An Indulgent High Tea for Three

In the expansive grounds of the historic Sydney home, Vaucluse House, there are lovely tearooms where one can enjoy an old-world "high tea" just perfect for special occasions. Spending time with two of my oldest and closest friends on a weekend get-together in Sydney, a rare occasion and a treasured time, was all the excuse we three needed to indulge ourselves. 

Together with glasses of bubbles, to toast our long-lasting friendship (of course;)  and pots of warming teas, we relaxed and reminisced as we sampled each tiny treat of our high tea. One of everything and two scones!

Tiers of indulgent treats for our special high tea.

The tearooms were built in the 1930s.

 Beautifully laid tables inside the tearooms.

The tempting menu and a pretty teacup.

Something savoury ... a tiny & perfect pumpkin tart.

(My favourite!)

Somethings sweet!

(I would recommend the little doughnuts with elderflower cheesecake filling.)

We oohed and aahed as we tried each little treat from our tiered cake stand. Unhurried and happy! My friends expressed similar delight at their pots of spiced and flowery teas. While I am not normally a tea drinker, I sipped a marsala chai and quite liked its cinnamony notes. 

Just a few crumbs left!

After such a delicious time, a long walk was in order, if for no other reason than to assuage the surprise at having eaten so much. Hence, we set off for a long and leisurely stroll around Vaucluse House and its beautiful grounds. Those photos another time ...

Meg

Simple Pleasures

Sometimes, it's the simple pleasures that sustain us ...  

 A simple pleasure in a pretty tea cup.

I think we all have those times when overwhelm threatens; when the world seems to be spinning just that little bit too fast; when one feels at odds with that world; when a problem seems so complicated; when too many thoughts impose themselves at once or the to-do list has grown so long that it's run off the end of the page. During those times in my life, I find that it's very simple pleasures that help to restore calm and put things back in perspective.

Here are some of my simplest pleasures. 

walking 

(with Sir Steve dog, on the beach, through a forest..)

reading

(preferably curled up or stretched out with a pillow under my head)

pottering in my garden

(visiting with flowers, watching the bees, planting in the soil ... )

stitching & knitting

(just concentrating on one stitch at a time)

a slowly sipped drink 

(currently a frothy hot chocolate in a pretty tea cup)

listening to music

(anything that's my favourite)

home picnics

(on the grass in my own backyard)

What about you? What would be the simple pleasures on your list?

Meg

Teacup Maple Syrup Puddings (Microwave)

Autumnal nights, crisp and cool, are perfect for puddings. And, a sweet & saucy pudding, in a teacup, not only warms your heart but your hands too as you wrap them around your chosen mug (after it's cooled down to a safe hold-able temperature, that is).

A sweet and warm teacup pudding with a dollop of cream.

I only acquired a microwave a short time ago. I typically use it just for reheating leftovers but occasionally, I'll make these little puddings. The original recipe, for a Butterscotch version, comes from Lucy at Bake.Play.Smile.  As is my way though, I have tinkered with the recipe a little and toned down the sweetness a lot in the process. This is how I make them at my place:  

Teacup Maple Syrup Puddings

CAKE:                                                                SAUCE:

100g butter                                                       1&1/2 cups boiling water

1 egg                                                                   1Tablespoon cornflour

1/2 cup milk                                                      2 Tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract                              1/4 cup coconut sugar

2 Tablespoons maple syrup                           thick cream for serving*

1/2 cup SR flour 

 Melt butter in your microwave.

 Whisk in milk, egg, vanilla & maple syrup.

Blend in flour by whisking gently.

 Divide the batter evenly to half-fill greased teacups.

(Recipe makes six.)

 Mix cornflour & coconut sugar together in a heatproof jug. 

Whisk in boiling water and maple syrup.

Pour sauce from heatproof jug very carefully over the top of the cake batter in each cup.

(Pouring the sauce over the back of a spoon helps:)

 Place cups (three at a time) on microwave plate & cook for 2minutes.

 Tops of puddings should be firm and a little springy. Cook further 30seconds if required.

During the cooking time, the teacups become quite hot so you need to be very careful when handling them. Allow each cup/pudding to cool before serving so that they merely warm the hands that hold them (rather than burning them).

A beautiful sauce forms underneath the cakey top during cooking.

If you would like to serve these with white chocolate chips, jersey caramels and/or ice-cream, as is Lucy's tempting suggestion, then you can. I just dollop a lovely scoop of thick cream on top before I sit myself down to savour spoonfuls of warm and gooey pudding. Delicious!

Do you have a favourite pudding recipe that you like to make? 

Meg