Afternoon Geranium Tea

Hello my friends,

yesterday when I was in the garden I noticed that my chicken feeder I planted with ivy geraniums was finally blooming nicely.

 

So,

 

I decided it was time to have a tea in the garden.

 

 

 



Sunday afternoon is the perfect time to have tea in the garden.

I didn't go to a lot of work, just brought a few things out from indoors.

 

I got a new patio table set last year.  It's from Home Depot, and I love it!  I didn't even use a tablecloth.  Yup, nice and easy!

 

 

 

Red Geraniums are one of my favorite annual flowers.  This sign usually hangs in our upstairs bathroom.  It was happy to get to come outside for a change.  (wink)

 

 

I planted Geraniums in almost every one of my annual containers.  They have struggled with our unusual summer heat and it seems the planters look mostly green, even though I have given them a shot of Miracle Grow now and then.

 

I bought this large chicken feeder in May while vacationing in Texas.  I paid $30.  I had to buy it, because around here they sell for $75 or more.

 

 

When I planted it with the Geraniums this spring I pictured it full of red blooms.  It just hasn't happened until now.  Before that it had just a few sporadic blooms here and there.

 

I have the cutest enamel mugs with Geraniums on them.  I found them at a thrift shop.  Four are large and 4 are child size.  They are hanging on my French mug rack along with some red ones.

 

I steeped Tazo Passion tea in my green teapot.  It's caffeine free and so delicious! 

 

 

I also love it's pretty red color.  I placed the small cup next to mine so you could see the difference.  It's still a bit hard to tell how small it is.

 

 

I had a little bit of half and half in the fridge.  I put it in the dotty pitcher.  Although, I found that it didn't need it.  :)  I didn't have a sugar bowl with Geraniums on it, but this beauty was my souvenir from Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello.

 

The hand painted platter was another thrift find.

 

I store the extra tea bags in this cute dotty tin gifted to me by my sweet friend, Ann.

 

Of course, when you have tea; you need a little something sweet.  This banana cake is so moist and yummy!  It's my go to when I have over ripe bananas.  I'll share the recipe at the end.

 

 

 We are going to have a cool down for a couple of days.  I'm looking forward to it.  Although, we have to take advantage of these sweet summer days before they fleet away!

 

Take time for tea.

 

Banana Cake

3/4 c. shortening

3/4 c. buttermilk or (1 Tbs. vinegar in 1 c. milk)

3/4 c. milk

3 eggs

2 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (about 4)

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. baking powder

3 1/3 c. flour

 

Spray large cookie sheet with Pam.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 min.

 

Let cool and frost with ,

 

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 oz. cream cheese frosting (softened)

1 cube butter

2 tsp. Vanilla

3 c. powdered Sugar

 

Sprinkle top with chopped walnuts if desired.

 

hugs,

I will be sharing with these fun parties:

Vintage Charm