These yummy little cupcakes are always a favorite dessert. When my cousin Karen entertains, her dining room table is covered with tempting dessert options and I never pass on one of her cherry cheese cupcakes.
Cherry Cheese Cupcakes
Vintage French Provincial Bedroom Set
My sister, Carol, just went to closing on a house she sold.
I lent a hand helping her pack.
We began in mid-November and through sorting and wrapping, taping and stacking, hauling and heaving, lugging and loading, stooping and stretching, sunshine and raindrops, lost keys and cell phones and frustrating inspections, there was much chatting and memories, stories and updates, giggles and laughter and sisterly love.
This vintage French Provincial bedroom set belong to our parents, purchased in the early 1960’s. It went to Carol when Mommy passed several years ago and I got the new set mommy was then using.
Carol doesn’t want to take this to her next home and though I wasn’t in need of a bedroom set, the sentimental value was too great to pass it up and now resides in our guest room.
The chest on chest belonged to Daddy and how I remember, as a kid, snooping through his top drawer and seeing his neatly folded hankies, perfectly placed wallet, coins, keys, pens, deck of cards and trinkets stored there.
I left the white iron bed that we had purchased and used until we received mommy’s new set. It is a queen-size and better suited for visitors than the full bed that is part of the set. I think it works with the other pieces.
Searching old photo albums for shots with the furniture in the background, I found these:
My 8th grade graduation
Cousin, Karen and I as flower girl and junior bridesmaid for Carol’s wedding
Daddy and his first grandchild, Chrissy (Carol’s oldest) at his organ
and
Carol ready for her senior prom
Carol, John and I looking a wee weary, took a selfie after a long, busy day, with only the steps to sit upon. Still happy together
(John may have been a just a tad grumpy being forced in a silly selfie photo, but he was a good sport)
and still finding fun in being together.
yes, sisters. she is so kind, smart, poised, beautiful and generous and I love her to pieces
❤
Next time, I will show you where I put the bed to this set and then my dining room changes.
ta-ta for now!
Cherry Blueberry Fruit Bars
We love these cherry and blueberry fruit bars! They are easy and quick to prepare, yummy and so pretty! Continue Reading
Downton Abbey Meal
She knows me so well! Visiting with my cousin, Karen, recently, she gave me a gift. I was thrilled to see it was a book titled
The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook.
While shopping during Christmas, I saw this book, leafed through it an actually put it into my cart. Then, deciding to purchase just the necessities, I reluctantly put the book back on the shelf. Karen could tell from my reaction just what a delight the gift it was to me.
As many of you, Karen and I are big fans of the British drama, Downton Abbey. I read through the pages of the cookbook and put together a small meal that might be something served during the period of the series.
The lavish meals of this Edwardian era would consist of many courses, ranging from six to 22!
Our dinner is better suited for four guests (or dinner for my sweetie and I with leftovers for another day or two)
Cornish Game Hen is a very small domestic chicken and would had been familiar to both the aristocrats and their staff and considered a delicacy. I rather consider it a delicacy as well, since I could had bought a good size oven roaster/stuffer for the same price. But, these tiny poultry are cute and tasty too, especially served with the pan juice reduction.
These fancy little potato bites were made by piping the mixture onto a baking sheet, drizzled with melted butter, baked and broiled until golden brown. They taste just as special as they look!
A vegetable side of asparagus is easy to prepare and pairs well with the poultry
Though the following recipes are not the ones from the book, they are very similar should you like to dine on a meal as Robert and Cora Crawley and their guests might.
Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Rosemary
recipe source: allrecipes
INGREDIENTS:
4 Cornish game hens
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, quartered
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 cloves garlic
1/3 cup white wine
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, for garnishDIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
4 Cornish game hens
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, quartered
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 cloves garlic
1/3 cup white wine
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, for garnishDIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each hen. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.
Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.
Baked Asparagus with Balsamic and Butter
recipe source: Allrecipes
INGREDIENTS:
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegarDIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake asparagus 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender.
4. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the baked asparagus to serve.
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegarDIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake asparagus 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender.
4. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the baked asparagus to serve.
Duchess Potatoes
recipe source: Simply Recipes
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds potatoes (Yukon Golds work best), peeled and cut into chunks
Salt
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 egg yolks
DIRECTIONS
Place potatoes in a medium to large pot (3 qt) and cover with a couple inches of cold water. Add a couple teaspoons of salt to the water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender (the tines of a fork easily pierce), about 20-25 minutes.
While the potatoes are boiling, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and set aside. You will use this butter to coat the potatoes right before they go in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°.
When the potatoes are cooked, drain in a colander and put the potatoes back in the pot set over low heat. Allow them to release steam for a minute or so. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and mash the potatoes until the butter has been incorporated. Add the nutmeg, black pepper, heavy cream and continue mashing the potatoes. Once everything is incorporated, add salt to taste and the egg yolks. Continue to mash until the mixture is smooth. Do not over-mash or your potatoes will end up with a gluey consistency.
Using a piping bag with a large star point, pipe the potatoes onto a cookie sheet. Alternatively, you can just fill a casserole dish with the mashed potatoes, and use a fork to create lots of peaks on the surface. The swirled edges from the star-point piping bag forms or the peaks of mashed potatoes in a casserole dish will brown nicely in the oven. The browned parts taste great, so you want to maximize them. Whether you make piped portions or a casserole, paint the potatoes with the melted butter. Bake in the 425°F oven until nicely browned, about 20 minutes.
Karen, and her sweet daughter, Katie (who just gave birth to a precious baby boy) and me.
Floral Christmas Centerpiece
Flowers on the table just brightens the room! A pretty floral Christmas centerpiece arrangement is easy and inexpensive to put together using greens from your yard and some flowers you pick up from the produce store or even the grocery store.Continue ReadingSweet Lavender Scones in the Parlor
You just might want to plan a tea and invite a few friends over for a relaxed afternoon. These glazed Sweet Lavender Scones are delicious with coffee or tea. Lavender buds impart a mild floral hint that is unique but not overpowering. They look lovely and taste amazing.Continue Reading
Toni and Joe
I knew this day would be a very special one because the two individuals joining hands and hearts together are very special. This was the day Toni and Joe exchange their vows to one another to be there for each other in all capacities for the rest of their lives.
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| Photo Source: Unknown from facebook |
Mother’s Day Weekend
Saturday, John and I worked from 7am until 3pm in the yard weeding, trimming bushes and adding a new berm where there was a bare spot from a Japanese Maple we lost last year. We quit to shower and dress for a drive to my cousin’s son’s wedding reception. We picked up my sister on the way and headed to a lovely evening with family and friends.
Johnny and Nanea had a beautiful beach wedding a few weeks ago in Hawaii.