We are all buzzing as the days grow warmer and sunnier, and there is a new air of hopefulness as the world begins to come to life again. 

So I set an outdoor table, complete with a Lemon Honeycomb Cake, perfectly portioned for snacking and sharing. We do like our mid-afternoon cup of tea with a little something and these hexagonal pieces are just right to “stay our stomachs” without spoiling our dinner.

Bees, by Williams Sonoma, is a new pattern this year. Originally it wasn’t going to ship until July, but something happened and to my joyous surprise, I received the order in late March. 

The black and white styling is very appealing. The gold accents are quite subtle – a nod to the glistering golden honey the busy bees produce.

The Hearth ‘n Hand galvanized chargers were from Target a couple of years ago (still in stock) and I note they now have a matching napkin ring. I’ve been very pleased with Hearth ‘n Hand products, including the dark green tumblers I found on eBay and used in the St. Patrick’s Day table earlier this year.

The black & gold trimmed dinner plates are Royal Prestige Nocturne, also an e-Bay find. They’re a really useful background plate, providing just a bit of oomph. The pink Bee napkin rings are from Pier 1 this year.

I had been itching for an excuse to acquire the Bunny Williams Silver Beehive Honey Pot. It’s nicely rendered with a clear glass liner so the honey doesn’t touch the metal. Ballard Designs had a big sale earlier this year and it was a heartening purchase for comfort during the lockdown. If I can’t travel, dammit, I will partake of honey from a pretty pot and pretend that I’m enjoying breakfast or tea in the English countryside. 

The little Bees Please pitcher you see in the background was from The Beehive Shoppe, an interesting hub of all things bee. Lots of honey pots, tea towels, cushion covers and baking items on offer.

The Lemon Honeycomb Cake is my latest attempt to find the perfect balance between a bundt-style cake substantial enough to release nicely from a shaped pan, light enough to bake evenly through the contortions of the shapes and bake quickly enough to remain moist.

More on that over on the Lemon Honeycomb Cake blog for interested bakers. 

I hope all my Canadian readers have a wonderful Victoria Day weekend. The weather is supposed to be lovely, and will no doubt be enjoyed as we get out into the sunshine and soak up the rays. 

Thanks for stopping by.