Vacation Break

Dearest Blogging Friends,

I will be away from my Blog-of-Life for a little over a week ~ it is vacation time!!!!

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We will be leaving tonight for a fun-in-the-sun trip to south Florida - staying in a lovely condo resort with all the amenities. We were able to get a wonderful deal from one of our friends who has a bonus week - thank you Paula - you are the best!!! This is going to be pure paradise!

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I am so excited to have a family vacation - much needed! I thoroughly enjoy lounging by the pool and relaxing with a good book - or cooking magazine - or my IPhone where I can peruse all my favorite blog sites! Ahhhh.....glorious! We will be right on a golf course so my husband will be playing with our son and in his own heaven as well!

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One of the things I always love about staying in a condo is the adventure of cooking - sumptuous breakfasts - grilling - delectable picnics and late night munchies! We always have such a good time in the kitchen - setting a delightful table and eating our meals together in such a magnificent atmosphere.

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Upon our return from vacation we will dive right into the July 4th festivities - my favorite time of year - this is the annual "Sister's Holiday"! My 2 beloved sisters (and best friends) and their families will be here for the weekend. All the brothers have a day together on the golf course - the sisters have bonding time - and we have a feast of all feasts on Independence Day! This year will be extra special because our parents will be joining us and my oldest son will be coming too! This is going to be the best 4th of July ever!!!

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I will be doing plenty of blogging when I get back!

Have a wonderful week everyone and a fabulous holiday weekend!

Tea Time

Another week of peeking into one of my tea displays!

Two sweet angels under a glass cloche!

The "thanking angel" and the "praying angel"

from the Willow Tree Collection.

glass shelves filled with treasures...

a collage of favorite collectibles...

The couple holding the baby is titled "Our Gift"

it was a present from my parents when we were

pregnant with our baby daughter ~ Gabriella.

my wedding china...

willow tree figures...

teapot and teacup set...

glass pedestals...

vintage gravy boat...

I love my wedding china...

this teacup is so delicate and beautiful...

Mikasa Fine China

Narumi, Japan

Rosewood

pink depression glass...

This porcelain tree was a gift from

my beloved friend, Starla...

It has all of our names inscribed - it is breathtaking and

the pictures simply do not capture it's true beauty.

The little cream pitcher and sugar bowl was a present

from my mother-in-law ~ I just love this little set.

The big picture...

This magnificent curio was also a gift

from my darling Starla...

a close-up of the delightful collection...

Thank you for joining me for tea today!

Please enjoy a delectable recipe from my tea devotional.

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Delicious Butter Cookies

1 pound butter, soft

1 cup sugar, sifted

1 egg, beaten

4 cups flour

1/4 t salt

1 T vanilla

Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Add beaten egg. Sift flour with salt and add to mixture.

Stir thoroughly. Add vanilla and mix.

***

Drop dough in teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.

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I am linking to the following Tea Parties:Tuesday Tea Party
hosted by Wanda Lee @ The Plumed Pen
***Tea Cup Tuesday

hosted by Martha @ Martha's Favorites

***

Teapot & Tea Things Tuesdays

a shared meme hosted by Wanda @ The Plumed Pen

and Pamela @ A Breath of Fresh Air
***Tea Time Tuesday

hosted by Lady Katherine

Tea Treasures

A peek inside my tea room...

Some of my most precious cups on display...
Each cup has a special meaning...and I have dozens!

My wedding cake topper...20 years old!

I married the love of my life...

A beautiful covenant for you and me ~

forever in love we will be...

A glimpse inside my china cabinet...

An exquisite new tea set...

a treasure found at our church's yard sale!

"Victorian Roses" Fine Bone China

It matches my set of "English Roses"

Fine Bone China...

A complete set for eight...inclucdes:

dinner plates, bread plates, salad/soup bowls,

teacups & saucers, salt & pepper shakers, cream pitcher,

sugar bowl, serving bowl, a platter and a darling tea pot!

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All for $15.00

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The best part for me is that this set belonged to our pastors-

I did not even know this when I purchased it!

Imagine my delight!

The most adorable little tea service!

This was an "I love you" gift from my Mama

that arrived in the mail one day as a surprise!

Tea Pot & Depression Glass...

One of my favorite cups...full of faith!

See that tiny little ceramic cow next to the teacup?

That was the first present my husband (not my husband then)

gave to me. I collected cows and loved brownies!

So my romantic darling topped a rocky-road brownie with this cow!

I was head over heels...and 21 years later...I still get butterflies!

Look at this miniscule glass pitcher!

I purchased this on ebay many years ago...

My tea room...a sanctuary...a place to relax...

Quiet and peaceful ...

The gathering place for many parties...

A glorious place to read and enjoy a cup of tea...

My place for spending time with the Lord
and in His Word...

My post would not be complete without a recipe to share!
Enjoy this simple, quick and easy dessert with lovely cup of tea...

This is adapted from my Sweet Orange Tea Rolls.

Cinnamon Cream Quick Rolls

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare a round cake pan with butter.

1 pkg. refridgerated French Bread.

(unroll on floured surface until completely flat)

4 oz. cream cheese, soft

1/2 c brown sugar

1 T cinnamon

Whip together until well blended and fluffy.

Spread on French bread .

Roll bread dough up and slice into pinwheels.

Place in cake pan and brush with melted butter.

Sprinkle top with 2 T granulated sugar.

Bake for 25 minutes and place on wire rack to cool.

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Vanilla Glaze

1/2 c powdered sugar

1 T milk

Drizzle on rolls.

*************

I am linking to the following Tea Parties:

Tuesday Tea Party

hosted by Wanda Lee @ The Plumed Pen

***

Tea Cup Tuesday
hosted by Martha @ Martha's Favorites
***Teapot & Tea Things Tuesdays
a shared meme hosted by Wanda @ The Plumed Pen
and Pamela @ A Breath of Fresh Air

***

Tea Time Tuesday
hosted by Lady Katherine

Dessert and Tea

a beautiful tea party with my beloved ladies... a sumptuous buffet of savories and sweets...

roses always make a party special...

a display of tea cup treasures...

my favorite tea cup ~ with adorable feet...

a present from my sister ~ that is why I love it...

I love lusterware tea cups ~ gorgeous...

faith tea cup with a golden spoon...

china spoons make everything exquisite...

it is all in the details...

glass spoons are my passion...

a itsy-bitty Royal Doulton Old Country Roses tea pot...

a gift from my grandmother...the Nana of my life...

Here is a refreshing dessert you are sure to love!

One of our ladies, Toni, shared this treat -

and it was a delighful hit!

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Dessert Grapes

3 lbs. grapes

(1/2 green & 1/2 red)

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 c sugar
1 t vanilla

Mix together cream cheese and sour cream until well blended.

Add vanilla and sugar - mix well and fold in grapes.

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TOPPING:

1 c. crushed pecans

1/4 c. brown sugar

Mix together and sprinkle on grapes.

Chill and serve in a pretty glass bowl.

so many delectable things to choose from...

where to start...

I am linking to the following Tea PartiesTuesday Tea Party
hosted by Wanda Lee @ The Plumed Pen
***Tea Cup Tuesday

hosted by Martha @ Martha's Favorites

***

Teapot & Tea Things Tuesdays

a shared meme hosted by Wanda @ The Plumed Pen

and Pamela @ A Breath of Fresh Air
***Tea Time Tuesday

hosted by Lady Katherine

TJ's Favorite Tilapia

Tilapia is a delicious melt-in-your mouth white fish!

You can virtually add any flavor combination -

and make any meal memorable.

I hope you enjoy my version!

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My family loved it so much that I had to serve

it the next night as well!!

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This recipe is not only scrumptious -
it is so healthy and good for you!!!

My husband and I have started the South Beach Diet.
They have so many incredibly easy mouth-watering recipes -

that I will be sharing on my blog-of-life for all of you to try as well.

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This particular recipe I dreamed up myself after perusing
ways to serve Tilapia - but it absolutely follows the success
of the South Beach Diet plan.

My husband flipped for the Homemade Tartar Sauce.

I know he loves to slather sauce on things -

so I mixed up this little gem and he could not get enough of it!

I did have to share with him he will negate the healthful benefits

of the meal I prepared if he hogs up every drop of sauce I made!!

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The South Beach Diet is more than I expected - i

n searching for a lifestyle change in our eating habits -

I was introduced to this plan.I love it!

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I feel wonderful! It is so healthy!

The recipes are so good!

It is easy - doable - delightful

and truly life-changing!!

This is becoming a family keeper!!!

TJ's Favorite Tilapia

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4 Tilapia Fillets

2 Lemons

1/3 c Sweet Vermouth

1 T Soy Sauce

1 tsp Marjoram

Olive Oil

Kosher Salt

Cracked Black Pepper

Place fillets in a glass baking pan and drizzle olive oil on top.

Season with salt, pepper and marjoram.

Slice one lemon and put to the side - juice the other lemon

by squeezing over the fish fillets.

Mix together the Vermouth and soy sauce - pour on top.

Place lemon slices on fillets.

Bake @ 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes-

or until fish is still moist and flakes easily with a fork.

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Homemade Tartar Sauce

1/2 c Light Miracle Whip

2 T Dill Pickle Relish

Mix until well blended.

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I am linking to the marvelous:

Foodie Friday
@ Designs by Gollum ~ hosted by Michael Lee West