Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Welcome to My Fabulous Fall Tea Party!

What an amazing week this has been for all those making the rounds to all the gorgeous Make Mine Pink Virtual Tea Parties!


Isn't this the most fun thing ever? I'm meeting so many wonderful, creative women and I'm simply overwhelmed by the sweet comments and new sites and blogs I'm discovering. Thank you all for visiting me and waiting for me to catch my breath long enough to put together my Fall Tea Party.

As promised I have some delicious recipes to share with you today! First we'll start with a big mug of spiced tea. Yes! I did say MUG! Fall is here ... at least inside my happy little tea room! It's a sunny, but cool Indian Summer day, the leaves are turning, the breeze is blowing, and this spiced tea is steamy and yummy just for you!

Would you like to try some of my Soft Southern Chocolate Chip Pecan Pralines?


1 1/2 ea Sticks unsalted butter
1 c Sugar
1 c Packed, light brown sugar
1 c Milk
1/2 c Heavy cream
1 c Coarsely chopped pecans
2 c Whole pecan halves
2 T Vanilla extract
1 1/2 c Semisweet chocolate chips - Chilled!

Gather all the ingredients and utensils before starting to cook.
(Measure out the chocolate chips and keep in refrigerator until needed.)
Utensils:
A large, heavy-bottomed aluminum pot or skillet with deep sides
A long-handled metal whisk or spoon
2 large spoons (or an ice cream scoop with a manual release)
A very lightly greased cookie sheet.

Directions:
Melt the butter in the pot over high heat; add the sugars, milk, cream and chopped pecans.
Cook 5 minutes, whisking constantly.
Reduce heat to medium, continue cooking and whisking for 10 minutes.
Add the pecan halves and continue whisking and cooking until done,
about 8 to 10 minutes.
Lower the heat toward end of cooking time.
Stir in vanilla
Immediately drop about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips into about one-sixth of the batter.
Stir quickly and just enough to cover some of the chips with batter
but not enough to allow the chips to melt.

Quickly drop the chocolate mixture onto the cookie sheet by heaping spoonfuls,
using the second spoon to push the batter off the first spoon,
or use ice cream scoop
Each praline should be about 2 inches wide by 1/2 inch thick.

Repeat dripping mixture, stirring again before adding more chocolate chips.
The cooled pralines should be light brown, soft and crumbly.


Are you ready for Fall? or if you are visiting from "down under" you should be ready for Spring right? Either way, please tell me all your plans for Fall! I love hearing your plans!

Please keep reading - as I have some surprises for you!

I adore the changing of the seasons, it's like getting a new lease on life. I love everything about Fall ... the colors, the air, the leaves, football games, county fairs, wearing sweaters, going to the Fall Festivals and Arts & Crafts Shows, ohh they are so much fun! I can't wait for my favorite t.v. shows to return for the new season.

I also have lots and lots of exciting plans going on for Fall at Mama's Pocketbook to share with you, so please come back tomorrow for more new recipes... and news, and more fun!

So, if you leave a comment today, you'll be entered into a random drawing tomorrow for my little blog prize giveaway just for fun!

Now, let's see... what shall I give to the lucky poster who comments today (Wednesday)? How about a nice lavender sachet warming pouch! Pop it in the microwave for one minute and lay it over your forehead or your eyes to ease away tension, or place on sore muscles for a fragrant soother. This would be perfect to help you relax while you enjoy some more spiced tea!

I'll post a picture of the sachet a little later today

and after I have some spiced tea to wake me up because...

I was up extra late last night making sure my tea was just right
and I was chatting and burning the midnight oil with my friend Roxie!

You all know Roxie don't you?
Roxie of Jorabeels! Sure you know her!

Well Roxie has been hard at work and has a surprise of her own for everyone today!

The unveiling of her new website
Roxie has taken an absolutely brilliant idea and turned it into ...
PLEASE... Do youself a favor... YOU MUST VISIT HER NEW SITE TODAY!!
And please come back to see me for tea again tomorrow... and more recipes, and more prizes!

Have a beautiful Wednesday!


17 comments:

Joyce at Salisburys Corner said...

mmm your spiced tea sounds divine!

Trisha said...

Dianne,
what a pretty fall picture for your tea party and your recipe souns divine. Of course I love anything with pecans and of course...sugar.
Please visit me for tea and company later in the week.
xoxo
Trisha
my2roses

Rose Petals & Blooms said...

Hi Dianne..

there are a ton of topics I need to address...I'll start with,

1. Your babies in the photo are sooo adorable!! I love the background, with their sweet little faces! I would be so happy to have tea with these little darlings!
2. Until you reminded me, I'd forgotten all the awesome reasons to love fall! I too love the changing of the leaves, crisp air, sweaters to hid my (lil bit of weight I've acquired from those darn specialty coffees!) the fall festivals and believe me in WV we have a ton of them! Very artsy little towns that are steeped in history, throw festivals every year! I go to all of them! Apple Butter, YUM!
3. I love a new recipe for Pralines, I make them every Christmas, and would love to try a new one!
4. I am soo happy for you and your new venture with MSN! I believe I'm as excited for you, as I would be if it had happened to me! Wow, what an amazing time for you, I do envy you, but know you got where you are because of hard work and commitment, MSN obviously saw your passion too! What an honor!
5. When I read that Roxie's Grand Opening is today, I was ready to click onto your link to her new shop, but I just had to finish my note to you first. I am equally excited for Roxie, she is so sweet! I feel so happy to know both of you, I've always said, surround yourself with productive, successful, talented women,and you will be inspired! I am so lucky to have met you Dianne.
6. And last, but not least..the other important topic I wanted to mention is... YEA!! I AM ENTERED INTO YOUR CONTEST! lol.. I would love the chance to win that lavender sachet warming pouch! So count me in!
Ta for now~ I'm off to the Flea Market! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such an awesome comment!

Loads of hugs!
Michelle

Unknown said...

Hi Dianne!

OOh I just love the fall tea setting! Those little girls looks adorable. Thank you for having me over for tea. It was scrumptious! Hope you can stop by for some tea with me over at my place. Love your blog and all that you do.

XO

Janet Bernasconi
Janet's Creative Pillows

Paula said...

Oh I just LOVED this theme! And that picture is too cute! You have such a lovely blog! Pleas enter me to win! :) On Friday I am sharing recipes at my tea and would love to link to your tea recipes!

Roxie Morrow said...

I've enjoyed my visit to your Fall Tea Party today and will be trying BOTH of those recipes this weekend. I'm not from the South, but I sure do love a gool 'ol Southern recipe.
Thank you my dear friend for spotlighting my new website. I know I was failing in alot of ways with my other site and knew I had to do something about it. I hope so many of you get a chance to stop by and enjoy a free cup of coffee for my Grand Opening.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful tea party! Oh those children are so precious!!! And those recipes, deeeelllicciouss!!! I will be making those for sure!!

Thank you so much for having us to tea!

Amy

Anonymous said...

The girls are so sweet. Wonderful setting...

cjan said...

Hi Karen, I love your picture of your little ones and I too love the Fall time. I'm sure you had fun with your Tea Time!
The Fall Tea sounds wonderful. will have to try it.

Hugs,
jan

Tina Leavy said...

what a darling photo of the 2 girls at tea. so cute. the recipes look so yummy too.

Smart Living Today said...

Your tea recipe sounds wonderful, Dianne. I want to make that when the weather cools off! Adorable children too!
Peggy

Anonymous said...

Oh My Gosh! Those praline cookies sounds divine. Gotta' make some right away. Miles of Smiles, Lynn

Anonymous said...

Love your tea party! The recipes sound yummy and I can't wait to try them.

Angel Heart Designs said...

Love the fall setting..kids are darling... Dianne...yes! One of my favorite times too! Your recipe sounds delicious..can't wait to try it.

meg said...

Just goes to show- people of all ages can enjoy a good tea party :) The girls are sooo cute & their refreshments look wonderfully seasonal.
My grandmother use to make a tea mix like that- brings back such good memories; of course, being a good Southern girl, I'll have to try you recipe for Pralines- yummy!

Deb said...

What a lovely tea party! I didn't know about putting a pinch of soda in the iced tea either....your recipes all sound yummy.

Thanks for dropping by Cozy Cottage and having a cup of tea with me today too....I know how busy you are!

Pink hugs,
Debbie
http://www.shabbycozycottage.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Dianne,
Thanks for visiting my bridal tea. I have enjoyed visiting your fall tea party & all of the recipes. Your new studio to be sounds wonderful. Can't wait to see pictures.
Vicki