Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Holiday Happiness

Holiday Happiness...

     The happiest holidays

Cardinal Family and Chickadees

A Cardinal family of what seems to be 8 young cardinals
and 2 beautiful Chickadees eat at our birdfeeder every day,
numerous times.  They dish seed out like snow to the ground
for the doves, who thoroughly enjoy it.  Occasionally, we have
a young Bluejay visit to eat.  Sometimes a squirrell will eat below
on the ground.  Naturally, other birds probably come when we're
not at the kitchen window looking for them.  I would not be
without my birdfeeder to watch and feed these beautiful birds!
We have only 1 feeder up at the time.  How many do you have out?

Remembering a Special Thanksgiving

Remembering a Special Thanksgiving

     November has arrived and it really feels like winter here in Kentucky, even a few snowflakes already...and we're in the mood for Thanksgiving.  Along with thoughts of turkey & dressing and chocolate cake, we love this time of year because it reminds us all to count our blessings.
     Mother & daddy are now gone to heaven but our best Thanksgivings were spent with them, our children, sister and cousins,  for which we will always be thankful.
     What are your special Thanksgiving memories?
Betty J

Photo of my parents, Ida & Clifton with my children...youngest to oldest...Angie, Jamie (bottom rt.), Cindy,
Scott and Craig.

Tell us a little about yourself, your family and where you live.
   * What originally inspired you to start blogging?
   * As a busy mom who also works outside the home, how do you carve out the time to write?
   * How did you get your start in the kitchen?
   * Care to share a favorite recipe?
   * What's the best thing to happen as a result of starting your blog?
   * Pie or cake?  Cookies or fudge?
   * Fill in the blank:  In my kitchen, we never run out of ___________!
   * Aside from family and friends, what are 5 things you just can't live without?
   * Tell us something that no one would guess about you.
   * Do you use tea leaves or brewed tea (in place of water) in recipes for food or drinks?

Choose to answer 1 or more of these below in Comments for an entry into my giveaway for November.  Each seperate answer you give qualifys you for 1 entry.  Giveaway begins today,
Sunday, November 7, 2010 and ends at midnight on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. 
Happy writing!
Betty J

Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake

Meet Barbara, my best friend of 53 years (left, dark hair),

Over the years, Barbara has given me dozens of recipes.  We always looked forward to her Chrstmas candy recipes each year...she had the best ideas!

When our children were little, we spent many nights making Christmas candy...then years later, the Red Velvet cake.

These days and evenings really warmed our hearts!  Our little helpers can really turn a few hours in the kitchen into warm memories to be held for years, can't they?

Pull one of your little helpers into the kitchen and make some new memories today...

Who is your kitchen partner?  What is your favorite cake to bake?

Betty J

  

    

Baking Up Memories!

Baking Up Memories!

     Baking and decorating wedding cakes is one of my and my children's very favorite memories.  Starting way back when Angie was just a little girl, we all looked forward to the occasions for baking and decorating cakes...especially wedding cakes for our family members. 

     Here's a photo from 25 years ago when Angie and David married.  Isn't she as sweet as can be?  These cakes are still some of her fondest memories.  And, yes, I did their wedding cake too!

     Who did you make a special wedding cake for and what kind?

Happy mom,  Betty J

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD ~ shoebox ~ Nov. 15-22

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD ~ Samaritans Purse

Mission is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church world wide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

     You can help and participate by filling a shoe box(s) for a boy or girl for Christmas and delivering it /them to your local church along with $7.00 for shipping.  Go to their website and choose a boy(s) or girl(s) to send a Christmas shoe box to.

GIFT IDEAS ~

Toys:
small cars etc.
School Supplies:
pens, etc.
Hygiene Items:
toothbrush, etc.
Other:
hard candy, etc.

A Personal Note:

Do Not Include:
listed

ALL THE INFORMATION IS ON THEIR WEBSITE:  http:/www.operationchristmaschild/

Enjoy your holidays and help someone else enjoy theirs.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Katie Frasure told me about the...

   Christian Appalichian Project

     I was born in Pikeville, KY and want to give
you this information.  Families there need your
help!.  1-800-755-5322  Support a family...contact
Brenda Watts at  bwatts@chrisapp.org

* Food Basket Project
  (dry/canned foods)
* Compassion Basket Project
  (personal hygiene, towels, etc)
* School Rediness Backpack Program
   (school supplies)
* Christmas Basket Program
  (gifts for a family)

Go to their website and fill out an application
and support one family, small as family of 3.

God Bless,
Betty J

Tasty Recipes Halloween Contest

           Tasty Recipes Halloween Contest

     October 31st is fast approaching and we're already thinking of recipes to celebrate the spooky holiday with!  Have any favorites?  Add your Halloween inspired recipes to Belle Ayers Tea Parlor & Boutique by midnight, Sunday, October 31, 2010, and you'll be entered into the "Tasty Recipes Halloween Contest!"  The winner will be announced here on Monday, November 1, 2010.  You can share your recipes here in the comments area, along with your name and email address, so I can contact the winner.

Best of luck!

October Birthday Giveaway

OCTOBER BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY ~ Winner will be announced after end of month, here.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Greetings to all!!!

Martha

Robin

Gentleman Thomas Anthony Prater

   Link to my royal family line...

   Gentleman Thomas Anthony and Judith Ivye Prater, my 11th great-grandparents were born in England (link to my royal ancestors).  Thomas, born May 6, 1573, Stanton St. Bernard, Wiltshire, England, was the 6th child, and was named after his first born brother who had died.  His father was very wealthy, thus his inheritance was substantial.  Thomas inherited Stanton St. Bernard Manor.  Thomas' grandmother was Elene Kingston Prater.

     Thomas' business was the woolen trade, farming, and ferrier.  His land at Eaton Water was located on the banks of the Thames River where he owned a ferry.  Eaton Water was also a place that people who used the river to transport their goods to the ports of London could stop and feed their livestock and find food and lodging for themselves.

     Thomas' wife Judith Ivye Prater died when her 7th son was born.  Thomas placed a stone carving in the wall of West Kingston Church above her tomb.  This stone carving shows Thomas, his Coat-of-Arms with simbols of his wifes family Coat-of-Arms and the carving of his children and a eulogy to his children and all people who were to read this stone carving.  Judith's tomb is in the floor of the Ivye chapel with the above carving in the wall just above her tomb.

     Thomas Anthony's tomb is in the floor of the church at his manor of Stanton St. Bernard, Wiltshire.

Duchess Betty J

Halloween

October Birthday Giveaway!

Is your birthday in October?!?  If so,  leave your comment and your name below this message by midnight on October 31st.  The next morning, I will draw one winner from all the names and post result here.  Be sure to come back and see if you are the winner!

"Happy October Birthday!"
Betty J

Win A Vintage Notecard Kit

To enter, send a postcard with your name, address and phone number to:
Collage:  Vintage Notecard Kit, Country Victorian, 1115 Braodway, New York, NY 10010
Deadline to enter is October 29, 2010.

Flower Arranging Kit

     Flower Arranging Kit ~  Caring For Flowers

     Be prepare for anything,  from flashes of inspiration to minor emergencies, by keeping a
flower-arranging kit always within arm's reach.  Simply fill a pretty basket with one or more ot the following essentials:

*  Two pair of scissors--one for cutting flower stems and one for other items, such as ribbon
*  Prunning shears
*  Wire cutters
*  Waterproof floral tape
*  Floral foam
*  Waxed string or dental floss
*  Florist's wire
*  Flower food
*  Ribbons
*  Raffia

Leave your comments and suggestions!

Happy decorating!
Betty J

Artful Flowers ~ In Season

     Flowers are a must for a buffet or dining table--which may accommodate as few as two or as many as dozens of guests at once.  Try these simple but artful ideas for displaying your favorite blooms to their peak seasonal advantage. 
     This October, we will be entertaining about sixty family members in our home for a Halloween buffet.  Everyone's very excited and it will be a lot of fun.  I have already started decorating for fall and Halloween, inside and outdoors.  Also bought a new bingo game called...TEAGO...you can find it on the internet.

* FALL *
Transform a pumpkin, either miniature or full size, into a colorful "vase" for fresh flowers.  Simply fit a glass or plastic container inside a clean, hollow pumpkin and place the bouquet inside, with stems trimmed to fit.  Water-drenched floral foam in the bottom of the plastic or glass container will provide additional anchorage and keep the arrangement fresh longer.

     Consider supplementing a fall arrangement with other seasonal elements, such as whole fruits, pinecones, preserved leaves, and dried flowers.

Happy decorating!
Betty J
http://blackberrypatchcookbook.blogspot.com/

Fall

    

Don't you just love that first crisp day of fall?  Our's occured on September 4th at 57 degrees and then we have had some more days in the 90s which will disappear next week.  Thankfully!  Cooler days are such a relief after months of summer heat, and we know that the spectacular show of fall colors are just around the corner.  We've seen neat bales of hay in the fields and pumpkins piled high at the roadside markets---all signs of this wonderful season. 
     As we traveled to Floyd County Kentucky, the tree leaves were just beginning to change colors and fall to the ground, blowing in the wind and swirling onto the road.  The cooler weather is a perfect travel companion, so pack a bag or a picnic, and take off!
     This time of year is ideal for outdoor entertaining.  Enjoy the fruits of the fall harvest.
     Revel in the wonders of fall and in the beauty that abounds in our beloved country.
     So, pour yourself a cup of fresh hot tea, and drink in the wordl around you!

Blessings,  Betty J
http://blackberrypatchcookbook.blogspot.com/

2010 Prater Family Reunion

Saturday, my husband, Ed and I attended the Prater family reunion in Eastern kentucky at the home of Robert Prater, the old home place of Rhodes & Luranna Ousley Prater (photo at left, son, Jackson below).  A good time was had by all and we met lots of new cousins.  The table looked like Thanksgiving dinner.  I must say, I came away too ful!  It was a pleasure to meet Robert, Beulah and Molly and all the rest.  I collected names and mailing addresses and took family pictures, which I will post soon as developed.  We are looking forward to the reunion again, next year!

Betty J

2010 Prater Family Reunion

Saturday, my husband, Ed and I sttended

Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day was fabulous!  I hope all you grandparents had agreat day!
G-Grandmother, Betty J

Belle Ayers Tea Guild

Belle Ayers Tea Guild ~

Join us for tea, parties, giveaways, sharing creations and ideas.

From fabulous tablescapes to delectable recipes.

To join:

1.  Become a follower, if you aren't already.
     (click on follow in top left of page).
2.  Spread the word!  Please post about this blog.  Let the whole 
     world know about our Tea Guild and share our excitement.
3.  Leave me a comment on this post.
     Please!  In your comment - leave me an e-mail address and
     your blog name.  You may send it to me in an e-mail if you wish.
     I will automatically add you to our Tea Guild list.


                                             Duchess Betty J