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Thursday, January 02, 2014

Downton Abby Give-away



Like so much of the world, I've fallen head over heels in love with the PBS Masterpiece series Downton Abby.  And like the rest of America, I'm holding my breath for this Sunday night's premiere of Season four.
 I even have a Downton Abby Pinterest board  http://www.pinterest.com/shannonimlay/romancing-downton-abbey/
 Season one of Downton Abby begins in 1912 Edwardian England. If you havn't started watching the series, I highly recommend it, but I also recommend that you watch it from the beginning. Julian Fellowes does a wonderful job of building a story around each person in the series, both upstairs and downstairs.  




When I found out that Larry Edwards, a classically trained chef, had written a cookbook inspired by Downton Abby, I really wanted to get my hands on one. Well not only was Larry gracious enough to send me a signed copy, he also sent one for one of my lucky readers.
This book shows you how to make breads, soups, side dishes, entrees, and desserts found on the"upstairs" tables of Edwardian England. Edwardian Cooking is filled with an array of delicious English fare to dream about and to prepare, from high tea delicacies to elegant dinners. I really enjoyed that each recipe came with a story and history along with some very pretty Edwardian drawings.

I couldn't resist doing a New Years Tea Party, I just wish the bloody servants would have showed up to polish the silver ;)  I started by making a rather large flower arrangement in a gleaming silver bowl (lined with a glass bowl). I even payed homage to the opening credits of Downton Abby by sprinkling some "fallen" rose petals around my arrangement :)
I got out my best china, including my tartan plaid plates as a nod to the episodes in season three spent at a Scottish Hunting Estate. I made Earl Grey tea shown here with lemon.
I made two different Tea Sandwiches from "Edwardian Cooking". Cucumber and Cheddar Tea Sandwiches with Horseradish Cream on page 45, and Roasted Sweet Red Pepper Cream Tea Sandwiches on page 47.  Chef Larry's Tea Sandwiches call for Puff Pastry (yum). I think next time I'll use smaller canape cutters, they would have been the perfect size.  Regardless of the size they turned out quite delicious.  I've also made his Cream Scones on page 16 and they were wonderful. I also found these adorable Scottie dog shaped Scottish shortbread cookies for the top of my three tiered server :)  There is a recipe for Scottish Shortbread in the book and I WILL be trying it.

 
Click on photo to see the enlarged version

Now for the Give-Away

1). First and foremost, a signed hardback copy of Edwardian Cooking... Thank you Larry Edwards

2). A 2014 Official Downton Abbey Wall Calender filled with beautiful photographs

3). A copy of Victoria Classics Tea Pleasures. This magazine has so many wonderful tips on how to prepare and enjoy tea (including how to use the strainer in this give-away :)

4). A lovely stainless steel tea strainer and bowl

5).  2 Teapot shaped teabag cozies

6). One box of Earl Grey Tea and I will be throwing in a bunch of other teas for you to try
Unmasked at midnight
Now for the rules

1). You MUST leave a comment on this post, tell me why you want to win, ask me about something in my tea-scape, it doesn't matter, let's just connect and chat, isn't that what tea is about ;)

2). For extra entries "Like' The Food of Downton Abby on Facebook 

3). Follow me on Pinterest  http://www.pinterest.com/shannonimlay/



Angelfood Cakes with fresh berries and Devonshire Cream
There is a recipe for Devonshire cream in Tea Pleasures, which is wonderful with scones,  cakes, and berries.
This drawing will be held on January 10th, remember you have 4 chances to enter, good luck and Happy 2014

38 comments:

  1. Your hydrangeas are beautiful!! One of my favorites. Anyone would be blessed to have sat at your Downton Abbey inspired tea. WHY would I like to win you ask? I also am a HUGE fan of Downton Abbey AND I could really use some help in the kitchen. Be blessed!! How very kind and sweet of you to offer up such a beautiful giveaway!

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  2. Beautiful posting! I want to win because our excitement for the show makes me want to start watching it. Would it be improper to have iced tea with this instead of hot tea?

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    1. Absolutely not, truth be told, I prefer a latte with extra shots of espresso at my "tea". The whole point is to feel refreshed and enjoy good company. I happen to know sweet Debbie, that you are the BEST company <3

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  3. I am a friend of Downton Abby on Facebook.

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  4. I am curious about the clocks in the tea-scape. What is their significance? Also this is a beautiful give-away and I would love to win as I always wanted to visit England. The cookbook I could enjoy sifting through the pages while sipping tea. Thank you and God Bless. Juliana Palmcook

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    1. The clocks are symbolic of the changing of the New Year at midnight. I actually made this Tea on New Year's Eve. I used a vintage Alarm clock and the ornaments are meant to look like pocket watches witth tartan ribbons (which would have been the fashion in the Edwardian Era) I like to imagine a man pulling out his pocket watch just before midnight and giving his sweetheart a kiss worth remembering all year ;)

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    2. Oh I absolutely love it, what a romantic touch. You create an atmosphere and bring us inside of it...the clocks and ornaments are such a beautiful touch.

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  5. Oh my goodness! I'm totally in love with everything in your post! I love, love, love your Tartan plates!!! Who makes them and are they still available? Are they Lenox? A friend of mine has a Christmas Tea every December complete with tea sandwiches, scones, lemon curd and clotted cream. I'm going to make an English Tea for dinner for hubby and me for the Sunday Downton Abbey Season opener!!!

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    1. I replied to your question but it showed up at the bottom of the comment section, thank you for your lovley comments <3

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  6. Your flowers and tablescape were stunning, as per usual Shannon!

    I wondered what was your favorite food item you made for New Years Tea Party? They all looked really yummy!!!! :-)

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    1. I would have to say the tea sandwiches, I had some boursin garlic and herb cheese and added it to the cream cheese and ...oh my, it was a big hit

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  7. I "Liked' The Food of Downton Abby on Facebook for another entry.

    And why do I want to win your wonderful giveaway? Because I would love to have that signed cookbook to add to my collection, and I need a tea strainer as I don't have one and got some wonderful loose tea a a Christmas gift.

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  8. I follow you on Facebook.

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  9. I follow you on Pinterest.

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  10. OH Shannon, as lovely as lovely can be!!! What is the story behind those delicate ornaments? You have introduced me to the world of Downton, and I shall never be the same...it has evoked my sensibilities in many ways, and has truly become one of my most favorite guilty pleasures. I cannot wait for Sunday, and only wish I could be watching the season premier with YOU!!!! Everything is just perfect. The arrangement is gorgeous. I love the fallen petals touch ;) Those puff pastries look divine, the combination sounds amazing. And those little bundt cakes!!! You always make everything so special with every little detail. love you sweet bella, looks like a jolly ol time!

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    1. I found these lovely pocket watch ornaments at World Market while shopping with my daughter. We both fell instantly in love with them and knew I would be using them for my New Year table in some capacity

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  11. haha I TOTALLY follow you on Pinterest!!! You have made me a lover of tartan plaid and lace forevermore <3

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    1. I LOVE Tartan Plaid and lace together, it's the perfect example of two contrasts complementing each other. It surprises me what a popular board "Romancing Tartan Plaid" is. Evidently we're not alone ;)

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  12. I like the food of Downton Abbey page...these recipes look magnificent. You don't know how often I think on the food as I am watching the episodes LOL...

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  13. I absolutely follow you on Facebook ~ oh bella you do not realize the joy and influence you have brought to so many. You truly dazzle and delight with your creativity and more importantly your passion!!!! So blessed to have you in my life <3

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  14. Why would I want to win? Well let's start out by saying that everything is truly delightful! I love it all! Your tea-scapes are beautiful and intricately done! I wonder, where you get your fine looking teaware? You must have such a skill to make things wonderful! Your flower arrangements add such a nice touch to the tea scene! When I watch Downton Abbey with my teenage daughter, we awe at the tea scape, and my goodness your tea scapes remind us of teatime at Downton so well!! When it's cold outside, we sit at home and cuddle up with some tea and cake, while watching Downton Abbey! It would be nice to win, so then, we could improve our mini teatime at home! Of course I follow you on Pinterest and Facebook! Who wouldn't follow The Food of Downton Abbey Facebook page? I follow it! We wish we could have tea with you to chat about your magnificent artwork with your tea scape and the delightfulness of Downton Abbey! Seems like it would be a fine time at teatime!

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  15. Unfortunately this pattern by Ralph Lauren is discontinued , I think we should all write him and ask him to not only make the pattern again but expand it. They only made the dinner plate, the salad plate and a coffee mug. Thats why I used my tea cups and saucers with them. There are many beautiful plaid dishes available you may want to do some research. I love to use mine for St. Patrick's Day

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  16. I would love to win because Downton Abbey is my escape from the world. I have always liked anything British and especially if it has anything to do with history. My dream is to go to the UK and tour all of Britian!! To walk in the steps of all of history and relive all the books that I have ever read and just Relive it all!! I would love to be able to learn how to do everything you do. I love your flower arrangements and your teascapes!! They are so elegant. Your page is so beautiful!! You are a very talented person. I just found you so I will be coming back often!! I wish I had your talent!! Or even one tenth of it!!

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  17. Hi! I would love to learn more about British Cooking and the different types of foods they cook with. I love London and the U.K. and hope to travel back again someday. What a way to do it--cooking with their style! Also, I love how you decorate, the roses, lace and china! How romantic and pretty! I also like Downtown Abby on Facebook, YOU on Facebook and YOU on Pinterest! (besides, I think you are nifty and always have....)

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  18. Hi Shannon, I am the person above, Tracey A.

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  19. Shannon,
    What a lovely gift you provide in sharing with us ideas and examples of the elegance of entertaining! I love to entertain family, friends, and students from the universtiy where I work. Receiving a copy of Edwardian Cooking and Victoria Classic Tea Pleasures would be quite an honor, and I would relish the opportunity to share their contents with my contingency!! Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your interests and bringing us closer to the world of Downton Abby!!

    Most sincerely,
    Brenda Clark

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  20. Wow, Shannon!!! Just reading this and looking at your beautiful table setting ..... gave me a serious case of "the wanderlust"!! I truly miss my travels to England and your menu reminded me of the teas I enjoyed during my trips. I am a true Anglophile and winning this give-away would be like a trip back to England. I just can't help thinking I lived there in a former life!!

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  21. I am absolutely envious of your beautiful tablescape. I so want to come to tea at your place and discuss the trials of poor Mr Bates

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  22. I love how perfect your table is set. This would be so nice to share with my teen daughter.

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  23. Congratulations Ellen Werkau, you are the winner of this give-away. Thank you so much to all who entered and left a comment, It was so fun hearing from everyone <3

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  24. congratulations Ellen!!!! fantastic!

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  25. Congrats to Ellen! She sounded like she will really appreciate what she has won!

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    1. Ellen was "Over the Moon" when I contacted her. Her Joy was quite contagious :)

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  26. Am I too late for the giveaway? haha just kidding of course. I love anything Downtown Abbey. That cookbook looks great. Have you made many of the recipes? I think I might have to pop over to Amazon and see if they have it.

    Nancy's Daily Dish

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