Miss Spenser's Blog

Many of you tea friends know Chase…our excellent soundman and tea pourer extraordinaire! This past weekend he had an opportunity to audition for Lorie Line, performing pianist and her “Fabulous Five” which tour throughout the Midwest and beyond. We are pleased to share with you that Chase has been selected as Lorie’s guitarist and will be joining her Fabulous Five and touring with her starting May 1st. Lorie Line is a successful Minnesota artist who has been professionally sharing her passion for the piano with the world for over 22 years. If you have not yet had a chance to see her in concert…we would highly recommend you do…she’s a phenomenal pianist and entertainer, dubbed as “America’s Favorite Pianist”…you won’t be disappointed!! Chase has always had a song in his heart…when he was little, he used to walk around outside singing a tune…I recall fondly, a neighbor in California commenting about Chase when he was 4 years old, “That boy always has a song…”  As his paren...

Here is a delicious recipe to try on the next cold wintery day...it's delicious!! 2 C Black Beans - presoaked overnight 8 C Chicken Broth 1 small onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tsp. garlic in jar) 1 Bay Leaf Combine the above and simmer covered until beans are thoroughly cooked (about 2 to 2.5 hours) Once the beans are cooked add: 4 - 6 oz. Summer Sausage, cut into pieces (optional) 1/4 C Cooking Sherry 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. Cumin 1 TBSP Brown Sugar Handful of fresh cilantro Salt/Pepper To Taste Cook 30 minutes more with lid off, or until the broth is reduced and slightly thickened. During the last 30 minute cooking time - prepare your rice per package. We enjoy Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice. Serving Suggestions: Place a spoonful of rice in a bowl, top with beans, a teaspoon of sour cream, a splash of fresh lime juice and garnish with fresh cilantro. There you have it...a delicious dish!!

Manly Teacup on Left (notice the size difference) Regular Teacup on the Right! A Manly Teacup in honor of my Uncle Chris (Donna's Brother)! Last month he won the Ford Fantasy Shelby GT500 Special Edition Mustang! My Uncle's new Car! This weekend Uncle Chris, my grandpa, and my Uncle Jeff are at the Daytona races! These three guys are huge motor heads so as you can imagine they are over the moon right now having the times of their lives!!! If you'll be watching the race, keep an eye out you might see them on TV!! My Grandpa and Uncles pictured with Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse! Every Boy's Dream! We're tipping our teacups to you today Uncle Chris! Cheers!  Other's Who Are Participating in Teacup Thursday! Rose Chintz Cottage Antiques and Teacups The Rosemary House Lady Estelle's Tea Corner Denise's Delights Faith Hope & Cherrytea Beautiful Clutter Martha's Favorites Breath of Fresh Air Lady Linda Teacup Gracious Hospita...

Mardi Gras King Cake 1 Stick of Butter, melted 2/3 C Evaporated Milk ¾ C, plus 1 tsp. Sugar 1 tsp. salt 2 Envelopes of Active Dry Yeast, Regular or Rapid Rise 3 Eggs Grated Zest of 1 Lemon 6 C Flour 4 TBSP Butter, melted 1 Egg White, for glazing Cinnamon-Sugar Filling: ½ C Sugar 1 tsp. Cinnamon White Icing : 2 C Powder Sugar 2 TBSP Whole Milk Colored Sugars – ¼ Cup Each of yellow, green, red and blue Combine 1 stick of melted butter, evaporated milk, ¾ C Sugar and salt. Stir so that the sugar dissolves, allow to cool. Dissolve the yeast in ¼ C lukewarm water along with the teaspoon of sugar. Cover and allow to stand for up to 10 minutes or until foamy. (If the yeast does not foam up, it is no good, you will have to start over with yeast and sugar…be sure your water temp is lukewarm, not hot.) Add yeast mixture to the butter/milk mixture. Next add eggs and lemon zest; whisk together vigorously until well blended. Add one cup of flour at a time until you have a th...

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you. A. A. Milne True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach Happy Valentine's to all of our Teatime Blog Friends! Other's Who Are Participating in Teacup Thursday! Rose Chintz Cottage Antiques and Teacups The Rosemary House Lady Estelle's Tea Corner Denise's Delights Faith Hope & Cherrytea Beautiful Clutter Martha's Favorites Breath of Fresh Air Lady Linda Teacup Gracious Hospitality Atteatude and Chocolate Teacups In the Garden Letters from the Northwest A Delightsome Life Poetry in a Pot of Tea Lady B's Time for Tea Romance of Roses From This to That Fabby's Living Art Books Tea Tea, Friendship and the Fine Art of Card Making The Nest at Finch Rest If you'd like to join us for Teacup Thursday, email me here with your blog address. I'll post a link to your blog and you can link us to yours! Thank you!

The past Saturday we hosted our "Love Songs on the Harp" Valentine Tea! Here are some pictures of the yummy treats we served! Enjoy! Our Classic Cucumber Sandwich... always a favorite! Gourmet Grilled Sandwich   Fresh out of the Oven Scones   Heart Shaped Chocolate Cookies   Red Velvet Chocolate Cake   Happy Valentine's Day!

Sixty years ago, a young girl named Elizabeth ascended to the throne of England. Today, she remains the 2nd longest reigning monarch of England. In honor of her Jubilee year, we're posting this "Royal Elizabeth Teacup and Plate". Do you have any "Elizabethan Dishware"? Other's Who Are Participating in Teacup Thursday! The Hope Chest Rose Chintz Cottage Antiques and Teacups The Rosemary House Lady Estelle's Tea Corner Denise's Delights Faith Hope & Cherrytea Beautiful Clutter Martha's Favorites Breath of Fresh Air Lady Linda Teacup Gracious Hospitality Atteatude and Chocolate Teacups In the Garden Letters from the Northwest A Delightsome Life Poetry in a Pot of Tea Lady B's Time for Tea Romance of Roses From This to That Fabby's Living Miss Kathy at The Writer's Reverie Art Books Tea Tea, Friendship and the Fine Art of Card Making The Nest at Finch Rest If you'd like to join us for Teacup Thursday, ema...

Today, February 6th 2012, marks the beginning of the Queen's Jubilee Celebration! In honor of this special day she has given this special message: Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee. In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth. I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clea...

My love is like a red red rose That’s newly sprung in June; My love is like the melodie That’s sweetly play’d in tune. So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in love am I; And I will love thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry. Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: And I will love thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only love And fare thee weel, a while! And I will come again, my love, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile. ~Robert Burns Other's Who Are Participating in Teacup Thursday! The Hope Chest Rose Chintz Cottage Antiques and Teacups The Rosemary House Lady Estelle's Tea Corner Denise's Delights Faith Hope & Cherrytea Beautiful Clutter Martha's Favorites Breath of Fresh Air Lady Linda Teacup Gracious Hospitality Atteatude and Chocolate Teacups In the Garden Letters from the Northwest A Delightsome Life Poetry in a Pot of Tea Lady B's Time for Tea Romance of Roses ...

Take a look at our first Bed and Breakfast guests…don’t they look refreshed and happy?? This could be you… Call today to book your room! 641-342-1547 Farmhouse Breakfasts... Yummy!