Tea for Me with Spode Mayflower

Today I'm featuring a transferware pattern by Spode Copeland entitled Mayflower. The pattern features a transfer in the delicate shade of lilac with hand applied enamel color in the various roses. Each piece has a slightly different floral center in pink shades with touches of green and yellow. It's an absolutely stunning pattern, very collectible and highly sought as well. The Mayflower design was first registered in the 1929. It was re-introduced later (I believe in the late 1990's or very early 2000's). The pieces I'm showing are all vintage pieces from the first round of production. 

I've paired my cup and saucer with a large under plate (meant for a soup bowl) as my dessert plate. I'm having a cup of tea and some pastries for brunch.

I first laid a pink crocheted shawl across the table, added a peachy-pink pretty scarf swirled around, allowing them both to hang over the table, and then began placing my dishes and flowers.

I used my Great Grandmas, Mimi, little vase that my Mom gave me and filled it with some silk flowers in pinks and lilac along with some greenery with pink veins.

I used a napkin I bought long ago (my girls used this a coverlet for their Barbie beds when they were little) which is white with little pink, lavender and blue flowers and a nice white ruffle.  I tied it with some lavender ribbon I had here at home.

Click  HERE if you're interested in purchasing this cup and saucer.

A Homes Poetry for the Day:  A Tea Thought

It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs. We cannot work, we cannot think, unless our stomach wills so. It dictates to us our emotions, our passions. After eggs and bacon it says, "Work!" After beefsteak and porter, it says, "Sleep!" After a cup of tea (two spoonfuls for each cup, and don't let it stand for more than three minutes), it says to the brain, "Now rise, and show your strength. Be eloquent, and deep, and tender; see, with a clear eye, into Nature, and into life: spread your white wings of quivering thought, and soar, a god-like spirit, over the whirling world beneath you, up through long lanes of flaming stars to the gates of eternity!" 

Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927): Three Men in a Boat

Here are some other photos of the Mayflower pattern.  I thought you might like seeing some of the floral variations.  Isn't this such a pretty, Spring-y pattern?  So delicate, dainty and so very girly!  

Demitasse Cup and Saucer

Egg Cup

Platter 17"

Soup Tureen

 15" platter

Border close up view

Close up of the flower on the demitasse saucer

Photo of a backstamp / makers mark found on vintage pieces from the 1930's -40's

I've linked up with these lovely ladies, Laurie for her first ever 'A few of my favorite things, Saturdays' , Sandi, Rhondi, Lady Katherine and Marti, at Tabletop Tusday!  and  Beverly for Pink Saturday so be sure to see all the gorgeous posts there which all have a little, or a lot, of pink!

Grilled Chicken Rio Grande

Here's a favorite dish I wanted to share.  My husband makes this and it is so dang good! He calls it Rio Grande Chicken. It's a chicken breast stuffed with chopped onions, jalapenos, cheese, then rolled up, wrapped in bacon and grilled. It is delicious. You can make a couple of these and slice them into medallions and serve as an appetizer or as a main course.

Shawn's Grilled Chicken Rio Grande

1/2-3/4 Cup finely chopped onion (yellow or white, about 1/2 large onion)
1/2-3/4 Cup finely chopped jalapeno (Shawn uses them from the jar)
1- 1 1/2 Cup shredded cheese (Smoked Gouda, Cheddar, or Monterey Jack)
6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to about 1/2" thickness with a meat mallet
12-16 slices smoked bacon
toothpicks

1)  You'll want to pound your chicken breasts out to about 1/2" thickness and then sprinkle with even amounts of onions and jalapenos and then some cheese.
In case you're wondering, the black marks on the heavy plastique cutting board are grill marks, yes grill marks. That was one of Shawn's early experimentation's with cooking.  It didn't work out for him (or me, or the kids)...but the board does still serve its intended purpose.

2)  Roll the breast up 

 3) Take 2 bacons strips and wrap around each rolled up chicken breast, tucking in the breast at the ends to prevent the fillings from coming out during cooking

4) You'll need to use toothpicks to secure the bacon to the breast, holding in the fillings.  Don't forget to tuck a bit of the breast under the outside end and use a tooth pick there to close it.

5) Continue this process with each chicken breast until you've got them all put together

6)  Now you're ready for the grill.  Shawn said that because of all the bacon fat that you really need to watch the grill as the grease drips into the coals...just keep an eye on them...we don't want a fire!

7) Cook until done allowing the bacon to get nice and crispy.
We have finished cooking inside in the oven or  microwave for a minute or two after bringing them inside, if they aren't done all the way through.  They are so thick and large once filled, rolled up and wrapped that it's hard to get them cooked on the grill all the way through without totally charring the bacon.

8) Remove toothpicks before serving.
This dish is as delicious and looks very impressive.   I'm hungry for this now!

Until next Foodie Friday, I hope you all get a chance to try this one out, or plan to.  We'd love to hear from you and know what you think if you do.  Shawn has made it for several guests who have each oooohhhed and aaaahhhhhed over it, and of course he always has his audience of 7 ready and willing to give our verdict...GUILTY (of a delicious, grilled chicken dish).

Hope you all are having lots of nice Spring weather wherever you may be....

Harrigan Howdy

Mr & Mrs Hare Visit the Roberts Woodland (by Ridgway)

I set the table with a set of transferware dishes we use daily in our house.  Although this is a vintage set, I run it through the dishwasher every day...and with six kids, trust me...these get used!  The pattern is Woodland by Ridgway.  On this particular night we had what my kids have dubbed 'Brinner' (when we have breakfast for dinner) and it's one of their favorite meals.

Mr. and Mrs. Hare hopped over for some of my hubbies Swedish Pancakes and my Canadian Bacon Casserole.

The Woodland pattern is also named Aimcee.  I like the muted colors of brown, blue, gold and green in the pattern and paired it with a floral tablecloth in the same.  Mr. & Mrs. Hare are dressed to match!

I'm linking up with Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life, hosted by Marty and Susan's weekly Tablescape Thursday hosted by her gorgeous blog Between Naps on the Porch