Real Comfort

Jane Austen once wrote that "there is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort". Like many of her quotes, I find this one to be a profound truth. If you couldn't tell before, let me be clear that I am a big Jane Austen fan. The title of this blog is actually from another Jane Austen quote, "Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings". The more I read Austen, the more I fall in love with Regency England. The manners, the dress, the unspoken protocol. It's all so complex, and yet when I read Austen I walk hand in hand with the characters through an unknown time without hesitation. Another thing I enjoy about Jane Austen's works is that I still see so many of her characters in my life today. Mrs. Elton for sure works in my office, and Mrs. Cole as well. The only sad part is that none of the men are still around…well, with the exception of the Mr. Churchill's and Mr. Crawford's and Mr. Collins's. But, I digress. 

Staying at home is a real comfort for me. I go out, in the evening I mean, very seldom. While I enjoy my home comforts, I know I should socialize more. So, I decided to host a Ladies Card Night at my house once a quarter. The plan was I would make dinner and dessert, and afterwards we would play cards until everyone was ready to leave. That was the plan anyway. Unfortunately, I ended up having to take my TEXES practice exam last Saturday morning which also happened to be the same day I was suppose to host a party three ladies. Let me just say that it was a busy day. 

The test did not go as well as I had expected and I am sure (even though I have not been told my final score yet) I will have to try to take the test again in March. In the end, I came out of the test feeling like the worst kind of loser. Every negative thing I could think about myself was thought and thoroughly mused over during the hour long drive back to my house. I could have cancelled the party right then and there, but I decided against it. What was I going to do? Sit and wallow on the sofa? No, it was better to just stay in motion, and in the six hours I had before my guests arrived, I never sat down. I was cooking, baking, cleaning, and generally tidying with a vengeance. In the end, the food was pleasant, and the cards lifted my mood immensely. 

The only thing left weighing on me now is school. I am about six sections behind in my math work and while I did get a chance to work some this weekend, I am really going to have to hustle before the test this Thursday. I know I will make the deadline, I just hope I don't have to stay up until midnight the night before to get the work done. There is nothing worse than falling behind at the beginning of the semester. 

 Photo's from Ladies Card Night (Pre-Party)

This is a Noritake tea service I bought not long ago. It's nothing fancy, but I really love it. All the pieces are stamped "Occupied Japan" on the bottom too, which I find very cool.

My sister gave me these plates when I moved into my house. I really love them so much, but have yet to be able to find any more of this pattern anywhere. It's by Franciscan, and called "Montecito".

Right about now you might be noticing how well my linens match my dishes. Well, that is all thanks to my Mom, who found them and gifted them to me.

We had tea with dessert. While most of the ladies are not as nuts over tea as myself, everyone enjoyed one cup. I offered everything from plain PG Tips to Pomegranate Oolong.

This is the sugar bowl in the Noritake set. The floral motif is just a film transferred on to the china (as most china is now) but the gold on the handles and top of the lid is actually hand painted. The Franciscan plates are hand painted as well. I love that hand painted look because you can see the small imperfections of the human hand.

I made these key-lime bars in a snap from a recipe in Tea Time Magazine. I chose this recipe because citrus is in season now and I could get fresh key-limes at the grocery store. I will post the recipe as well as tips on how "hand juice" those little limes with my next post. The recipe is essentially as shortbread bottom and key-lime custard baked on top, sprinkled with powdered sugar and key-lime zest.

I baked a lasagna for dinner that I had assembled and froze back in December. Had I more time I would have probably made a meal from scratch, but this turned out really well. I love using the disposable "loaf" pans for things like this because it makes clean up a breeze.

In closing, I will say that I have been 70% good about doing some yoga every morning or evening or both. As you can see, Frankie likes to join me. Her favorite pose is "Sideward Facing Cat"...