tea for two...

I love everything about tea. I have a kitchen cupboard reserved exclusively for housing several varieties, so whatever my mood, there is a tea that suits.

Taking a break for tea helps me to slow down, reflect, and stop the often hurried pace of my day. Tea is also proven to help protect against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The powerful antioxidants in tea help to strengthen the immune system, fight colds and flu, promote healthy skin and hair, and can even be anti-aging. 

For me there is no equal to drinking tea out of a delicate and beautiful, vintage teacup. It lends a touch of elegance and civilization to a society moving away from formality and tradition. Over the last few years I've been building my own collection to sip from, and have passed many an enjoyable hour searching out vintage teacups in antique shops and estate sales. Yet another of my vintage addictions exposed here on my blog!

I came across these lovely teacup photos through Lexie at 'I Heart Home' and couldn't resist sharing them. If you'd like to check out her incredible blog, I've posted the link for you to follow.  

 I'm so happy you stopped by, and I hope you'll find a bit of time in your day to sit back with a cup of your favorite tea and enjoy a quiet moment.

   

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies

I found these cookies on Pinterest today. One look at the photo had me heading to the kitchen to check my pantry for the ingredients. I remember having these as a child, but it's been so many years I had forgotten about them. They are decadently delicious and unbelievably easy! AND my cold feels a tiny bit better this afternoon, proving my theory that chocolate can cure everything. If you're like me and can't resist temptation, just click on the link and it will take you to the recipe. A huge thank you to Morgan at morganmoore.typepad.com for sharing her wonderful recipe and photo!       

A vintage image to share....

I'm back to share another vintage image today! This is an old trade card for International Baking Powder. One of my crafting goals this year is to create a keepsake album displaying all the recipes handed down through my family, and this card is going to make a perfect embellishment. Or imagine how sweet it would look framed in prim or shabby chic kitchen. If you have a special project to use this in I'd love to hear about it or see a photo of what you've created. My best wishes to all for a fun and crafty day!

   

chicken noodle soup to chase away a cold...

I'm still trying to get rid of this horrible cold! Every time I think I'm over it, it comes back again. Usually I'm really good at curing myself with hot tea, orange juice, zinc lozenges, and tylenol. Since it isn't working this time I'm bringing out the big guns...chicken noodle soup. The recipe I use is from allrecipes.com (I'll put the link on the title of this post if you want to give it a try.) It's not totally made from scratch. It cheats a bit by using prepared chicken stock, which is perfect for me, because I don't have energy to make my own stock when I don't feel good. For the chicken I use one of the roasted ones purchased at the supermarket in the deli section. It's amazingly good for being so simple. Just the thing for a cold winter day when your under the weather. I can't wait to be back to my normal self. I'm looking forward to sharing a couple of projects I've been putting together for Valentine's Day! I hope everyone has a warm and cozy Monday!

Giveaway Winner !

Hi! Sorry it took me so long to get this on here. I had a terrible time uploading this video. Thank you again to everyone who took part in my giveaway! Don't worry if you didn't win this time around. I'll be hosting another 'Bag of Tags' giveaway just before Easter! I hope everyone has a wonderful day! Hugs,  

Vintage buttons and giveaway update!

Hi and happy Saturday! I wanted to share this photo of a few buttons from my collection.....just because they're pretty and they make me smile. Each a tiny work of art, so unique and special. I love using old buttons in projects or just displaying them in my home in a pretty bowl. Another of my vintage addictions exposed here on my blog!

I had the nicest day yesterday. I got to talk with two of my dearest friends, Su (who is way across the ocean in France) and Robin (we've been friends since grade school!) It made my day so special! Hi Su and Robin!! 

    

I have a quick update for my 'Bag of Tags' giveaway ending tomorrow. I'll be drawing for the winner promptly at 10:00 am EST. I'll be conducting the drawing and announcing the winner over video. It will take me just a little bit of time to get the video uploaded to my blog, so if you're checking in for results I'll have the video up ASAP after the drawing. I want to sincerely thank everyone participating. I'm really looking forward to crafting these tags for you. And thanks for coming by today ~ I hope your day is fun and relaxing! It's back to the craft room for me. I've been sick with a respiratory infection and I'm behind in my work. I hate it when that happens, but the only solution is to keep plugging away:-)

I have another image to share with you today! I love collecting old postcards and trade cards. Little pieces of the past recalling a simpler time. Each miniature work of art reflecting an innocence and warmth rarely found in today's world. I always wonder who owned them before me. What long ago person enjoyed them and cared for them, preserving them for future generations. Whenever I need a little crafty inspiration I have only to leaf through the pages of my collection and I'm on my way to a new project. I hope you'll enjoy using this image for your own creations, or that it just brings a little smile to your day. I'm so happy you stopped by! My wishes to you for a day of joy and many blessings!

The Great American Dump Cake

I don't know who invented dump cake. I've googled it to no avail. The earliest reference seems to be a Duncan Hines cookbook from 1980. I was still in high school then and definitely not scouring over cookbooks, so I suppose I'll always wonder just how someone decided to put this cast of characters together in the first place. The dump cake first entered my life about 12 years ago. As desserts go, it's not particularly dignified. There's not one healthy ingredient. Everything is either processed or loaded with fat. Preparation is as simple as dumping canned fruit in pan, sprinkling on some cake mix, nuts, and pats of  butter (LOTs of butter) then popping it in the oven. But the final product is amazing! This is comfort food at it's finest. More like a cobbler than a cake, it has a moist, cake-like layer of sweet fruit with a crisp, buttery topping. Finish it off with whipped cream or ice-cream if you wish, but it does quite well on it's own. The above photo is the cake I made with my grandaughter this afternoon. Yes, a cake that is simple enough for a 7 year old to make! My son has already eaten 3 large servings. I have eaten some too. I am now going on a 4 mile walk.

Dump Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

 1 can Cherry Pie Filling

1 can Crushed Pineapple, undrained

1 box Yellow Cake Mix

2 sticks Butter

½ cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Dump pie filling and canned fruit into a 13x9 baking dish. Spread dry cake mix evenly over top. Cut butter into 12 pats per stick and spread evenly over cake mix. Sprinkle walnuts over top.  Bake at 350 for approximately 45 to 50 minutes, until lightly brown and bubbly. Serve warm.