The Grape Escape!

Dust off your passports dear Bloggy Friends! Lavinia Ladyslipper of The Birdbath Chronicles and I have arranged for the Grape Escape to Italy on November 17! All are Welcome!
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As you all know, Lavinia has a simply delicious apartment in Rome. It sleeps 30 or more if you count the hammocks in the Solarium and the Murphy Bed bookshelves in the library.

Her staff awaits your favorite Italian recipes for sumptuous meals.
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The day will be filled with sight seeing adventures led by none other than Mr. Peck. His familiarity with Rome is well known. He has spent many holiday's there and is ready and awaiting our arrival. (Tips are recommended at the end of each tour, as Mr. Peck is no longer gainfully employed as a park ranger.) You may remember Mr. Peck from our Indian Summer Picnic - some of you may remember him a little better than others (wink wink). He, of course, lost his job after that unfortunate incident in the hay wagon, but he has retained his sense of humor and his willingness to have another adventure with us!

The Avidly Errant Mr. Peck

In addition to our time in the city we will spend some time at my land holdings on the outskirts of Rome, the Muserino Vineyard. It is just bursting with ripening grapes. Unfortunately, my not so trusty workers have all gone off for some crazy holiday in Salerno, and have left me in the lurch!
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This adventure will include an overnight stay at Lavinia's with all meals and amenities included. We will have sight seeing adventures, enjoy delicious food, and spend a day at the Muserino Vineyard where you will see, firsthand, the entire wine making process from start to finish. You'll be trucked out to the vineyards before dawn to pick grapes, then it's back to the Muserino Cellars a quick lunch and a frolicking afternoon of grape stomping and cask filling! And of course there will be WINE TASTING! Click to see Lavinia and I at an actual wine tasting!!!
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Everyone is invited to come to Italy for The Grape Escape! I have included a map of Italy for the geographically challenged. Rome is pretty close to Vatican City from what I understand, so we should probably keep the volume down just a tad.

To make this a wonderful experience for all, you are invited to participate in this adventure by doing any of the following:

• provide recipes or menu ideas to the kitchen staff so they may prepare your favorite Italian foods.
• assist Mr. Peck with planning tours of your favorite sights,
• you may share historical information,
• escort us through art galleries,
• discuss artists, music
• any thing else you might like to do!

As always you may do anything you like on the day of The Grape Escape! It's your Roman holiday.
The only thing NOT to do is put the following item in your suitcase as a "pretty please with sugar on it" favor to Lavinia.

The Iron Crown of Charlemagne

If you would like to join us in the Grape Escape, just copy the invitation to your blog and leave a comment on this post! Ciao!

We thank the following sponsors:
Security provided by Stevie the Wren
Vespa Rentals by Karla and Sparky
Mousing Around Tours by Blicky Kitty
Postage and Handling by Marie
Come As You Are Photography by Bibi
Mind Your Manors by Willow
Tiara Rentals by Queenie
Large Fern provided by Betsy
Music and Arts provided by Trish and Avery
Keep 'em In Line Drawings by Soulbrush

More sponsors to be announced after Stevie the Wren has a "word" with them.
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Please stop by The Birdbath Chronicles for additional information and updates about The Grape Escape!

New Developments In Case Of The Missing Sapphire

The Scene of the dastardly crime.
The sauna, site of the "fiasco"
Sherlock has listened carefully to the statements provided thus far. He deduces that

1) Willow was evasive in her statement, attempting to settle blame on an innocent cold cream jar. He says it may be slippery but it doesn't steal.

2) Betsy knows more than she is willing to admit - she's always cooking something up. He says she's going to have to come up with much more than a "pretty little smile."

3) Soulbrush claims she was with her neighbor's husband. Sherlock had his assistant McBebber interview all husbands within a 5 block radius. Although all admitted to having spent time dallying with Soulbrush, they all stated the obvious: Everyone knows it was a Monday, and they were all watching Monday Night Football at Lucy O'Layla's Sports Bar. Soulbrush has more 'splainin to do.

4-23) Lavinia went a step further in throwing the scent off by fingering her apron making nemesis, StevieWren and then changing the subject all together by discussing the purchase of loo-cycles from Soulbrush AND claiming that I would foot the bill. Nice try.

Sherlock is getting impatient and said he wants the truth or he is sending the Hounds of the Baskerville to sniff around. He left his business card and expects to hear from all of you.

The Game Is Afoot, Sherlock

This Padparadscha Sapphire is missing! Lavinia Ladyslipper and I have taken it upon ourselves to hire the best detectives available to investigate this tragic loss to Prince Filbert of North Umberton Bobsoire Peet. Lavinia says she don't got it and I aint got it neither. I checked the Yellow Pages and found this Agency to assist us.
I dashed right over.
And hired this fledgling detective.
Everyone who visits The Birdbath Chronicals or Muse-Swings attended the Cortina Ski Resort 'fiasco' . We've agreed to assist in the investigation by asking that everyone account for their movements in and around the sauna on or about February 31, 2008, 10:30 PM Rangoon Time.
Please visit The Birdbath Chronicals for additional and oft conflicting information. Thank you for your cooperation. The game is afoot.

Indian Summer Picnic Grand Finale

The picnic was wonderful! It appears as though everyone enjoyed the day! We met new friends, ate fabulous food, listened to music, poetry and enjoyed artwork created for the day. We've been all over the world and now that the sun has set we are warming ourselves at a bonfire while we watch fireworks and sip cherry cordials! What a grand plan and what a lovely day! Thank you everyone who participated as well as the many friends who stopped by for lunch and games!

I think I have tired out the comments feature - my computer started freezing up every time I attempt to leave one. So for the rest of the evening I'll sit here - with my partially frozen computer - by the bonfire while we watch fireworks and sing camp songs. Stay as long as you like and come by in the morning - someone mentioned a sleep over and cinnamon rolls just before I started having computer problems. I just happen to have my jammies with me - so although you may not hear from me - thanks to the computer - I'll be singing along and having a wonderful time! Enjoy!

An Indian Summer Picnic!

It's Indian Summer and the first day of Autumn! What better way to celebrate the day than a picnic under the brilliantly colored trees!















I live in Florida where one season just blends into the next. If it is cold outside it must be winter. If it's hot, well, it could be any day of the year. So I've created the magic of autumn! The picnic table is ready - it's right under the maple trees!
























Just over the hill is a beautiful pond dappled with sunshine and waterlilies! We can cool the cider here!



Can't you just smell the apples? They are as crisp as the autumn air and they still smell of sunshine.



















Sit down and enjoy an apple while I unpack the picnic basket.

















Did you come in the wagon? We can use it for a hay ride later today.


















Everything is laid out for you. Make yourself comfortable and let's eat. We'll start with some delicious pumpkin soup with roasted pumpkin seeds. Tastes like autumn! I didn't use too much salt, did I?



I've made fried chicken! Delicious! This is Florida, after all!

I've also mulled some fresh apple cider with cinnamon and apple pie spices. It's hot! Be careful!

The vegetables are roasted corn and oven roasted potatoes with olive oil, lemon, fresh rosemary and salt and pepper. They're so easy to make and the lemon gives them a tangy flavor.


To make the potatoes: I just washed and cut the potatoes and put them in a bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil, about 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh rosemary, a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Stir the potatoes so they are evenly covered with the oil and seasonings. Then you put the potatoes in a baking pan - single layer - and bake them at 375 for about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir them 2 or three times while baking so most of the cut sides are browned. That's it!


I hope you have room for dessert and coffee!











Will you try a piece of maple pecan pie. The north and south kind of meet in this dessert, don't they?


















Another choice, if you prefer, is a baked pear with maple syrup, raisins and pecans. No calories in this one. Oh and a pumpkin cappuccino!

I couldn't eat another bite either! I'm glad you enjoyed lunch. Ready for some fun? We have a big day ahead of us! We'll be travelling all over the US and the world today including Serbia, Australia, Turkey, France and our neighbors in Canada! This picnic may have already started in some time zones and it will continue all day and evening. Are you ready?? Let's go!
















Hop in my airplane - there's plenty of room.


Put on your goggles and one of these wonderful silk scarves.

We're on our way! All of these bloggy buddies are hosting this picnic too- just click on the names and you'll be there before you know it! I've listed them in semi-alphabetical order. Sort of.

We'll have a great time!

Marianne

Margaret Ann

Bibi


Debra Kay


Trish


Janeen


Karla


Lily Hydrangea


Kalianne


Marie


Lavinia


Shelly


Soulbrush


Sparky


Stevie


Have I missed anyone??? If I have, it may be that you have posted your RSVP elsewhere. Just leave a comment on this post and say "Stop By My Picnic Too!"

I'll add you to the list as soon as I find you in the comments. We don't want to miss anyone!!! Thank you all so much for contributing to another bloggyvent!

EVERYONE is welcome, even if you aren't posting a picnic today, so put on your traveling shoes and celebrate the first day of autumn today!

An Indian Summer Picnic Reminder!

It's almost time! Only 4 more sleeps until our Indian Summer Picnic!

It's time to start thinkin about it! Time to plan!

Where would you like to picnic? Some place quiet? Unique? Out of the way?

Someplace special? By a favorite landmark? In a favorite country?

And don't forget to do your shopping!

Get out that Saran wrap! That Tupperware! Those plastic salt and pepper shakers.

Make something really special! M-m-m-m. Could ya gimme the recipe for this?

Get in the mood with this wonderful picnic song! Click here

Bring the twins!

Bring the family!

Invite your blogger buddies!
Bring your sisters!

Don't be left out in the cold! Click on the invitation on the top right hand corner of my blog and leave a comment! Say you'll be there! A fun day is guaranteed. Looking forward to Monday! There will be plenty of food and fun.

An Indian Summer Picnic! Please Come!

My dear bloggy friend, Lavinia Ladyslipper, made a wonderful suggestion! She thought that, having had such a wonderful time at our Especial-Tea last month, we might want to get together again for something else just as fun - An Indian Summer Picnic! Several of our many bloggy friends already agree that this would be a great idea!

Having the luxury of time on my hands I agreed to organize the day. I thought that the first day of Autumn, September 22, would be perfect day for a picnic.

The plan is simple: decide what you would like to picture on your blog for the picnic on September 22. Use your imagination - It can be anything you would like to prepare, bring or do at your picnic.

You may want to take a picture of picnic places, picnic things you have, the wonderful foods you will prepare, birds that might visit us, something you might wear, a pet you would like to bring with you, flowers, games to play, books to read, poems to share, anything at all. Anything.

Take a picture that expresses your Indian Summer Picnic. Post it along with whatever you would like to say about your contribution on your post. This is an all day event that transcends time zones.

You may also extend this invitation to all of your readers! Everyone is invited. If a friend is not yet a blogger and would like to attend ask them to send you a picture or comments to post on your blog for them.

If you would like to attend,
1 RSVP in comments on this post.
2 Copy the invitation and paste it in the margin of your blog.
3 Check the comments on this blog to see who will be participating
4 Visit with each other on the 22nd to see what each of us has brought to the picnic.

I would love to see all of you, and all of your friends, on September 22nd. Please come! I know this will be lots of fun!

I've Just Had The Loveliest Day Ever! Thank You Everyone!

A beautiful and delicious party favor from Janeen!













I've just had the loveliest day ever! What a wonderful day and what delicious treats everyone made. I've never in my life had more cups of tea than I did today! I suspect I will be awake all night, but I'll just spend my time making a journal of the day. (I filled my handkerchief with a few fancy sugar cubes and fairy cakes and scones in case I get a bit peckish around 3:00am.

The wonderful treats, pictures, music poetry and delightful imagination were provided by
Lavinia Ladyslipper of the Birdbath Chronicles
Steviewren from a little birdie told me so
Poetikat of Poetikats Invisible Keepsakes
Trish from Nana's Living the Dream
Janeen of Chachaneen
Kalianne from Bygone Beauty

It was such fun visiting with everyone today. I finally made my exit a short time ago. I've decided to just put my feet up and save the dishes for the morning.


As I write my journal entry later tonight I have only to look at my tea gown to remember the details of all the wonderful things I ate: There's a bit of lemon curd on my right sleeve. On the left is a smidgen of currant jelly, on the skirt I managed to drop a little chocolate, some pink icing from that little piggy fairy cake, a bit of clotted cream, a drop or two of tea, and some raspberry jam. There's a shrimp stuck just below the knee and a bit of a grass stain from Lavinia's garden at the hem. Oh, and the wee spot on my right shoulder? Remember that cute little bird that greeted us at Stevie Wrens? Well, I shouldn't have stood directly under it.



I usually don't make such a mess of myself, but there were well over 100 people in the tiny tea cottage, and well... it's so difficult to balance a tea cup and a plate of scones and cakes and candies and well, you understand, I'm sure.



I just want to thank everyone who participated and everyone who took time to visit with all of us today. We'll have to do this again!

If you missed visiting with anyone, I'm sure they won't mind you taking a peek. Just click on their names listed in this post, or their blogs listed in "my bonnie blog list" in the right margin.



Thank you again! It was just a delightful day!

Welcome! Today is an Especial-Tea for You!

I woke up this morning to the scent of tea brewing, scones baking, the clatter of bone china, the sparkle of polished silver, and the rustle of tea gowns! Today is the day of the Especial-Tea for You!

Everyone is invited to see what delightful and delicious things there are to be tasted and tried in the Land of Blog today! Many of my new friends have tea tables waiting for you, special recipes to try, gardens to be investigated and poems to be read.

See what I have prepared for you, and then click on the invitation to find the homes and kitchens and gardens of all the others who are preparing special things for you today. Just look at the comments, then click on their names and you will be transported to tea in many places and time zones. Check through out the day and evening.

I've chosen a vintage Edwardian Tea Gown to wear today. It is make of lawn and is handmade and hand embroidered.

set my tea table with some of my depression glass. The tea table is part of the set of 1920's wicker furniture I have in my sitting room. The furniture belonged to my husbands paternal grandmother.

The silverware is from the set that once belonged to My husband's mother. It was a wedding gift.

The pattern is Adoration and it is embossed with the initial C

I've collected several pieces of pink depression glass. I chose desert plates of many different patterns which include Cambridge, Fostoria, Heisey and others. I like the look of the mismatched pink plates

Let's eat dessert first! We are having chocolate tulips filled with white chocolate mousse topped with chocolate curls and a fresh raspberry. The plate is garnished with kiwi, currants and a tiny white orchid.

I have made a cool summer appetizer of cold shrimp with miso-mayo sauce served with cucumber slices garnished with radishes.

But yes, I think I'll still have that dessert first!

The pretty little tea pot was given to me by my friend Suzanne. It has a little butterfly on the lid.

The tiny sea shell shaped dishes have candies in them, the small glass basket is filled with orchids from my garden and the sugar bowl contains crystallized natural sugar

The cream is poured, the candles are lit. Please sit down and enjoy your time here! Then visit with all of my tea time friends! They are looking forward to seeing you today too!