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Sunday, September 14, 2014

Tuesday Cuppa Tea - Fall Fabulous! Retro Noritake, New Royal, Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Hi there and welcome to a fall edition of Tuesday Cuppa Tea!



It is actually summery here during the day, but already dropping at night and the leaves on the Japanese Maples & Liquid Ambers are well into their changing colors. So I chose a retro 1970s leaf patterned teacup for today....Noritake Palos Verde....



I am very partial to this style..you'll see why later in the post. I love the design of this...the pattern looks like a stylized Aspen leaf.




The teacup is in porcelain, not bone china like my usual choices, and was in a production line by Noritake called Progression, which was touted as unbreakable, and any breakages would be replaced at no charge. But...that was withdrawn by 1977, so it was obviously a hopeful claim, rather than factual. The Palos Verde teacups, teapot, salt and pepper and cream and sugar are available on my website, Antiques And Teacups.



The Noritake company was started at Morimura in 1876, and continues to this day, with several hundred different back stamps. The first Noritake appeared in 1908 but was usually combined with Nippon or Morimura and finally combined with an M for Morimura until it became straight Noritake in 1934. Usually pattern numbers appear, but in this case, the 9020 stands for the line of Progression which had 6 different patterns on the same shape. 




And you can see by my tea above, why I am so fond of the Palos Verde. I received a set of Blue Moon Progression china for our wedding in 1974 and still love it and use it daily. Beth, of Beyond The Garden Gate blog has the same pattern!








Today tea includes the most delicious organic biscotti bites from Dilettante' bakery and a sample of Numi English Breakfast tea I was given by a friend.





The tea was okay, but I am afraid I like the depth of the English English Breakfast teas...this was a little weak kneed for me....but the biscotti is wonderful!!!



Remember just over a year ago when Prince George was born? Well, this is old news to some of you, having been announced on Sept. 8th, but William and Kate are again expecting. The photo above is my favorite christening photo, as I love the look on Queen Elizabeth's face smiling at her new great grandchild.


Kate is again suffering with severe morning sickness, as with her first pregnancy, but is being treated at Kensington Palace at home...their doctors do house calls! instead of at the local hospital because it was such a media circus last time it disrupted the hospital too much. So...Will and Kate will soon have an "heir and a spare" which is the jocular term usually used for the second pregnancy.  Kate is about 10-12 weeks along. We wish them the best!



So many friends have been posting such wonderful fall images I remembered these from the Cottage Journal which is sent to subscribers of Hoffman Publication magazines which include Victoria magazineTea Time magazineSouthern Lady magazine; Celebrate magazine among others. I get several and they are my favorites. 











And here is a really wonderful looking recipe for Pumpkin Bread Pudding which is real comfort food!








PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING
Makes 6 servings

8 cups cubed croissants (1/2-inch cubes), toasted
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup crystallized ginger
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup caramel ice cream topping
2 tablespoons bourbon

1. Preheat oven to 350˚.
2. Spray 6 (8-ounce) ramekins with nonstick baking spray with flour.
3. In a large bowl, combine toasted croissant cubes, walnuts, raisins, and crystallized ginger.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together half-and-half, pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
5. Pour over croissant mixture, tossing gently to coat. Let stand for 30 minutes.
6. Divide mixture evenly between prepared ramekins.
7. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If the pudding begins to brown, cover loosely with foil.)
8. Remove from oven. Cool in ramekins for 10 minutes.
9.
 In a medium bowl, combine caramel topping and bourbon, whisking well. Serve over bread pudding.

And some suggestions for fall table and home decor as well:

A naturally elegant table is easy when you glean from fall’s bounty. Bring in color from the outdoors or with seasonal produce, and add textures and soft candlelight for a cozy autumn gathering. Set the stage for centerpieces and other decorative touches by gathering similar containers. Use pebbles, nuts, berries, or dried beans as foundation elements for anchoring branches, flowers, and candles. Tea lights and votives are easy to incorporate into a fall tablescape. Miniature pumpkins can be carved to hold candles. Try dressing up candleholders with tiny twigs, sweet-gum balls, and other dried foliage. Secure with hot glue, and finish with twine or raffia. 




Here are some of the blogs I'll be visiting...list under construction...


The Tuesday Cuppa Tea linky is below for your tea related posts, and I love to hear from you. I just want to remind you the linky is SSLLLOOOOOOOWWW but it does come up with patience!  Have a wonderful week!


23 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great bread pudding recipe. I NEED to try that. Sounds yummy,

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  2. Hello Ruth,
    How exciting that William and Kate are expecting their second child! I love the photo of the family. Your post is simply filled with wonderful images and ideas and that bread pudding looks amazing! I do love pumpkin. Wonderful china patterns too. Thanks for hosting.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  3. Hi Ruth,
    The Noritake teacup is so pretty today and perfect for fall. I love your Blue Moon Noritake too. I must try your pumpkin bread pudding recipe. How nice that Kate gets house calls from the doctor. Morning sickness isn't fun. Thank you for hosting Tuesday Cuppa Tea. Have a wonderful week! Karen

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  4. Your Noritake teacup is so pretty, Ruth, as is your Blue Moon dish pattern. How nice that you still use it everyday! The bread pudding sounds perfect for Fall and I'm with you on liking tea that's not weak! Thanks for the pretty Fall inspiration and for hosting.

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  5. I love everything in your posting today, and the recipe and photo of the Royal family made me smile!

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  6. Lovely post and your tea cup is beautiful. It is wonderful William & Kate are expecting again, they are a cute couple.. The bread pudding sounds yummy, thanks for sharing the recipe. Have a happy week!

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  7. Noritake does have some nice patterns and your wedding Blue Moon is a timeless design. I think Kate and William are smart to have their children close together and for her sake, hope it is a sweet little girl this time.
    Thank you for hosting your tea gathering and linking it to Mosaic Monday.

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  8. Ruth, your cup is a beautiful pattern. I have not seen it before. Also love your wedding set. Happy to be able to link up with you this week!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  9. OMGoodness, I also chose Noritake for this week's Tea Cup Tuesday! It is one of my favorite companies, and you have featured such a nice pattern. What a pretty and useful wedding gift.

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  10. You always provide such wonderful information, Ruth! I recently purchased a blue and white ramekin at an antique store on my trip to Delaware, and the backstamp was an M and beneath it Japan. Now I know it was made by Noritake. I will show it in one of my upcoming blog posts.

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  11. Oh! how I've missed my tea ladies! So many amazing things have happened in my life - in the past two months. It's been like turning a corner. More on my blog about this. I hope to publish this week and link in a special teatime post bringing all my ladies up to speed on what's going on and why I've been remiss in posting. Hope to get back in the swing of things soon - maybe once a month or so stopping for tea. I'm making that pumpkin bread!!! Using gluten free cinnamon raisin bread, though.
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  12. Hi Ruth: Love the Noritake. I have always so enjoyed your posts. Thank you for all the knowledge you give us each week. Hugs, Martha

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  13. I enjoyed seeing all your "Progression" china and am especially intrigued about that guarantee that was later withdrawn. How interesting! And like you, I am tickled at the news another little royal is on the way!

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  14. What a wonderful post - lovely pics, always so informative - and the recipe is very much appreciated as we near the cooler weather of autumn. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  15. Hi Ruth, I use my Blue Moon pattern often! Love it! I enjoyed your post and I think the pumpkin bread pudding looks awesome! Happy Autumn, Ruth.

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  16. That is sure a great picture of the royal family. You have so many interesting bits of information here Your Pumpkin Bread Pudding sounds wonderful! Thank you for the nice recipe.

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  17. Great info on Noritake. I love both of the patterns. So pretty. :)
    ~Liz

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  18. Hello dear Ruth! How have you been, sweet lady? It's so good to stop by for a visit and read your delightful posts. Your blog has not been showing up in my reader and I'm not sure why..... I will have to bookmark your blog so that I don't miss any more posts :)

    I hope all is well! Take care and enjoy the remainder of your week. Hugs to you!

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  19. This is exciting news! Always a delight to join your party -I do appreciate you hosting,
    Kathy

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  20. Love the design of the teacups. Blue is always my favorite.

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  21. Lovely post - as always. It is always a delight to visit.

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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! :)