton Abbey”! Besides, the males in my family requested them!
And they will eat them up and I won’t have to worry about eating too many!
Have a beautiful day!
I love libraries also—they are wonderful!…………….As far as dessert goes, i’m leaning towards the pineapple upside-down cake with vanilla sauce! Sounds like you’re going to have a wonderful day—-i’m envious because i’m just hanging home doing laundry—sigh!
It’s so exciting, I caught your enthusiasm. All the cakes sound good. Hope you have a wonderful visit.
Susan and Joe…How great this is…I would love to go to hear the talk about Beatrix Potter….what joy. I would like to come to tea also…I would like the Polenta Cake, just for the fact I have not tried it yet…but you can never have to much cake so defiantly the Pineapple upside-down cake. Enjoy your afternoon…Can’t wait to see the pictures from this special Tea. Oh what the heck… I will join you with my own little tea out here in California..believe it or not it is really cold outside…I’ve already had two cups of tea with my Holly Mug….Sunday and life is great. Enjoy…Love, Susan P.
I vote for the Orange Lavender Polenta as well. I am a member of the Beatrix Potter Society too. The newsletters are like little books. Sounds like a fun Sunday.
I read mine from cover to cover … you’re right, like little books. And you get to know everyone too.
Ditto on the polenta cake since reading your book and blue cups as I love cobalt blue. I would love to know what good English tea tastes like. I’m afraid they woul be offended at any cup of tea I would make. What a fun time for a cold winter day!
Never. Texas girls know what they are doing!
Not only that George Ann we would put ice in it with lemon and real sugar
Ooh my mouth is watering! I want all the cakes, and the little sandwiches too! I guess I’m like the one in the blue dress :o) Now, on to the first Downton Abbey – loved it. For once Thomas’s wickedness actually produced a good thing when Cora caught that old witch being mean to the sweet little girl. Of course in the end his usual nastiness produced bad results for poor sweet Anna. So excited to see the second one tonight. Will have tea and cookies and then off to bed. A perfect way to end a pleasant Sunday. Can’t wait to see the pictures of your tea party today. Have fun!
I couldn’t believe that nanny. I had to watch again to convince myself I heard what I heard! Goodbye!
ooo Susan so hard to choose! But I think I agree with Sharon Orange -lavender polenta cake! It sounds like you have a lovely day planned ahead, looking forward to seeing pictures!
Yesterday we caught up with friends who live away from us that we didn’t manage to catch up with over Christmas & when we opened the front door they were stood there in their Christmas hats & jumpers!! They did make us laugh and we had a lovely evening catching up they stayed over & went back home today. I miss them already! xxxx
What a perfect winter day line-up! Take notes (and lots of photos) can’t wait to hear all about it! Then to finish it all off with Downton Abby???? What could be finer….Enjoy every moment!
I suspect you are having tea – right now. It’s 11:15 am here in partly sunny CA. I can’t imagine the wonderfulness of a BP lecture at a library! (I love the old libraries.) I love Miss BP. Have a wonderful time! (and share it with us, please)
Hugs
Hi Susan,
Whatever cake you choose will be lovely for sure. I have every one of your books and each recipe I have tried has been fantastic! Your guest will be happy no matter what! 🙂
Now to the subject of Downton…..I was a wee bit disappointed. Interested in seeing what happens this next episode. How about you? What are your thoughts? 🙂
I felt like it was the opening night. They couldn’t just let Mary have fun, she had to be sad. I’ve seen it three times, garnering all the little details, and I think I liked it!
Have a wonderful time. Hope all goes well I am sure everything will be perfect. I’m voting for the pineapple upside down cake. Loved Downton.
I’d have something with pineapples in it to give you the taste of sunshine on a rainy day. Blue dishes, definetly. I can hear the excitement in your words. I’m sure they will be charmed through and through. Not to worry, go with the flow. Downton Abbey tonight for sure. Last week did not disappoint and so looking forward to how this season plays out. Sooooooooooo, how’d it go?????
How exciting! I am trying not to feel left out! (Smiles). Knowing you, I know you will share the fun with us later! Your world is always exciting. Cake…I love cake! Make what’s easiest, because they all sound good! After saying all that though, I think the orange with pineapple filling sounds wonderful, but probably more labor intensive. Have fun!
Hi, Susan! Oooo – I’d definitely swoon over pineapple upside-down cake in vanilla sauce – deLISH 🙂 But whatever you choose will be fabulous. Can’t wait for pics of the final result. Your crackling fire sounds so nice. We are sunny and upper 50’s today, thankfully, and I shall go for a bike ride or a walk and see what’s happening in our little village. So many friends are walking or biking by, I can tell it’s a grand day for a constitutional. Then a pot of piping tea later in the afternoon, yes. Have a lovely party!
How exciting!! Have a wonderful day. Will this open some doors for an English book tour???!!! Loved Downton Abbey, in a different way. Looking forward to tonight. Also looking forward to “hashing” with everyone!! Thank you for the lovely post. I needed this for all sorts of reasons!! Look forward to a report on results of today, and which cake!! Wish I could magically zap you one of mine to join the party!!! 🙂
xoxo
I wrote “I love Downton Abbey” before seeing episode 2! I am uneasy about where things are headed and shocked and angry at the Anna storyline. I saw that coming and thought she was smarter than that!! Life is changing very fast for everyone, and they are all terribly uptight. Perhaps (hopefully) things will resolve. I did have confidence in Julian Fellowes. We’ll see where he takes us!
What a fun day for you two:)) I love the milk cake. I made the “dump” cake today – the one with crushed pineapple, and I have a turkey in the oven. Should be ready in one hour. Have a cozy time….and let us know everything, ha! xoxo judi
Oh, delightful day! Can’t wait for details. -)
So many decisions…. But orange lavender cake and perhaps some eclairs will do fine. Wait for me!
You just take me to Whimsey Street in Cozytown, Susan. Every single time. Love your tea party plans. My little five year old granddaughter and I will have to have one this week as well, after school someday instead of cookies and milk. Thanks for the warmth! Barbzie
Oh Susan, it sounds absolutely wonderful. I can’t wait to hear all about it. I am sure whatever dessert you make will taste delicious. I would probably choose the polenta cake since I have not made that recipe yet.
Enjoy!!
Carla
Oh blue dishes, perfect, and any of the desserts would be lovely. My mind flits back and forth trying to decide. I think perhaps the pineapple upside down. Yum. Have a lovely tea party and we can hardly wait until we hear and see all about the Library, Beatrix Potter day.
Much love and bunny hugs to all of you,
Shirley
How fun! So excited to hear about your day, meeting your new friends, & your menu! You’re in the midst of the talk right now, I would guess! Catch you later! xoxo
“Expect a wet teatime.” Love it!
Pineapple upside-down cake…YUM! Anxious to hear all about your afternoon tea. Singing (badly), “We can hardly stand the wait, please Susan don’t be late!”
I wanna be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How fun to plan a tea party for Beatrix Potter people. Some hard decisions there, but the blue dishes definitely sound cozy and the Pineapple Upside-down Cake looks yummy. I can almost taste that gooey brown sugar part! But I bet they’ve never tasted the Orange Polenta Lavender Cake. Yep, that’s a hard decision.
I’ve never heard the Paul McCartney song. Perfect for the occasion!
I am sure they are as excited to meet you as you are to meet them! Not to mention having tea and cake in your HOME! Enjoy it all, I can only imagine the conversation. Beatrix would love it!
I would go with the orange cake! Have fun.
Hi, Susan!
What a delightful afternoon! I would have the pineapple upside down cake. Yum!
Have a wonderful time!
Terry
Happy Sunday, Susan! What delightful plans you have for this day! I’d love to be there at the bookstore! Tea afterward, too, of course.:-)
Regarding Downton Abbey, the most recent issue of TeaTime has a special “Downton Abbey Tea.” There are wonderful recipes, including that delicious Chocolate Biscuit Cake that is a favorite of Prince William, Currant Scones (I baked these), and a Victoria Sponge Cake. The Lemon Madeleines will have to wait until I possess a mini-madeleine pan.:-)
So anxious to hear all about the afternoon!
xo Nellie
By now, you are most likely showing your guests around the house while the water heats for tea by the fire. So exciting and you must tell us all about how it went!
Downton Abby? Ohh, the first episode was so full of new things and little hints of new happenings on the horizon!! But O’Brian just walking out??? That I was not prepared for and wondering if she reappears at some future crisis Thomas manages to get himself in? Looking forward to tonight’s show. I have to credit Branson for reaching out to Mary and finally planting the seeds of her moving forward and helping with the transition of Downton Abby. Wouldn’t Sybil have been so proud?
I’m glad she’s gone. What a shifty gal she was. Who needs her. Don’t like the new shifty gal either. Danger is written all over them.
Hope all went just as you imagined it! Will wait anxiously for the photoshoot! REAL Beatrix Potter people! Wowzers!
I know, REAL! 🙂
Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon. I would definitely go for the Orange Lavender Polenta Cake also. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Debbie
P.S. Received my Love Tea Towel. It’s so adoreable. Can’t wait to hang it on my stove February 1. Thank you for all that you do 🙂
I agree. The Orange-Lavender Polenta Cake sounds delicious! Enjoy tea and also Downton Abbey tonight!
~ Good Afternoon ~
I just poured myself a spot of tea with my “remedy” in it and ~ surprise ~ there you were again! ~ I’m taking a break from my Christmas & New Years disassembling 🙁 but looking forward to decorating for Valentine’s Day!~ As for Downton Abbey ~ not too exciting…yet….I miss Matthew! ~ I saw a preview for another show on PBS I’m going to try to watch called “Father Brown”~I’ll see if its on Apple TV~ have you heard of it??~ hope you had a good time at the library and at your little soirée ~ I vote for the Orange Pineapple cake because you didn’t have Red Velvet on your list or a chocolate one! ~ January Thaw can’t be far off ~ I hope! ~ Almost 40 degrees warmer than it was last week at this time! ~
~Blessings ~
Lynn
Just found “The Wisdom of Father Brown” written by G.K.Chesterton (1874-1936) at a used book store. Looking forward to this collection of short stories of a “lovable amateur detective”! It should be a fun TV series!
Do tell Lynn, what is that “remedy” you drink with your tea?
~ Hi~ Father Brown books…I will have to look for those….
~My “remedy” is something I have done since the Fall and so far has gotten me through a no doctor visits Winter~ I do take apple cider vinegar daily ( Braggs) in my green tea or straight~ but one upped myself by adding a least once a day a scoop of “remedy” ~ it’s so yummy! ~ I add it in almost every cup~ I use organic ingredients too~
“Remedy”
2-3 sliced lemons
1-2 Tbsp. fresh ginger, chopped
Raw honey~ use raw, unfiltered if possible because it contains the healthiest benefits
Place the lemons and ginger into a glass Mason jar~ fill the jar to the top with the honey~ gently pushing mixture to release air bubbles~ put cover on and gently shake mixture to mix~
~You will be able to see the lemon juice mixing with the honey~
Add a scoop of “remedy” to a cup of tea or take it in a cup of hot water at least once a day~
~Enjoy~
I forgot~ you can refrigerate if you want too~ or not~
Susan I have to vote for your pineapple upside down cake. Have made it several time and guests always love it.
as far as Downton Abby; very happy that Mary decided to return to the land of the living. They set the show up to have lots of very interesting twists and turns. looking forward to a great season. I’m sure it will go too quickly
Oh, Susan and Joe, I would take the eclairs………..and maybe the pineapple upside down cake. How fun to meet ladies from the Beatrix Potter Society and bring them home with you!! Libraries are wonderful………Our town of Woodland Park, Co is smallish but we have a beautiful huge new Library!! My sweet husband was on the board and building committee when it was built 🙂 Books, I love them! and could spend lots of time in children’s books having been a kindergarten teacher. So your post today made me want to be there!! I still so love the Beatrix Potter “scrapbook” book!
Blessings on your day no matter what you have for Tea , it will be the best!
Irene
I shall have a slice of pineapple upside-down cake, please, and be generous with the vanilla sauce!
Loved the first episode of the new “Downton Abbey” season. I was delighted to see Mary recovering at last; it was wearying to see her pale, drawn face. Spunky woman. Edith is still on shaky ground; I think that “my wife is insane” plea from her gentleman friend is a bit overdone, but it may work here. I didn’t appreciate seeing that same girl (the one who fell for Branson last season) coming back, and I will probably continue to miss O’Brien. It’s going to be an interesting series this time; there seems to be more drama below stairs. I read a few of the spoilers online since the show has already been on British stations. I watch the show for more than the story, anyway. I love the settings, the costumes, and, naturally, the lines given to Maggie Smith. So quotable!
I will put your extra vanilla sauce in a shot glass, Mary Ann.
LOL “My wife is insane.” I’m buying it hook line and sinker. Maggie Smith is heaven.
I love the darling tea towel hanging on the stove. Is there one like it for sale? If not, it should be!
That one, I made, so there’s only the one.
Pineapple Upside down cake for me please. Vanilla sauce? Dreamy!
I miss my Wyoming cakes. So delicious and the size of a dinner plate. Who wants just 1 pineapple ring? More….more…..m-o-r-e…
Jena in a misty Pennsylvania Sunday afternoon stupor.
Would love to be a little butterfly on the wall and hear the ladies from the Beatrix Potter Society! Your tea plans, cake and sandwiches sound absolutely wonderful. Have a great time, Sue and Joe!
XO Jackie
You would have loved them. Funny, fun, happy, down to earth, smart and cute.
Milk cake sounds good. Do you have the recipe on your site somewhere? I remember seeing it vaguely, but have no idea where to look.
This tea sounds so exciting! I would be just like you, wondering what cake to serve and what plates to serve them on. 🙂 Can’t wait for an update!
-Merry
Milk Cake is in the new book … but I also blogged about it and put the recipe there, I’m just not sure of the date for that.
I have made the milk cake several times and it is so delicious. But the vanilla sauce (I warm it up) just “makes” it special! Mmmmm…..
Sounds like such fun!!! I’d go for the pineapple cake, yum! Have fun & I can’t wait to see the photos.
Hugs,
Laura
Yes, I agree with Sharon–I would want the orange lavender polenta cake, yum. What fun!
xoxo Pat