Beyond The Garden Gate

A Valentine Day's Tea for You

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day, my friends! Time to share a cup of tea, and some goodies.

These mini cupcakes look extra cute with pink icing and chocolate hearts. They taste good too!

I've also got eclairs. Help yourself!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks for stopping by for tea.

"Somehow, taking tea together encourages an atmosphere of intimacy when you slip off the timepiece in your mind and cast your fate to a delight of tasty tea, tiny foods, and thoughtful conversation." ~ Gail Greco

I'm linking to two tea parties this week:

Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog and

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Warm wishes,

Beth

Happy Birthday, Gracie!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000

♥Gracie♥ turns 6 years old today!

Happy Birthday, Miss Gracie

♥ Hugs and kisses ♥,

Mom

Tea, Cookies, and Love

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:05:00 +0000

Love: it's what Valentine's Day is all about.

I decided to make some chocolate sugar cookies for my sweet guys: my hubby, my son, and my grandson.
If you would like the recipe, click here.

Sugar cookies are a big hit at our house, and these were no exception!

Lovely with tinted icing and red and pink sugar.

I'd like a cup of green tea with my cookies - care to join me?

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea." ~ Bernard-Paul Heroux

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm linking to Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage.

Thanks for visiting,

Beth

Photos of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were obtained my me taking pics from my computer while watching their music videos

Winter has arrived!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:19:00 +0000

Winter came to central Iowa in all its glory. Take a look as I walk about the garden.

Great big flakes,

and LOTS of them!

Coneflower heads remain in the garden for the birds to enjoy.

Grasses and conifers add winter interest.

The brilliance of ruby red: Red twig dogwood

One thing about red twig dogwood is that it requires pruning to avoid losing its bright red color. Another thing: it's pretty against the snow!

Speaking of snow...it's cold outside!

Time to go in and sip a nice hot cup of tea

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

White on White

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

It's Snowball, one of the neighborhood strays, on his way over to find something to eat.

White deer!

To watch a PBS video about white deer in Wisconsin, click here.

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for visiting,

Beth

Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes with Nutella truffles, Creme Fraiche and Creme Anglaise

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

When I saw Rosie's recipe for Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes with Nutella Truffles, Creme Fraiche and Creme Anglaise at her blog Kitchens are Monkey Business, I knew I had to try it.

This recipe has 4 components: The cake, the Nutella Truffles, Creme Fraiche and Creme Anglaise.

Prepare the truffles, and both sauces the night before.

Here's the recipe:

Nutella Truffles

Ingredients

4 oz bittersweet chocolate

2 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup heavy cream

4 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup Nutella

Preparation Instructions

Melt the chocolate, butter and cream. Remove from heat, stir in the cream cheese and Nutella. Chill for 1-2 hours, then roll into balls. Keep refrigerated until ready to place into the cakes. For Nutella truffles on the side, roll in toasted hazelnuts (I omitted this part.)

Creme Fraiche

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp buttermilk

Preparation Instructions

Add the lemon juice to the cream. Add the buttermilk. Stir. Cover with a paper towel and let sit at room temperature overnight.

The next morning, stir, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface and refrigerate. (This can be used in place of sour cream.)

For the dessert sauce, take 1/4 cup of the Creme Fraiche and mix in 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Creme Anglaise

Ingredients

1/2 cup skim milk

1-1/2 cups heavy cream

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

1/2 cup sugar

4 large egg yolks at room temperature

Preparation Instructions

Combine milk, cream and the split and scraped vanilla pod and seeds. Cook over low/moderate heat just until small bubbles form around the rim (about 5-6 minutes).

In another bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar. Whisk in half of the hot cream mixture very slowly in a thin stream. You do not want scrambled eggs, so go slowly. Then pour mixture back into the sauce pan and cook over moderate heat until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake

Ingredients

4 oz bittersweet chocolate

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs + 2 egg yolks (I used 3 whole eggs)

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cake flour (I used all-purpose flour)

1 tsp baking powder

Preparation Instructions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Butter 6 ramekins (I used 5 because that's all I had!)

Melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat. With an electric mixer, beat eggs and yolks; gradually add sugar. Add vanilla and continue beating. Fold melted chocolate and flour/baking powder mixture alternately into egg mixture. Ladle into ramekins.

Place a Nutella Truffle ball in the middle of each ramekin.

Ready for the oven

Bake for 15-17 minutes, until cake is firm to the touch.

Let sit for about 5 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the inside of each ramekin and invert onto plate.

Slice some strawberries and fan out. Give cake a dusting of powdered sugar (I forgot this part.) Top with a chilled Nutella Truffle and drizzle with Creme Anglaise and sweet vanilla Creme Fraiche. Sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts if desired.

The Creme Fraiche is on the left and the Creme Anglaise is on the right.

Rosie says if you try this, you will love her! She's right; I do!

Wouldn't this be a lovely special dessert to serve to your sweetie for Valentine's Day?

Thanks, Rosie, for this great recipe.

I will be linking to the following blog parties:

Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum

Thanks for visiting!

♥ Beth ♥

Making Valentine's Day Delicious

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is coming soon; have you thought about goodies with a red, pink, or Valentine's Day theme?

Not goodies, but wouldn't you love a bouquet of pink tulips?

Simple, and easy to dress up. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut some chocolate hearts from a pan of brownies.

Add a scoop of ice cream and some cherry pie filling.

Or, just go for a cherry sundae! Warm up the cherry topping first...mmmm.

Cupcakes are a great standby for any celebration. Bake some pink ones, and be sure to serve with a nice pot of tea.

"Come and share a pot of tea, my home is warm and my friendship is free." ~ Emilie Barnes

I'm linking to Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage.

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

Seeing White, Going Green

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Have you noticed me ~~complaining~~ remarking about our lack of snow this year? Well, we did get almost 2" last week. A second storm later in the week passed us by...so, while I'm seeing white, it's really not so beautiful. It's getting old, some has melted, some is not pristine white anymore. But we DO have snow.

A little snow cover on the garden

Cardinals in the bushes - brilliant color against white. Notice there are two smaller, less colorful, almost hidden birds (sparrows) in the lower left on the photo.

Winter whites from the past two winters ♥

While I ~~don't love~~ hate cold weather, and am petrified of driving on ice/snow, I am a very visual person. I appreciate beauty. And fresh snow cover is indeed pretty.

Going green: some scenes from the beautiful Botanical Center of Greater Des Moines

I cannot remember the name of this plant, but it surely is a stunner.

A couple of unusual orchids on the orchid wall

Streptocarpus

Colorful Coleus

Speaking of going green, have you seen the Go Green series of stamps issued by the USPS?

I'm linking to Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time.

Thanks for visiting,
Beth

A Valentine Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Is it Valentine's Day yet?

Well, not quite, but nonetheless, I'm decorating for it.

Come right on in!

Welcome! Make sure you enter with a happy heart!

After all, it's time for Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog.

You're invited for a Valentine breakfast, my friend. I'm mixing up the pancake batter. Sit down and pour yourself a cup of tea.

Enjoy some pretty pink pancakes, dusted with confectioner's sugar. And don't forget the strawberries!

Don't you just love having a nice cup of tea with a friend? Happy Valentine's Day!

"Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea? How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea." - Rev. Sydney Smith

Thanks for visiting; now head over to share tea with friends at Bernideen's.

Beth

Roses for Tea Time Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to Sandi of Rose Chintz Cottage, who is celebrating two years of Tea Time Tuesday! In honor of this event, Sandi, who adores roses, has asked for a rose-themed Tea Time Tuesday this week.

Roses for Sandi:

These photos were all taken in my garden last summer.

Tea for Sandi:

These photos were taken in tearooms, in my home, on my porch, and at a Haviland china store. Notice the third photo in the top row; those are Sandi's beloved Rose Chintz patterned-tea cups.

Enjoy this very special Tea Time Tuesday.

A bouquet of roses that brightened my house last winter - hope they brighten your day today.

"A true friend warms you with her presence, trusts you with her secrets, and remembers you in her prayers." - Author unknown

Sandi, my hat's off to you for sponsoring a fun and beautiful tea party every week for two years! Thanks for inspiring us and introducing us to new friends.

Warm regards,

Beth

Getting Fewer Comments? Font look odd on comments? The solution...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:14:00 +0000

Recently, I discovered that I was unable to leave comments on some blogs. I went to the Blogger help forum, where I was able to figure out what the problem was.

If a person has their comments set to be embedded below the post, this can cause a couple of issues to arise. One is that sometimes others cannot leave a comment. The second issue is that for some, the font on the comments looks odd.

If you've noticed your font changed, and you didn't do something to make it change (in the comment area), and/or if people email you, telling you they tried to leave a comment but were unable, try this:

Go to your Blogger dashboard. Choose Settings. Choose Comments. You'll notice an area that is titled Comment Form Placement. If you have selected Embedded below post, change it to either Full page, or Pop up window. Voila! This worked for three bloggers whose blogs I previously was unable to comment on.

Thanks for visiting!
Beth

Fertilizer Friday - Looking for snow

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Today's Fertilizer Friday. It's a chance to see what's growing in some fantastic gardens all over the world. I highly recommend you head right on over to Tootsie Time.

Recently, Ron and I went for a walk to Sleep Hollow Sports Park. (We were looking for snow.) Sleepy Hollow is a multi-functional fun park; in the winter you can ski, tube, and snowboard...you can even be part of the annual Polar Bear Plunge, where crazy people in swimsuits jump into the icy pond. In the spring, summer, and fall, Sleepy Hollow offers golf, miniature golf, batting cages, and a driving range. Alas, if you think that's boring...well...they also have a small vineyard and then there's the Renaissance Faire Park.

On our walk, we saw pretty dried hydrangeas:

Along the way, we crossed Four Mile Creek, which actually traverses the golf course at Sleepy Hollow.

Sledding on the immaculately groomed hill
The snow is all manufactured. We haven't had much snow yet this year.

There were a number of snowboarders, mostly kids, and all having a wonderful time.

It's January in Iowa, and before we know it, it'll be spring.

Daffodils peeking through the picket fence last spring

Bleeding Heart

Hellebores, above and below

Look at the detail on those leaves. I just love being able to post extra large photos on my blog; those flowers (and tea cups) just look so much prettier. Of course, if I happen to get a slightly blurry photo, that also becomes more evident! lol

In the past, when I tried to post extra large photos, they were cut off by my blog template. Thanks to Karen of Valentine Design, who widened my template for me, and at a very reasonable price.

Aw...the look of things to come!

Thanks, Tootsie, for hosting Fertilizer Friday, and thanks to all of you for stopping by to visit me!

Hugs,
Beth

Tea Time Tuesday - A Generous Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:43:00 +0000

I pray that within me will grow a more generous spirit. 2 Corinthians 8:7 says, "But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving." God doesn't need our things. But he gives us creativity and talent, and designed us to be about the business of doing things for Him. What gifts or resources has God blessed me (you) with? How can I (you) make use of something of myself (yourself) to give back to God? Generosity is one character trait I have chosen to work on this year. To read more about my "one word," click here.

I'd love to share a cup of tea with you, and some lively conversation. Today's tea is "Florence," a chocolate hazelnut tea from Harney and Sons. Harney and Sons offer over 200 varieties of fine tea. "Florence" is one of my favorites; another favorite is "Vanilla Comoro," a decaffeinated black tea; and another, "Yin Hao Jasmine."

I've also saved you a slice of Cranberry Poppyseed Pound Cake.

Tea, and generosi-tea...

As a candle provides light, so Jesus is the light of the world.

It's a privilege to link to Tea Time Tuesday, hosted by the most gracious Sandi of Rose Chintz Cottage. Be sure to visit our hostess Sandi and her participants, and listen up!

There's a very special Tea Time Tuesday coming up NEXT week. It's the second anniversary of Tea Time Tuesday and Sandi's celebrating by inviting us all to join her for Rose Week (she adores roses) for Tea Time Tuesday.

See you there!
Thanks for visiting!
Beth

The garden at its best

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:52:00 +0000

What an unusual winter we're having. We've not seen anything like this yet this year (Praise the Lord!)

Today, though, has its own beauty...

We went for a walk and saw hundreds of geese down at the lake.

Sedum in my garden

Hen and chicks looking good. I covered then up with a little mulch after taking this photo.

Nigella and/or larkspur that self-seeded. I wasn't expecting it to grow YET...no worries, I saved seed. These plants surely will not survive the winter.

The robins have eaten quite a few beauty berries, but some remain.

Daffodils peeking through the soil

However, there's nothing like July in my Iowa garden.

Along the garden path

One of my favorite garden photos, this one is my wallpaper on my laptop. The dark hemerocallis in the foreground is 'Bold Stripe.' 'Stella d'oro' is also blooming, as is achillea (whitish in bud, pink in bloom), catmint 'Walker's Low,' Asiatic lilies, yellow coneflowers, purple coneflowers, and a red rose. Foreground left is a weigela and top left yellow bloomers in the raised bed is squash.

Here I am, standing in front of my tomato plants to demonstrate their height. I had great production last summer. I froze some, ate lots, and gave away hundreds. I'm grateful I was able to do that.

I'm not sure of the cultivar of this lily in my side garden. It's labeled in the garden, but not in my photo file!

Hemerocallis 'Frans Hals,' visited by a black swallowtail

Looking down on the cottage garden. Top left, you can see part of our triangular garden (we've made it larger this fall); top middle is the enclosed raspberry/blackberry bed (just left of our blue spruce).

The bloomers include hemerocallis, echinacea, achillea (pink), roses, vinca (white), monarda, Rose of Sharon, coreopsis, clematis (on the fence), yellow coneflowers, and balloon flowers (blue, in front of the fence). Also, that's Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunias on the garden shed window box.

Looking down from the deck, to the right (the colorful part) is the "rocky garden," to the left you see blueberry bushes and callicarpa - that's the edge of the cottage garden. Up top (north) you can see our garden shed, a couple of the raised beds, and a small spruce. We have since extended the garden to the north, and edged the bed. I just love all the color in the rocky garden. I have a fear, though; it's a fear of that little oak tree...you see, as it gets larger it will make this area way too shady...so far, I cannot talk Ron into cutting it down.

One of my favorite hemerocallis, 'Custard Candy'

A glorious, elegant, lacy, highly detailed flower: Nigella, aka Love-in-a-mist

I'm linking up to Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time. It's a place where gardeners from all over the world go to flaunt their flowers. Be sure to pay Tootsie a visit!

I'm also linking to Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life. Be sure to pay sweet Kathy a visit!

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

Liberty Blue for Tea Time Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:29:00 +0000

It's Tea Time Tuesday over at Rose Chintz Cottage. Be sure to click on the link to go visit Sandi and her other Tea Time Tuesday participants.

I'm using my little blue teapot and my Liberty Blue dishes today.

I've made a special treat to go with your cuppa. It's called Chunky Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars. I've included the recipe at the end of my post.

The tea is Strawberry Rhubarb crumble.

Do you see Paul Revere on the cup? I really like these Liberty Blue dishes. Some information on Liberty Blue follows:

Liberty Blue was created for the bicentennial by Enoch Wedgwood of Staffordshire, England. There are different historical scenes on each piece.
The Benjamin Franklin Federal Savings and Loan was a a large financial institution in the Pacific Northwest, whose board of directors contacted Enoch Wedgewood to develop a unique pattern of dinnerware exclusively for them. As an incentive to their customers, they offered pieces and place settings at reasonable prices, depending on the amount of money deposited; i.e. the first deposit of $50 dollars one was given a four piece place setting free. Subsequent place settings could be purchased for $4.95. Coasters with Benjamin Franklin´s picture, made exclusively for the Ben Franklin bank, were given away with each place setting purchased. In October 1976, the Ben Franklin newsletter announced that account holders had only until the end of the year to obtain more Liberty Blue pieces at these special prices. Liberty Blue then became a grocery store promotional item for five additional years.
Info from http://www.robbinsnest.com/liberty-blue/

Chunky Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars - adapted from Teatime at Miss Spenser's, Our Favorite Recipes Hand Picked For you by Miss Spenser's Special-Teas

Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter,softened
1/4 cup brown sugar

Beat flour, butter, and brown sugar in small bowl until crumbly. Press in greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Filling:
3 large eggs
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups pecans

Beat all but the chocolate chips and nuts together; then stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Pour evenly over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until set.

Happy Tea Day!

Beth

Still Composting

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

Still composting, even in winter. Let me explain.

I have no garden waste to add this time of year. Here you can see large amounts of leaves from this fall. I also bagged and saved some leaves to add next summer. You see, leaves are a carbon source and my carbon sources are plentiful in the fall, but sparse in the spring and summer. I also bag and save shredded paper as a carbon source for inclusion in the compost in the summer.

In the fall you must be careful not to add too many leaves. You need a proper ratio between carbon and nitrogen sources to get the compost heated up to decompose quickly. Of course, there's no decomposing going on right now, with the colder winter temperatures.

Now I am adding primarily kitchen waste, such as vegetable/fruit peels, eggshells, and coffee/tea "grounds" including filters.

See my pumpkin? Far from decomposed, but it will be...

In the spring, I'll begin turning the pile to aerate and reduce compaction, and I'll add some fresh mown grass clippings to get it heated up. Then, as spring/summer progress I'll add garden waste and kitchen waste for nitrogen, and my saved leaves and shredded paper for carbon.

I use a two bin composter, so that one side can be nearing completion (stop adding to it, but keep turning), and the other bin is there to continue to add materials to.

One day, my black gold will be ready.

Black gold

For more specifics on composting benefits/composting how-to's, you can read my earlier post here.

Good soil helps you to have healthy plants.

Some experts indicate that you can use compost in place of fertilizer. It's like the old adage that if you eat well, you don't need to take vitamins; if your soil is healthy, you don't need to add fertilizer.

Good soil helps make your plants healthy and strong. That in itself is a great reason to compost. In addition, though, I am "recycling" yard waste rather than putting it into the landfill.

I use my compost as top-dressing; the insects and worms will get it into the soil. In addition, when planting, I like to add some compost to the planting hole.

Linking to Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday.

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

Looking Ahead: One Word, and Tea Time Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:49:00 +0000

2012 has arrived. A new year, full of promise, full of hope.

I want to make this a great year. It won't just happen. I've got to take action. Rather than resolutions, I'm going with one word. One word that describes a character trait I want to work on this year. My word: Generosity. I got the idea to focus on one word from Debbie at Debbie Dabble. To read her post, click here.

Why generosity? Well, the law of reciprocity is one reason:

What you give, you get.
What you send out comes back.
What you sow, you reap.
Decide what you want and begin giving, living, and acting accordingly.

Another reason: this bit of advice I read as one of several guidelines to happiness. Try to do good things every day and plan ahead for the good things you will do tomorrow, and your life will continue to be interesting and exciting.

Generosity. My one word for 2012.

Another word, usually associated with winter: SNOW.
We don't have any! Back in November, we had a dusting.

The only snow here now is man-made snow on the local ski slope, and...

My little snowman mug

The mug is filled with one of my new favorite teas:

This is another fabulous flavored tea from David's Tea. You can order it online by clicking here.

I made some sugar cookies to eat with my tea.

Here is my cheerful little snowman teapot.

One last look at my tree, now hibernating in my storage area until next December

Today I'm linking to Tea Time Tuesday hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage.

Thanks for visiting!
Beth

Looking Back

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:47:00 +0000

January brought snow to the midwest.

February

March at Sisters of the Heart Tearoom

April

May

June

July

August

September

Kiss me over the garden gate

October

November

December

2011 was a very good year. Hope you enjoyed the reprise in photos! My next post will look ahead to the year to come.

Happy New Year!!!

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

Thinking Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:53:00 +0000

I'm thinking PINK today.
I'm thinking GARDEN today.
I'm thinking SUMMER today.

There were alot of butterflies in our area this summer and fall.

There's a lot of beauty in an old wooden fence with phlox and echinacea in front of it. Purple coneflowers are an absolute favorite with me, and I have many in my garden.

Cleome is a stunning annual that self-seeds freely. Do you see the Virginia bluebells hiding behind the cleome?

More coneflowers

I have a few of these 'White Swan' echinacea as well.

Nigella - the ultimate true blue stunner

Nigella is another of those self-seeding annuals; also known as "love-in-a-mist."

A swallowtail enjoys my garden, and I enjoy it...following it around, snapping photos...oh, I can hardly wait for those warm, sunny days to return!

Thinking pink and orange and yellow...

Hundreds of purple coneflower line the footpath in the cottage garden. This picture was taken a few years ago and I have fewer coneflowers in this area now because aster yellows has taken its toll. Aster yellows is a viral disease spread by leafhoppers. It reportedly affects coneflowers, asters, zinnias, marigolds, mums, petunias, and snapdragons; as well as edibles like lettuce, carrots, celery, and tomatoes. I personally have never seen it on any plant other than my coneflowers. For more information,and some rather interesting pictures of "alien coneflowers from outer space," click here.

I'm thinking PINK today!

Thanks for visiting,
Beth

The Pretties of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:42:00 +0000

I hung this faux wreath on the picket fence in the garden last winter. Love the color against the snow.

Winter is beautiful, when one sees snow covering the Black Spruce. This photo was taken last winter...no snow yet this year...well, none that stuck anyway.

I love this speckled poinsettia. So pretty!

I placed some faux poinsettias on the snow-covered dwarf Alberta spuce.

Enjoying special goodies is a holiday tradition.

Shimmer and lights on the tree

Beauty in the greenhouse

Brilliant red poinsettias, a sign of Christmas

Pink poinsettias are pretty too.

We all like to dress up the table a bit for the holidays.

Last year's tree, and

this year's

Amongst the pretty trees and lights, the goodies, the parties...let us not forget that Jesus is the reason for the season!

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

Deer, December Garden, and Christmas Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:46:00 +0000

We had a young doe in the garden last Saturday...actually, there were four does in the yard at one time.

Deer are such beautiful animals, and we had fun watching them.

We've had three snowfalls this year, but all of them were minor. Today it was rain, approximately .75 inches. Did you know that 1 inch of rain is equivalent to about 10 inches of snow?

Lots of plants are still green, including this sedum.

Karen of Quarry Gardens Stained Glass loves her rocks. In her honor, I'm showing a few of my (much) smaller, decorative rocks. By the way, if you've never visited Karen and you like gardening, dogs, or humor, you need to head right over there!

We brought the light blue/green and the royal blue rock home from Dick's Rock Museum in Estes Park, Colorado, a few years ago. The rocks are not original to Colorado - I cannot remember where they came from but they surely are colorful. I wonder if Karen likes them?

A small area of river rock, a dwarf mugo pine, yucca plant and ornamental grass add texture and interest to this corner of the cottage garden.

Ornamental cabbage, still pretty in December

Last Sunday, Ron and I and eight friends headed over to Barry's house for a Christmas party. Before we left, I captured a couple of photos of my (one) Christmas tree...Barry has MANY.

A new ornament, a Royal Albert watering can, a gift from my good friend Judith of Lavender Cottage.

Now, on to Barry's

Barry has 26 Christmas trees this year. I'm going to show you just a few. If you want to see them all, call Barry! lol

This tree is the first one we encountered. It's tall, it's full, it's in his kitchen and it's his Harvest Tree. It is decorated with fallish items, including a few large pumpkins.

Here's an upside-down Victorian tree.

A white flocked tree, all decked out in black- my favorite of Barry's many (26!!) trees

The mantel

This corner/window area has three trees. One thing I noticed about Barry's trees is that all but one had white lights. Do you prefer white lights, or colored lights? Over the years I've used white lights, multi-colored lights, all blue lights, all red lights...I like them all...I like variety...

Not only does Barry have 26 trees; he also displays 1,000 Santas, 30 nativities, and quite a few angels.

A purple pencil tree

Now this room is COOL! One of Barry's guest bedrooms; he moved all of the furniture out and made a Christmas toyland for adults. There were six trees in this room and it was stunning! My other favorite (besides the black/white tree).

There's even a tree in the bathroom.

A handsome rooster resides under the tree in the bathroom.

I am linking my garden and Barry's TREES to Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time.

Thanks for visiting! Merry Christmas and Happy Gardening!

Beth

Pink Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:55:00 +0000

"It looks all normal when it's loose. But steep it and you'll see that it's nuts. Within seconds, this tempting jumble of almond slices and chunks, apple bits and cinnamon bark starts turning a crazy shade of pink. Why? Because it contains a hint of beetroot..."

'Forever Nuts,' from David's Tea.

Look at it as it begins to steep.

Pretty in pink!

Not only is it pretty; it also tastes REALLY good!

I made Peppermint Bark (Melt 1.5 - 2 lbs of almond bark, stir in 1.5 cups of crushed candy canes and 0.5 tsp of peppermint flavoring. Pour onto wax-paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate 45", remove and break into pieces.) Enjoy this with your pretty pink cup of tea.

Today I'm participating in Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage. Be sure to pay Sandi and her party guests a visit!

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

It's Beginning to Look A lot like Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:50:00 +0000

I so enjoy looking at other's Christmas decorations when driving around this time of year. This is our house, from the outside looking in.

This year, I decorated the tree very simply...colored lights and white poinsettias.

This is one of my outdoor planters, all dressed up for Christmas.

Silver and sparkles on my dining room table

It doesn't look like Christmas in our yard/garden - notice the grass is still green.

Look at that nice clean curve where Ron edged the garden this fall. Did you notice that we enlarged the garden too?

Now, how about a little Christmas cuteness?

For some reason, Gracie likes sitting on the kitchen table. I'm not crazy about it, but she is very persistent.

Cute baby!

Merry Christmas!

Linking to Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time.

Thanks for visiting!

Beth

Christmas Tablescape

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:09:00 +0000

This table was done by my friend, Marilee. The dinnerware is Cuthberson, made in England.

I love her attention to detail. Note the forest green napkins (handmade by Marilee) and the reindeer napkin rings.

A sleigh full of goodies, with candy cane runners

Lunch for eight friends and family members

Marilee made two gingerbread Christmas trees. She used kits available at Michael's. I think the trees are just adorable!

A closer look at the reindeer napkin holder

The table was graced by a white tablecloth and a snow-covered table runner.

Attention to detail at every place setting. Notice the Christmas tree namecard holders.

A fancy gingerbread house was close by for our viewing pleasure.

Marilee, thanks for letting me show your table! It is beautiful!

This post is linked to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch

Thanks for visiting!
Beth

Christmas Tea With Old Britain Castles

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:51:00 +0000

Welcome to my home. It's cold outside. How about a nice, hot cup of tea?

Did you see Gracie under the Christmas tree? She thinks it's a good place to hide.

I have a faux poinsettia on the table as well as Christmas placemats.

This is Old Britain Castles by Johnson Brothers.

This is the square salad/luncheon plate. They also make a round one. I have both; the round came with the set and I purchased the square ones as I thought they were really cute.

Have a cookie with your Irish Cream Tea.

Old Britain Castles has a different castle on each piece.

Merry Christmas, and don't forget, Jesus is the reason for the season. I am linking with the tea parties listed below.

Tea Cup Tuesday hosted by Terri at Artful Affirmations and Martha at Martha's Favorites

Tea Time Tuesday hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

Thanks for visiting!

Beth