Where does your tea take you?

 

 

Meet Chad

                             Meet our shihtzu Chad!

                                                    Before going to the groomer.

                                                                After, handsome!

     We have never had a dog that acted so much like a baby but Chad does. 
     Chad always wants our attention!  He stays right with one of us all the
     time.  Shih Tzu have hair just like people and his grows so fast.  We wanted  
     to let it grow to the floor like a show dog...we did and last week I cut it all
     off except for his head and tail.  These dogs are bred to resemble a lion and
     we wanted him to have a lion cut but I couldn't wait and longer, as he is
     very strong and we can't give him a bath.  Maybe as the weather gets cold
     he can have a lion cut,  he does have to go to the groomer once a month.
     With very short hair, he must have a doggy jacket to go outside.  TJ MAX
     has some really cute ones for $7.99.  Guess we'll shop there this week-end.

                                                                     xo  Betty

Looking for ideas and inspiration for fall?

Hello,

     Looking for ideas and inspiration for fall?  Come share YOUR projects, recipes, DIY, decor', family parties, tablescapes, and more, here at...Belle Ayers Tea Parlor ~ Seasons on the Sunporch.

                                                                             

 

Love re-decorating my cupboard.

Would love to see yours, too!

 

The cooler weather has me organizing the dining room and kitchen and getting ready for cozy days ahead.  I gained some storage with recent changes in my kitchen and so my cupboard is a little less loaded down, and is easier to change up for the holidays.  I like the idea of changing vignettes so this hutch will get reordered often.  It always seems to take a big sigh when it does!

 

This pic doesn't give my chandelier Justus, it's much prettied without  the faux apples on top.  Will have to take another pic.  This group of pics are from our sunporch at:  AyersHome.blogspot.com

My favorite of three chandelier thrifty finds.  This one casts a cozy soft light over the table in the next pic.

We decorated our sunporch for fall & Hallonween, our favorite part of the house.  See the lovely outdoor view!  We really enjoy it out here when it's raining, as rooftop is tin.  The porch holds one of our hutches (above), bird cages (bought 2 parakeets yesterday), pumpkins, leaf garlands, 3 floor lamps, faux white owls from TJ MAXX, 3 rats (dollar tree), rose sofa & chair, (my thrifty find) in

beautiful floral with matching foot stool, faux rooster from TJ MAXX, fall wreath (I made), electric fireplace (which I thought would keep us warm in winter but won't), tall green fir tree,  and a collector ceramic horse in beautiful multi colors from our neighbor.  Guess that's enough!

 

Hope you're having a cozy Tuesday!

 

xoxo  betty

 

 

xo Betty

Friendship Tea

Tea

Never Enough Chandeliers

We can never have enough chandeliers.  Spring two years ago I bought three that I dearly love at thrift stores.  This one did not have the electrical cord cut off and it's brass with four glass lights, white trimmed in pink.  On top is a fall garland of apples.  The chandelier casts a cozy light over the table.

                                                           Chandelier on sunporch.

Peek into our Sunporch

     We have our sunporch almost decorated...

     This is one corner of the sunporch.  With five sliding glass windows and door we have a magnificent view.  We will truly enjoy the snow flurries and little hills of snow this winter.  How have you decorated your porch for fall?

Autumn Bliss

                                       Autumn Bliss

    
     Somewhere between the buzz of Indian Summer locusts and the deafening silence of new fallen snow is a fleeting, exhilarating bliss known as Autumn.  It arrives in radiant splendor, summoning our primal urges to  feather our nests.  The aroma of tea, coffee and soups is more enticing and we find a hundred ways to savour an apple.  Cords of seasonal hickory are stacked outside in anticipation of a roaring hearth and we greet the longer nights with cozy bedclothes.  We refresh our sweater supply, and stock up on candles sensing the dramatic excitement that rivals the energy of those scurrying bushy tails.

     Stroll through these pages as
     though immersed in Kentucky
     woods come October!

     xo Betty    

An Autumnal Life

Seasons

     Inside the light of this new season casts comfortable sun across our sunporch a perpetually bright room.  It is a much kinder light than that cast by summer:  a veil I am happy to see my life through.  I burn cinnamon and cook cabbage to a scrumptious softness, just right for an autumn lunch, sprinkled with garlic, parmesan cheese and black pepper.  I eat with a glass cup full of walnut tea at my side to sip.  As we come alive again when the weather turns cold. 

I look forward to Autumn because mine is an Autumnal life, a Wintered soul.
As August tumbles into September, I feel myself being reborn again laughing more and complaining less.  Enjoying the changes in the seasons with you at Seasons on the Sunporch!

Add caption

Seasons on the Sunporch

Good Morning,

     Sure wish you were here!  Our sunporch is almost ready for fall decorating.  Can hardly wait.  Our shih Tzu pups occupied the sunporch for the last three months.  Then we decided to have only one, Chad and let him in the house.  Working out much better.  Now, the porch is all ours.  It holds our rose sofa and chair, a beautiful floral chair (a thrifty find), electric fireplace and we'll be bringing in the round-glass outdoor table with chairs and hopefully change the décor seasonally.  We added orange & tan plaid café curtains to the double windows  between the dining room and porch, with a large fall wreath, all facing the porch.  Porch has sliding glass door and five large sliding windows with screens, and two sky lights.  We always sit on the porch to listen to and watch the rain.  So comforting.  Decorations and sheers (pulled back) will certainly make a pretty sitting area.  Glad we finally got around to doing this project.  Pictures will be posted when completed.

Woke up this morning to cold weather, 49 degrees which is most welcome but now I wonder how warm it will be by Christmas.  We're planning on having coffee and meals out in the sunporch.  Guess we'll see about that!  Hope we're not disappointed!!

xo  Betty

This is the top to the bottom panels we add to the double windows. 

Bottom panels have a wide hem band of the dark color on the top, nor scallops or tassels.  Very cozy.

Life on the Porch

Life on the porch...

Welcome to the porch, come in and enjoy a cuppa walnut tea with me.  The weather is surprisingly cold this morning, 49 degrees and most welcome.  We need cozy cocks and snuggly blankets are called for.  There is no doubt that this is autumn - a season that has won the battle over the persuasive charms  of the Indian Summer and allowing the leaves to fall much earlier than usual, though yards are still abundant with colorful flowers. 
 Are you experiencing the same? 

Heritage

 

Heritage

Whether a family is bound together

or scattered far apart,

Loved ones from the past and present

are always in our heart.

Legacies of love and pride are passed down

through the years,

Journals kept of triumphs, tragedies and tears.

 Tales of great joy, sacrifice and sorrow can be found,

Character traits, personalities and likenesses abound.

Families give us history, roots tied to our past

And a heritage that's honored is one that's sure to last.

 

 

 

 

Peanutbutter Berry Smoothie

Peanut Butter Berry Smoothie
                                          Berry Delicious

1/2 frozen ripe banana, sliced
2  T creamy peanut butter
4 strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup raspberries
1/2 cup ice
1 cup milk or cold tea, brewed
sweetner to taste (sugar, honey, splenda)

Put all in blender until smoothe.

Drink & Enjoy!

Cheddar Bacon Herb Scones

 

Cheddar Bacon Herb Scones

served with Set  to a Tea - The Earl's Finest Tea

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 box Set to a Tea - Sweet Creme Gourmet Scone Mix

6 tablespoons melted butter

1  (6 oz.) carton sour cream

3 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3/4 cup real bacon bits or crumbled bacon

 

Topping:

 

4 tablespoons melted butter

1/2 teaspoon garlic

1/2 teaspoon chives

 

Garnish:

 

2 tablespoons finely shredded sharp

 cheddar cheese for final garnish

 

Directions:

 

*  Preheat oven to 400 degrees

*  Pour Set to a Tea - Sweet Cream Scone Mix

into large bowl.

*  Add 1/2 cup finely shredded sharp

cheddar cheese and 3/4 cup bacon, and mix.

*  Melt butter in microwave in small bowl,

and add sour cream and milk.

*  Add butter mixture to dry ingredients.

*  Fold mixture until blended.

*  Use hand to form a ball and

move over to wax paper or cutting board.

*  Form dough into a round.

Cut into 8 equal pie shaped wedges.

*  Separate wedges into individual pieces

and place on cookie sheet.

*  Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15  minutes.

*  Remove from oven and brush with butter topping

and sprinkle with cheese while still warm.

 

Topping:

 

Melt butter in microwave and combine

with garlic and chives.

 

Garnish with cheddar cheese  and

serve with Set to a Tea - The Earl's Finest Tea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Cranberry Corn Scones

                                        Cranberry Corn Scones

Ingredients:

1 box Set to a Tea - Cranberry gourmet Scone Mix
1/2 cup corn meal
1  (6 oz.) vanilla yogurt
6 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons creamed corn or orange juice
1 teaspoon sugar or splenda

Perparations:

*  Preheat oven to 400 degrees

*  Pour Set to a Tea - cranberry scone mix into a large bowl.
    Add corn meal and mix.
*  Melt butter in microwave in small bowl, add yogurt and
    creamed corn (or orange juice).
*  Add butter mixture to dry ingredients.  Fold mixture until
    blended.
*  Use hands to form a ball and move over to wax paper or
    cutting board.
*  Form dough into a round, sprinkle with sugar if desired.
*  Cut into eight equal pie shaped wedges.  Separate wedges
    into individual pieces and place on cookie sheet.
*  Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Serve with Set to a Tea - Autumn Bliss Tea.



         

Coconut Truffle Biscotti

 

Coconut Truffle Biscotti

 

1 box Set to a Tea - Coconut Truffle Scone mix

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar, optional - 4 teaspoons Splenda or other

4 egg whites

2 teaspoons vanilla or any flavor of your choosing

1/2 cup any type chocolate chips, bits, nuts or candy

 

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a small mixing bowl,

beat butter and sugar for about 2 minutes or until crumbly.

Beat in egg whites and extract.

Add scone mix to the butter, sugar and egg white mixture.

Stir in any additional chips, etc.

 

Press into a 9" square baking dish, coated with non stick cooking spray.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove from pan to a cutting board.

Cut biscotti in half using a serrated knife.

Then cut each half into 1/2 inch slices.

Place the slices cut side down on a baking sheet coated with non stick cooking spray.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown, turning once.

Remove fom pan to wire rack.

 

Dust with confectioner's sugar.

 

Enjoy with a cup of hot  Set to a Tea Coconut Truffle tea!

 

NOTE:  Coconut Truffle Tea

A blend of black tea with coconut pieces and chocolate bits!

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry White Cranberry Cooler

Strawberry White Cranberry Cooler

Ingredients:

2 heaping tablespoons Set to a  Tea Tennie Bean Fruit Blend tea
4 cups boiling water
4-5 cups ice
1   (64 oz.) container of White Cranberry Strawberry Juice
1 packet Splenda or any natural (0  calorie) sweetner
1 heat resistant gallon pitcher


Preparations:

Put tea into Set to a Tea Tea Pockets filter or Mesh Ball Infuser.
Place filter into heat resistant gallon pitcher.  Pour 4 cups boiling
water over tea.  Steep 4-5 minutes.  if using a paper filter, dunk
and then remove.  Quickly add 5 cups ice to steeped tea.  Add
64 oz. container White Cranberry Strawberry Juice.

Optional Garnish:  Fresh sliced strawberries.

Great to serve at your  summer picnic.

NOTE:  Tennie Bean Fruit Blend Tea
              Strawberry, hibiscus, rose hips,
              orange peels and jelly beans for
              a strawberry cream taste.
           
            
               

Skinny Chai Rooibos Latte

Skinny Chai Rooibos Latte

Ingredients:

1 heaping teaspoon Set to a Tea Chai Rooibos tea
1 Set to a Tea - Tea Pockets filter or Mesh Ball Infuser
1/2 cup water (boiling)
1/2 cup Land O Lakes Fat Free Half & Half (warmed in microwave)
1 packet Splenda or any natural ( 0  calorie) sweetner
4 tablespoons fat free whipped cream topping

Preparation:

Put tea into filter.  Place filter into cup.  Pour 1/2 cup boiling water
over tea.  Steep 4-5 minutes  Dunk filter and then remove.  Add Splenda,
warmed Half & Half and stir.  Top with whipped cream topping.

For a refreshing summer drink, quickly ice or "flash freeze" this recipe
over a tall glass filled with ice.

Optional Garnish:  Top with cinnamon or ginger.

Calories:  About 90 calories per 8 oz. serving.

NOTE:  Chai Rooibos
              African red tea blended with
              cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, and
              cardamon.
             

Blueberry Buckle Smoothie

Blueberry Buckle Smoothie


Ingredients:

1 cup brewed Set to a Tea Blueberry Buckle tea
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1 (6 oz.) blueberry or french vanilla yogurt
6-8 ice cubes

Preparation:

In blender, combine Blueberry Buckle tea with blueberries and yogurt,
blend until smooth.  Add ice cubes and blend until thick and frothy.

NOTE:  Blueberry Buckle
              A very tasty blend of black and green teas
              with blueberry pieces.
             

Passion Pink Green Tea Spritzer

Passion Pink Green Tea Spritzer

Ingredients:

2 heaping tablespoons of Set to a Tea Passion Pink Green Tea
4 cups steaming water
4 - 5 cups ice
2 cups club soda
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cuplueberries

Preparation:
1 heat resistant gallon pitcher

Pour Passion Pink tea into Tea Pockets filter or
Mesh Ball Infuser.  Place filter into heat resistant gallon pitcher.
Pour 4 cups steaming water over tea.  Steep 4-5 minutes.  If using
a paper filter, dunk and then remove.  Quickly add 5 cups ice to the
steeped tea.  Add fruit, club soda and stir.

Delicious treat, ready to sip.

NOTE:  The Perfect Cup supplies...

Passion Pink
Green and Rooibos teas blended with pieces of rhubarb,
strawberries and rose petals for a sweet fruity flavor. 

Tea Pockets filters
These are easy to use pockets; perfect for your loose tea!
Just fill, flip and teep!  30 pockets per pack.

Mesh Ball Infuser
This 2" diameter mesh ball is ideal for brewing your loose tea.
Stainless steel with plastic teapot charm on a clip for easy cleaning.

Creamsicle Rooibos Peach Smoothie

Creamsicle Rooibos Peach Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup chilled Creamsicle Rooibos
1 cup fresh ripe peaches
1 (6 oz.) peach yogurt
6 to 8 ice cubes

Preparation:

Combine Creamsicle Rooibos, peaches, and yogurt,
blend until smooth.  Add ice cubes and process until
thick and frothy.

NOTE:  Creamsicle Rooibos
              African red tea blended with vanilla flavoring
              and orange pieces.