Teacup Tuesday: Narcissus

Happy Teacup Tuesday. This is one of my collection of cups. It's called Narcissus, by Bell China, but I like it because of the tulips. But you know, I don't think I've ever used it to drink from. Must remedy that--maybe today.

What tea are you drinking today?

Teacup Tuesday: Cups, dresses, tea and so much more!

As you know, I am crazy mad for bone china teacups -- so much so that I "rescue" them and try to find new, loving homes for them. That's what Teacup Tuesday is all about.  I regift what was probably a gift from someone else and the happy cycle continues. The cups are once-again admired, appreciated, and hopefully used and enjoyed.

But here's a problem I've run into more than once ... people enter my contests and don't always give me complete information.  Several weeks ago, Sharon S. won the bone china mug.  YAY!



However, Sharon never signed up for my newsletter so I don't have any information on her, just her email address from when she entered the contest. I've contacted her via email twice, and left messages on Facebook for her to no avail. Sharon's loss will be someone else's gain, and that someone else is Cindy H. from Council Bluffs, IA.

Meanwhile, this weeks winner of the free sample of Boneyard tea (doesn't that sound mysterious?) from Latteda.com is Toni N. from Carol Stream, Il.

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I've had a lot of fun with my character Pixie Poe in the Booktown Mysteries.  As it happens, there's a scene in Book Clubbed (that will be debut in July) where Angelica holds a tea party at Haven't Got a Clue ... and Pixie and Mr. Everett can only stand there and watch the festivities with mouths watering. If you've read the latest Booktown Books, you know that Pixie only dresses in vintage clothes. If she went to a tea party, she'd wear something stunning like this dress.


Which leads me to this week's discussion topic:  What would you wear to afternoon tea? 

To enter, you need to answer the question and supply your SNAIL MAIL ADDRESS. (When you enter the contest, you agree to be added to my mailing list (if you aren't already there).  Send your entry to Lorna @ LornaBarrett.com (close up those spaces).

By the way, I'd love to hear from past winners.  Are you enjoying your cups?  Did you enjoy your Boneyard tea?  Email me and share your stories on Teacup Tuesday!
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Be sure to drop by next week when my good friend Mary Jane Maffini (who also writes with her daughter as Victoria Abbott) joins us to tell us about her teacup collection!  We'll announce the winner of the floral teacup on April 15th (since it's tax day, it may make someone's day!).

Related articles

Teacups: Stories and Contest Winners

Teacup Tuesday!

Teacup Tuesday: Where and who with a cup of tea

Teacup Tuesday: Fond Memories of Teatime

Teacup Tuesday: Spill it -- hot or hotter?

Last week, I asked readers to tell me about the kinds of teas they like to drink--bags or loose. Whoa! Lots of opinions there!

Judy D. from Getzville, NY said, "My favorite tea is Mint Brook Meadow’s Peppermint and Spearmint caffeine free Herbal tea. I came across this tea last Spring when I was shopping at  Miller’s bulk barn located on Route 104 near Medina, NY. It is a very relaxing tea and is great if you have a slight upset stomach. I enjoy sipping the tea when I am reading, especially a great mystery book! Enjoy!"

Mare F. from Winsted, CT said, "I grew up with both loose and bags...leaves at my grandmother's and bags at home. My father even brought a jar of "instant tea" into the house but my grandmother shamed him so that it disappeared soon after. Tasted awful! Until the past few years I stuck with bags for convenience sake, but I find  myself ordering more 'I'm at home and settling in' routine each afternoon. I've two cups with china strainers in them and then tea balls at home."

Ruth N. from Dixon, CA said:  My oldest son and shared many a cup of tea. I lost him five years ago and I'm the only tea drinker left in the family. Down to a small pot instead of a big pot but lots of memories of our chats over a pot of tea.  I use both loose tea and tea bags, my son always wanted tea bags like his Grandma from Scotland shared with him.  I've branched out and try different loose teas.

Debbie C. Cottonwood, AZ said:  "At the moment, my favorite method of brewing tea is by teabag because there is a wide variety of places that I can buy them here in town.  However, we've just had the cutest little tea shop open up in Old Town that sells it loose, so I've been itching to try that method as well.  I made a brief venture in while I was waiting for my daughter to come dancing down the street with her ballet troop, decked out in one of her costumes for the Nutcracker for our town's Christmas parade.  What can I say, it was love at first sight. However, I knew I'd have to ease my husband into moving a larger stash of tea into the house.  Last time I brought home six new boxes and he just rolled his eyes at me.  Good thing he loves me. Honestly, I think I just grew accustomed to drinking tea from a teabag from the time I was little.  We would heat the water up in my grandma's old teakettle and then pour the water into a what would now be considered a vintage brown drip McCoy teapot  that already had a few bags in it waiting to be steeped.  Those were precious days sitting in my grandma's kitchen, sipping on tea while crunching on cookies.  It reminds me to make the most of the time I have with my family. But, that doesn't mean I can't be adventurous and try other methods."

Mary P. from Australia said:  "I use both loose leaf & tea bags. I have some very fussy family members who insist upon "real" tea. I generally just add the loose leaf to the pot - no infuser at all. The fun part is reading the tea leaves afterwards. (I'm still waiting for the tall, dark, handsome stranger to appear.)"

Antonette N. from Carol Stream, IL said: "I also love tea and try lots of different ones. On vacation I try to find a local tea - or at least one that 'feels' like the location. Current favorites are White Blueberry by Adagio Tea and Pomegranite Green Tea by Republic of Tea."

Vanessa P. from Seahurst, WA said:  "I too have had many teas that I found only once or received as a gift and then could not find again... my solution is to go see Vicki at my local tea shop; Cascadia Herb'n Tea! She has actually created blends for me!"

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And The Winner Is...

Brenda T. from Howard City, MI winds the tea for one pot and teabagholder.  She said:  "I usually use a tea bag, not because I think it is the best way to make tea it is just a convenient way for me to make my tea.  Such a pretty little tea set!  Would love to win and share with my grand daughters!"

Tracy R. from Paducah, KY winds the free tea sample from Latteda.com.  She said: "To be honest, I have never had tea from loose tea leaves. I am a huge coffee drinker, but I am starting to enjoy tea more. I have a terrible cold now, so I am having a hot cup of tea that is from the Boston Tea Company. My hubby, Jeff, got me a trio of tea tins for Christmas. Right now I am enjoying Jasmine Green from this trio. This is the first time I have had it, and I really like it. I will have to try the loose tea and see which I prefer. I love Teacup Tuesdays!"

P.S.  I still haven't heard from last week's winner (Sharon S), although I e-mailed her.  If she doesn't get back to my before next Monday, we'll be giving the bone china mug to another reader.

Next week ...

Okay .. are you old school and boil your tea water in a kettle ... or heat it in the microwave?  Confess all!

Teacup Tuesday: Weeee! Lovely Recipes!

Last week the topic was recipes and I'm rather disappointed to say that there were only two entries on that account, and both were WONDERFUL.  But we did have two prizes (a lovely teacup and a free sample of Boneyard tea from Latteda.com) that will be rewarded.

The first of two of my daffodil teacups.

As runner up, we have Strawberry Soup, from Jenny Ellis  She wins the free tea sample from Latteda.  She said:  "This may seem a little strange since it's a cold item but ever since I had it at a tea house in my hometown I adore it. It's chilled strawberry soup.  Also since her recipe was printed in the local newspaper, I have occasionally made the soup myself.  I've already checked to see what ingredients I already own so once it starts to get warm outside I can make the soup myself. She also makes a chilled pumpkin soup that is yummy in the fall."

Strawberry soup
Ingredients
1 pound frozen strawberries with juice (if any) mostly thawed
3/4 cup powdered sugar (not necessary to sift)
1/3 cup grenadine
1/2 cup imitation vanilla
2 cups (1 pint) sour cream
3 cups half and half

Directions
In a large blender, add the ingredients in the order listed above. Blend on high (or puree) for about 15 seconds until no chunks of berries remain. At this point, you may divide this in half and freeze part for later. Add approximately 1½ cups half and half to each batch. Blend well. Makes about 20 to 24 servings total. Note: if using fresh berries, cut in half, add 1/3 cup sugar, shake well to make juicy before doing soup.

And the winner of the floral teacup is Lorie Mink, for her recipe for ... Starbucks Lemon Loaf.  She said:  "I really enjoy the Starbucks Lemon Loaf with tea. I found a copycat recipe through Facebook, but am unsure of who shared it as I only copied the recipe and not the name of the person who shared it. However, a Google search showed there are several versions of this recipe. I love a good lemon cake and as I am not that proficient as a cook, found this recipe easy to follow. I made it the first time for a couple of friends and we enjoyed it with English Breakfast tea. I have since made it for a work potluck and even substituted the flour with a gluten free all purpose flour so my husband (who is gluten intolerant) could enjoy it too. It is fast becoming one of my specialties and there is nothing I like better
than a slice of this with a good cup of tea."

Starbucks Lemon loaf
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 3 eggs
 1 cup graulated sugar
 2 tablespoons butter, softened
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1 teaspoon lemon extract
 1/3 cup lemon juice
 1/2 cup vegetable oil

 Lemon Icing
 1 cup confectioner's sugar; plus 1 tablespoon
 2 tablespoons milk (I used 2% milk)
 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl.  Use a mixer to blend together the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon juice in a medium bowl.  Pour the wet ingredient into the dry ingredients and blend until smooth.  Add the oil and mix well.  Pour the batter into a well- greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.  Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into center of the cake comes out clean.  Make the lemon icing by combining all the icing ingredients in a small bowl with an electric mixer on low speed.  When the loaf is cool, remove it from pan and frost the top with the icing.  Let the icing set up before slicing.

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Next Week's Giveaway

What is your favorite tea blend?  Orange pekoe?  Earl Grey (hot or cold)?  Send your preference and explain why to contest @ lornabarrett.com  (close up those spaces) and you might win the lovely rose bone-china mug at the right! Entries will be taken until Monday March 17th.

Don't forget, you'll also be in the running for a free tea sample from Latte Da -- two chances to win!

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Teacup Tuesday: Where and who with a cup of tea

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Dream cake recipes from EziBuy customers

White Chocolate Banana Loaf Recipe

Teacup Tuesday: Moms and Daughters...memories of teatime

Thank you to all who wrote a fond memory of teatime. I thought I'd share a few that involve the special bond between mothers and daughters.

"My favorite memory is of my Mother, She loved tea and had two cups every morning. She would have one cup in the afternoon too. I can still see her sitting in my kitchen drinking tea. She lived to the age of 91, so I guess it was a healthy thing to do."
--Diane L., Manchester, CT

"When my daughter was young we would go to the large closet and open it up and choose a "special cup" from our collection.  Many were my grandmothers and mothers.  They collected from auction sales since I was young.  When people would come to visit they would choose their favorite cup.  There are never two the same.  My daughter would choose a different one every time and we would use pretty colored sugar from "Hess's Department Store" and have tiny shortbread cookies, wear vintage hats and discuss clothes and "pretties".   She is turning out to be a wonderful and lovely young woman and I think it all started with a tea party."--Suzie F, Bethlehem, PA

"After a busy Christmas, my adult daughter and I went thrift shopping at a local store that benefits the local hospital. We found beautiful teacups there and bought two cups with matching saucers. That evening after my husband went to bed, my daughter and I had tea in our "new" teacups. My daughter lives in San Francisco so I don't get to see her that often. When we get together we always have tea in the evenings when it's quiet. It's a time that I look forward to and I hope that it will be a happy memory for her as well."
--Suzie S, Santee, CA

"When I was a little girl, my mother would have tea with me. She would give me a cup more than half filled with milk. She called it 'Cambric Tea.' I've always had my tea with milk and sugar."
--Barb W, Skandia, MI

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And The Winners Are!

The (randomly-picked) winner of the Dutchess teacup is Deb L. Her teatime memory was:  "I guess my favorite tea time memory was from high school. I would go with my friend Janet with her to her house after school. She lived near the high school so we wound up at her house instead of mine. Whenever we had a particularly challenging day, her mom would make us both tea and we'd all talk about it. Every time I drink tea I think of Mrs. Richards." 

The winner of the Boneyard Tea sample (courtesy of Latte Da and Betsy Bean) is Debbie B.  I have contacted both winners via email to let you know how you can obtain your winnings!

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Next Week's Giveaway

Queen's bone china by Rosina

Teatime is celebrated (in one way or another) all over the world. Where in the world would love to have afternoon tea, and with whom?  Send your answer to contest @ lornabarrett.com  (close up those spaces) and you might win the lovely roses bone china teacup above!  Don't forget, you'll also be in the running for a free tea sample from Latte Da -- two chances to win!

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Teacup Tuesday: A Valentine Tea

Today's teacup is a from my from my set of "good" china. I used it just last week. Every Valentine's Day, Mr. L and I have an afternoon tea. It's called Silver Maple by Royal Albert.

 

 Last week on the blogger version of this blog, Loveamystery asked for a good scone recipe.  Here's one I like and I included it in my cookbook, Recipes To Die For.

WALNUT SCONES
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, cold
¾ cup milk
1 egg
½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped*
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons cold water
¼ raisins (optional)

Preheat oven to 350º. Sift the dry ingredients together. Using a pastry blender (or a fork), cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Beat the milk and egg together. Pour into the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. Add the chopped nuts, combining well. You can use an ice cream scoop to form the scones and place them on an aluminum (or parchment paper) lined baking sheet, or pat the dough into a circle and score with a knife.* Beat the egg yolk with the cold water. Using a pastry brush, glaze each scone with this mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot or cold. (Hot is better! *You can substitute pecans or any other nut you prefer. Pistachios make an interesting scone.)

Yield: 10-12 scones.

(*BTW, I use a scone pan that makes perfect wedge-shaped scones.)

Here's what this year's tea looked like.  (And no, we weren't able to eat it all.  We love leftovers!) Isn't my Valentine orchid gorgeous?

 ~~ And now for the giveaway! ~~

Today's teacup is called Duchess, and isn't it pretty?

How can you win it?  By sending an email to me at contest @ LornaBarrett .com and leaving a tea time memory you wouldn't mind sharing (I won't use last names) with everyone on the blog.  I'll pick a name at random.

But wait! There's more! Betsy Bean from Latteda.com will send a free sample of Boneyard tea to another lucky winner every week.  But you can't win if you don't sign up.

Summer Tea Party: Stories and winners

My friends Leann Sweeney, Jennifer Stanley (also known as Ellery Adams) and I recently held a contest for our readers.  The prizes?  Two lovely teacups and/or five tea bag holders.

Tea parties and pretty bone china tea cups have a special place in our hearts.  For me, just gazing at the pretty patterns, and the delicate cups (in many shapes and sizes) takes me to a more peaceful, beautiful place. A place where you can enjoy your surroundings, and partake of a lovely custom of taking tea.

I collect teacups, and have a collection of about 30 or so.  (I posted all of them on my Facebook author page earlier this year.  Go have a look--but you'll have to scroll back through several months worth of posts.) I'm lucky enough to have inherited a lovely tea set from my grandmother, and my mother gave me her Royal Albert Silver Maple tea set.  I love them both, but must admit I'm afraid to use my grandmother's cups and saucers.  So few of the cups survived.

Leann talked about her collection:  "As a child of an alcoholic mother, I sought beauty in my life anywhere I could find it. We lived in England when I was a toddler and my parents collected bone china, Wedgwood, Dresden and Hummels while we were there. They also bought a lovely small display case. Once we were back in the states, my sister arrived in the world. As we both grew, we would spend hours staring at those small pieces of china. We loved what they represented--a lovely party, a time where people were polite and civil and smiled over a cup of tea. We longed for peace in our lives even as children.

"Those beautiful tea cups and figurines took on special significance because we couldn't touch them, just as we couldn't touch my mother's heart and make her well. But we could wish. Today, we own them all and display them proudly. Part of my new home is designed with a built-in display case, as well as cabinets with glass fronts so we can continue to honor these lovely remembrances."
We wanted to share the rembrances from some of our readers.

Our first prize winner for the Floral cup is Karen K. from Rochester, NH.  Karen told us:  As a child I had a great-aunt that had a tea cup collection, and I remember the beautiful but dainty cups and saucers with great fondness.  This contest would be just the thing to start a collection of my own.

The winner of the Roses cup is:  Vicky H. from Garden Grove, CA.  Vicki said:  "My favorite tea cup is one that has 'sister' (written) on it. They are part of a set (the other has brother on it.)  They belonged to my father's step-dad and when my grandmother passed away. The brother one went  to my brother and the sister one went to my sister. When she passed away a few years ago at 47, I got it, so it not only reminds me of my grandmother and step-grandfather, but of my sister."

Our red or white tea bag holders go to the following readers, who also shared a tea-time memory:

Gloria W. from Boeme, TX:  "I have a cup and saucer from my grandmother’s china.  She was an avid gardener and always had the most beautiful flowers."

Lynn Marie S. from Goshen, CT:  "My children love me to make loose leaf tea so we can do tea leaf readings like Harry Potter!"

Katherine C. from Oxon Hill, MD:  "I remember my 'Elegant Aunt,' who always served afternoon tea in a similar pattern to Floral.  I was four so it was milky tea, but I was allowed to drink from that beautiful cup."

Mary C. from Blaine, MN:  "Shortly after I graduated from college (1973) my mother gave me a teapot that was decorated with a floral pattern.  The teapot was stoneware, from a local gift shop, and nothing specia,but I liked the floral decoration because it had several different types of flowers in addition to the standard rose."

Marguerite G. of Meeker, OK:  "I have a set of children's china tea cups that my great grandmother gave to me.  I can remember many happy hours sharing "cups of tea" with her and my grandmother!"

Those getting an assortment of our bookmarks are:

Mari R., Maple Grove, MN
Adrienne J., West Babylon, NY
Toni M., Claudville, VA
Terri A., Michigan City, IN
Renae D., Worthington, MN
Jane S., Chicago, IL
Mary I., River Vale, NJ
Gwen B., Katy, TX
Heather H., Spotsylvania, VA
Jennifer W., Glenolden, PA
Brooke B., Neffs, OH
Beth M., Chicago Park, CA
Michele H., Bethany Beach, DE
Debbie C., Casselberry, FL
Tonja M., Orrville, OH
Suzanne H., Mobile, AL
Congratulations and thank you to all who entered our summer tea party contest!

Teacup contest -- will you win?

I'm always trying to engage my readers in a little conversation.  So lately I've been posting "a teacup a day" on my Lorraine Bartlett author page.  (BTW, I also have Facebook pages for Lorna Barrett, L.L. Bartlett, and the Jeff Resnick Mysteries (although that one is under construction right now).  I'd LOVE it if you'd come and like them.  Thanks!)

Readers seem to like the teacups.  LIke this one:


and this one:


My character, Katie Bonner of the Victoria Square Mysteries, always aspired to be an innkeeper, and one who served afternoon tea.  Since she isn't yet an inkeeper, she patronizes the teashop on Victoria Square.

All this talk of teacups gave me an idea about author giveaways.  I'm not fond of giving books away, but I do like to reward my readers for their loyalty and support.  (You guys are great.)

So, I'm going to give away this teacup (BELOW):
 


In addition to the teacup, I'll send out 5 Goody Bags full of bookmarks, postcards, and buttons to the runners up.

 Enter now for a chance to win! 

Tell me the name of the tea shop in my first Victoria Square Mystery, A Crafty Killing.   Email your answer to me at:  LLB @ LLBartlett.com  (remember to close up those spaces).  Be sure to include your snail mall address so I can mail the prizes.  (P.S.  Those not already on my mailing list will be added--and you'll receive a postcard when my next book is out.)

BONUS QUESTION:  The names of the owners. (The winner will get the cup AND a goody bag!)

DO NOT put your answer in the blog comments. 

YOU WILL NOT WIN.

You have until midnight on Thursday, February 28th, to enter the contest.  Mr. L will choose the winners from a hat, and they will be announced on Friday, March 1st.

Good Luck!
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