Rose Tea Cottage

Where tea is served at half past four




I thank you my darlings for participating and commenting
on my previous inquisitive post.

From royalty, to celebrities, fashion designers, politicians, historical figures, writers, poets, family and friends, you certainly invited some intriguing people to tea. I was mostly touched by those who chose to spend the afternoon with dearly departed loved ones.
I share in their pain; given that, I too lost my irreplaceable mum and would give anything to spend just one afternoon with her
.

In life, you can never do a kindness too soon
because
you never know how soon it will be too late.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson's concept of kindness unquestionably applies to spending time with loved ones. So my darlings, without wasting a moment, bake a batch of scones, make a nice pot of tea and spend a lovely Sunday afternoon with loved ones.




Guess who is coming to tea?

I often ponder, if presented with the opportunity,
who would I choose to have tea with.
I have narrowed my list down to three very special women,
and ultimately to just one.
Scroll down to see who I've selected.

HRH Diana, Princess of Wales

If you could have tea with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be?






What is a home?
A roof to keep out the rain
Four walls to keep out the wind
Floors to keep out the cold
No, a home is much more then told ...

Home is the womb that holds the soul
Home is the place where one is whole

Home is safe and a place of peace
Home is where all starving cease

Home is where you find your rest
Home is where you feel your best

Home is where you groom for the ball
Home is the place you yearn to call

Home is all these wonderful things
Home is the place you develop your wings
Home is the place that you will leave one day
Home is the place where your heart will always stay

Home is where you make pots and pots of tea
So go put the kettle on my darling and enjoy your home







Happy Monday My Darlings




I am the proud recipient of five awards from five equally talented and amazing women. If you are not a follower of their blogs, please take a moment and visit my friends today.


The Sunshine Award was given to me by my talented friend Sabrina from La Cabeza de Maria Antonieta

The Birthday Award was given to me by my darling friend Jordiegirl from Blogging My Life - Past, Present & Maybe the Future

The Beautiful Blogger Award was given to me by my dear friend Devi from Devi's Blog

The You Are a Doll Award was given to me by my gorgeous friend Rachel from Inspiration in Italy

The Sweet Friend Award was given to me by my sweet, kind and lovely friend Rizzi from Gifts from the Sea


I have posted these awards on my award blog here.
I will treasure and cherish them forever.
Thank you ladies.

I thank you my darlings for popping in for a cup of tea and for leaving behind such inspiring comments. To my new followers, I am delighted to meet you, welcome to Rose Tea Cottage.

Now go make a nice pot of tea
sit back and enjoy your weekend






Tea-filled Pots

Pretty Rosy Cups

Pink Fairycakes

Mouth-watering Bakes

Dainty Bites

Heartstring Tugs





In friendship's fragrant garden. there are flowers of every hue
Each with its own fair beauty, and its gift of joy for you



Have a joyful week my darlings





Wishing you a love filled day

With those you love

Now and always



Happy Valentine's Day






I believe in angels,
The kind that heaven sends,
I am surrounded by angels,
But I call them friends.
~Anonymous

Hello my darlings, how very kind of you to shower me with your sweet comments and emails. As I waited for my check-up, my phone kept beeping alerting me of new incoming messages. I read your comments as they came in and with each beep, my spirits lifted and I felt happier and happier. I truly am a lucky girl to have such a caring circle of friends. Thank you my angels ♥♥









Longing for spring

Awake, thou wintry earth
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!

~Thomas Blackburn

I am feeling so low today with no inclination to do anything. I am dreading my annual check-up later this afternoon and truth be told, I am tired of this cold weather. I keep looking for signs of spring, I have seen a small movement in the daffodil borders and have heard low chirping of birds outside of my cottage, other then that nothing...just cold icy weather. I miss the delicious scent of hyacinths and the yellow, blue, green, pink colours of spring. Daffs, snowdrops, tulips, pansies, hyacinths, I miss you all so much. These gorgeous photos cheered me up somewhat. I hope they brighten your day my darlings.







Happy Monday My Darlings

It's baking day at Rose Tea Cottage


Several years ago, I tried a delicious cake at Selworthy Green called Periwinkle's Victoria Sandwich. Since then I have tried to duplicate that spongey goodness with little success...until now. You see, one of the recipes Aunt Millie shared with me was for a Victoria Sandwich cake.

So today, I have decided to give Aunt Millie's recipe a try.
This heavenly cake is a two-layer moist sponge cake with a jam and Grand Marnier infused cream centre. You are all invited to tea and to sample my Victoria Cake. Tea will be served at half past four.
See you then, don't be late!!




My darlings as promised, I am posting Aunt Millie's scone recipe. Her scones always turn out moist and delicious. Her secrets which she reluctantly revealed are the addition of clotted cream and the temperature of the wet ingredients... milk, clotted cream and butter. You see Aunt Millie ensures these three ingredients are extremely cold prior to adding them to the dry ingredients. Lastly, she allows the unbaked scones to rest for 15 minutes prior to baking. Aunt Millie insists that thick yellow Devon clotted creme should be used, however; you may stand-in 5 tablespoon of double or heavy cream or crème fraiche instead.

Heat oven to 200º C or 400º F

220 g or 1 1/2 cups + 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
16 g or 1 1/2 tablespoon of baking powder
75 g or 5 tablespoon of butter
60 g or 5 tablespoon caster sugar (US granulated sugar)
150 ml or 2/3 cup milk
45 g or 3 tablespoon of clotted cream
A pinch of salt
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten and mixed with a drop of milk to glaze

I used allrecipes.com here for the conversions

Shift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl
Rub the butter and sugar into the flour to form a fine crumble
Make a well in the centre and add the milk and the clotted cream
Knead gently together, being careful not to overmix
On a floured surface roll out the dough to 1.5 cm or 1/2 inch thickness
Dip a 6 cm round cutter into flour to prevent dough sticking
Stamp out as many scones as you can
Gently press leftover dough pieces together and roll out again
Repeat cutting out more scones
Place on a greased baking sheet and brush the tops with the egg yolk
Allow to stand for 15 minutes
Bake for 15-18 minutes, until light golden & hollow when tapped on top
Serve warm with clotted cream and jam




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