Welcome to Storybook Cottage. Today I am joining several vintage Valentine loving friends for a blog hop. If you are coming over from Common Ground you have already enjoyed truly delightful decor from Debra. Today I am sharing a Simple and Sweet Valentine Breakfast.
Simple and Sweet Valentine Breakfast
The table is set with simple antique French linens and English red and white transferware.
The centerpiece of the menu is easy to make heart shaped bacon.
- Simply line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
- Arrange two strips of bacon into a heart shape.
- Bake in a 350-degree oven until bacon is crisp.
- Gently remove bacon from foil and pat the excess oil off with a paper towel.
The French toast is topped with Traders Joe’s organic reduced sugar strawberry preserves. This is a great alternative to syrup since much of it is made with high fructose corn syrup.
Tip: place preserves in a small pitcher and warm in the microwave or small pot of boiling water to transform it to a syrup consistency.
Eggcellent Ideas
There are heart-shaped egg poachers available but a circular poached egg can represent unending love.
A valentine breakfast is also the perfect occasion to serve rose tea. You can find rose tea at most tea shops and natural markets. My favorite is thé à la rose from Ladurée.
I found this tin of la rose from Fauchon at HomeGoods. What a prize!
Why loose leaf tea? Quite simply it’s more flavorful and the act of pouring is elevated into something special. Some people prefer not to use a strainer and read the patterns of the tea leaves after the cup is finished.
Tip: I toss the used petals into my flowerbeds for a delightfully scented compost.
Happy Decor
A truly happy table brimming with love.
Some vintage Valentine decor has been added to the kitchen shelf.
Some of the Valentine’s are antiques that my Grandma Mary received as a schoolgirl. Others are gifts from friends. I am partial to the two dachshund-themed cards from the 50’s as they remind me of my two canine Valentines, Gracie and Rudi.
Thank you so much for visiting. Next up is Follow The Yellow Brick Home. You will adore Amber’s vintage Valentine ideas.
You can visit all of the blogs on the hop today by clicking on the links in the list below.
What a wonderful breakfast, Laura! From the lovely tablescape…to the bacon heart…I would feel very special dining here! And your little shelf of Valentine goodies is perfect! Pinning! Thank you for the inspiration!
This is a pretty and delicious, Laura. I know your family loved it. 😉
Laura, it is simply beautiful! What a wonderful way to begin the day, with a breakfast like that at such a pretty table. The bacon is a fun idea and I am especially smitten by your shelf and aprons. Great fun. I love using my old vintage valentines too! What a day full of love!
Just when I thought bacon had achieved its ultimate status I see it can be improved upon…what a cute way to beautify the breakfast plate! Heart shaped bacon. Yum!
So cheery and I love the vintage Valentine items.
There won’t be any time on a work-day morning for a breakfast like this on Valentine’s Day, alas, but it’s a lovely thought. Instead, we are heading on a little mid-February getaway to cold Southern Illinois (ha) but at least it’s a get away – on the weekend after Valentine’s Day. Before we think it’s too romantic though…. we’re bringing Sarah & Dakota. 😛
Love, Linda
Tea leaves do make great compost, coffee grounds are also excellent especially as mulch for plant beds. They are acid, so they will make your hydrangeas blue-er! (For pinker hydrangeas, use baking soda! It’s the acid vs base thing…..)
Laura, what a delightful breakfast. I love the heart shaped bacon! Your kitchen is so light and cheery. And of course I love the red accents. 🙂 Your Valentine shelf with your darling aprons is fabulous!
hugs,
Jann
Love your table! I love that you are using your transfer ware and that it is not just sitting in the cabinet! Good idea about putting them in the outdoor compost though! I shall try that! Angelina @ Petite Haus.
Laura, my mouth is watering looking at your yummy table!
The love and care you put into creating meals and decorating are so admirable!
~ carol
Your table is just lovely, Laura and your breakfast looks scrumptious 🙂 And heart-shaped bacon!! Who knew? Love your valentine and apron display as well–so cheerful–Happy Valentine’s Day–
Laura this post is just dreamy, magazine worthy! I love your beautiful table, the lovely transferware dishes and your artful presentation of breakfast. I drink tea every day, and I am intrigued by your suggestion of rose tea. I am going to try it! Angelina at Petite Haus also has some French teas she loves that I have put on on my list of teas to try. I also love your recommendation of using the organic, reduced sugar preserves. I don’t eat sugar for health reasons, so it is nice to see others who are making wise food choices as well.
I am really enjoying getting to know your home and style. I love the vintage Valentine display on the shelf behind the table, and I spy a gorgeous teal curio/hutch piece at the end of the hallway! I would love to know more about it.
Thank you so much for joining this hop! HappyValentine’s Day!
Love, love, love the red and white!
Brenda
I would love to be eating your breakfast! I’m sure your family enjoyed it !
Love your transferware, heart shaped bacon and tea set.
Darling Valentine vignette on your shelf.
Laura, you’re breakfast looks so yummy and beautiful set on that wonderful red transferware. The shelf is so adorable all decked out with your Valentines and aprons, so so cute! thanks so much for joining us for the Hop! Now I’m hungry for breakfast!
Laura
A beautiful Valentine breakfast with beautiful vintage transfer ware, great vignette of your Valentine hearts and aprons. Such a fun blog hop.
Debby
Debbygoesshabby.blogspot.com
Laura,
Your table looks so sweet! I love the transferware. And the shelf display is adorable with the vintage Valentines and red aprons. What fun. Breakfast looks yummy…I’ll be right over! 😉
Cecilia
Laura,
What a charming tablescape and the food looks so yummy!! Love the Valentine’s display in your Kitchen!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Deb
Simply beautiful and perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Pink transferware. Swoon,
Your table is just beautiful and the food looks scrumptious. !
That looks very yummy!
Beautiful table Laura. I am feeling inspired to do my own now. I guess vacuuming will have to wait 😉
Your table setting is delightful (I love the combo of the china with the placemats) but the heart-shaped bacon is an absolute winner!
(Visiting for the first time, from the Hearth & Soul hop)
The additional Valentine’s decor in your kitchen is a great compliment to your beautiful table. Love the aprons and thanks for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story. Have a fun weekend!