FABBY: Valentine's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Hello sweet friends!

    I saw this gorgeous cake the other day, a wonderful and luscious, "Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake" from "Merridith Kristoffersen at TWIGG STUDIOS" is where I got the recipe and it's yummy!  Hope you can try it, as it's easy to make too!

Most of you by now know that mother comes to spend the day with us every Wednesday, so I baked the cake in a heart shaped pan for this Valentine's season and we had it with tea in the afternoon.

Here it is, I hope you like it. I highly recommend you bake this cake!

Hope you also join sweet "Bernideen for her Romance is in the Air" at,  http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com




Here is the setting for tea or coffee and this great 'Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake' from TWIGG STUDIOS  http://www.twiggstudios.com/2013/12/lemon-poppy-seed-pound-cake.html
(Check recipe in the link above)

I did the cake in a heart shaped cake pan for the Valentine's season.

The lovely white 'Italian-Tognana' teacups were a super find, as they came in a box of six for $ 5, 45; so I bought the last three boxes... two for me and one for a girl that comes to clean my house sometimes, as her birthday is coming up soon.

You can imagine me running  walking to pay for them carrying my three heavy boxes! Aren't they so 'peatty and sweet looking?'
I paired the white teacups with some English blue and white transferware plates for cake.

Now...this cake is totally yummy!
 

Isn't the cake cute in a heart shape...I loved it, lol!  Thanks to "Merridith Kristoffersen from TWIGG STUDIO" for the recipe.

The link is in the first photo.

The lovely flowers are stil fresh and I have them for a week!

I will use all of my twelve teacups for next Rosary prayer with my friends.

Thank you so much for visiting me sweet friends, as you always make my day!

Thanking the gracious hostesses for having me at their great parties each week.

LOVE,
FABBY

I'm joining:

Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Michael for Foodie Friday at,  http://rattlebridgefarm.blogspot.com
Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthulife.blogspot.com
Sally for BLUE Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Kathryn for Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Mary for Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Lisa for Mix it up Monday at,  http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Cindy for Amaze Me Monday at,  http://dwellingstheheartofyourhome.blogspot.com
Nancy for Inspire Me Monday at,  http://www.createwithjoy.com
Kaysi for Motivate Me Monday at,  http://www.keepingitsimple.com
Kathy for A Bouquet of Talent Link Party at,  http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com
Danielle for Silver Pennies Sunday for www.findingsilverpennies.com
Stephanie Lynn for The Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://www.stephanielynn.com
Linda for Nifty Thirfty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Ma. Elena for Tuesdays at our Home at,  http://ourhomeawayfromhome.blogspot.com
Sandi for Hearts and Flowers Tea at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
The SCOOP Linky Party at,  http://theeverydayhome.blogspot.com
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Kathe for You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
Create, Link, Inspire at,  http://www.naptimecreations.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfullaffirmation.blogspot.com
Anyonota for Tasty Tuesdays at,  http://www.anyinitanibbles.com
Martha for Valentine's Teacup Tuesday at,  http://www.marthasfavorites.com
Deb for Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
Michael for Foodie Friday at,  http://rattlebridgefarmblogspot.com
Deborah for What we Accomplished Wednesday at,  http://www.greenwillowpond.com
Create with Joy at,  http://lambertslately.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://www.impartinggrace.com


 I will be participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.




I will be participating in Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

 

FABBY: Valentine's 2014 Table for Four

Hello sweet friends!

          I wanted to create a table for a Valentine's dinner party for the two of us, plus a couple of friends, so I had to think in more of a practical sense, therefore, I'm using my reticulated dinner plates, plus a porcelain tea set with small red-rose color little flowers.

I also placed it in our alabaster round breakfast table with no tablecloth, as I didn't go with the regular red and heart plates like in my past Valentine's.

Here it is, I hope you like my Valentine's table for 2014.

Valentine's table setting for four on the alabaster breakfast table.
The centerpiece flowers and other decor pieces are in our everyday 'glass lazy-susan.'

The flowers I chose are to match the flowers in the china and are in the pretty white Portuguese pitcher Alejandro bought for me three months ago.

See how the color of the fresh flowers are just like the color in the teaset?

A Brown chocolate heart box at left.

A wicker tray is the same as the chargers.

Brown wicker and cane chargers, reticulated dinner plate, flower porcelain salad plate and teacup to match.

A small romantic cloche with nesting birds.



Little red roses in the dishes.
In the store where I bought them a few years ago, they told me that they were specially made for the store, or 'private labeled'... but the sales lady didn't know where, as in the back it just has the name of the store printed on.

I used my carved like Polish purple water glasses and the purple clear wine stems are German.



The buffet has a Valentine's liquor candy heart box.

The pretty salad plate. I love the cut edges with a gold trim.
They also have some butterflies in it, so I used butterfly napkin rings, made at our former Ceramic-factory.

The teacup and saucer.

Love the flower design with butterflies too, so I used some yellow butterflies napkin rings as well.
The BLUE hatted vintage French figure of a country boy in the back.

Here is the vintage BLUE hatted French country girl holding a sheep.

A small cloche in the glass lacy-susan.

Here's what's inside the small cloche...a chocolate couple and heart.

Thank you for visiting me sweet friends, as you always make my day!

Thanking the gracious hostesses for having me at their great parties!

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:

Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Paula and Patty for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com
Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Martha for February Tea Cups at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Deborah for What We Accomplished Wednesday at,  http://greenwillowpond.blogspot.com
Sarah for Make Bake Create at,  http://hopeineveryseason.blogspot.com
Charly and Debi for Wednesdays Adorned from Above Party at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com
Melody for REDNESDAY at,  http://brownginghamcreations.blogspot.com
Sarah for The Homemaking Party at,  http://hopeineveryseason.blogspot.com
Terri for A Creative Princess at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Kathy for Home and Garden Party at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com

Jann for Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://haveadailycupofmrsolson.blogspot.com
Christina for Wildly Original Linky Party at,  http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Leslie for Create it Thursday at,  http://lambertslately.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://impartinggrace.blogspot.com
Jennifer for Fabulously Creative Friday at,  http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Kathryn for Anything Blue Friday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
Holly for Tickled Pink Times Two at,  http://504byhollylefevre.blogspot.com
Beverly for PINK Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Saturday S how Off at,  http://therosegardeninmalevik
Alma for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Becky for Under $100 link party at,  http://bec4beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com
From the Farm Blog Hop at,  http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com
Saturday Sparks at,  http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com
Funky Junk Interiors Link Party at,  http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com
Spotlight Saturday at,  http://www.classyclutter.net



























I will be joining Wow Us Wednesday at,  http://savvysouthernstyle.net

 

FABBY: Tea Party for Rosary Prayer

Hello sweet friends!

The last Wednesday of each month I am assigned to have "Rosary Praying"gatherings; like some people, who get together for Bible Study. I have it with a group of my closest friends and Sils, here at my house. The first time I had eleven ladies, but normally they will be around fifteen.

We pray the 'Rosary' ( a Catholic prayer) for our families, friends, the country (I also pray for my country the USA as well) and peace for the rest of the trouble areas in the world.
Than after it we proceed to the dining room for some tea or coffee with just bread, marmalade and cheese. Nothing fancy, that's not the idea.
 
"Whenever you'd like special prayers I'm ready to oblige."

Here are my two tables, set for the after prayer simple tea party. I hope you like it.

My dear Mil's beautiful hand crocheted tablecloth as back drop for my Ecuadorian pottery, designed by me and inspired in the indigenous women lovely embroidered apparel.  

The pottery is entirely made by hand by a 'potter's wheel' as in colonial times and hand decorated by artists we had working for us, back at Alejandro's Ceramic Factory, Monte Turi.

Look at the cute papaya on the lid of the marmalade bowl.

Another marmalade bowl with an apple and half lemon.
I cut the cheese in cubes so the ladies can just help themselves and don't have to be cutting it themselves.

The big soup tureen had another use many years ago, 'before plastic'... and it was used as a container for keeping bread fresh, so I stored more bread there in case we needed to refill it, lol..

The tureen has a chicken on top of the lid too, as the Ecuadorians used to make them way back, as their 'special touch' to the pottery originally taught by the Spaniards in Ecuador and the rest of Latin America, of course.
The forms I chose to make are original Spanish designs from colonial times, as well, specially in the big serving pieces.

I love the pitcher, where I put water, for some of the ladies who wish to have some. The blue glasses go well with the blues in the pottery.

I chose for the breakfast table another crochet tablecloth and the friends that follow me, may remember I "found it"half way made in a carton box in the cellar; from a girl that was crocheting iy for me, but immigrated to the USA ten years ago and used to clean my house twice a week, lol! 
Than after I found it, I had it finished by someone else.

Another cute marmalade bowl with a little chicken on top.

Thank you so much for visiting me and for the generous comments you leave me, as you always make my day!

Thanking the lovely hostesses for having me at their great parties each week.

LOVE,
FABBY



 

I will be joining the following parties:


Saturday Night Special at,  http://fnkyjunkyinteriors.blogspot.com
Laurie for Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com
Suzanne for Saturday Sparks Link Party at,  http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Kathryn for Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Mary for Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Kathy for It's a Party at The Bouquet of Talent Link Party at,  http://lifeonlakeshoredrive.blogspot.com
Silver Pennies Sunday at,  http://www.findingsilverpennies.com
Sally for BLUE Monday at,  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Inspire Me Monday at,  http://createwithjoy.blogspot.com
Kathy for A Return to Loveliness at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Linda for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at,  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Linda for Amaze Me Monday at,  http://www.dwellingstheheartofyourhome.com
Sandi for Tea Time at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://blog.bernideens.com
Ma. Elena for Tuesdays at our Home at,  http://ourhomeawayfromhome.blogspot.com
Paula for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Terry for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com
Kathe for You're Gonna Love it at,  http://kathewithane.blogspot.com
Ivonne for The SCOOP at,  http://stonegableblogspot.com
Martha for February Tea cups at,  http://www.marthasfavorites.com
Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Emily for Create, Link Inspire at,  www.nap-timecreations.com
Tuesdays with a Twist at,  http://www.backtothebasics.com
Anyonita for Tasty Tuesdays at,  http://www.anyonitanibbles.co.uk












 I will be participating in Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

FABBY: Chinese New Year Tablescape

Hello sweet friends!

I just got back from our three hour trip to visit Sofia and her family. We specially went to celebrate Cayetana's and my dearest Alejandro's birthday which is today.

My inspiration for this table is Sofia's gift that I received this past C'mas, and are eight gorgeous place mats with pagodas, roses with green branches, so it was perfect for an Oriental table scape, better to think of a Chinese NYear 2014.

Today is also my dearest Alejandro's birthday which we celebrated with his three Darling girls and Sil.

Ok, here is my Chinese New Year setting for 2014.

I used as a centerpiece among flowers a lovely ceramic, cinnabar red sculpture of a Chinese rice harvester girl that was a gift from my dear sister in law for a birthday several years ago.

My dear daughter Sofia gifted me with eight gorgeous place mats with an oriental motif as pagodas and flowers, which inspired me to make a 'Chinese New Year 2014' tablescape.

They are reversible.

I forgot what this sign 'exactly' meant, but I think it was a 'Happy Home' or something in this order.

I bought this set for eight with lots of mix and match pieces at Macy's NYC, more than 30 years ago.

My borther's wife, my dear Sil also gave me the adorable Chinese teapot you see here.

The mud Foo-Dog was also bought that much ago in NYCity's China Town.

Chinese teapot in red I blught for less tan $7 while shopping this holidays past and I like them for green tea.

Happy Birthday today to my wonderful and handsome husband, Alejandro. Many blessings to you my Darling!

We're going out to dinner tonight with my Sil and brother Joe to celeb.

I love the ceramic, red cinnabar sculpture of a Chinese 'rice harvester girl,' that was given to me several years ago by one of my dearest Sils.

Hubby gifted me three years ago these two Foo-dogs here. This one is the male one with a ball.

and here is the female Foo-dog holding a baby Foo, lol! I have a special love for them as they remind me of Ben, our beloved Pug that died three years ago.

I sat this table in honour of the Chinese New Year, January 31, 2014 in my breakfast alabaster table.

Thank you so much for your sweet and kind visits, you always make my day!

Thanking the gracious hostesses for having me at their great parties.

I will be joining:

Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Paula & Patty for What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

Rednesday at,  http://brownginghamcreations.blogspot.com
Gotta Create at Wildly Original Link Party at,  http://gottacreate.blogspot.com
Wake up Wednesday at,  http://godsgrowinggarden.blogspot.com
Susan for Tablescape Thursday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Deborah for What We Accomplished Wednesday at,  http://greenwillowpond.blogspot.com
Deb for Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
Centerpiece Wednesday at,  http://stylesisters.blogspot.com
Debi and Charly for Wednesday's Adorned from Above Link Party at,  http://adornedfromabove.blogspot.com

Party on the Porch at,  http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Round Up at,  http://therealhousewivesofriverton.blogspot.com
Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://artfullaffirmations.blogspot.com
Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://bernideensteatime blog.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingie Thursday at,  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com

Christina for Wildly Original Linky Party at,  http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Kathy for Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://adelightsomelife.blogspot.com
Lesly for Create it Thursday at,  http://labertslately.blogspot.com
Jenn for Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson at,  http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Richella for Grace at Home at,  http://impartinggrace.blogspot.com
Pamela for Treasure Hunt Thursday at,  http://myfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com
Sherry for Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Debra for Be Inspired at,  http://commonground.blogspot.com
Crystal for Ladies Only Blog Share at,  http://mommifried.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday at,  http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com
Lucy for The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://craftberrybush.blogspot.com

Kathryn for Anything BLUE Friday at,  http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
Jennifer for Fabulously Creative Friday at,  http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Farm Blog Hop at,  http://www.sunnysimplelife.com
Cindy for Show and Tell at,  http://myromantichome.blogspot.com
Holly for Tickled Pink Times two at,  http://504mainbyhollylefevre.blogspot.com
Party Time at,  http://junkingjoe.blogspot.com
Beverly for PINK Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Alama for Seasonal Sunday at,  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Valkommen for Saturday Show Off at,  http://therosegardeninmalevik.blogspot.com
Dolly for Farmgirl Friday at,  http://hibiscushouse.blogspot.com
















 I will be participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.











I will be participating in Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.