A Thing For Green- Tuesday Color Day

Join Stephcupoftea.blogspot.com & Friends as we explore different colors for the next few weeks. This week is green & I LOVE GREEN. You'll see soon enough.

An antique paper mache box with a mad little bird

My most favorite bath soap- no longer made :-(
Potpourri

Decorative only- tea cup & saucer

My new green pillows made from left over fabric from a sewing job.

My newest hydrangea

Irish moss waiting to be planted

My most favorite hosta -Paul something or another

My Basil which has done amazingly well this year and oh, so sweet!

Black Magic Elephant ears Decor
Recently painted family room that Angela LOVES (hee)

Some of my gardening books

Cute little cups - I have no idea what were used for.

Table place setting in breakfast room

And my name plate that I've had for at least 10 years. I hope you enjoyed the tour.

GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS- HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

What greater love hath man than this, that he would lay down his life for his fellow man.
Today we pray that God Bless those whose lives were given for us, so that we are able to live the lives we love. As we celebrate those generous, courageous, giving, scared yet fearless, brave men & women on this day, let us give thanks that as of today, we still live in the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE!

And continue on in prayer and let us not forget those who are still fighting for us.

As well as those we fight.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

NO WORDS NEEDED

Post # 2 for today- I Spy Something YELLOW

Pale Yellow candlesYellow Orchid My mother's day gift from oldest daughterCutie Pie & Farm Fresh Eggs from momma & daddy's house

(and the yellow tea pot on the table in back- just noticed) Chamomile Daisies in a spring bouquet from the yard.
Hand Painted Italian Plates and my striped Kitchen walls
My FAVORITE Dessert Cookbook!
At lastly My Home. Visit Steph @ stephcupoftea.blogspot.com to play along!

Strawberries Filled with Lavender Chantilly Creme

Chantilly - a French term referring to sweet or savory dishes that are prepared or served with whipped cream.
Creme Chantilly- a lightly sweetened whipped cream, usually flavored with vanilla or liqueur and serve with a sweet dessert.
Today's recipe is a SIMPLE one. I hope you try it and enjoy!

Strawberries Filled with Lavender Chantilly Creme

1 pint of large strawberries
1 cup of very cold heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons of lavender infused sugar (or other sugar of your choice)
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries, keeping hull intact (this is optional but I find it makes a prettier presentation)

Lay out all ingredients before you begin. In a well chilled, preferably stainless bowl, whip cream on super high.
Slowly add the sugar and vanilla and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Slice the strawberries in half close to the hull.
Clean out the small hole in the center of each berry. Using a piping bag (or a sandwich baggie with a corner cut out), pipe the whipped cream into each berry and replace the tops. Arrange on a pretty plate and refrigerate until ready to serve.

One quick note. In the recipe I stress using cold cream and container. This is a vital part to making the cream whip properly. I generally place the bowl and beater bars in the freezer for a few minutes to make sure they are super cold- it makes a big difference.

Hot Cinnamon Mocha Souffles

What is a souffle? A light, airy mixture that usually begins with thick egg yolk base sauce or a puree that is lightened by stiffly beaten egg whites. It can either be savory or sweet, hot or cold. What is a souffle cup? A small round dish, with straight sides that help the souffle to rise. (I do not own real souffle dishes and hence, my souffle did not rise as nicely as it should.)
The souffle we are featuring today is a semi- sweet, light and airy, low calorie souffle, served warm.

Hot Cinnamon Mocha Souffles (serves 6)

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup + 1 tsp. of unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1/3 cup of granulated sugar

4 tablespoons of strong black coffee

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

6 egg whites, brought to room temperature

Confectioners sugar for dusting the tops

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place sheet pan in warming oven.

Gather all ingredients before you begin
Coat the inside of 6 souffle cups with the melted butter.

Mix one spoon of the cocoa powder with one spoon of the sugar and dust the insides of the souffle cups completely. Set aside.

Mix the rest of the cocoa powder with the coffee and cinnamon

In a very clean and completely dry metal bowl (copper if you have it), whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Take one large spoon of the whipped whites and gently blend into the cocoa mixture. Next, gently fold in the remaining egg whites making sure not to over blend.

Gently add the mixture to the prepared souffle cups smooth the tops. Place on the warm pan and place into oven. Start checking after 13 minutes, up until 15 minutes or until souffle rises completely. Serve immediately with a dusting of powdered sugar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

It tastes so good. Light & fluffy.

A new Blog Site to visit

I know I said I would be posting about my Hot Cinnamon Mocha Souffle's today, but I meant to say Monday- which is when I intend to bake them, but until then you must visit this site for some wonderful recipes for tasty tea treats! I've been visiting another site of hers on occasion but never looked here. Sheri has other lovely sites, but this has the best recipes! I can't wait to try and make her rose & lavender jellies. I've never made jelly before, but these recipes have inspired me to try. This is a picture of her Lavender Jelly- isn't beautiful.

Visit Sheri @ http://cuppatea4sheri.blogspot.com/

Post -2 Spring Flowers

I just wanted to show how beautiful my flower garden turned out this year. It's only a year old, and now that it's blooming I can tell I'll be rearranging some things that are not working well together, but overall I'm very happy. Hope you enjoy.

The Wisteria was spectacular this year. It's three years old.

The Roses have finally started to bloom. This is "New Dawn"

My very first Clematis (The President)Samantha's own little garden that she planted (almost all by herself)When the Azaleas were in bloom
These are both Spiderwort. Can you see the bumble bee leaving with pollen on his back legs? A Garden Bouquet