Friday, January 21, 2011

A Friday Evening Tea Tradition


Friday evenings are always welcome at our home! After a busy week of chores, work, school, and activities, everyone is ready to relax and spend some time visiting together.  Tea is a part of our Friday night ritual.   It's been a tradition we've always had, starting in my family home during my teen-age years. Herbal tisanes and infusions, although not technically "tea", are our favorites.  But all teas, white, green, black, and flavored are delicious too!  Setting aside a specific time each week for rest and regeneration is beneficial for individuals and families.  Having a 'no fail' plan for rest that one can look forward to during each week is a blessing to anticipate. 

As teens, sometimes my sister and I would bake a Snackin' Cake for Friday night tea.  Do you remember them?  The cake mix goes in the cake pan, liquid ingredients are added, and then after a quick stir the cake goes in the oven.  I don't think they make Snackin' Cake mixes any more, but they sure were popular in our family.  Recently Dad and Alma came to visit and we made a Depression Chocolate Cake.  It reminded me so much of the Snackin' Cakes that sis and I used to bake.  It goes well with tea.  Would you like the recipe?

Depression Chocolate Cake

1 1/2 cups flour (gluten-free if necessary)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water

In a well-greased cake pan, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and  baking soda until well mixed. All at once, add the vinegar, vanilla, oil and water. Stir well.  Bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Now, go put the teakettle on!

Teapot ~ Teekanne Mikado
Table Runner ~ Gift from Aunt Cella; from one of her trips to Romania.

6 comments:

  1. Hello La Tea Dah....Oh, I DO remember snackin cakes! Thanks for the memory. I had a nice cup of hot raspberry tea tonight and it was yummy.

    Oh, I thought the placemat was either Polish or Ukranian. Then I read it was from Romania. Very pretty. Susan

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  2. Mmmmm, it's too late for making cake tonight, but there is always tomorrow! For tonight I'm off to rifle through the tea cupboard to find a cuppa to hit the spot before bed.
    Thank you for all the wonderful thoughts and recipes.

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  3. Lovely table runner and lovely tradition.

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  4. What a delightful Friday Evening tradition! I just love the idea. Snackin cake is new to me but sounds like a perfect accompaniment. I also like the recipe you included. So nice!

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  5. I remember the snackin cakes and this recipe. I was just thinking of this recipe recently and couldn't find it in my recipe box.

    It is now all written out on a new recipe card, waiting to be baked this week.

    Thank you! :)

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  6. Thanks for this recipe, I'm anxious to try it. What a wonderful tradition you all have for Friday nights.

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Thank you for commenting on my blog post. I am always happy to hear from blog readers. Your words encourage and inspire me. I am glad you stopped by to share conversation, recipes, ideas, and thoughts on creating a welcoming home.