Breakfast with the Butler

Living in a house with 7 other people rarely leaves time for one to spend alone. Sometimes I yearn for a little aloneness, time to myself, peace and quiet. This morning my house just happens to be empty, but instead of planning my peace filled day, I’m finding that I really don’t want to be alone at all, and I’m feeling a little blue, sooooo…….I’ve decided to ask my butler to spend some time with me.

Isn’t he the cutest little guy?

I call him Bumbles. He always has a grin on his face and serves up the most scrumptious treats. This morning was no exception. Knowing I was feeling a bit down, he made me the most delicious Sour Cream Coffee Cake for breakfast.

 Oh, it was heavenly alright…just the aroma this cake permeates throughout the house is as wonderful to the nose as is a bite of this to your tongue! Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm.  It’s one of those cakes whose scent lingers on for hours and you think to yourself, “Grandma must be baking”. Bumbles doesn’t always like to share his recipes but I’ve convinced him to allow me to pass this one along to my blogging buddies. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Bumbles had set a table just for me with some of my favorite Spode Copeland two-color transferware pieces…

...and he used my gorgeous kettle to serve the coffee in. It’s really an old tea kettle, but Bumbles knows how much I love playing with my dishes and that I've been dying to use this piece.  Now, he's not only the cutest little fella, but he's awfully thoughtful too!

And oh my, isn’t he the clever little fellow? He opted to use a gigantic platter in place of a placemat for the place setting and, underneath, he loosely scrunched up one of my scarves as a tablecloth. Isn’t the scarf lovely, with its embroidered roses and beaded trim?

 Knowing that I just love things to coordinate and didn’t have quite the right napkins for the Spode pieces, Bumbles used this pretty fingertip towel with golden lace and a black gingham bow tied about it, in place of a napkin. I just love this little color scheme of subdued rusty-reds and black with the greenery.

I was already beginning to cheer up when Bumbles served the cake…..layers of moist pound–like cake with a crumbly cinnamon, brown sugar & pecan mixture in between. It looked delicious and it was.

 Every bite.

Thank you Bumbles for brightening up my day with your delicious coffee cake. I hope all of you in Bloggerville will give this recipe a try…it won’t disappoint….Bumbles guarantees it!

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

2 sticks margarine or butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 t. baking powder

1 cup sour cream

2 cups flour

3/4 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

Nut mixture:

3/4 c. chopped nuts (I usually use pecans, sometimes walnuts)

3/4 c brown sugar

2 t. cinnamon

Cream margarine, eggs & sugar.  Fold in dry ingredients.  Spoon 1/3 of batter into well greased & floured 10" tube pan.  Sprinkle with 1/2 topping.  Repeat process.  Use remainder on top.  Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes.  Cool completely.  Sprinkle w/ powdered sugar if desired.  The is best the day after baking...but still scrumptious, according to Bumbles (and me), right after its cooled.  I have made this in small loaf pans as well, and given as gifts at Christmas time.  Ashton even asked for this one year for her birthday cake!

You can PURCHASE this vintage, two color transferware plate by Spode HERE!

A Poem for your thoughts:

Creative ideas reside in people's minds but are trapped by fear or rejection. - Alex Osborne

Be sure to click on over to Tablescape Thursday, hosted by Susan at Between Naps on The Porch for lots of lovely tablescapes!













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