What is Bergamot a plant a tea or a bread?

Earl Grey Tea Cake

 Can you answer that question or are you confused?

Hello and welcome! I have my tea ready and will be enjoying some home made tea bread along with it.

So today I made Earl Grey Tea Cake Earl Grey Tea Cake with a honey citrus glaze. 

An herbal plant used in teas and flavorings. I have to admit I did some research. I'm sure many of you have enjoyed the tea..it's certainly one of my favorites. A citrus flavor of limes but I didn't know that the plant can be many flavors. Hum!

Intereating......anyhow I added more lime juice and grated limes. The glaze is very sweet and interesting.

Was I a fan? Not really. Not going to be making it again soon...it was bland for my liking but by all means if you're inclined to do some baking by all means do try it out and let me know what you think.

This weeks I made the onion bread recipe that Cathy gave me. Obviously I tweaked it up a bit. Omitted the poppy seeds and added garlic and rosemary.

It was a hit! (No picture maybe next time)

2nd vaccine done and we couldn't be happier. So looking forward to seeing my family and showering them with hugs...and my friends...yippee!

On a final note I have a few more watercolor flowers to add to the out going happy mail. Be sure to check your snail box.

Also decided to make a few appliqué mug mats. This is the first one and not sure what the next one will be. If you have any suggestions be sure to let me know.

A Bientot for now....looking forward to hearing from you. 

Thank you so much for sharing your time with me.

Donna

Recipies...Let's talk family favorites.

Hello! Welcome back...got your tea ready? I have mine and today it will be Earl Grey.... and did you know that there is a Tea Bread recipe that includes Earl Gray as an ingredient along with prunes....it sounds delicious eh? I may have to give it a try. This week a made Lemon bread with a lemon glaze....very tangy. I use lots of lemon and for the glaze I use fresh squeezed lemon juice with powdered sugar.

My intent was to make poppy seed bread but MR said he didn't like all those little black seeds in his bread. Well! By all means let's keep them out! Lol.

I believe the reason for his dislike of the seeds was due to the onion bread I had made earlier. Poppy seeds were also in it. It sure was good.

Are you thinking that's all I do is cook or bake? Gosh I'm thinking the same. I am easily influenced by my "chat" group and they have been doing the same.

Before I go on one of my Vt girls DY has captured this photo of her new friend while out on a walk. When she comes upon him he just stops in his tracks and stares while she talks to him!

I believe he thinks "what a Foxy Lady" but what is she doing?. She says he stays staring until he's tired of listening.  Now how beautiful is this animal.

So this friend is also  a wonderful rug hooker so I think she could hook this picture of him. Hum!? I Wonder if she's given him a name?  *Thank you for allowing me to use your photo.

Sprouts...let's get an update on how they are doing. 

From start to finish. On Friday I placed roughly a tsp of seeds in a jar. Rinsed and drained them. Here is what they looked like.

Those broccoli seeds are so tiny.

You can see how they have opened and the sprouting has begun.

It is amazing how quickly you can have fresh sprouts for your salad or my favorite on tuna salad on slices of artisan bread. Now I won't bore you with day by day progress i will skip to Sunday. 9 days and voila! We have sprouts.

If you have not tried this at home go ahead and give it a go! Any questions give me a shout!  *I was planning on sharing some with you JJM...but you were in and out to fast.

RECIPE.

Let me tell you about a family Favorite Recipe....Stuffed Steak.

The first time having this was at my Mother-in-law's..better known as Mémère Yvonne. Never had heard of it. Take a lg London broil steak with a pocket sliced into it and stuff it with ground pork along with onion and spices. I use pretty much the same method I would if making pork pies. (Another favorite) Secure it with string or nails....bakes for 2 to 3 hrs at 325*. Yummy! My husband's idea.

We have not had this in quite a while and I must say it was well worth the wait. Give it a try....

I regret to say I didn't get the chance to shoot it when it came out of the oven.

One last note...I have not completed Saundra's challenge but I hope to get it done today. Certainly not an easy one hence the name challenge. I know you're not surprised...I did say I would be pulling up the rear with this.

 Remember when i asked if you could guess who sent me the Rod Stewart song Have I told you lately? No one got it right...it was not my SIL but it was my Son. How thoughtful...love.

Gotta run and thank you again for being here.

Be sure to leave a comment then check your mail box for Happy Mail.

A Bientot....Donna

Secrets and Words

Sunday January 10th, 2021

SHhhhh! That's right....come on in and join me. I've got something to tell you.

As I begin this post I realize it's Happy Hour so go ahead and grab a drink and I'll join you. 

Let me start off by wishing you all Happy New Year! I am confident that  2021 will be a much better year. I am feeling positive about it. My SECRET?... When I woke on New Year's morning my attitude had changed drastically and I had a much better outlook and felt happy...why? I'm not sure I just know that I was much happier and it felt good for a change. I sympathize with those who suffer from depression...my heart goes out to them. Missing the people you love but can't spend time with is so difficult. I know you all understand and are going through the same...so with that said I hope you'll agree that this year things WILL be better and happier days are ahead.

About WORDS.....also on New Year's day my husband and I decided to have a game of scrabble. I think the last time we played was about 5 years ago when we lost power for about 4 days. We enjoyed it so much we play every afternoon and now it's become a fun competition. That's right I beat him by nearly 100 points ONCE and now we are tied...a fun way to spend time.

 Monday, January 11th. 

What's cooking?

Hot Honey Oatmeal bread.

After seeing what Acornhollow.blogspot.com was up to I had to take matters into my own hands. You know she is my inspiration. I found this recipe on pinterest. Happyhooligansblog.com and it turned out so good. A very easy recipe with the aid of my bread machine. There is nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread in your house. For sure ill be making this again.

Oh my what happiness and smiles. I received my very own Happy Mail this week. Roomie sent me a package with this enclosed and a lovely note.

An article on hand written notes or letters. Snail mail or Happy Mail. Some of you know or have received some from me and I hope it gave you as much joy as this did for me. When was the last time you wrote someone a note just to let them know how much they mean to you or that they are in your thoughts?

Kindness and thoughtfulness 

are what we could all use a little of right now.

Knitting..I finished up a couple more hats..the blue one for my son and the white for myself.

Now ill let you in on another little secret...I have a new "Grand dog"......I have not officially met her yet and oh gosh I can't wait. 

Is she not the picture of cuteness I ask. Oh my I want to nuzzle her nose. Hope to meet her soon.

Well my friends that's it for today...I hope I brought you a smile and a little inspiration. I know that someone out there would love to receive a little note from you. Add a little sticker or a cut out of flowers or a little tag...it will mean a lot.

I bid you A Bientot and thanks for joining me. 

Donna