I love to go to Estate Sales in the city and we've been only once this year. Friday, however, we had another opportunity and treasures came home with me.
You know my love of all things blue and white . . .
At the first sale we went to, I found this darling blue and white cup and saucer. I don't really collect "orphan" cups preferring to have sets but I do adore blue and white and I also adore early porcelain pieces. The tag said "early $22" and turning it over, you could tell that it was an early piece -- reminding me of the Old Paris that I have.
When you turn these old pieces over, there is a certain patina that they have that you just know they're old -- really old.
I've been searching to find out the maker and the pattern name but so far have not been successful. There is a sticker on the bottom but it's barely readable for water has blurred the ink. I can make out a c 1816, however. So I assume that that is the date of the cup and saucer.
It's gotten warm on the prairie and so afternoon tea is inside once again and the tea is hot rather than iced.
We had company for dinner last night. Dessert was creme brûlée but I thought a cookie would be good to go alongside. I made some Arabesque Lemon and Cinnamon-Scented Almond Cookies from Laura Calder's book, Dinner Chez Moi.
They were perfect with the creme brûlée last night but they were also perfect for tea this afternoon -- taken from my new old cup. And because the cup and saucer is so special, I got out my old English silver tea pot for the Earl Grey tea.
ARABESQUE LEMON AND CINNAMON SCENTED ALMOND COOKIES
1 cup finely ground almonds
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg white
1/2 t. lemon or orange zest
1/4 t. cinnamon
About 50 lightly toasted sliced almonds or pine nuts
Heave oven to 325. Grease a baking sheet or use parchment or sillpat.
Mix all but the toasted nuts together in a bowl until it forms a dough. Wet your hands and roll the dough into roughly 1 inch balls. Place on the baking sheet, spaced well apart. Press down to flatten them slightly, then press 3 toasted nuts on top of each. Bake the cookies until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on a rack.
It's Monday and I'm sharing this will Smiling Sally for Blue Monday and with Yvonne at Stone Gable for What's On the Menu Monday.
14 comments:
Oh, what a sweet blue and white cup!
The recipe sounds wonderful. Anything with almonds in it is a hit with me!
Regarding your china pattern search:
Have you tried ReplacementsLtd -- or it may be Ltd.Replacements. Just google it and you should be able to find it. If you have anything to go on (maker's name, pattern, even just color) you'll be amazed at what you can find. They have a huge stock of pieces and are a reputable internet and mail order outlet for filling out incomplete sets, or buying individual pieces. I enjoy just browsing on the site even if there's nothing in particular I want or need at that moment.
Good luck!
Martha,
Sometimes a cup for one is a special treasure. This one is precious...and seems to have found a place in your heart! I agree, it's warm, once again!...but then Summer does arrive this week!!! Enjoy your new cup, tea and the cookies!!!
Fondly,
Pat
I'd have been hard pressed to pass up that lovely cup and saucer. Funny that you should think a cookie would go well with Creme Brûlée because I ALWAYS want a shortbread sort of cookie with that dessert.
Beautiful new cup and saucer! Your cookies look delicious.
What a darling blue and white cup and saucer! Thanks for sharing your blues.
Happy Blue Monday!
My son would love those cookies.
PS. Would you mind following my new blog, where my BLUE post is? Thank you in advance!
Rose
I actually like to use an assortment of teacups when I have a teaparty, as each one has a story with it and sometimes I friends choose the cup/saucer they want to use. Looks like a good find for you. Hot here again too.
We are having lots of wind here...tea party will be inside also. I love your teapot!! Your new blue and white addition is so fun and what perfect pretty tea party cookies. Looking forward to making them. I look forward to reading your blog daily, what an interesting fun life you share, thank you!
It's been gorgeous here, the weather in the high 70s -- warm sun, cool breezes. it won't last. We'll get your heat by the end of the week!
Love the cup and saucer -- I think that shape saucer, being so deep, really does mark that pair as quite old. More modern saucers are more shallow.
Ah you can't go wrong with blue and white!
Cass
What a pretty cup and saucer. Years ago, I went to my cousin's bridal shower, and the hostess had a brunch with assorted tea cups/saucers and it was so charming to pick out a favorite pattern. I really love how you use a pretty cup...even when you have tea alone!
xo, Michelle
Would love to have one hehehe.
A little bit of blue, have a great week ahead!
It is hard for me to pass up blue and white either. What a sweet cup you found.
The cookies sound and look yummy. My husband is big fan of creme brûlée but I've never tried to make it. One day...
It's a beautiful blue and white teacup set. And the cookies look yummy! Visiting from Blue Monday.
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