Neighboring Friendship Tea. . .

Taking a much needed respite 
from the continuing project line~up On Crooked Creektt,
"Mr. Ed" and I recently hosted a Neighboring Friendship Tea.

Since arriving On Crooked Creektt, 
we have had the most amazing neighbors!!!

However,
not until we all retired have we been able to enjoy each other's company.

What better way to celebrate a growing friendship than with a Friendship Tea???

I knew, 
in my heart, 
that I wanted this Friendship Tea to be the first of many.

Using the very first Coffee Set purchased from our European Tour of Duty
in Baumholder, Germany seemed a perfect choice for our first Friendship Tea.

You see, dear ones,
our neighbors are K~State Fans. . .so, purple was a perfect choice!!!

I adore the timeless classic that black and white brings to any tablescape!
The purple hues from the centerpiece floral accentuates the Bavarian China.

A belated Birthday greeting and a 2015 Victorian Calendar
to help in continuing the celebration, all year through, 
was a sweet surprise for our dear neighbor! 

After tempering the coffee pot,
I filled it with a fragrant blend of Raspberry Tea.

For our refreshment,
I served homemade Apricot Coffee Cake 
using a recipe from my dear blog friend,  Martha @ Lines from Linderhof.
(For your enjoyment, the Apricot Coffee Cake recipe is listed at the end of this post.)

A tried and true recipe
that goes together like a 'dream' and is even better after freezing!

Served with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, of course!

I filled the rose etched water goblets, 
then added the embellishment of a thin lemon slice to each glass.

Delightful conversation, while we lingered over cake and tea,
never ceasing to amaze us as we realize how much our lives are intertwined. 

All, too soon,
it was time to bid farewell.

As part of an On Crooked Creektt tradition, 
the remains of the coffee cake were carefully wrapped for departure 
and sent home with our guests.

Here's an excerpt from our neighbors face book posting, 
accounting her experience On Crooked Creektt:

"Ken and I had such fun Saturday morning at Cantwell Manor (next door). 
Lord and Lady Cantwell invited us to tea. 
It turned out as a lovely surprise with a birthday card 
and Victorian calendar included. 
Patricia Cantwell and I share delightful enthusiasm for Downton Abbey 
so there was hot raspberry tea, a delicious apricot-pecan dessert 
served with beautiful strawberries all topped with a dollop of whipped cream! 
Ken and I walked in the rain with an umbrella 
and it all felt so wonderfully British! 
Thanks Pat!"

Truly, 
the pleasure was all "Mr. Ed's" and mine, dear friends!
We look forward to doing another Neighboring Friendship Tea in the near future.


Until next time. . .

Apricot Coffee Cake from Martha @ Lines from Linderhof

Ingredients:

¼ cup softened butter

¾ cup sugar

2 cups all~purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup plain yogurt

½ cup ricotta cheese

½ cup milk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

¾ cup chopped dried apricots

Topping:

½ cup sugar

1/3 cup all~purpose flour

¼ cup butter, melted

½ cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 13” X 9” pan.*

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar using an electric mixer.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In another bowl, combine the yogurt, cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla.

Add the flour mixture alternately with the yogurt mixture

to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition.

Stir in the apricots.

Turn the batter into the prepared pan.

To make the topping:

Combine the sugar, flour and melted butter 
until the mixture resembles coarse meal. 
Stir in the pecans.

Sprinkle the topping over the batter and bake for 45 minutes

or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on wire rack.

Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

*I made this recipe using two 8 inch cake pans.

One cake, I served the same day, the other cake,  I froze for another time.

Both were equally delicious!

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Cindy @ Dwellings ~ The Heart Of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday!

and. . .

Christine @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

and. . .

Joy and Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays!

Each and every week,

seeds of inspiration bloom from these host and hostesses linky parties.

Be sure to visit and delight your family dwelling with brilliant interior design.