Forty Shades of Green Teacup Party and Cake




Thank you for joining me today as we continue to "pre-celebrate" St. Patrick's Day with a Forty Shades of Green Teacup Party. 
Forty Shades of Green is a common phrase used to describe the fields and landscape of Ireland. When you fly over parts of Ireland, you see a patchwork of beautiful green squares of land. Johnny Cash is the mastermind behind this phrase, and it was the title of his 1961 hit. He was so inspired after a trip to Ireland that he penned the lyrics to the song.

(image from internet: free clip art)




Here is your teacup which will be today's featured teacup. Our forty shades of green tea party will begin with my one and only green teacup.


It is a beautiful mint green Paragon bone china teacup that I inherited from another great aunt. My interest in collecting more Paragon teacups has peaked. I think their patterns are very classic. I thought this was the perfect teacup for St. Patrick's Day as well as welcoming spring with its daisy design.



I'm drawn to teacups that have designs inside the cup. 


I like that the saucer also has the same design.


Paragon back stamp: 1939-1949


(image from barrytea.ie)

Even though it is a "green party," we will drink Barry's Tea which is what my family in Ireland drinks on a daily basis with a generous helping of milk. It is a very strong Assam black tea that can be purchased at British goods stores and Cost Plus World Market. It accounts for 40% of tea sales in Ireland and began in 1901 in Cork.

When drinking a strong tea, I like to serve mild flavored sweets and savories. I found this cake recipe below online and thought it would pair well with Barry's Tea. I don't think there is anything remotely Irish about this cake, but it certainly was a winner in my household.


Irish Tea Cake fresh out of the oven


Next time I will serve the cake with fresh fruit.


Irish Tea Cake Recipe
from Ireland Family Vacations


1/2 cup of butter, softened
1 cup of white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C) and grease and flour a 9 inch round pan.
In a medium bowl cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, stir in vanilla extract
Combine the baking powder, salt and flour; stir into the batter alternating with milk
If the batter is too stiff, a tablespoon or two of milk may be added.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pan on wire rack, then turn out onto a serving plate.
Dust with confectioners' sugar right before serving.


I look forward to celebrating St. Patrick's Day with you next week!  ~Nora







Comments

  1. Hi Nora...I love your pretty teacup! Paragon is always such a favorite. The cake looks wonderful...thanks for the recipe! I love Barry's...a good strong tea...most American brands just don't do it, do they? Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Nora,
    I love Paragon and your teacup is wonderful. A nice combination of spring and St. Patrick's Day green. Thanks for the cake recipe. Happy Tea Day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Nora,
    Your teacup is a pretty one in the pale green shade. Your cake looks wonderful! I have never had Barry's tea but I'm sure my hubby would like it since he likes his tea strong and he is very proud of his Irish heritage. Thanks for sharing today and joining me for tea.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is a pretty teacup! Oh and that cake makes me crave a piece.I found you on Sandi's Rose Chintz Cottage.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm also partial to Paragon and I love the mint green colour of your teacup!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your teacup is gorgeous! I love the paragon color. It's the color of my bathroom walls, I think!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Nora,
    what a sweet tea cup. I love the design in the saucer, thats so cute. Your St. Patricks Day tea time is wonderful. Thank you for sharing this delight.
    Best greetings, Johanna

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful teacup! I love that color.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a lovely teacup! The saucer is so nice with the center of flowers. Such a pretty green!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It may be your only green, but what a gorge cup! So springy, pretty, and cheerful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a sweet green tea cup. Your cake and the tea look delicious. Wishing you a wonderful evening.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh what fun offering this tea cake recipe. I love historic and interesting recipes and ones representing different nationalities. Paragon's a wonderful - I have a few. I am so glad you shared at Friends Sharing Tea.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nora, I came over to your lovely blog from your comment at Antiques and Teacups; I'm the one with the clotted cream recipe. Do let me know if you make it for St Patrick's Day as you mentioned. Today I posted my Irish brown soda bread baked in the slow cooker. Love your cups and saucers! Like you, I am drawn to cups that have a design inside.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Nora! Very pretty teacup--I really like the mint green color. I also like cups with designs inside--not only are they fun to drink from, but they make for really pretty pictures (like yours with the shamrock necklace). I think I only have one Paragon, which is in a pretty common pattern, so it isn't as special as yours that was your great aunts! :). Thanks for visiting my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your Paragon, the mint green is so pretty. The cake was delicious by the way. I tried out your recipe--it was great.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting today and taking the time to write a comment. Both are much appreciated.
Nora