Miss Spenser's Blog

Happy New Year to all of our Tea Friends!! from The Hardins Don, Donna, Spenser, Chase, Zachary, & Grayson We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! Here on the farm we had a White Christmas!! Enjoy some of the pictures that our photographer Zach took! Our little Puppy 'Brew'-ster enjoying the snow!! May this New Year be filled with Joy, Love, and Many Blessings!  Looking forward to seeing you in this coming year!

Over the river, and through the wood, To Grandfather's house we go; The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow. Doesn’t this little town look friendly??? Well, it should it’s known as Friendly Village by the Johnson Brothers. This set my mom has been collecting for years! The Teapot and Teacups have a winter scene on them, but the dinner plates are all different seasons! We usually use these dishes on special occasions and they table always looks so pretty with all the various scenes! Other's Who Are Participating in Teacup Thursday! The Hope Chest Rose Chintz Cottage Antiques and Teacups

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" Mom was the first to get this set of “Cup of Christmas Tea” teacup and teapot. She received them many years ago by a friend in California, Dayna Esquivel. When we moved out here to the country, Mom and I began enjoying tea together in the afternoons. That Christmas Mom found another set of “Christmas Tea” teacups and teapot and purchased them for me! We always get these teacups out at Christmas and sip tea out of them on a regular basis. They hold many found memories of teatime with my mom! May you have a blessed Christmas!! Other's Who Are Participating in Teacup Thursday! The Hope Chest Rose Chintz Cottage Antiques and Teacups

"Joy is increased by spreading it to others" ~Robert Murray McCheyne "Joy Delights in Joy" ~William Shakespeare "Joy is not in Things; it's in Us" ~Richard Wagner Joy is not a precious concept reserved only for holidays and special occasions... Rejoice in simple things. Make joy at home in your heart today.

Figgy (or Date) Cake 1 C Oil 1 1/2 C Sugar 3 Eggs 1 tsp. soda, dissolve in a little hot water 2 C Flour 1 tsp. Nutmeg 1 tsp. Allspice 1 tsp. Cinnamon 1 tsp. Salt 1/2 C Buttermilk 1 tsp. Vanilla 1 C dried figs, chopped (or Dates) 1 C Chopped Nut Beat 3 eggs; add sugar and oil. After sifting dry ingredients, add to egg mixture alternatively with buttermilk. Add vanilla and fold in figs (or dates) and nuts. Pour into a greased bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, 20 minutes, or until done. (may take a little longer - I always start checking my bundt cakes every 5 minutes after the first hour as you don't want it over baked.) Sauce: 1/2 C Granulated Sugar 1/2 Stick Butter 2 TBSP Corn Syrup 1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla 1/4 C Buttermilk 1/4 tsp. Soda Mix ingredients and boil for 3 minutes. When cake is done, remove from oven and pour hot sauce over it.

This past week, our family has been enjoying Christmas movies! Every December, we go through our movie "closet" and locate all of the holiday movies. It seems with every year too, that we find one or two more to add to our collection. One of the movies we added this year was A Child's Christmas in Wales. I was familiar with the title as I knew there was a poem/short story written by Thomas Dylan, in fact, we even owned the book, however, I must confess, I had never taken the time to read it. Typically the rule around here is: "read the book first" and then watch the movie...but hey, it's Christmas, who has time, right?! The movie was simply delightful, and I am only sorry that I have missed out on so many Christmases without it!! Not wanting you to feel that way too, we have highlighted this story for you in hopes you will have a chance to read the book or watch the DVD too. Here's a brief synopsis: The movie will take you on a lyrical journey into th...

Look what I found while I was out shopping the other day! Not that we need another thing to help us remember how many days there are until Christmas...Little Grayson (9), generally does a great job at that, but who could resist this sweet little advent Gingerbread House?! Well, I couldn't...and so, yes, we have yet another little countdown method in our home! This sweet little house has all kinds of drawers and doors, one to open up every day until Christmas. Inside, you can tuck a little gift or piece of candy...Grayson informs me that as each day goes on, the boxes get a little bigger, so they can hold bigger treats! We hope you enjoy this "little bit" of Christmas today!!! Let's see, only 8 days until Christmas!!