Petite French Tea Cakes

 Madeleines

There's nothing like a Madeleine dipped in your favorite tea! 

Madeleines are elegant petite French tea cakes that originate from the Lorraine region of France.  They are baked in special scallop shaped molds.  They are one of my favorite holiday tea time treats to bake. 

Madeleines are soft and buttery with lightly crisped edges.  Here are my tips to make these lovely little tea cakes:

Madeleine Tips

Always use the best quality ingredients. 

Use an authentic Madeleine pan.

Always butter and flour your molds generously for every batch.

Do not over bake!

My recipes calls to bake Madeleines for 16 minutes.  I find mine are perfect at only 12 minutes.  Oven and cook times can vary so experiment to see what works best for you.

There are many Madeleine recipes and variations available to try.  I use a Madeleine recipe from Bon Appetit.  You can purchase French Madeleine pans at Sur La Table. 

Esprit De Noel Tea
(Spirit of Christmas)

Madeleines are best enjoyed the same or next day.  In my house they don't make it to the next day!  I hope you enjoy this recipe and don't forget to dip them in your favorite tea!  At Christmas time, I love them dipped in Mariage Freres Esprit De Noel tea! 


(In the photos:  Lenox Holiday Collection china, Madeleine mold, & Mariage Freres Noel tea.) 

Joyeux Noel!

Esprit De Noel Tea

As the French say.........

Joyeux Noel!!

 (Merry Christmas!)

Tea Break

Christmas Cuppa!

It's my birthday today so I am taking a tea break today. 

I hope you are enjoying all the wonderful holiday teas available this time of the year. 

My favorite Christmas teas this year are from France:

Mariage Freres Noel and Kusmi's Christmas tea. 

I hope you are enjoying your favorite holiday tea during the holiday season!

(In the photo:  Spode Christmas cup & saucer.)

Making Holiday Gingerbread Scones!

 Gingerbread Scones

"Tis the season to be jolly and enjoy Gingerbread Scones.

Your house will smell just like Christmas when you whip up a batch of these Gingerbread Scones!

I add my own flair to this holiday scone recipe by omitting the raisins, adding a tad more milk and using more spices (don't use more than 1/2 t. of ground cloves though). 

This year I iced them with a cinnamon glaze and they were my best batch ever!

Here's a few of my tips for making scones:

 Always use a floured surface for rolling out the dough
into a 1-inch thick round.

 I like to cut my scones into 8 wedges.

 I use a French Silpat Mat for perfect scone results.

Another tip is to read the reviews of a recipe before you make it.  It's helpful to read where others have had success and failures with a recipe. 

For these scones there were many comments that they tend to be dry.  So, I added a tad more milk to my dough to correct this. 

The best tip of all is do not over bake your scones.  This  recipe says to bake for 25 minutes....mine were perfect baked for only 15 minutes. 



Now for the icing on the scone...

Cinnamon Icing

My cinnamon icing is just an old-fashioned powdered sugar glaze.  I don't really use measurements.

Cinnamon Icing

Powdered sugar

Milk

1 t. vanilla

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Slowly add milk to the sugar to achieve desired consistency for the icing.

Drizzle on scones. 

Enjoy your Gingerbread scones with a cup of your favorite Christmas tea! 

(In the photos:  Spode Provincial Garden plate, color Cranberry)

Is There a Santa Claus?

 Santa Claus Tea

Yes, Virginia...there is a Santa Claus and even Santa Claus tea!

Did you know that the adorable saying "Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus" is from a newspaper editorial back in 1897? 

Way back then, little eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon questioned if Santa Claus really existed.  Her Father told her to write to New York City's Sun newspaper.  He assured Virginia "If you see it in The Sun, it's so."

Is There a Santa Claus... the reply to little Virginia's letter is the most reprinted editorial to ever run in an English newspaper.  In the editorial the editor replied to Virginia, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"!

So in honor of Virginia and the spirit of Santa Claus,  I'm letting you know about a few of my favorite holiday teas...one is even called Santa Claus tea!


Hediard's Santa Claus Blend

Hediard's Santa Claus blend is one of my favorite Christmas teas.  The French and Hediard certainly know how to blend fragrant black tea.  Heidiard has been a well known name in Paris since 1854.   I love shopping at their la Madeleine store. 

You'll get a wonderful whiff of French vanilla, caramel, orange, clove and cinnamon when you open the lid on this shiny red caddy.  Hediard even says "leave a mug out for an appreciative Santa"!

  Christmas Spice Tea

Whittard's Christmas Tea

Another one of my favorite Christmas teas is Whittard of Chelsea's Christmas Spice Tea.  For years I only drank British tea and after several trips to London, Whittard's became my favorite British "cuppa".  I've discovered many tea companies since but I highly recommend any of Whittard's teas. 

Whittard's Christmas Spice Tea is similar if not the same blend as their Spice Imperial Tea so you can actually enjoy this spicy blend anytime of the year.  It's a premium black tea with the flavors of orange peel, cinnamon and spices.  Trust me when I say, Whittard knows how to blend good teas...they've been expert tea blenders since 1886. 

Oh, how I love to shop their London branch stores. 

Both of these wonderful teas are available only online to purchase.  If you have a friend taking a trip to Great Britain or Paris you can always ask them to bring you home a caddy or two! 

And because I believe in Santa Claus, I've given Santa a list of teas I hope to find underneath my Christmas tree!  I hope Santa brings you some fabulous tea, too!


(In the photos:  Lisette's childhood Santa mugs and the Vintage Holiday Tea Towels are for sale here in Boutique Lisette.)

Bling!

Bling

Everyone needs a little holiday "bling"!

Forget the mall crowds, I'm doing my best to shop local and shop small businesses first.

 Today I ventured over to Old Fair Oaks Village to hit the boutique shops during this weekend's Christmas in the Village.  Thanks to some savvy lady shop owners there's a fabulous new feel to Old Fair Oaks Village.  Some of my favorite shops there rival my favorite boutique shops in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Here's a peak inside my favorites:

Bungalow

I discovered Bungalow this past summer thanks to a tip from another local vintage store, The Tattered House.   

Last week I received an invitation to Bungalow's Open House this weekend and couldn't wait to get there.  I was hoping some pretty hand-crafted flower pins would be still be there.  Luckily for me they were.  They went home with me so now I have some holiday "bling" to wear on my hand-knit scarves!

I love this store.  Owner Kim Panighetti really has panache and flair for displaying Bungalow's fabulous vintage finds.   Her store is tastefully filled with gorgeous French furniture and heavenly mirrors that I wish I had room for. 

When you stop in, I'm sure you'll be amazed like me.  There are little surprises everywhere you look.  It makes you wonder where on earth does she find such fabulous stuff.   And then the way she displays it..don't miss this store!

Bungalow

10139 Fair Oaks Blvd

Fair Oaks, CA 95826

(916) 967-7000

 Wink

Just a few shops down from Bungalow is the not-to-be-missed boutique Wink.  Wink is owned by Laurie Newman Pinho, a second generation antique store owner.  I've purchased from Laurie over the years from her early days in a Placerville antiques shop and her former hip boutique Fringe in Sacramento.  I stumbled into Wink this summer and couldn't wait to go back.

Wink is filled with lots of bling and my favorite kind....earrings, earrings and earrings.    Laurie carries a variety of unique jewelry lines along with my favorite, La Vie Parisienne.   I can never resisit La Vie Parisienne earrings so yes, I came home with a pair of holiday "bling" earrings, too!

The fun part about Wink, the inventory is forever changing.  Today Wink was featuring some incredible garden statuary that looked like it came from an old English or French garden.  Visiting Wink is pretty close to visiting a real French Flea Market...it's always filled with romantic French finds!

Wink

10147 Fair Oaks Blvd

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

(916) 903-7216

 The Estate Lady's Shoppe

Topping of the block on the corner of Fair Oaks Blvd is the newly opened The Estate Lady's Shoppe. 

The Estate Lady is just that...an estate lady.  Owner Joy Zgola Bullard is an estate sale specialist.  She actually does estate sales.  She has filled her store with a wonderful assortment of antiques ranging from Victorian, French and English. 

I couldn't help but admire her beautiful holiday table top display.  Joy has set the table for a festive mood with a collection of red English transferware.  I had a chance to chat with Joy and discovered we both share a love and passion for collecting china.  Joy is excited to showcase her china and will be doing seasonal table settings featuring estate china.   And, yes, it's all for sale!

(The red transferware dinnerware above is Royal Staffordshire's Tonquin
by Clarice Cliff.)

The Estate Lady's Shoppe

10149 Fair Oaks Blvd.

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

(916) 225-2222

Thank you ladies for a fabulous shopping outing,

your personalized service and

the yummy hot apple cider!

PS:  If you want to see my purchases, you can see them on my other blog The Flitter Knitter. 

Tea Time with Jane Austen

 Tea with Jane Austen

"You must drink tea with us tonight."

from Sense & Sensibility

If I could take afternoon tea with anyone from the past or present,

it would have to be Jane Austen.

Jane was a tea drinker.  Tea was an important part of Jane's daily life in the Regency era.  Did you know that Jane was even the keeper of the keys to the tea cabinet in her Chawton home?  Her mother and sister Cassandra were key keepers,too.  Back in Jane's day, tea was precious and stored in a locked tea caddy or cabinet.

If I could invite Jane to tea, I would open my tea cabinet and introduce her to Earl Grey.  Earl Grey is one of my favorite teas and it was not a tea blend until well after Jane Austen's (1775-1817) life.  I think Jane would like Earl Grey tea or better yet...Lady Grey!

 Jane Austen at Home

Now this is a shop that Jane herself would love...not just because of it's name but because of it's merchandise.  Just look at its wonderful display of blue and white china under lock and key in a creative exterior display.

On a recent trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea I discovered a tiny and quaint antique shop called Jane Austen at Home.  It's a charming shop filled with lots of tea cups and china.  I had a lovely chat with the owner of the shop.  She lived in London for many years and has a great sense of British style which shows throughout her tiny shop.

 Tea Time China

Jane Austen at Home is filled to the brim with china and other fine English antiques.  On my trip there I noticed some lovely lusterware, Emma Bridgewater, Cath Kidston and antique British pottery.  It's hard to find Emma Bridgewater and Cath Kidston china on this side of the Pond so, of course, I had to treat myself to a tea cup purchase.  I'm sure Jane Austen would approve. 

Taking Tea with Jane

Wouldn't it be lovely to go on a Jane Austen tea tour in England? 

Well, last week I was at Crown & Crumpet in San Francisco and got the inside scoop from owner Amy Dean about Crown & Crumpet's Springtime Tea and Toast Tour next May in England.   Amy was like a tea kettle boiling over with all her enthusiasm about the tour. 

According to Amy the tea tour will have a real Jane Austen feel to it. Amy is putting the finishing touches on the tour and potential Jane Austen stops are Hampshire and  Bath where Jane Austen lived.  Amongst many other fabulous tea events, Amy has a very special Pret-a-Portea tea for fashionistas at London's Berkeley Hotel planned and the Chelsea Flower Show wraps up the tour.

Amy lived and worked in England and met her British husband Christopher there.  She certainly has fabulous British connections (Amy even worked for Emma Bridgewater and is friends with Cath Kidston).   I'm sure her tea tour will be as delightful as her tea room. 

Now I just have to find a way to go on the tour and then I can really have tea with Jane Austen.

***For information about the Crown & Crumpet Tea Tour visit their website and sign up on their mailing list.

(In the photos:  Antique Spode Queen's Bird tea cup and vintage British 1940's Jane Austen book collection by The Novel Library.)

Tea Cup Bangles

 Tea Cup Bangle

What will you be wearing to your next tea party?

How about a Tea Cup Bangle?

China Cabinet Bracelets

Leave it to Anthropolgie to discover this clever tea cup idea! 

I was in the city yesterday for afternoon tea at my favorite San Francisco tea room Crown & Crumpet.  After tea my friends and I headed over to Union Square for some holiday shopping. 

I always love "popping" in Athropologie stores.  They are always filled with fabulous inspiration.  I was excited to see their China Cabinet Bracelets in person since they had caught my eye online. 

I love this clever tea cup design but after trying one on, I passed on purchasing it.  The bangle seemed a bit heavy to wear.  I think I would also be afraid of chipping it, too.  Hmmm...it could be cute just to wear to special tea parties though.

If you want a Tea Cup Bangle...you better hurry down to your nearest Anthro store because they are already sold out online.

I'll probably regret that I didn't buy one!

Sencha

 Sencha

Sencha is the most popular green tea in Japan. 

When I'm in the mood for green tea, I generally reach for my Sencha tea.

Maeda-en Sencha Green Tea

I first started buying Sencha tea in Paris at a fancy tea purveyor.  A few years later while visiting Oto's, a Sacramento Japanese grocery store, I decided to buy green tea there.  Overwhelmed with all their green tea choices in the market, I selected the package of Sencha tea from Maeda-en.  I've been buying their Sencha tea ever since. 

Maeda-en's Sencha makes a splendid cup.  In the winter I drink it hot.  In the summer I drink it iced.

Japanese Green Teas

My friends often wonder how I know so much about tea.  I'm certainly not a tea expert but a tea drinker who is always ready to try different teas.  Trying different teas from all over the world is a wonderful way to learn about tea and develop a tea palette.

There is a lot more for me to explore and learn in the world of Japanese teas.  I'm ready for the tea journey!

(In the photos:  Vintage 1982 House of Katayama,  Tea Pot from Japan.) 

Tea Leaves

Tea Leaf Cookies

Blend fine black tea with oil of bergamot and you have one of my favorite tea blends...Earl Grey.  I've never met a "cuppa" Earl Grey that I didn't like.

Earl Grey is an old tea blend that has been around since the 1830's.  There's a new twist on Earl Grey today...it's popping up in chocolates, macarons, cakes and cookies. 

Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

Recently I was tea shopping at The Pasta Shop in Berkeley and I spotted these cute little Earl Grey tea leaf shape cookies.  These gourmet short bread cookies are made by Tea Aura.  They actually have Earl Grey tea leaves and bergamot oil in them. 

To be honest, the tea leaf cookies disappointed me.  The cookies lacked that distinctive Earl Grey flavor and seemed a bit chalky to me. 

My remedy is to try my hand at making my own Earl Grey Tea Cookies. 

Here's a link for a recipe I found from Real Simple Magazine for Earl Grey Tea Cookies and another for Martha Stewart's Earl Grey Tea Cookies.  I think I'll try Martha's recipe first since you add orange zest for more bergamot citrus flavor!

I hope to make a batch soon!

Tea Parfume

Miller Harris Tea

British perfumer Lyn Harris, founder of Miller Harris, has a nose for fragrance and a nose for fragrant tea.  

Lyn grew up in Northern England with a love of tea and tea rooms.  It's no wonder she has turned her extraordinary nose to her own collection of teas.  She has created her teas with the same depth and bouquet as her fine fragrances. 

Recently I treated myself to a beautiful caddy of Miller Harris tea.  Since I've always wanted to try Violette tea, I selected her The' Violette.  I am pleased to report that the violet flavor is quite subtle,  not overpowering or too perfumey!  It's a lovely blend.

The' Violette

The Miller Harris tea caddy says it best:

"Drinking rare and beautiful teas has always been an essential luxury for perfumer Lyn Harris.  Inspired by the delicate art of balancing flavour and aroma, Lyn has combined the world's finest teas with pure, natural extracts to create a collection of blends with top, heart and base notes."

"Thé  Violette is a delicate fusion of fruits and flowers. The sweet muscatel notes of second flush Darjeeling from the Jungpana Estate combine with accents of violet, blackcurrant bud and green mulberry leaf."

Since I couldn't hop on a jet to London to pick up my tea, I was happy to find it available here in the States at Dean and Deluca. 

It's a lovely tea drinkable anytime of the day.  I am enjoying it in the afternoon.  Miller Harris says it's best drunk without milk and sugar.  

The next time I'm in London, I hope to visit the Miller Harris Mayfair store for a spot of tea in the
Miller Harris Fragrant Tea Room!


(In the photos:  Wedgwood Edme Teapot, B & B Plate, Tea Cup & Saucer. Miller Harris The' Violette and  Laduree Violette Macarons.)

Spice up the Season!

Harvest Tea Time!

Pumpkin pie spices, sweet cinnamon, spicy ginger, cloves, allspice, nutmeg...

combine them all together with fine black tea and you've got Pumpkin Ginger Tea! 

Pumpkin Ginger Tea is the perfect tea for fall!

Spices of Fall Tea

One of my favorite fall beverages is a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I had never tried pumpkin flavored tea, so a few weeks ago I went searching for a pumpkin tea blend to try.  The Republic of Tea's Pumpkin Ginger Tea won out for my selection.

I am enjoying this tea for my afternoon fall "cuppa".  I like it sweetened with a little sugar.  I have been enjoying drinking it both with and with out milk. 

I would like to try to make a Pumpkin Spice Tea Latte with this tea.  Here's what I'm thinking:  a cup of tea, steamed milk and a dash of pumpkin pie spice ought to do it.  The temperatures are finally dropping here in sunny California so perhaps I'll "whip-up" one pretty soon. 

Pumpkin Ginger Tea

The Pumpkin Ginger Tea is a seasonal, limited-edition tea for fall.  Here in Northern California it is sold exclusively at Cost Plus World Market.  The tea comes in natural, unbleached round tea bags in a pretty canister.  When you open up the canister, the tea smells just like the spices of fall!

According to the Republic of Tea canister..."this tea will take the edge off the chilly autumn air.  Indulge in this limited edition tea with traditional fall desserts."

Thanks for stopping by for Tea Time Tuesday.

Will you spice up the season with this delightful tea?

Baking: From My House to Yours

 Tea Time

It's Tea Time Tuesday and do I have a treat for you...

Apple Toffee Bars! 

 Apple Toffee Bars

I recently enjoyed looking through my friend's copy of Dorie Greenspan's new book Around My French Table.  A few days later, I cracked open one of my Dorie Greenspan books Baking:  From My House to Yours. 

Since fall is still slow to arrive in Northern California, I thought if I baked an apple recipe with cinnamon and spice, fall would be sure to follow.  It actually kind of worked.  Temperatures have dropped, we had a bit of rain and I have a "keeper" fall recipe!

Dorie's Applesauce Spice Bars are a delicious taste of fall.  I followed Dorie's recipe and achieved excellent results.  I sometimes like to tweak a recipe a bit.   For these bars, I omitted the raisins, used two Red Rome apples instead of one and increased the allspice to 1 t. 

 At my house, I'm calling the recipe Apple Toffee Bars. They are so moist with their delicious toffee glaze they remind me of an apple twist on Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Baking

From My House to Yours

Dorie's bars are a perfect fall treat with your favorite cup of tea.

Just click here and you can have the recipe,too! 

(In the photos:  Spode Blue & White China and my Grandmother's Blue Farm Mixing Bowl.)

My Lunch at Chez Panisse

 Chez Panisse

It's every "foodie's" dream to dine at Chez Panisse. 

It's hard to believe that I'm an East Bay native and had never dined at Chez Panisse.  Turns out, I'm glad I waited.  Last week I had the pleasure of lunching with special friends at Chez Panisse . 

My friend Catherine has been anxious for me to meet her daughter who lives in Paris.  I finally had the chance to meet her.  My friend's daughter just happens to be... Meg Zimbeck.

Meg is a food/travel writer and food critic living in Paris.  You can imagine how excited I was to finally meet Meg.  I love Paris, I love food and I love to travel.  Meg filled me in on all three over lunch with her Mom at Chez Panisse. 

 Farm to Table

I love the Chez Panisse story. 

Proprietor/chef/author Alice Waters visited France in 1964 and fell in love with the French way of life.  In 1971, she started a food revolution when she opened Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. 

Waters is credited with pioneering the California Cuisine movement.  Her philosophy:  fresh seasonal foods produced locally. 

I love the farm to table approach to food.  Upon our arrival, just before the lunch hour, we saw a produce van delivering farm fresh produce and the Acme Bread truck driving away. We enjoyed both with our lunch!

 Baked Goat Cheese with Garden Salad

I tore out the recipe for the Chez Panisse Baked Goat Cheese Garden Salad in the September 2010 Wine Spectator magazine.  So you can imagine my delight when I found it on the menu at Chez Panisse. 

Fortunately for you, Alice Waters recipe is now on Epicurious.  Just click here for the recipe.

My review:   my salad had the tenderest salad greens I have ever tasted.  I loved the subtle surprise taste of  the fleur de sel (sea salt) seasoning as I enjoyed my salad.  Hint, hint...that's not in the recipe so be sure to add a bit of finishing fleur de sel on your salad greens just before serving. 

The Main Event

We unanimously agreed that Meg's entree was the best.  She took the waiter's advice and had the Soul Food Chicken Leg Confit with Creamy Corn and Wild Rocket.   Catherine had the Tomales Bay Clams & Spicy Pork Sausage entree and I enjoyed the Casarecce Pasta with Pesto and Sliced Heirloom Tomatoes. 

Over lunch Meg introduced us to Francois Chidaine, a lovely French wine from the Loire Valley. 

I really enjoyed my lunch and can now say that I have dined at world-renowned Chez Panisse.  The best part though was lunching with my good friend Catherine and her adorable daughter Meg.  Meg's conversation about Paris just makes me want to go back to Paris even sooner. 

I asked Meg what seemed like a million questions about  Paris and she generously answered them all for me. 

If you love Paris, food and wine like me...be sure to read Meg's personal blog and  Paris By Mouth (she's the editor).  For foodies, Meg has a Ceviche recipe in Dorie Greenspan's new cook book Around My French Table.   

You can also spot Meg in Paris, with her cheese knife, giving French food tours.  Contact Meg for tour information.  I can't wait to take one!

Mulberry for Target!

 Had to Have It!

I adore British High Street fashion! 

I just found out a few days ago that there is another British fashion invasion at Target.  This time it's Mulberry! 

I am normally "in the know" and one of the first shoppers to hit Target when a British Design collaboration launches at Target.  Somehow the Mulberry brand snuck by me. 

Luckily I saw a Mulberry for Target handbag in a magazine the other night and hit my local Target the very next day.

 Nearly Sold Out!

I was so disappointed when I arrived at Target just a few days after the official Mulberry launch only to find the shelves just about empty. 

Being the determined shopper that I am...I hit a few more Target stores.  My mission... to snag a Mulberry Pink Leopard Bag.

Mine, Mine, Mine!

Mission accomplished!  Luckily for me...
I finally found the bag I wanted after visiting four Target stores.

For those in the know...leopard is the "hot" print this fashion season.  I normally don't go for pink but I just know this bag will be a real head-turner! 

A real High Street Mulberry bag like their Bayswater model  (made in leather) would sell for around $1,200.00  to $2,600.00 depending on the print.   Knowing this, I am now a fan of pink leopard and love my High Street knock off bag for Target! 

 So if you want to be carrying some British Mulberry style this fashion season,

I suggest running not walking to your nearest Target store. 

You just might get lucky, too!

Let Them Eat Macarons!

"Let them eat macarons!"

Thinking of having a little tete-a-tete or a French tea party? 

Well then, perhaps you're searching for that perfect plate to serve your French macarons?

Well, look no further...

The perfect macaron plate! 

My latest find at Anthropologie is this Ladies-in-Waiting plate by Parisian artist Florence Balducci.  

Is it my imagination or does this French noble lady look a bit like Marie Antoinette?  I love the plate and love that the pretty French lady is holding a cup of tea!

It's a dinner plate but I think it's simply perfect for serving macarons! 

Paulette Macaron  

I'm all set now for having a little French themed tete-a-tete and I didn't even have to fly to Paris!

Luckily for me, I can get Parisian style macarons and French  Mariage Freres tea now just a few hours away at Paulette Macaron in San Francisco. 

Update: 

Paulette Macarons is now Chantal Guillon with even more macarons and more Bay Area locations!  I still shop at the Hayes Street location:  

Chantal Guillon 

437 A Hayes Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 864-2400

(In the photos:  Ladies-in-Waiting Plate from Anthopologie, Rose, Violette Cassis & The' Earl Grey macarons from Paulette Macaron.)

A Taste of Autumn

Autumn Tea Time

Thank you for stopping by for Tea Time Tuesday.

Today we are celebrating the arrival of autumn with one of my favorite autumn recipes...

my Grandmother's Pumpkin Bread.

Autumn Tea Bread

There's nothing like a tasty tea bread to enjoy with a cup of tea in the afternoon!

For a taste of autumn, my Grandmother's Pumpkin Bread is wonderful paired with an apple, cinnamon spice blend, Constant Comment or pumpkin ginger flavored tea.

I do hope you'll try it with your favorite autumn tea blend!

Here's my Grandmother's recipe:

Emma's Pumpkin Bread

Cream together:

1- 1/2 C. Sugar

1/2 C. Canola Oil

2 eggs

Stir In:

1/3 C. Water

1 C. Canned Pumpkin

Sift & Stir:

1/2 t. Salt

1 t. Nutmeg Ground

1 t. Cinnamon

1 t. Cloves Ground

1 t. Baking Soda

1/2 t. Baking Powder

1- 2/3 C. Flour

Add:

1 C. Chopped Pecans or Walnuts

In a pre-heated 350 degree oven, bake in a greased loaf pan for 75 to 90 minutes. You can check for doneness with a toothpick test in the center of the bread. When the toothpick comes out clean it is ready. Do not over bake.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful tea bread with your favorite "cuppa"!

My Mother loves to serve it with cream cheese and chutney.

(In the photos: Antique Wedgwood Creamware Cup & Saucer, Antique Wedgwood Golden Ivy Bread & Butter Plate & Pumpkin Linens from Home Goods. )