A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Monday, June 26, 2017

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Happy Canada Day 150th Anniversary, Nanaimo Bars

Because our closest big city is over the border in Canada...Victoria, BC to be precise...this Tuesday Cuppa Tea is celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary!



So I put together a small sunroom tea in honor of the big day on July 1st...



We will probably see the fireworks as usual from Victoria, BC from the end of our block where we look down a bit and over the Strait of Juan De Fuca which divides the US and Canada...



150 years is a wonderful milestone of the commonwealth association with the United Kingdom....




I was amazed, that as close as we are to Canada and as often as we have been there over the years, how little I have with Canada on it...although my husband and I both have fleeces and sweatshirts acquired over the years when a weather change has overtaken us, necessitating the buying of another layer... but I did find a ew things to put in a tea post...so join me for Canadian Breakfast tea in honour of Canada!




I found that I had this Canada Centennial teacup commemorating 1867-1967. It is porcelain, made in china, but at least it commemorates the last significant milestone before this one...




The other teacuop I found is from the 1940s and is a Canadian souvenir teacup with the Canadian cresy on it. It's made by the famous Royal Winton Grimwades of England and is earthenware. Sort of a pale yellow...




And of course...our tea! Canadian Breakfast! The 3 pack of teas was a gift from a Canadian friend, and has Maple Black and a fruity Icewine as well as the Canadian Breakfast. The tins stck, and have great graphics of a Mountie and various Maple leaves. The tea was packed by Metropolitan Tea in Toronto.




As I said, I don't have a lot of Canadian china, although I do have various provincial souvenir dishes, but I found that this lovely 1953 Queen Elizabsth II Coronation plate was made by the Canadian pottery Collingswood, so thought that was appropriate...Canada is part of the Commonwealth, so...



And of course, we need a Canadian themed treat! Around here, that would inevitably be Nanaimo Bars...named for a coastal town on Vancouver Island, upisland...as it is called...from Victoria...where the bar was developed...they are available all over here including on the ferries and in grocery stores...a very popular layered bar. I found a good recipe on Allrecipes.com, so am passing that along...


Nanaimo Bars

Recipe By:MARTHA J PAUL

"Because it's three layers, this sounds hard but it's worth it. My son is famous for making and taking these in to work. I've heard other names but here in the Northwest everyone knows them as Nanaimo bars. They are sold on British Columbia Ferries and at coffee stands. If you can't find custard powder, I've used instant pudding mix with good results."
Ingredients
·         1/2 cup butter, softened
·         1/4 cup white sugar
·         5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
·         1 egg, beaten
·         1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
·         1 cup flaked coconut
·         1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (optional)

·         1/2 cup butter, softened
·         3 tablespoons heavy cream
·         2 tablespoons custard powder like Bird's
·         2 cups confectioners' sugar
·         4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet baking chocolate
·         2 teaspoons butter
Directions
  1. In the top of a double boiler, combine 1/2 cup butter, white sugar and cocoa powder. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Beat in the egg, stirring until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut and almonds (if you like). Press into the bottom of an ungreased 8x8 inch pan.
  2. For the middle layer, cream together 1/2 cup butter, heavy cream and custard powder until light and fluffy. Mix in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the bottom layer in the pan. Chill to set.
  3. While the second layer is chilling, melt the semisweet chocolate and 2 teaspoons butter together in the microwave or over low heat. Spread over the chilled bars. Let the chocolate set before cutting into squares.



Thanks so much for joining me for my Canadian tea! Prince Charles and Camilla will be in Canada for the festivities for 3 days from June 29th...


For more, click the phot for an article on the CBC webpage...


Here are some of the blog parties I am joining...

Here is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there!  I am so looking forward to visiting you!

12 comments:

  1. Yea for our neighbors in celebrating 150 years! Your tea is perfect to honor them, Ruth. Thanks for the recipe for the Nanaimo bars. I have always wanted to make them. I hope you have a great week and thanks for hosting.

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  2. Oh yum! Those nanaimo bars look wonderful, perfect for a Canadian celebration. Thanks for hosting, Ruth....Christine

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  3. Canadian Breakfast Tea and Nanaimo bars are a great way to celebrate the True North's milestone birthday! I heard that Prince Charles and Camilla will be in Ottawa for the big Canada 150 celebrations.

    I don't have any Canadian china and wished that I had picked up a bone china teacup featuring the Canadian flag that I saw at a thrift store a few years ago. Thank you for hosting and enjoy the last week of June!

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  4. Thank you so much for celebrating with your Canadian friends our 150th birthday. What a wonderful job you have done in capturing the Canadian spirit.

    Barbara
    faireadowplace.blogspot.com

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  5. Happy Canada Day 150th Anniversary!!!Thanks for hosting and sharing!Your dessert is mouthwatering...Hugs!

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  6. What a wonderful post, Ruth! You have captured the Canadian celebration so well with your china, tea, and Nanaimo bars. Many Nanaimo bars I've seen have a layer of mint in them, which I'm allergic to so it's wonderful to see a recipe without the mint. Thank you for the nod. Blessings to you and your family next week also as you celebrate the 4th of July!

    Hugs,
    Sandi

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  7. Thanks for sharing a bit of your Canada Day with us at SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  8. Well, I do love Nanaimo bars and this recipe looks wonderful. I'll have to give it a try (once I find the custard powder!) I come from Jann's and wish you a happy Canada Day this weekend and hope you'll get over the border to celebrate in style. I adore Canada -- in fact, headed to Quebec City in August. Maybe they have custard powder there!

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  9. Ruth, You did good to have a few pieces for your Canada 150 tea post. I love the 1967 tea cup! Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Sylvia D.

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  10. Hello, Ruth! The recipe looks mmmmm, good! Happy Canada Day!

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  11. Happy Canada Day! Thanks for hosting!

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  12. Loved seeing the collection of Canadian wares in honor of their 150th anniversary. And I make a dessert very similar to this one, only I had no idea it was called Nanaimo Bars!

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Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)

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