"Two" Many Blogs and an announcement

For a little over a year, I've blogged here at Food As Art as well as at Beyond The Garden Gate.   

 

I have found it increasingly difficult to keep up with posting to two blogs, visiting and doing all the other little things a person needs to do. Therefore, I've decided to stop blogging at Food As Art, although I have no plans to delete this blog. 

 

I've participated in countless blog parties, met many new friends, and participated in giveaways here.  I've done 37 tablescapes and 56 teas. And it's been fun.

 

It will not stop; I will continue to post recipes, teas and tablescapes but on my other blog, Beyond The Garden Gate.

 

The new tagline for Beyond The Garden Gate is "My garden, my table, my life."

 

I hope that you will follow me over to Beyond The Garden Gate.

 

Last but not least, Thank You to my followers, my commenters, my other readers and those who participated in the Pumpkin Party and the Poinsettia Party.

 

Warm Regards,

Beth

Making Cappuccino

I was contacted by CSN Stores, who offered me the opportunity to do a product review. I chose to review the Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso/Cappuccino maker.

The Espresso/Cappuccino maker came with very detailed instructions which included how to's, safety information and recipes.

Here's what the Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso/Cappuccino Maker looks like.

Begin making cappuccino by brewing espresso. For espresso, it's recommended that one use freshy ground, dark roast coffee that is ground with the texture of salt. I used French roast.

Espresso is a strong, dark coffee that can be enjoyed as is or mixed with steamed and/or frothed milk.

Pour the espresso into each cup.

Make the steamed and frothed milk by filling a small stainless steel or ceramic cup half full of cold milk. The instructions say that skim or 2% milk are easiest to froth.

To froth the milk, place the frothing attachment into the cup of milk, holding the cup so that about 1/8 inch of the tube is immersed. Turn the control knob to the steam posiition to begin frothing.

To make steamed milk, place the frothing tube in the cup of milk and turn the knob to steam. Hold the frothing tube so that it is submerged in the cup of milk toward the bottom of the cup.

Add the steamed milk to the espresso and spoon on the frothed milk. I added a dash of cinnamon. You could also add a flavored syrup, or change it up by using soymilk or almond milk. You could also make a tea latte or cappuccino. The possibilities are endless.

I found the Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso/Cappuccino maker simple to use and the results delicious. It is very affordable: only $36.40 at CSN Stores. I will use this frequently as I really enjoy cappuccinos, mochas and lattes.

Recommended item? A resounding YES!

I want to thank CSN Stores for providing the Espresso/Cappuccino Maker and allowing me to do this product review.  CSN Stores provided me with a $35 gift code to use for the product review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Warm Regards,

Beth

More Cherries For Valentine's Day - Cherry Coffeecake

I first made Cherry Coffeecake when I was a teen. The recipe was on the back of a grocery store flyer. Over the years, I misplaced that particular recipe but I found one that is a lot like it in Treats and Trivia, a cookbook published by Rising Sun Church of Christ.

Beat 1 cup of sugar and 4 eggs together (add the eggs one at a time).

Add 1 cup oil, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Spray a 13 x 9 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray, then cover the bottom of the pan with 1/2 of the batter.  Spoon one can of cherry pie filling over the top.

Cover with the remaining batter, and sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Make a powdered sugar icing and drizzle over the top.

Enjoy!

I am linking with Miz Helen for Full Plate Thursday and also with

Michael Lee  for Foodie Friday

Warm Regards,

Beth

 

Tea Time Tuesday - For Valentine's Day

Sandi asked us to share a favorite love song along with our tea in honor of Valentine's Day. I'd like to begin by telling you a little bit about the artist who'll be performing today on my blog.

From Wikipedia: "Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a vocalist and musician have placed him in high demand as a guest vocalist, and a duet partner. Gill has recorded more than twenty studio albums, charted over forty singles on the U.S. Billboard charts..., and has sold more than 22 million albums. He has been honored by the Country Music Association with 18 CMA Awards, including two Entertainer of the Year awards and five Male Vocalist Awards. Gill has also earned 20 Grammy Awards, more than any other male Country music artist. In 2007, Gill was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame."

Vince Gill has been described as a "triple threat," in that he is a talented musician, singer and songwriter. He has sung duets/worked and provided harmonies with Patty Loveless, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, Lee Ann Womack and wife Amy Grant, to name a few.

Here's a favorite love song from Vince for Valentine's Day. It's a story of a person whose time is in great demand, and he doesn't have enough time for the person who means the most to him. He realizes that he is being self-absorbed and that he has hurt her. He apologizes and says, "Baby, I still believe in you and me."




Like what you see?  Click here to see a duet by Vince and Reba.  Another favorite of mine; it's called "The Heart Won't Lie".

Now for tea!

I'm making cookies for us. These are chocolate sugar cookies with a touch of cinnamon and they are AWESOME! I found the recipe in a magazine, and it's one of Ree Drummond's recipes. If you'd like the recipe, you can find it here.

Ree didn't ice hers. Instead, she used a stencil to make letters to spell out words; for example, "Kiss Me."

 The dishes are Liberty Blue by Staffordshire. This dinnerware was made to coincide with the American Bicentennial of Independence from England that was celebrated in 1976.

Liberty Blue was made for two years; the promotion ended December 31, 1976. Sometime after 1976, the Liberty Blue dinnerware design was released to be sold in national grocery stores on a limited run. For so many dollar purchases of groceries, you could buy a different piece. Each week a different item was available to purchase. Additional pieces were made and offered for the grocery store promotions. A guarantee was offered to allow the purchase of Liberty Blue for five years on an open stock basis from the Sigma Marketing Company.

The cup depicts Paul Revere's midnight ride.

I'm using my new blue teapot today. It was thrifted for $3.00. I was really tickled to get it, as I'd been wanting a blue teapot!

Have you ever noticed the heart-shaped leaves on a cyclamen?

I had difficulty scanning this photo and it's not sharp like I had hoped for.  But I think you can see the two "lovebirds" by the giant floral hearts at Glacier Gardens, Juneau, Alaska. The two of us want to wish you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day!

Don't forget my giveaway. Last chance to enter is February 20.

Linking with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday.

Linking with Jessa Irene at Holiday Haven for The Valentine's Party.

Linking with Martha and Terri for Tea Cup Tuesday.

Linking with Marcia at My Cottage of Content for Tea Time Tuesday.

Warm Regards,
Beth

One of My Favorite Love Songs

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm participating in Valentine's Day Sunday Song at 5 Minutes Just For Me.

I have always loved Annie's Song by John Denver, so much so that it was a part of our wedding.  Hope you enjoy this version which is set to beautiful scenery.  And, after you watch it, be sure to head over to Natasha's and listen to the rest of the Sunday Songs.






Warm Regards,
Beth

2 Hearty and Delicious Soups That'll Warm You Up Inside!

There's nothing like coming home to a fragrant house, with dinner ready. No, I don't have a chef and dh is not retired...I'm talking about my love of crockpot cooking.

I really enjoy soup served with crackers, or a nice roll, or even a sandwich. This week I tried two new soup recipes, and both are good enough to share. The first is Carrot-Sweet Potato Soup. I got this recipe from one of the women's magazines but unfortunately I forgot to write down which one. If anyone recognizes it, let me know so I can give proper credit. This is a crockpot recipe.

Carrot-Sweet Potato Soup


Peel 1 lb of sweet potatoes and cut into large pieces.


Peel and cut up 1 1/2 lbs of carrots.



Peel and cut up a small onion.

Combine the following in your slow cooker:  the carrots, sweet potatoes, onion, plus 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp honey and 1 bay leaf.

Cover, cook on low 6-8 hours. Remove bay leaf and in a blender puree the soup in batches. Stir in 1/4 tsp ground black pepper and serve.

The second recipe is not made in the crockpot, although you probably could adapt it to a slow cooker. It's called Veggie Beef and Barley Soup and it's from Guideposts magazine.

Veggie Beef and Barley Soup

1 cup water

Kosher salt

1/2 cup pearl barley

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion, finely chopped

3 carrots, peeled and finely diced

2 stalks celery, finely diced (include leaves)

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces

32 oz beef broth

1 can petite diced tomatoes

Bring water and salt to a boil. Add barley, reduce to simmer, cover and cook on low heat until liquid is absorbed. In a large stockpot, over medium high heat, saute onion, carrots and celery in oil until onions are translucent. Combine 1/4 tsp kosher salt with paprika, garlic powder and black pepper. Sprinkle spice mix over meat. Toss to coat. Brown meat in stockpot with vegetables. Pour beef broth into pot and add bay leaf. Bring to slow boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until meat is tender (approximately 30 minutes). Add cooked barley and diced tomatoes, remove bay leaf and stir to combine. Serves 4.

I have a GIVEAWAY for a $35 gift code for CSN Stores at my other blog, Beyond The Garden Gate. Click here for further information and to enter. The giveaway runs from 2/7 - 2/20/2011.

I will be linking with Full Plate Thursday 

and

also with Foodie Friday

Please stop by and say hello to Miz Helen and Michael Lee, and check out all the great recipes!

Warm Regards,

Beth

Tea Time Tuesday and Tea Cup Tuesday

Hi! Do you remember this pretty china that I found at a thrift store last year? It's 'Dogwood' by Heinrich H and C.

This tea cup is so delicate and beautiful that I chose to showcase it for Tea Time Tuesday and Tea Cup Tuesday.

The cup is rimmed in gold tone and has flowers inside.

I am serving Cinnamon Plum tea today. Help yourself to a cup.

Would you like an eclair with your tea?

Perhaps you'd prefer a cream puff.

Valentine's Day will be here soon. Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love and caring. I found love 37 years ago, when I met my husband-to-be at college. Second semester was almost over, with summer vacation coming when we met and started dating. We continued to date over the summer which meant a bit of a commute for him, since we lived about 120 miles apart!  Two years later I graduated and he still had a year of college remaining. We married on October 2, 1976 and moved into married student housing. Now, it's 34 years, two children and one grandchild later...we are happy empty nesters nearing retirement. We are joyfully planning what we want the next phase of our lives to be like. We do know that Iowa winters are brutal and we'd like to be snowbirds, or perhaps relocate.

I have so enjoyed sharing my love story, my tea, food and pretty dishes with you. Thanks for stopping by!

By the way, I hosting a giveaway at my other blog, Beyond The Garden Gate. Click here for entry information.

I am linking today with Tea Time Tuesday, hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations, and

Tea Cup Tuesday, hosted by Martha at Martha's Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations

 Blessings and hugs,
Beth