Sunflower Harvest

A sunny summer harvest is getting me in the mood for fall (this would look good with a scarecrow standing guard).

I have an ambitious birding program and feed lots of birds. They love sunflower seeds and these flowers were volunteers. Mammoth volunteers. These towered over me!

I let the sunflower heads dry and was able to pluck some of the seeds and set them out for the birds. Some people just set out the dried flower head on a branch or feeder and let the birds select their seeds. Either way they love homegrown seeds.

New Camera and Lots of Swaps!

I have finally figured out a major impediment to good photography:

NOT having the latest model of a camera. My old one was only bought last year but in the interim the improvement of the Kodak camera is amazing. I am just now getting the hang of the new camera and am quickly taking pics.

And I have signed up for three swaps. Yippee!

Nothing like a swap to get one creating.

I will need to get the swap banners posted. One is for Wizard of Oz and the others are Halloween related.

Hope all have been having a great summer.

Crepe Paper July 4th Blue Ribbon Tutorial

I took a roll of blue crepe paper (from Party Supply store) and cut it into short lengths. I apply several of these lengths from left to right, gluing the first one down and then the next and so on each one overlapping the previous one. The base is a square piece of computer/typing paper.
I use regular tacky glue applied with a toothpick.




I take two 'tail' lengths and cut a point into the bottom. These are glued on. Note the other round crepe paper piece. This is first joined with glue at the bottom forming the circle. Then glue is applied to the bottom of the circle piece and put on to form a bow. Trim away any excess typing paper that shows.



Since it looked plain, I appled a white flatened circle, then a red one on top.

Now to go finish up some more for our Fourth of July decor!

Ahhh, at last, our preparations have borne fruit! Let us sit back and finally enjoy these fruits of this repast…

Speaking of which, The Mad Hatter’s Maddeningly Missing Cake Cake is also called a Queen of Chocolate and Hearts Cake. Hmmm, what an appropriate name for the cake Mr. Hatter, but do tell, what about the Missing Cake part of the title?

What’s that? We discover such as we slice the cake?

I shall delightedly apply myself to such a task…

Why, part of the Cake is missing. And there is a yummy strawberry filling in place of the missing cake.

It appears we don’t quite know which part we shall slice – the part with the cake or the part missing the cake and filled with this wondrous fruity filling…

Hare had mentioned he might be bringing some of his friends (we are quite frankly astounded by the number of attendants to today’s Tea – but we were prepared for a large turnout). For his funny bunny bunch of friends we have made some tantalizing feastibles…Simply Simple Carrots, Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins, and Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting. By the way Mr. Rabbit we have spied you there amidst those carrots – save some for us please!

There are lots of sandwiches to fill your plates. Load up those plates, don’t skimp, there is plenty to go round! Take some biscuits, slather them with some Basiled Butter and don’t nibble, bite into them…Doormouse loves this as you get a burst of Sharp Cheddar Cheese-y goodness.

Dear Alice, we only had enough mushrooms for one Mushed Mushroom Tarte as you ran off with them! But, this one is for you, as we know this is your favorite dish.

Everyone drink up! We have several selections of tantalizing Teas…

A hearty, bracing Earl Grey Tea, a delicate Green Tea with a touch of Lemon Balm, and Chamomile Tea. I am partial to herb teas so I shall sample those.

As we sip and nibble, we check out the Mad Hat Mr. Hatter has been working on. Seems others, also, have been industrious; Doormouse and Hare had a late night making streamers and streamed them all over our dining area – what a wondrously wonderful effect.

What a delightful and Fes-TEA-val fun time we have had, and we do thank Vanessa Valencia for this funtastic idea and all the work she put into hosting this Blog Party! Thank you any visitors for stopping by.

Stay tuned I shall be putting some Flicker photos up and I shall do a Tutorial on crepe paper streamers. Next week, we have a Fourth Of July Feast...

Today's Tea...

Our Mad Tea Party shall commence this afternoon...

Please do stop by as we are sure you shall be parched and weary by then and shall need a pick-me-up.

Mad Hatter requests you save room for his Mad Cake!

Good Day Friends of Blogland –

We, of Queen’s Chocolate, are busily preparing for the upcoming ‘Fest-TEA-vities’, The Mad Tea Party hosted by the fabulous Vanessa Valencia!

Some of us happily toil in the kitchen whilst others are busy elsewhere…

The Mad Hatter has made yet another trip to obtain another flourish for his Mad Hat. He has been working on that hat all day! But perhaps tis best he is occupied with such a project. He has promised later to make his special cake.

Alice is off on some adventure and took off with some of the mushrooms for the Mushed Mushroom Tarte. Not to worry, there is still plenty left for the dish.

Hare has gone to meet up with the Green Grocer to sample some simple carrots. I do trust his ability to find the freshest and tastiest fare.

Doormouse has scampered off to procure some sharp cheddar cheese. Hmmm, we shall see how well that jaunt goes…Dear Doormouse, please let’s not be ‘gnaw-ty’ or ‘gnaw-tea’!

I have been out in the kitchen garden to search for the freshest offerings of the Lemon Balm, Basil and Chives. The robust Rosemary will make a wonderfully fragrant garnish. These herbs shall be picked the morning of The Tea to assure absolute freshness!

And I am working hastily with the rolling pin and dough. I won’t be ‘kneading’ any help with this task as I love to bake all sorts of delectables.

REAL guests have sent non-requested RSVP’s desirous of sampling the Tea Menu…

Hence, by astounding request we shall post our menu…Doormouse and Hare were handwriting the menu when they had the misfortune of spilling tea all over the page. Seeking my counsel I conveyed that perhaps merely trimming out the written words would suffice. They then, of their own accord, added some embellishments…

A Beautiful Mermaid

Pam Warden, a talented artist and my swap partner painted this.

Isn't she beautiful? The blue hues in this painting are spectacular - I have really loved having this in our outdoor grilling area - you feel breezier and cooler just gazing at all this wondrous blue!