Woodridge Village Folk Art Print, Chicken Pot Pie, and Tea

Ellen and Richard Ekelstein have lived in Woodridge their entire lives. One of Ellen's favorite Bible verses is Romans 12:13, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality". She and her husband practice this verse in their daily lives. They are always ready to lend a helping hand and their home is always open to friends and family. Tonight Ellen is making her homemade "Chicken Pot Pie" to take to a dear friend who is under the weather.

" Ellen's Recipe"

Chicken Pot Pie

1 (15 oz.) pkg refrigerated pie crust (these are yummy if you've never tried them)

Filling:

1/3 Cup margarine or butter

1/3 Cup chopped onion

1/3 Cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 1/2 Cups chicken broth, (14.5 oz.) can

2/3 Cup milk

2 1/2 - 3 Cups shredded cooked chicken

2 Cups frozen mixed vegetables

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pie crusts using directions on pkg. for a 2 crust pie in a 9 inch pan.

In medium sauce pan, melt margarine over med. heat. Add onion & cook 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, & pepper until well blended. Gradually stir in broth & milk; cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened.

Add chicken & mixed vegetables; remove from heat. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust & flute; cut slits in several places.

Bake @ 425 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 min. before serving. Serves 6.

How about showing your hospitality by having a tea party. I've always dreamed of having a "tea party" in the garden and really need to learn from Ellen how to entertain. Your home is never going to be good enough, clean enough, etc., etc. We need to realize how important people are in our lives and invite them into our home. They won't notice the dust or that our homes look lived in, but will feel honored that you took the time for them in your hectic life.

I painted this little table years ago. It's actually a sewing box, but has been used instead to display a tiny tea cup and saucer and Mary Engelbreit's "Time For Tea" book. The table is painted with tiny pink roses and is antiqued and crackled to give it an aged look.

The spindles around the side of the box are for thread.

Even the inside of the box & lower shelf are painted with a border of tiny pink rose buds.

I bought this shelf at a flea market a few years ago in Iowa and it is now a place to display some of my tea cups.

On the top shelf is a little teapot shaped box that has a minature tea set inside.

One of my tiny painted cat ornaments hangs from a knob and a vintage linen towel hangs from the drawer.

I painted this shelf to match the faux hydrangea rug that I painted in our guest bedroom. Matching tea cups and a photo of my husband's grandfather adorn the top of the shelf.