I had the pleasure of visiting felt artist Lucy Sparrow's exhibit in 2019 Lucy's Delicatessen on 6th and was totally blow away! I must say this post is in no way an ad but I needed to show you the wonderful art she has for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! I found Lucy on Instagram and was so thrilled to see the exhibit in New York City a few years ago. When I walked through it, I just smiled from ear to ear. I totally feel in this time, with so much going on in the world, we need something to make us smile. Lucy's felt art does just that, and I have been ordering more items from her online store for my collection.
Queen Elizabeth II has celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this weekend, 70 years on the British throne, more than any other British monarch. I do follow the royal family and it's history which I find fascinating. Lucy's current project is that of an Afternoon Tea in felt art. I was totally blown away so had to order immediately! The items are just so sweet and make you smile from ear to ear! After I had ordered, I found out she was going to be having an exhibit at the grand entrance of Buckingham Palace which is open to the public July 22, 2022 to October 2, 2022. If you happen to be in England during this time, I highly suggest you visit. You will not be disappointed. Now on to the inspect the art !
The lovely little guys are sitting on a 3 tier cake plate from Royal Albert. The top consists of a Victoria Sponge Slice, quiche and French fancy yellow.
Does this not make you smile ?? Sausage rolls, half scones with cream/jam, bakewell tart bottom layer: salmon sandwich, cinnamon roll (from another of her collections seemed to fit in here), Viennese swirl, jammie dodger and a black and white cookie from another collection.
The tea cup with saucer is actually a real tea cup and saucer that the felt has been molded around. It is just so lovely and I added a lemon slice on the side. The tea cup comes off the saucer.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing these wonderful pieces of art that are made with such love and detail. I will be adding more of Lucy's art to my home as it just really makes for a pleasant day! You can check our her website and follow her work on Instagram. If you do not purchase anything, but just look at the art work, it will still bring you so much joy. I think that is so what is needed in the world right now. I must thank Lucy for her wonderful work and her talent that we all have the privilege to enjoy!!
This has been one of my "to-do" lists for some time. Hearing so much about this bakery, run by financial consultant turned amazing baker Umber Ahmad, who partnered with Tom Colicchio, I first ordered the treats online. Goldbelly which is a site for total foodies, offers the bakery delights. They came all separately wrapped which was great for freezing and enjoying a little at a time. Every item I tried was better than the other. Totally amazing flavors, richness that is worth going off your healthy eating plan.
I was very anxious to visit the actual shop, they had a pop up in Bryant Park Holiday Shops last year, and are looking to do a second location in Midtown, the 50's I believe, which is more convenient than this one in the village. It is worth the trip.
Who even makes doughnuts like this ? These looked amazing but I did not try while there. I could have had one of everything.
I love, love a good scone and these were so wonderful - not overly with the jalapeno flavor but just right. You can always tell when baked goods are made with the best ingredients.
This bar. Heaven.
Our signature treat starts with an oatmeal brown sugar cookie base, which is topped with toasted pecans and decadent chocolate bits. All of this is then bathed in a brown butter salted caramel sauce and baked to marry the flavors together.
I imagine the best brownie you will ever enjoy
I love banana bread and these were on Goldbelly with my order which was a nice mix of items available. I also enjoyed their homemade granola, which I didn't photograph in the store but did take a bag home. Totally quite fantastic.
How does one choose here?? Very difficult.
I went with the Brioche doughnut. Light, just the right amount of cream, not really even overly sweet. I ate the whole thing.
While I was enjoying, I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, who was boxing up orders to be shipped (they looked just like mine did that I received) at the back of the cafe. She was extremely nice and very friendly, and it makes you feel good to shop small.
Did I say there were layers ? There are layers.
The doughnut and a massive vanilla cake were available at the Bryant Park pop up shop as well. I am not sure if they will be there this year, but if they are, worth it for you to stand in line for these treats. I am excited for the shop located somewhere in the 50's Midtown East, should be easy to stop in and take some items home.
Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery
28 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
Mon-Thurs: 7am-8pm
Fri: 7am-9pm
Sat: 8am-9pm
Sun: 8am-8pm
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I thought it would be nice to list all the Afternoon Teas I have attended in NYC for you. This makes it easier to check them out all at once and decide where you wish to go. I really love Afternoon Tea. I have such fond memories of my Mom and I going monthly to a local tea house that I treasure. It is just such a relaxing time, to enjoy tasty food and wonderful tea. I still have many places to check out and they will be added here as they are featured. It is great to celebrate an occasion with Afternoon Tea like a birthday or anniversary and I do see couples having tea which is lovely. I think my Dad would have enjoyed it, maybe not how small the sandwiches are, but he would have liked the whole process. Many of the hotels in the city serve Afternoon Tea, and some places you would not think of like The Asian Society or The Morgan Library. It is definitely a must on your New York City To-Do-List !!
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Surprise Mom with an Afternoon Tea this Mother’s Day
Let Nielsen-Massey Vanillas help you bypass the brunch celebrations this year and throw an English-themed Mother’s Day “low tea”
Waukegan, Ill. (April 2, 2014) – With Mother’s Day just a few weeks away on May 11, it is time to begin planning how to make Mom feel special this year. Following the booming popularity of a certain PBS Masterpiece Classic, English-themed parties are certainly in vogue. However, instead of throwing the typical Mother’s Day brunch, try surprising Mom with a traditional afternoon “low tea.” Whether you are inviting sisters, aunts, grandmothers, or friends, a tea is a unique way to make the special women in your life feel like duchesses.
“Not only is hosting a tea a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day, it’s also a way to educate your friends and family on English tradition,” said Beth Nielsen, Chief Culinary Officer of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. “In the U.S., we’ve always thought the British had ‘high tea’, but really it is a misnomer. Americans thought ‘high tea’ meant high society, but we misunderstood.”
Ellen Easton at the 2011 Coffee and Tea Festival in New York City
According to Ellen Easton, author of the book Afternoon Tea ~Tips, Terms and Traditions and a tea consultant to luxury New York City hotels The Plaza and Waldorf-Astoria, it is never correct to use the term ‘high tea’ when referring to the genre of afternoon tea popularized during the Victorian era. “Low tea, better known as afternoon tea, became customary amongst the leisured class in 1840, in ladies’ sitting rooms during the low time of day between 3 and 5 p.m.,” said Easton. “Around 1900, at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, laborers had what is actually ‘high tea’ at the high time of day before sunset between 5 and 7 p.m. in pubs on raised tables or at home before returning to work the second factory shift. With this in mind, a 'low' afternoon tea is perfect for Mother’s Day, as the tradition was originally created to foster friendships.”
You can share this tidbit and other Downton Abbey-inspired fun facts at a special tea for mom and the other special ladies in your life while serving finger-foods such as scones, tea sandwiches and petit fours. Indulging in a bit of British tradition within your own home is extra special when you add Nielsen-Massey Vanillas to your menu:
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract to a pot of black tea along with cream or milk for the perfect vanilla-flavored centerpiece to your afternoon.
While Devonshire or clotted cream is a traditional accompaniment to scones, if you prefer a lighter whipped cream, try adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste to the cream, along with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar, before whipping for a sweet, full flavor.
For a lighter dish, pair a teaspoon of fruity and floral Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract with fruit salad for an additional depth of flavor.
Tie your Mother’s Day menu together with the Vanilla Sugar-Crusted Scones recipe included below. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans and Pure Vanilla Extract make these scones a classic favorite that Mom is sure to love.
Vanilla Sugar-Crusted Scones
(Yield 1 to 1 ½ dozen)
1 Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 oz. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes 1 egg 2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract (or Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract) 1 cup (or less) whipping cream 1/2 cup sugar 4 oz. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into a bowl; discard the bean. Combine the flour, baking powder, 1/3 cup sugar and the salt in a food processor container and process for 10 seconds.
Add equal amounts of the butter in three stages to the dry ingredients and process for 6 to 8 seconds per addition; the dough should have a slightly coarse texture. Place the dough in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add the egg, vanilla extract, 3/4 cup of the cream and the vanilla seeds. Stir with a fork 10-14 times awhile turning the bowl. Knead five or six times; the dough should hold together. Add enough of the remaining cream to reach the desired consistency if the dough does not hold together or seems dry.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar on a work surface. Turn the dough onto the sugar work surface and knead gently so the dough holds together. Let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Divide the dough into two discs 1 inch thick and 6 inch to 8 inch in diameter. Cut into wedges. Place the scones on the prepared pans. Brush with the butter. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
A Marcy Goldman BetterBaking.Com Original Recipe for Nielsen-Massey.
Note: To experiment with a different flavor profile, try our Mexican or Gourmet Vanilla Beans. To replace the Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans, simply use the same amount of the Mexican or Gourmet Vanilla Beans.
I am a HUGE fan of Nielsen-Massey products. They are the vanilla as well as Almond extracts which sit in my kitchen. A Mother's Day Afternoon Tea is always a wonderful time. These scones look amazing, please let me know if you do try the recipe!
About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans.
Nielsen-Massey Vanillas also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are All-Natural, Allergen-Free, and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.www.nielsenmassey.com
Today's Words of Wisdom: “When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it's a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.”― Erma Bombeck
We have a local farmer's market in our area, on Thursdays, and since yesterday was not so humid, I took a walk at lunch. It is great to purchase items at the market, as always fresh and so tasty. I kind of get bored when we have the same vendors year after year, I like variety. So when I stumbled upon Hayley Cakes, I had to see what they were. And to my utter delight, they were CUPPIES ! I honestly don't know why there is not a cupcake bakery in every town, the craze is not going away! In fact, it is bigger than ever!
I was really in heaven here, yes those are very large biscotti! They call themselves a "cakery", opened in August of 2012, making scones, gourmet cupcakes, biscotti, custom and specialty cakes, cake pops and tarts. Bloomsburg is about a 45 minute drive from my home. The packaging was done very well and everything looked so good!
I choose the mini-cuppies to take home, this way we could try a few different flavors. They were very, very good. They even had a filling inside (not expected) and the cake was very moist.
I think I will be back to try the bigger ones next time, so nice to see some local folks taking advantage of an opportunity. If you are one of my local readers, visit the Farmer's Market on Thursday for some of their wonderful baked goods, or take a trip to Bloomsburg and see their full range of items.
*Disclaimer: There has been no
monetary compensation for posting this content. Brands mentioned are not
affiliates or sponsors of this blog post. The opinions expressed are completely
my own based on my experiences.
