FYI

My NEW blog address is
bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com

and I have a link to where you can receive
SWEET NOTHINGS posts in your EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Please go to the NEW BLOG.
thanks, bj

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

~ A Tea for Mother and Me ~

Please come with me,
I think I see,
A beautiful tea,
for Mother and me.
Of course, my mother isn't with us anymore...in fact she has been gone for 24 years and  I still can close my eyes and just SEE her sitting in one of my new black and white chairs.
She would have loved them.
 I think my first love for black and white came from her 
and my Aunt Lillian.
And, Mom dearly LOVED having tea. 
She grew up DIRT POOR and I do mean POOR. She was the daughter of a share cropper in East Texas and they "didn't have a pot to pee in", as she would say. :)

 She strived to have nice things all her life.
She loved garage sales and thrift stores with a passion...
I am pretty sure that beautiful coffee/tea pot in the background came from
one of her thrifting days.



She was so good at everything she did...
including sewing.

She collected lots of white ironstone...
and she loved anything vintage.

She decorated her home with her sewing and thrifty finds and did a magnificent job of it.
 She really liked blue and white, too, and she would have loved these
thrifted dishes I found last year at the SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE.
She was such an awesome cook and SWEETS were her forte .
Her Brownies were so much better than mine.
She taught me to cook a lot of things but I never made it to HER level of deliciousness. 
I'm serving her recipe for Brownies and slices of fresh pears.....one of her favorites.
 At this very moment, I can't locate HER recipe but it is
THIS one, I think.
Mother always iced her brownies with a Fudge icing.
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • (IF MY AUNT LILLIAN was making them, she always 
  • dabbed a bit of VANILLA  behind  her ears.)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) 
  • MY UNCLE OTIS lived in Calif. and he would send us a 
  • big box of the BEST walnuts every year.
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually stir into the egg mixture until well blended. Stir in walnuts, if desired. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Let cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares. 
*MAY I JUST STATE HERE.....these brownies went into the freezer as I had
made them BEFORE the DIET FROM HELL swooped down on us.* ♣ ♣ ♣
 This is such a cute pattern, with it's pretty blue and white, tiny flowers....
and the ruffly edges make them so delightful.



Many times when I find thrifted dishes, the creamer and sugar bowl aren't with the set.

Aren't these little things just so stinkin' cute ?
Here's MOTHER and ME...
we were sitting atop a fence rail, watching a CALF BRANDING that day.
My hair had already turned WHITE so I kept a blond color on it for several years.
Too much trouble and I finally gave in to silver hair.
Mom, bless her heart, still had her dark dark hair when she passed away.
She was only one month, to the day, into her 71st year....waaay too young to go.
Heart problems.


She liked to travel more than anyone I've ever known.

She traveled with us and with friends and she did get to see so many of the places she wanted to see.

She and I had planned a bus trip (her idea) thru New England but we just didn't get the chance before she became so ill.
I can't help but be sorry for that.
She would have loved it so.

There's always things you regret doing or NOT doing in life.....I wish we had planned to go sooner.
 Sometimes, Mom would call me at work and say,
"Jeanie, stop by on your way home...I have a pot of red beans and a chocolate cake
for your dinner."
(I am almost too sad to finish this so will make it quick.)


Thanks so much for stopping in today and having .....

TEA with MOM and ME     
I MISS MY MAMA...
Love to all, bj   
joining in the fun with

SEASONAL SUNDAY (Mother's Day)
X0X0 <>< 

54 comments:

Jojo said...

I love the picture of you and your mom!!!

Vee said...

No, no, darling, you were correct: Tea with Mom and me. You wouldn't say "tea with I" would you? Then you wouldn't say "tea with Mom and I" either. It's all about that "with" and the objective case instead of the subjective case. I think I see your eyes glazing over. (Oh dear. Just when I think I've got the English teacher in me licked.) I think it is lovely how you honor your mother by talking about her. I have not even tried to talk about mine this Mother's Day season.

Beautiful table, beautiful treats, beautiful memories.

How's that diet coming?

NanaDiana said...

Oh bj~ What a bittersweet post. It is full of love but also full of loss. What a blessing to have had such a wonderful Mom to have been such a big part of your life. I can tell that you still miss her even after all these long years gone.

God bless you and Happy Mother's Day to you, too. xo Diana

TexWisGirl said...

she sounds like quite a woman. and yes, gone way too soon.

Debby said...

I can feel the love that you had for your mother. Such a sweet post. I just bet she is smiling down on you.

Kathe said...

What a lovely post. I lost my mother over 30 years ago and it's still hard. Your tea set is just beautiful. I too think your mother would have enjoyed it. Have a wonderful weekend 💜

LV said...

Your mother would have been very pleased with the lovely tribute.

Marlis said...

Miss my mom too. Love your sweet dishes and the coffee pot. The table turned out a real charmer. How is the diet going? Have a Happy Mother's Day and a very blessed weekend.. xo marlis

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh Sweetie going down memory lane can always bring a tear to the eyes! Such sweet memories and wonderful tea. Thinking of you this Mother's Day! Hugs, Linda

ellen b said...

Oh how I love these dishes! Wonderful memories of your mom. Blessings...

Barbara F. said...

Beautiful post and tribute to your mom, I know how you feel, I kept interrupting myself with little bouts of teary eyes! Happy Mother's Day to you! xo

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Beautiful post my dear friend..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Gina said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Mom. I can tell how much you miss her. Great mothers are truly a treasure to behold!
I love your thrifted dishes...so pretty & lady like.

Pondside said...

What a sweet post, BJ, so full of pretty thoughts and words and images. The photo of you and your Mama is lovely - beautiful memories.

Sarah said...

BJ, your post is full of love. This is a beautiful tea for your mom. Your mom is looking down with joy!
Happy Mother's Day to you, sweet friend! ~ Sarah

Audrey said...

Lovely post bj ... a beautiful tribute to your Mom and such sweet memories.
Happy Mother's Day to you too.
Hugs,
Audrey Z.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Oh, wow... I must be having an emotional day as this post really moved me. So sweet, such beautiful photos, such precious memories!

Rita said...

What a loving tribute to your mom; brought tears to my eyes and made me remember my mom. She was also a great seamstress and made all my clothes, even my wedding dress. Wishing you a
Happy Mother's Day to you, cause I can tell you are a great one.
Rita

Roisin said...

I especially loved your blog today. I lost my mum about a year ago and know the empty feeling that brings, whether it's a recent loss or one long past because no one can replace a mum. Your tea setting is lovely, and I would also love to sit down at a tea with my mum. Like you, Mom & I had hoped to make a trip. With us, it was to have been to Canada: the eastern provinces, Vancouver, and BC. I hope your Mother's Day is sweet. Very touched by what youwrote toady.

Theresa said...

I miss my Mama too! She died that same year that yours did! What a sweet tea for your Mother and You:) I enjoyed my visit and learning more about your precious Mama! BIG HUGS!

Madeline's Album said...

My mother has been gone for 32 years. I treasure the memories I have of her. Your post was so beautiful. Love the table setting. Everything looks so great and the brownies look delicious. Have a blessed day, BJ, and a very happy mother's day to you. Madeline

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a lovely post BJ. I miss my Mom too...
xo
Penny

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh Dear One, what a precious post. A lovely tribute to your sweet Mama.

Gentle hugs...

"Oh! yet
Stands the church clock at ten to three?
And is there honey still for tea?"

~Rupert Brooke

Susy said...

BJ that's probably the sweetest post I've ever read, and a wonderful tribute to your mother. So many of the things she loved are a big part of your life too. She was a woman of influence ~ just like you. Happy Mothers Day. xo

p.s. I'm having trouble reading your new font ):

Jan Davis said...

BJ, tears came to my eyes as I read the beautiful tribute to your dear mother. I know she must be looking down on you and smiling. Although I never knew my mother...she died when I was two years old...I still think about her and wonder how she looked and if she is aware of me. I was raised by my sweet grandmother, who lived to be 95, and I couldn't have had a better "second" mother. I had such a happy childhood, and so many wonderful memories. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about something funny that my grandmother said, and especially her words of wisdom. We never really lose our loved ones because we carry them in our hearts. Happy Mother's Day to you...and God bless you for honoring the memory of your beloved mother in such a loving manner.

Irene said...

Beautiful tribute to your mom. Sending you lots of hugs full of love this Mothers Day from Texas.

Tricia said...

What lovely memories of your mother you've shared with us! The tea table is so pretty -- I adore all the blue and white dishes! And those brownies look amazing -- good thing they're frozen!

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

Hi BJ love your post today. nothing better than memories of mom. Your tea service is beauitful and those brownies look so yummy! Visiting from Vintage Thursday, hope you can come by. Blessings, Debbie

Kathleen Grace said...

Oh BJ, your love is a testament to what a wonderful woman your mom must have been! Your love for her shines through your words each time you write about her. What a treasure to have had that relationship with her. Not everyone has that. Wishing you a happy Mother's day with all your children and grands:>)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

A really lovely tribute to your mother. My mother was also dirt poor and came from a family of share croppers in Arkansas..and Kansas. I think mostly Kansas.

I just wanted to add to the old adage that your mother used to say. My mother would say the same thing, but add "or a window to throw it out of!" :)

My mother was not a decorator of any sort. If it was clean and neat and dusted...that was good enough for her. Not so for me but I have not a clue where my need to nest came from. I've had it as long as I can remember though. From Pat's and my very first one room apartment.

The little tea set..so sweet. I don't think my mother ever drank tea in her life but she certainly drank her coffee. Even when she had to boil in in a pan in the early days.

I understand exactly what you mean in so many ways. It's difficult looking back. I miss my Mom too. Something terrible. Your post was beautiful, sweet friend.
Hugs and love and Happy Mother's Day!
Mona

Anonymous said...

Oh BJ, what a sweet heartfelt post about your sweet mother and a lovely tribute. I know she would have loved sitting in your pretty chairs and having tea.
Happy Mother's Day sweet friend,
Shelia ;)

Debbie said...

What wonderful table and a wonderful tribute to your mom. You are blessed to have had a wonderful "friend" relationship with her as well as a mother/daughter one. Not everyone has that. I do so I totally *get* the blessing of it. I wish you could have bus tripped through New England together.

And btw, how's the diet going?
I didn't lie, did I? (wink)

On Crooked Creek said...

Bj,
Very moving post!
Lovely tablescape...adore the part of your Aunt dabbing vanilla flavoring behind her ear! I've copied your recipe...perfect for upcoming gatherings!
Fondly,
Pat

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your mama sounds wonderful...and she has a wonderful daughter.
My grandpa said...so poor they don't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of!
Have a great mother's day....!!

Sally Annie Magundy said...

I love this post, such a sweet tribute to your mom! You made me cry when you said she'd call you up and tell you to come over, that she had made you a meal and cake - what a lovely mommy you had! I miss mine so much.

Adore your blue and white dishes!

busana muslim pesta said...

Thank you for posting this. It’s exactly what I was looking for!

Patty Patterson said...

I love, love, love this post! So many pretty tea party ideas. Beautiful dishes, beautiful flowers, beautiful brownines... everything! I love it so much I pinned it on pinterest so I can come back when I want to plan a special tea party! Thanks for sharing!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Aww, BJ, you have such a sweet way with words that I just love. What a special post in honoring your dear Mom. Happy Mother's Day to you.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

A beautiful tribute to your mother. My mother also died too young :-(

The photography and presentation is great, very pretty tea time 'scape.

Happy Mother's Day!

Katherine

Diann said...

Not only are your tea things and dishes just beautiful but, this was such a wonderful tribute to your mom BJ! She sounds like she was a very special woman, just like her daughter! Thank you for joining TTF this week and have a wonderful weekend and a very happy Mother's Day!

Miz Helen said...

My Dear BJ,
With tears still in my eyes, what a beautiful tribute to your Mom and really all the Mom's just like her from that time frame. I could just feel your love and see you and your Mom and maybe even your sweet Aunt having tea with you in your wonderful home. Hope you have a Very Special Week End and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

Linda said...

A loving and beautiful post! We never outgrow the need for our mother!

Loui♥ said...

so sweet and beautiful!!
i miss my mom also..
very young at 52 when she passed ..
i was only 24..
suddenly,i did NOT make it back home in time..
warmest hugs to us both..♥
Loui♥

Debra from Bungalow said...

Such a sweet post and wonderful tribute to you mom. That's a great picture of the two of you. I miss my Mom too. Happy Mother's day!

Kathleen said...

Well, she must have been a wonderful mom, because you turned out great!
It is a pretty dish set, and your pics are wonderful!
I wish you a very happy Mother's Day. Pulease have a piece of cake! :)

Gypsy Heart said...

Beautiful, heartfelt post and it made my eyes leak. I guess we all have our mothers on our minds right now. It's really difficult on holidays isn't it? My mother absolutely LOVED all holidays and she had such a great time planning as well as executing.

Your table is gorgeous and the dishes are too. I'm so hungry right now, a brownie would be delish.

Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have a fabulous Mother's Day!

xo
Pat

Tami @ Creative girl Vintage said...

Hi bj..what a lovely tribute to your mom. Beautiful post today and now I want a brownie.
Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Mother's Day! xo Tami

Debbiedoos said...

Happy Mothers day Bj...enjoy the weekend. What lovely pics..very sweet post.

bohemiannie! art said...

I miss my momma too! I have to say, I think yours would have been - or rather IS -a kindred spirt.

The Tablescaper said...

What an amazing tribute. Thanks so much for being a part of my 100th Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

The Charm of Home said...

Wonderful post in honor of your Mother! Her brownies looks delicious! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Miz Helen said...

Congratulations BJ,
Your very moving tribute is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week, thank you so much for sharing it with us. Hope you have a great week end and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen

Holly Lefevre said...

The brownies look sweet but all the things you shared about your mother are far sweeter.

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

What a precious post, BJ! I know you must miss your mama dearly. Aren't you glad there will be joyous reunions in heaven? ;)

Thanks for sharing this lovely sentiment at Time Travel Thursday.

Hugs,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage