Sunday, August 22, 2010

Home Sweet Home-July Tea Swap


I came home from vacation from a week on the Beach. It was a long (over due) needed time to relax and get in touch with myself.
I stayed at my dear friends beach home in Oakland Beach, RI. You can read about my vacation adventures here.
http://victorianlady1800.blogspot.com/

When I came home, I had a package waiting for me on the front steps. It's always so wonderful having something or someone waiting when you get home. I was totally delighted to get this package. 
It was from  Lady Catherine of Round Lake Beach, IL.
http://tealoverscorner.ning.com/profile/Ladycatherine


We were tea swap partners in the July Tea Swap.

I want to thank Lady Catherine for this lovely tea cup and saucer.  I truely love the cup. It is
Harleigh Fine Bone China.             Inside the cup is 


Which reads:                             Aries of London-Fine Black Cherries

 The tea cup and saucer was accompanied with a lovely tin can fulled with English Breakfast tea.
A classic blend of Indian, Kenyan and Ceylon tea.
I could not wait to sit and enjoy a cup and read all my lovely greeting cards I received while I was away. Thank you all. It is great to come home to such a welcome!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

A new Member To My Tea Pot Collection


A tea Lady Like me can never have to many tea Pot.
My lovely sister found this tea pot in Morgan Memorial Thrift Shop in Boston, Mass.
As soon as she saw it, she thought of me.

"What a lovely piece"!
It is small and holds hot water for at least 2 1/2 cups of tea.
Lovely presentation of a tea for two table.
Such a fine design on the handle with lovely red floral print on the fount and back.

I was excited to see Windsor  Made in England  3 on the bottom.

I am very happy with my new member to the family!

Monday, August 9, 2010

August Tea Time

It is time for Tea at Lady Estelle's Tea Salon.
We are all set up for you to come and join us for tea and summer time relaxation.
A cool breeze has finally start flowing though the tea room making for a enjoyable afternoon of tea and summer treats.
Come make an appointment with Lady Estelle today!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Tea Picnic at the Roger Williams Memorial

On Friday June 25th,
it was my friend, Big Bear's Birthday.
Being my birthday is the day after, I thought maybe  I would  invite him and some of our friends to join us for a Tea Picnic at the Roger Williams Memorial Visiting Center, around  noon.

Many of my friend could not make it, so I decided to enjoy a afternoon tea by myself.
Being a true Victorian. I set up a fine table under some trees for shade.  I brought my fine silver tea server, best lace table cloths and napkins, plenty of tea and hot water. A trip to the bakers to get my favorite tea cakes and scones. The table was set and ready for an afternoon delight.
The flowers were in full bloom and a lovely summer breeze was blowing.
A great afternoon for a Victorian Picnic.
It was a fitting for a Queen.
I was there dressed in Victorian attire, enjoying tea, treats and ...what to my surprise!
I had passer by come and join me for tea. We talked about history, our favorite teas, our families and what we liked about living in Providence.
We had great conversations and spent enjoyable time getting to know each other.
All were impressed and very happy to make my acquaintance, and I theirs.

The beautiful park's back drop made a lovely atmosphere for meeting new friends.This is a  great spot for an afternoon picnic or lunch break. It is right across from the State House that can be seen in full view.

http://www.nps.gov/rowi/planyourvisit/index.htm
Plan your next visit here.
Lady Estelle

Friday, July 9, 2010

Tea Parlor is Open!

This is time for summer Victorian leisure at The Tea Parlor. It has been very warm in the parlor this last couple of months.
I am a true Victorian and I can not conceive a modern air conditioner in the tea room, therefore, making it quit uncomfortable for traditional Victorian tea.


Now, there is a beautiful late afternoon summer breeze that flows across the parlor to make for a delightful early evening tea taking.

I have been enjoying these cool evening times with my favorite cup of  ginger tea. On the nights I find it to warm for hot tea, I enjoy a large class of iced tea mixed with lemonade. It is quit refreshing. I would be pleased if you would stop by!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

My new Silver tea Server!

I have always wanted a real  silver tea server, but I found them to be to pricey. Well,I finally found what I was looking for at my local Salvation Army. It was selling for $40.00.
I know I could have got it for less, if I waited until yellow tag Wednesday, but I did not want to take the chance.
It sits on it's own warmer and you just tip the pot to pour the tea or hot water.
I just love it. I got another siler and cooper tea server for $10.00.


What a great day for tea finds!
 After I gave them a good polishing and puffing!
NOT BAD FOR $50.00

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Recipes for When Tea Lovers Gather


Simple, Elegant Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
2C. Cooked diced chicken
1/2C.Mayonnaise
1/2C. sliced almonds
Salt and pepper to taste
Bread of your choice, buttered
In a medium bowl, mix diced chicken with mayonnaise and stir until well combined. Stir in sliced almonds. Salt and pepper according to taste. Refrigerate mixture until well chilled. lightly spread filling on the top and bottom slices of bread and assemble sandwiches. Trim crusts and cut into tea sandwiches.

Typical tea sandwiches shapes cut from one regular sandwich are:

Four squares,

Four triangles,

Two rectangles, and

Four small oblong rectangles.
A variety of shapes on your tray, makes for an interesting display.

Have fun Ladies and Gentlemen!!!


Coconut Bon Bons

Ingredients:
Candies, Chocolate
15 oz Sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c Butter, or margarine
2 c Confectioners' sugar
12 oz Coconut, grated dried
24 oz Semi-sweet chocolate
4 tb Shortening
Preparation:

Mix together condensed milk, butter, sugar and coconut. Cover with wax paper and chill for 24 hours. Melt chocolate with shortening. Roll coconut mixture into balls and using a fork dip the balls into the chocolate. Drop on wax paper to cool and dry.


Apricot Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup dried apricots,chopped
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
Glaze:
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Use an un-greased baking sheet. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a bowl, stirring with
a fork to mix well. Add the dried apricots. Still using a fork, stir in the cream and mix until the dough holds together
in a rough mass (the dough will be quite sticky).
Lightly flour a board and transfer the dough to it. Knead the dough 8 or 9 times. Pat into 2 circles about 6 inches round.
For the glaze, spread the butter over the top and sides of the circle of dough and sprinkle the sugar on top. Cut each circle into 8 wedges and place each piece on the baking
sheet, allowing about an inch between pieces.

Bake for about 11 minutes, or until golden brown.
"What A Treat"




British Tea Scones
Ingredients:

* 12 oz. S.R. flour
* 3 oz. butter
* 1 level tsp. salt
* 6 fl. oz milk
* 2 level tsp. baking powder
* 2 level tbsp. caster sugar (fine sugar)

*Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl and add the sugar and butter. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Gradually mix in the milk to make dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface until smooth. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick, then cut out 2-inch rounds with a plain or fluted cutter, kneading and re-rolling the dough until it is all used up. Arrange scones on baking sheets then brush tops with milk. Bake at 450 (gas 8) for 10-12 minutes until well risen with lightly golden tops.
*Use whipped fresh cream, butter and strawberry jam to fill the scones for a delicious tea time treat. Makes 18-24.





                                              MORE TO COME!                             ENJOY!

Studio E is closed for good!

 Studio E is closed for good. I have move to a small studio called my little tea corner. Here is where I will be sharing my tea adventures D...