I LOVE ALL My Kids!!!!

This semester has been one that has had a lot of lasts.  I am not fond of last things.  I love these two pictures though.  The first one I did not even know had been taken, but I love it so much! These girls really don't know how much we love them and how much they mean to our family!

This picture sums up the last three years.  This is where these two would sit for almost every meal over the last three years.  This is how they would "smile" any time I tried to take a picture of them.  This is them.  Separated by 14 years, but could be each others twin . . . We will miss you, Hunter. More than you will ever know.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

This fabulous string ensemble provided lovely background music for our tea,
stroll through the stables and our playing shuffleboard for the day.

 This was a first for the girls this year, playing Shuffleboard on the lawn.  They loved it!  Madlyn declared that she now knew what she was going to do when she was older - she was going to crochet and play Shuffleboard, so she would not get bored!

Even sweet Clara joined the big girls for a game of Shuffleboard.

It was a fabulous 10th anniversary tea party. I can't wait till next year and I hope that more of our family can come for the day.  Thank you to some of our sponsors, A Little Loveliness and Pretty Sweet!

After our tea, we headed to the newest venue of the tea party . . . .

The Hardeman Stables.

A scavenger hunt of sorts was set up in and around the stables so all ages could explore this newest area.  Madlyn's mom was one of the ones who helped get this together.  It was just lovely!

Blackberry Butter

(makes 1/2 c.)

6 T. butter, softened

2 T. blackberry jam

1 t. lime zest

Beat together with an electric mixer. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.

- Adapted from The Deen Family Cookbook

Sitting Down for Tea with You . . .

Let's be honest . . . this is my favorite part of the day.  Sitting down at a gorgeous table with wonderful food and the best company one can find!

Earl Grey Truffels

(my most favorite EVER)

2/3 c. whipping cream

2 T. butter, cut into pieces

1 t. light corn syrup

2 Earl Grey tea bags

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

Chocolate bark coating

Chocolate sprinkles

In small saucepan, bring cream, butter, and syrup to a boil.  Remove from heat and add tea bags.  Steep 5 minutes.  Remove tea bags and squeeze out excess into pan.

Add chopped chocolate, stirring until chocolate melts and is smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Roll chocolate into balls by the teaspoonful.  Place in freezer to keep firm while preparing chocolate coating.

Melt chocolate coating in a double boiler.  Quickly dip balls in coating, place on waxed paper and shake chocolate sprinkles over the top.  Refrigerate until firm.  Store in refrigerator up to 1 week  or in a freezer for up to 1 month.   Makes 30 truffles.

A Visit Upstairs . . . .

We moved upstairs to see what could be seen there.  The girls created ivy halos - which was one of the original venues.  I remember sweet BABY Laura Beth having an ivy halo in her hair that first year.  

The Victorian paper dolls is always a favorite spot for the girls to sit down and be creative with many different materials.

Finally, our table was ready for tea!

White Chocolate Scones

(makes 16 large scones or 32 small ones)

2 c. White Lily all-purpose flour

1 c. heavy cream (plus a possible 1 more T.)

1 T. baking powder

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. white chocolate chips

1/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. sweet cream salted butter (1 stick)

white sparkling sugar

Combine dry ingredients; cut in butter with pastry blender or food processor until crumbly. Transfer to medium mixing bowl and add heavy cream and vanilla, stirring until just moistened.  Add another T. of heavy cream if the mixture is too dry.  Stir the white chocolate chips in quickly and gently.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 5 or 6 times. Divide into two or four sections and roll each into a circle. about 1/2 inch thick.  Cut each section into 8 wedges each and place onto lightly greased pans or parchment paper, two inches apart.  Sprinkle with white sparkling sugar on top before baking.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size.  Cool completely on wire racks before storing in airtight containers.

Any leftover scones can be reheated very well for a few minutes in a toaster oven.

Tasting the Perfect Cup of Tea

The dining room table was set beautifully with special pots of tea and little taste testing cups for all to try new brews of tea.

Laura Beth has always been a little leery of hot tea, but
tasted away and really enjoyed the black tea.

 The dining room is one of my favorite spots for pictures.  The girls were taking a glance at what all the afternoon would bring and I am so glad I was able to snap these shots of them.

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

5 large tortillas

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. feta cheese

1/4 c. chopped green onions

6 oz. dried cranberries

Mix together cheeses, onions.  Add cranberries.  Spread evenly onto tortillas.  Roll up and wrap

in Saran wrap.  Refrigerate one hour.  Cut into 1 inch segments, discarding the ends.  Enjoy!

Come On In for a Cup of Tea . . .

Step in through the gate . . . 

Take a walk through the historic Hardeman House . . . 

and have a lovely visit with some of your closest friends.

Laura Beth, Madlyn, Gran and myself were so excited to be able to attend the 10th annual Victorian Tea Party at Freed Hardeman University.  Laura Beth and I have been able to attend all but one in the years that it has been going on.  It is a favorite event for our girls in our family!  It has been fun to see Laura Beth and her friends grow in the activities that the tea party brings.  I can remember spending ENDLESS hours in the little girl dress up venue.  Now, we are moving into the hand work they offer during the tea party.  This year's venue was crocheting small flowers that could be put on clips and ponytail holders.  I was so impressed with the girls.  They really worked hard on this difficult task and their results were wonderful!  Laura Beth now wants crochet hooks!

Listening intently as Mrs. Sherry explains what to do . . . 

Madlyn working hard

Laura Beth focusing on her work

Madlyn and Laura Beth met up with sweet Lexi.  It was Lexi's first tea party and we were so
glad to have her there!

I want to share some of my favorite recipes from the day with you.  All the food was fabulous this year (as always)!!!

Spicy Cheddar Pimento Sandwiches

(makes 24 open-face sandwiches)

8 oz. sharp cheddar, shredded

3/4 c. chopped pecans

8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/4 c. minced chives

5 T. Miracle Whip (or more to taste)

3/4 t. cayenne pepper

1/2 c. diced marinated roasted red peppers

Garnish: fresh chives

Multigrain or party rye bread

In the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, pulse together the cheddar,

Monterey Jack, mayonnaise, and cayenne until mixture is mostly smooth.  Fold in the diced red peppers, pecans, and chives until well combined.  Spread on bread; garnish with chives.

Rounding Up FIsh at the Rodeo

Fishing is in our blood now and the kids are taking advantage of EVERY opportunity to go fishing.  MSYC holds a fishing rodeo every year as a fundraiser for the camp and this year we just HAD to participate.  We were not able to be there the whole time for other things going on in the day, but we enjoyed the morning spent around the pond with family and friends and a few fish.

Carter did not have as easy of a time fishing this day and was getting MOST frustrated!

LB's one and only catch of the day!!
Way to go, LB!

Our spot for fishing with the Maples and Maxwells

Well, we did not win the biggest fish or the most fish.  Carter did come away with a new rod and reel and LB came away with the satisfaction that she caught more fish than Carter.  Plans are already under way for next year and the "perfect" fishing spot - away from all trees!!!!

4 Boys . . . 1 Girl . . . A Bunch of Fish

Sunday we had church eat church at church - I love those days!!!  We had a relaxing afternoon and spent the late afternoon early evening fishing.  Pop and Bub (my grandfather and uncle) had promised Carter they would take him fishing and tonight was the night . . . We had a beautiful setting . . . great conversation . . . and just a wonderful time.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

Yes, he is about to throw this fish like a baseball . . .
and did!! Poor little guy! 

My catch!!! The only one who caught a catfish!
Could not have done it without Bub though! The joker broke my line on the shore,
and he had to get it!

A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!

Sunday we celebrated Whitney's 21st birthday a month early.  Everyone will be home on her actual birthday and we did not want to leave her out of the birthday celebrations, so we partied hard!!!  She chose Italian Creamed Chicken for her birthday lunch . . .

Italian Creamed Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts

1 pkg. dry Italian dressing

2 cans of cream of chicken

8 oz. cream cheese

Put in a crock pot on low for 6 hours.

Serve over rice or pasta.

Here's our birthday girl with her Sock It To Me birthday cake.  She is our anti-chocolate girl that LOVES snickerdoodle cookies. This recipe was as close as I could get to a snickerdoodle.  (If anyone has a recipe, please let me know it)  

Sock It To Me Cake

1 pkg. Butter Cake Mix

1 c. oil

8 oz. sour cream

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. water

4 eggs

Filling: 2 T. brown sugar and 2 t. cinnamon

Glaze: Blend 1 c. confectioners sugar and 2 T. milk. Drizzle over cake.

(I forgot to do this with our cake)

Preheat over to 375.  In a large mixing bowl, blend together the cake mix, sour cream, oil and sugar.  Then, add water and eggs.  Beat at a high speed for 2 minutes. Pour 2/3 of the batter in a greased and floured tube/bundt pan.  Combine filling ingredients and sprinkle over batter in pan.

Spread remaining portion of batter over filling mixture. Bake at 375 for 45-55 minutes.

Cool for 25 minutes before glazing.

The pictures were taken with my phone because I had mislaid my camera somewhere, so sorry for the quality.

After eating, the kids and Tompkins went out for a little baseball . . .

and rope swinging . . . 

We just love our college kids and will miss them so much this summer. This was the last Sunday lunch we will have with this crew this year. It was very bitter sweet . . .

My kids and the Newby kids . . . what a blessing all of our kids are to us, but
this family has been so special! Carter looks a little sad . . . think he knew it was Hunter's
last Sunday lunch with us.

To celebrate the last Sunday lunch, we had to have a picture of these two - what a love/hate/love relationship they have.  She really does love him and does not realize how much she is going to miss him!

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Happy Birthday, Whitney!

We love you!