Rose Tea Cottage

Where tea is served at half past four



The Fox & The Grapes


A fox, almost with hunger dying
Some grapes on a trellis spying
To all appearance ripe, clad in
Their tempting russet skin
Most gladly would have eat them
But since he could not get them

So far above his reach on the vine—
“They’re sour,” he said; “such grapes as these,
The dogs may eat them if they please!”
Did he not better than to whine?

~ La Fontaine fable based on Aesop: Phaedrus, 4. 3.

I raise my teacup and drink my Earl Grey tea in hopes that all your dreams are within your reach my darlings.



68 comments:

Kat Ibáñez said...

Mmmmm can I have a slice of this delicious cake please? Yes, a cup of Earl Grey would be perfect, thank you!!! Lovely post, inspiring photos,Thank you for sharing!!!

La Petite Gallery said...

THAT LOOKS SO YUMMMY
IT IS SO WEIRD, i FOUND SOMETHING THAT APPLIES TO THIS CHECK YOUR G=MAIL

YVONNE

rosenrot said...

Oh schon wieder so eine wunderbare Torte, natürlich nehme ich auch gerne eine Tasse Earl Grey, das ist perfekt!!
lieben Dank auch für deine Kommentare und woher kannst Du so gut Deutsch?
Ich habe soviel Englisch vergessen, aber meine Schulzeit liegt auch schon Jahre zurück :-))
herzliche Grüße and take good care
Marlies

Renate said...

Dette var da en virkelig delikat og nydelig kake, har du bakt den selv? Morsomt at du kombinerer bildene med et eventyr!! Klem Renate

North West London Girl said...

Dearest Duchess,
What a beautiful cake. I raise my cup of Earl Grey to you and tell you my dreams are slowly becoming reality. Have a gorgeous day xx

Debbiedoos said...

I love earl grey tea Duchess!!~ You always make everything look so lovely!

The Curious Cat said...

What a delicious and very beautiful cake!!! Peculiar but wonderful! xxx

Alex said...

I love Aesop's Fables, I had a wonderful book of them as a child. That is some delicious looking cake!

Angie's Recipes said...

That's a perfect fruit torte to welcome the SPRING!

p.s. Duchess, I am glad that you like the recipe rose petal cookies. I am honoured.

Angie

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

L O V E L Y as ever! This gateau is heavenly!! Enjoy. xo

Katy Noelle said...

And what a clever post, Duchess, and so true!

We had a very romantically rambling vine at the end of one of our barns last year that a coyote would come and munch on in the middle of the day - while we stood there and observed him! We watched the beautiful grapes ripen on the vine, waiting patiently to make a concord grape pie. when we thought the time had come, we tried them and immediately spit them out. They were so disgustingly bitter! The vine is gone now - lovely but dysfunctional. We'll plant something better, instead!

Rachana said...

Darling Duchess,
I would love to have a slice of this delicious and beautiful cake and a cup of earl grey would be just perfect :)
Have a great day!

Michela said...

What a nice thought dearest Duchess! Sorry to hear about your bad migraine, hope you're feeling better now and are having a good week! Hugs! xxx

Lola said...

I raise my cup of earl grey to you & yr delicious blog darling Duchess!

XOXO Dame Nora & Damette Lola:)

PS The patisserie was, as always, divine!

Deanna said...

Duchess,
Such a nice way to start out my busy day!
Bless you and thank you for sharing with us this beautiful blog that you create.
It is delightful!
d

Kittie Howard said...

Ahhh, Duchess, thank you for a beautiful post. And thought-provoking for Aesop's tales do tease the mind. Across the Pond, I think of my Earl Grey and, with the sun rising in a clear sky, only wish I had a slice of that delicious-looking cake for my afternoon tea. Cheers!

Kissed by an Angel said...

A cup of Earl Grey, a slice of that gorgeous cake and your wonderful company dear Duchess - perfect!!!
xxxx

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Morning Duchess,
I have never seen a grape cake, that is fabulous looking. I have put grapes in fruit salad or a toss salad, but never seen them in a cake. Very unique, would love to taste a piece. That was a neat poem to go with it as well.
Loved the pics in your post about things that make you happy. So sorry you have had a migraine for so long too!! I have only had one headache that I would consider like a migraine about 30 yrs. ago when I first moved to the central Florida area, my step brother said he thought I might have been allergic to the pine pollen. It was so severe that all I could do was take aspirins and go back to sleep cause I could barely
pick my head up off the pillow for 3 days. Thank the Lord it only happened once. I have known several ladies who have migraines off and on all the time. Bless their sweet hearts.
Hope you are all better now.
Blessings, Nellie

Federica Simoni said...

meravigliosa questa torta! complimenti!

Butterfly Works said...

Yum, Yum, it looks so tasty.....and beautiful to boot...would be great with a cup of tea....May all your dreams come true today and if not today tomorrow....Thanks for your sweet comments....
Hugs and Blessings,
Butterfly

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Duchess,
That cake looks absolutely scrumptious. I will have a cup of Earl Grey with you any time; it's one of my favourites! Have a tea-lightful day and a lovely week.

Blessings,
Sandi

Unknown said...

Oh, can a have a tiny sliver, please! Dear Duchess, you make my life so much more beautiful and delightful!:-))) I have a little Award waiting for you in my Blog. I hope you will like it. :-)))

Unknown said...

Dear Duchess,
Thank you so much for that sweet coment you left on by blog, it really cheered me up. I am happy to say that a new blog is in the works for me and it is WAY better than the one i have. I cant wait for you to see it when its ready.
*kisses* HH
p.s. I am an English Breakfast girl. It used to be Earl Grey but I have moved on to stronger stuff LOL.

Anonymous said...

That looks WONDERFUL!!!

Francy said...

Mm...it looks so delicious! Especially with Earl Grey tea.

pixiedrivein.blogspot.com

koralee said...

This cake looks unbelievable..I have never seen such a cake! I really want to try it ...with grapes..yum! you always delight my friend...have a great day!

Mayflower said...

Hello dear Duchess, thank you so much for your sweet comment and yes the cup of my header is new. A few weeks ago a bought some cups, teapot and sugar and milkcan.
I hope your migraine is over.
The cake looks delicious.
I'm sorry for my bad English.
Have a nice evening.
Warm regards, Mea

Anonymous said...

that is so interesting!!! i want a slice okay, just cut it and send it on over!!!! or better yet, I'll come there!!

great post love!!!

ciao

Patricia said...

Dear Duchess,

This cake looks really Yummy!!
Can I have a piece?

I wish you a wonderfull day and sunshines of Love!

Patricia

Anonymous said...

Morning, Duchess! Oh, look at this wondrous cake! I would love one tiny slice, please. Thank you so much for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Kathy said...

Hello Duchess, you have such a wonderful blog. Aesop's fables was my childhood favourite book and I am pretty sure these is a pub in England called the fox and the grapes :-). Delicious cake, so pretty to look at oh and Yorkshire tea (your previous post) is my all time fav tipple, we brought a huge box back with us from across the pond. happy Tuesday, Kathy.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful, feel-good,relaxing blog! I feel like I'm really in England. I wish my Mom were here to enjoy this. She loved ALL things English (we often have afternoon tea in her memory just for fun!)

Marilyn Miller said...

Grapes and cake, what more could we ask for. I wish I could just reach into the computer and help myself to a slice of cake.

BALLET NEWS said...

And yours, Darling Duchess !

Gail Is This Mutton? said...

Looks divine dear duchess and well worth breaking the diet for.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Duchess what a glorious fable with the perfect photo. I adore it. Hoping you are free from migraines this week. I have only ever had one and it was one too many. My son Matthew has trouble with them and I feel for anyone who suffers from them. Simply, utterly disabling. Thank you for writing and I'm so pleased you love your award. You truly are a 'real person' to me and very cherished. Please stay well and sending you cheery thoughts and a big hug xoxo deb

Beth said...

How lovely! I have never seen such a cake before. You are an inspired cook, Duchess! And I too love Earl Grey! Cheers!

Julie Marie said...

Hello Duchess... inspiring, as always... and that does look delightfully delicious! Bisous... Julie Marie

Jolie Rosie said...

Precious Duchess you are singing my song today, I love grapes and whipped cream cakes, and now they appear together in a divine post.

Love
Rosie

Jen said...

Earl Grey, I need thee today!!
This is beautiful, Duchess. Thank you for sharing this gorgeous cake! I've never seen anything like it!

Have a marvelous day,
Jen

Maggi said...

Holy smokes, what a beautiful cake! Have a great day!

VM Creation Atelier said...

My dear Duchess!-)***

You amezed me as usually with you delicious cakes or another very tasty things,my sweet,beautiful friend!!!

Thank you many,many times for you SO lovely words and deeply tuched me comments!-)))
I found it So beautiful,my fav.Duchess what do you wrote to me about my own Award dress...thank you,darling!

Many,may love and care,

***Violetta***

Hetty Summers said...

Duchess I hope all your dreams will always be within your reach as well. I thank you for all this beauty you provide for our enjoyment and for all your well wishes. You are well loved Duchess.

Hetty xoxo

Unknown said...

Duchess, you that you have completely made my mouth water, you must put the recipe on for your tea cake! It looks heavenly! I LOVE grapes! I have a delicious recipe I think you would love too that evolves grapes, cream cheese, and brown sugar! DIVINE!!!!!

Rizzi said...

HELLO DUCHESS,
YOUR DEVINE CAKE GOES WITH MY DELIGHTFUL WEATHER, BLUE SKIES, SUNSHINE, AND A COOL BREEZE. OH YES, A CUP OF EARL GREY WOULD BE VERY NICE TOO. SUCH A LOVELY POST.
MY LAP TOP IS ACTING UP, SO HE IS OFF TO THE DOCTOR. WILL MISS YOU, BUT I WILL RETURN SOON.
LADY RIZZI

Rosemary and Pink said...

Duchess, Duchess, Duchess you are killing me. Each time I visit your blog, I don't want to leave and when I do my blog looks so shabby in comparison. Love the quote and the photos. Hope you migraine is completely gone.

Duchess of Tea said...

Rizzi darling, I hope you read this comment.

I have been trying to log onto your blog and each time my security programs prevents me by warning me that your blog is infected with a serious virus. I think this might be the problem with your laptop you mentioned in your comment. I just want you to know, I am not ignoring you my luv, I simply can't log onto your blog. Hope you fix the problem soon.

Duchess

Anonymous said...

a gorgeous cake! and has to be healthy with the grapes ;o)

xxx

Cool Lassi(e) said...

That cake looks divine. That with Earl Grey tea will be perfectly perfect for an evening snack!Very thoughtful and kind of you to hope the very best for others. :)

Cooking with Laura said...

Duchess please share the recipe for this cake with us. Pretty please with grapes on top.

Mimi said...

HI to my very sweet English friend!!!!I have some Photos for you if you do not mind me getting it, I would love to send you some of the Great Britain Bobsled team, you saw the 2 man bobsled team that flipped over at the Olympics????I caught that on film!!!!!Digital that is!!!!
ALso some after the accident!!!!
I so hope one day to meet you face to face, if ever in the good ole USA we will meet, if your daughter still in school in Calif????
Maybe then soon!!!!
I hope to be in Europe next fall like 2011!!!!
So we will see each other then maybe!!!
hugs,
jamie

debra@dustjacket said...

Hello my dear, I do feel sorry for the poor fox :( but moving on the cake looks delish. Mmmm I do love a cup of Earl Grey.

xoxo DJ
ps I'm collecting vintage teacup sets at the moment, you would be proud of me. The are so gorgeous.

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

My dearest Duchess,

Thank you for visiting my blog. I am so glad you did so that I could pay you a visit and discover your beautiful blog. I am enamored with it and could spend hours here...and will.

Nancy

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Duchess,

A cup of tea and a slice of this cake would be great ~ thank you.
Love the poem too.

Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

Gorgeous Glam said...

I'm so delighted I found your blog today! I adore it! So glam ;) xoxo
www.gorgeousglam.blogspot.com

The Charm of Home said...

You have the most beautiful blog In have ever seen! I am so enchanted with all the lovely photos on your blog. I will come back and often! I always loved Princess Diana. I learned to sew so I could copy some of her Liberty print dresses.
Sherry

Lady Katherine said...

The cake looks divine! Thank you so much for visiting my blog on Tea Time Tuesday. I loved my visit here. What a lovely blog you have. So many wonderful lovely things!

Dining Delight said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog so I could, in turn, check out yours! Talk about "bursting with creativity"! I love having "afternoon tea" whenever I can, especially when there is time to do it up right and your blog has so much inspiration along those lines. Wonderful verses and thoughts too! I'll be back often!

DD

Unknown said...

G'eve, Duchess ~ I curtsy to you ... you are so kind to grace me with your lovely visit & beautiful tea ... as always, you bring such welcoming conversation. TY

Have a beautiful eve, sweet friend.
Happy St. Patrick's ~
TTFN ~Marydon

Jane said...

I am amazed at your lovely places and pictures and beautiful chinas. Thank you for sharing. I am so glad you invited me to tea and pleased to meet you.

Martha Lever said...

Oh my, what a lovely blog! Yummy feast---for the tummy ---and the eyes!

Preeti Kashyap said...

You too Duchess!...and the cake is making me drool!

Vicki said...

Hello, dear friend,
I hope your dreams come true, too! Have a lovely week with the promise of spring in the air! Vicki

PriyaRaj said...

Dear Duchess,Mouth-watering cake ....wonderful, feel to have it right now....thanx for sharing dear ....awesome click..

Deb Harvey said...

Earl Grey is one of my favorites...it would be perfect with that beautiful cake! MMMMM, it really does look, so good!

Kelly said...

Thank you! I too hope all My bloggy friends dreams come true xxxx

gemini said...

Deliciously presented, mouth watering yummy, foodies. Like to sip, sit down and talk. Amazing days for you ahead.

Magdalena said...

Duchess, I popped back over to tell you I am giving away a lovely green toile cake stand stop by to enter!!
xoxo

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