Happy Spring! It's Tablescape time!

            Can you believe it's Thursday already?? That means it's Tablescape time! We will be linking up to Tablescape Thursday at Susan's place, Between Naps on the Porch. Stroll on over and be inspired!

   This week has been a bit hectic, to say the very least. It started on Monday with having to perform CPR on someone (PLEASE be sure to get certified in CPR- it's not difficult and you could save a life!). Tuesday and Wednesday have both been "one of those days". 

Are they allowed to happen back to back? 

They shouldn't be.

Today's table is set for a dessert and cappuchino meeting I have planned with a couple of potential clients. The sunshine and warmth of the last two days were the long-awaited reminder that Spring IS coming

This little guy was alone and lonely at a local gift shop. Nobody wanted him because his "cover" was missing. We gave him a new purpose in holding the silver today and doesn't he look happy now?

These shallow bowls will be perfect for today's offerings

This was a gift from a friend who "gets" me. My husband wanted to know how many people have an asparagus tureen for sauces. I think everyone should!

a little peek at the cake stand. Isn't he cute hiding in the flowers?

This cake plate was also a gift- and look how perfectly it goes with the bowls!

We had a hummingbird that used to live under our deck when we lived in NY. This pitcher always reminds me of him

I had to sneak around and get a peek at the other side

A vintage linen cloth seems right for a Spring table

I love tea napkins and the work in these amazes me

The cappuchino will be served on the coffee table on another vintage cloth. Hmmm, this one needs pressing

Biscotti are a staple here and perfect with espresso. These are drizzled with a Spring-y pink chocolate. Since cappuchino doesn't require cream, the creamer does double duty as a  server for chocolate

My Nonna's sterling espresso spoons

Ready for our meeting....

A lemon blueberry tea bread is served with a blend of lemon curd and creme fraiche 

Nothing says Spring like citrus and fresh berries

A tropical fruit pudding is a reminder of warm days and sunshine breezes

Happy Spring!!

(off to iron that cloth!)

     The tea bread is a wonderful recipe from Marie at the English Kitchen. I adapted it today based on what I had in the house- no time for the market! :)

Lemon Blueberry Tea Bread

6 ounces of butter softened

2 TBS of lemon curd

3 large eggs

the zest of one orange

1 cup raising flour

3/4 cup turbinado sugar   

6 oz. of blueberries

For the streusel:

1/4 cup of  flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

2 tablespoons2 ounce soft butter

For the glaze:

I mixed some confectioner's sugar with a bit of hot water and fresh lemon juice

To serve:

lemon curd

creme fraiche

Pre-heat the oven to 325*F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan. Line it with a long strip of parchment paper, for ease in lifting out. Butter the parchment.

Make the streusel by rubbing all the streusel ingredients together until crumbly. Set aside.

Place all the cake ingredients, except for the blueberries into a mixing bowl. Beat well until thorougly combined and smooth. Spoon half of this into the prepared loaf tin. Sprinkle the blueberries over top and then cover with the remaining half of the batter.

Sprinkle the streusel evenly over top.

Bake in the heated oven for 1 hour and 15 to 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean and the cake is well risen and golden brown. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool in the pan before lifting out onto a wire rack.

Make the glaze by whisking together the lemon juice, water and the sugar. Drizzle this over top of the cake.

Serve in slices with some  lemon curd  creme fraiche whisked together if desired.

Be sure to join us tomorrow night for Foodie Friday at Gollum's- and make sure you come with an appetite!

As Always,

Buon Alimento, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie