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Friday, July 11, 2014

Lady Baltimore Cake Recipe & A Mad Hatter Tea Party


In my sweetest of dreams…
Oh! How I wish it could be…
That Miss Betty, Miss Christy, and I 
Could sit down to take tea.

I'm very excited to be participating in the 7th Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party Hop hosted by Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist. There are so many creative bloggers participating in this fun party starting Saturday morning, so make sure to visit her blog and check out the list. So much inspiration!

My tea party started out with a sweet invitation to join the Mad Hatter Tea, hosted by Lady Baltimore and the Prince of Orange. 

A sweet birdie advertised the party on her wreath to let all the neighborhood know about the upcoming festivities.

The chairs were covered in pretty embroidered vintage linens.

Each guest had her own glittery name card set in an antique flower frog.

A sweet orange spice tea was served in pretty rose cups.

This tea set was a special gift from my husband on our first Christmas. I love the pretty rose pattern and would love to find a cream and sugar set to match.

I made a Lady Baltimore cake for the occasion. It was filled with dates, raisins, and pecans, and the cake and frosting had a hint of lemon. I found the recipe in a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook from 1947.

Lady Baltimore Cake
3/4 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
3 c. cake flour
3/4 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
6 stiff-beaten egg whites
white frosting for 2 layer cake
1 c. chopped dates
1 c. raisins
1/2-1 c. chopped pecans

Thoroughly cream shortening and sugar. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk and water. Beat smooth after each addition. Add extracts. Fold in egg whites. Pour into two greased 9" square pans and bake at 350ยบ for 20-30 minutes. Mix about 3/4 c. frosting with dates, raisins, and pecans. Spread on first layer and then top with second layer. Frost cake with remaining frosting and decorate as desired.

Special thanks to my husband, Jamie, who spent hours on these pretty gum paste flowers to decorate the cake. They look beautiful and I love them!

More special thanks to my daughter, Lynzie, who did all the Alice In Wonderland artwork. Beautiful job!

My imaginary guests, Christy and Betty, are my mother and grandmother. Since they couldn’t be here to attend the lovely tea I prepared, I invited the next generation, my daughters, Lynzie, Selah, and Avalon, to enjoy it instead!

Don't forget to visit A Fanciful Twist on Saturday for a complete list of all the Mad Hatter Tea party hosts!



111 comments:

  1. That cake looks delicious . . . the setting is lovely . . . and I love that red transferware plate I spotted.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I love these pretty strawberry plates!

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  2. Very sweet, love the cake!

    This is me: http://msmisantropia.blogspot.se/2014/07/mad-purple-tea-party.html

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    1. Thanks for stopping by---I'll be visiting you this morning!

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  3. How delightful! Your girls must have had such fun!
    Thanks for sharing the recipe -
    I've always wanted to try to bake a Lady Baltimore Cake but was a little intimidated lol
    This is my first mad Tea - what a wonderful event!
    http://pennywiseblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-mad-tea-party.html

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    1. Oh! Let me know if you try it out! It was super easy and everyone thought it was lovely with the lemon. I'll come check out your post this morning too!

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  4. The Lady Biltmore Cake sounds divine!! Your party is gorgeous! We've saved a seat for you at our tea party, too! http://whatamberloves.com/2014/07/12/mad-tea-party-2014/

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  5. What a beautiful and creative family you have.
    I love getting inspirations from vintage (and antique) publications.

    http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-fanciful-twists-7th-annual-mad-tea.html

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I have many old books that I need to blog about more!

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  6. What a lovely party, your guests are so adorable! Thanks for the cake recipe, I've always wondered what went into it. I'm SO envious of your beautiful vintage linens.

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    1. Thank you! I've collected them for a few years now...just hitting up yard sales and thrift shops for a good price!

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  7. Yum yum yum! Can't get over that cake! Don't you love when the daughters are involved! My girl helped me out too- http://strangegirlinalittlehouse.blogspot.com/2014/07/welcome-to-mad-tea-party-2014.html

    Thank you for sharing your lovely party with us!!

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    1. It was a super tasty cake! I'll come visit you today!

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  8. Mmmm spiced orange cake, thank you! I do hope you will visit my little party! ~Tricia.
    http://castlesncrownsboutique.blogspot.com/2014/07/mad-tea-party-2014-and-giveaway.html

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    1. Yes, I did visit, and I signed up for your Europe party for next week, too! Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Thank you for having me.....your party was candy for the eye...all of the lovely linens and china....and the cake! Yummy! Your daughter is quite talented....loved her art :)

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    1. Thank you, Rett. Yes, she's a blessing, for sure!

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  10. A truly delightful vintage tea party, I'm loving all your embroidered linens and tea set. The orange tea sounds simply delicious.

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  11. Sarah,
    Thanks for the lovely, mad, tea! Your Lady Baltimore cake is beautifully whimsical! :-)
    ~Carmen~

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    1. It was nice to have you, Carmen, thanks for visiting!

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  12. Oh, Sarah.... this made me cry. I feel like I was there with you. Grandma betty would have loved this. Love mom

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  13. What a beautiful family gathering! I am certain your mother and grandmother are both enjoying it with you. If I see a cream jug and sugar bowl that matches your tea set I will send it to you :D XXX

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  14. Everything looks so pretty!! Thanks for recipe!! :)
    You're welcome to come by and visit me or a spot of tea, too. @http://dandeliontwist.blogspot.com/2014/07/its-good-day-for-mad-tea-party.html

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    1. No problem! I loved your party too!

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    2. Saying hi again~ :) Have a magical weekend!!

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  15. Well, hey, as long as they're sweet! :) I'll come visit you soon!

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  16. What beautiful tea party ladies! Did they enjoy the cake, too? I love all of your pretty linens and crochet...your table is lovely! I just did a post about my Arkansas gals (dolls) that I made. I see you are from Arkansas, too! Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs!

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    1. I saw your doll post earlier today...lovely! Yes, everyone enjoyed the cake---but I just realized, I never did finish mine! I'd better have some tonight!

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  17. What a delightful visit for the Mad Tea Party. Thank you so much for visiting KayeSwain.com and inviting me. And YES, I would love to subscribe to your Homemaking Party and email reminders. I LOVE vintage delights - whether it's old vintage homes or vintage home decor. It's always so fun to meet kindred spirits online, isn't it :)

    What a treat to meet your lovely family and how fun to hear of your sweet daughter, Lynzie, and her grand help. My grandkids usually have fun helping me, but this year, it was a sweet little friend of theirs. And oh, I LOVE that floral tea set. What a treat.

    All in all, it was a scrumptious time and a sweet visit and I look forward to linking up with you for the future. Have a blessed and beautiful day at the Mad Tea Party 2014.

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    1. Thank you, Kaye, I've added you to the list and I look forward to getting to know you better!

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  18. That cake was gorgeous! Your husband and yourself did a very nice job! Thanks for letting me visit!

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  19. Thanks for attending my site. I finally got my tea party up a few minutes ago. Please check it out. http://katspurrfectboutique.blogspot.com/2014/07/first-annual-mad-hatter-tea-party-2014.html It looks like you had a great time at yours too. Katharine

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    1. I stopped by your party---lovely! Thanks for visiting me!

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  20. Did you say LEMON? ;) I'm there! Oh Sarah, everything looks splendid ... and yummy. I am absolutely in love with the orange and yellow flowers on your cake, and I am grabbing your recipe later today. I love trying out recipes shared by blogging friends. Something about it seems as if we're actually all together in our kitchens.
    Be back again soon. Thank you for stopping by the imaginatory. ;)
    Lovely guests you had here. :)
    xoxo's

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comments! Yes, I love lemon flavors---and loved all the yellow on your blog today too!

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  21. Oh what a lovely party you have. All the sweet treats and tea was delicious. I've written down the recipe and will look it over soon. Thank you. Please visit me:
    momentsinaneye.blogspot.com

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  22. CHEERS!!! What sunny HAPPY addition to our blog-to-blog party of tea & madness!!! LOVE it all... -xo

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  23. A sweet tea indeed. How I would have love a piece of the cake.
    I am sipping tea out of my strawberry cup just like your little plate right now.
    How I would have loved sitting right here for tea.

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    1. And I would have loved to have had you here, Marilyn!

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  24. What a delightful and joyous Mad Tea Party! The Lady Baltimore cake is superb, and how lovely your husband made the gum paste flowers. Wow!
    You have a very sweet family! I adore how you decorated the table and chairs with vintage embroidered embellishments. Thank you for coming for a visit to my party too! And your daughter made some very special Alice party favors too!
    Teresa in California
    http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

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  25. Ohhh it looks yummy your Lady Baltomire cake...can i have a pice...???
    Happy Unbirthday to you and your little friends...
    Kerstin from Germany
    Cobblestone Prims

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  26. Oh wow...Lady Baltimore cake. That's something I used to have at my Grandmother's house when I was a wee-girl...brings back such memories. Also, your husband made those flower petals? Seriously? That takes patience and creativity! ...and those invitations are cute, too. Also, I love the vintage table linens...all of it..so pretty. :)

    Sorry my stupid LJ gave you comment hassles but once again, thanks for letting me know. Hopefully I was able to fix it properly. I'd hate to have everyone to be growing annoyed with it.

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    1. Yes, he is very patient and loves to do those intricate things. I say, let him do it!

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  27. What a lovely group to party with! Your hubby has a great talent for fondant flowers! Wow!!! Your cake is just beautiful amongst your lovely tea settings!
    Thank you for the cake recipe! Yum!!! Cheers to you and your adorable tea guest! ;)

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  28. Mmm that Lady Baltimore cake recipe seems fabulous! I need to try it! What a gorgeous table and your lovely guests look ever so happy to be there! Thank you for the invitation, I have had a lovely time here! Oh and thank you for visiting my party earlier! Happy Mad Tea Partying day!
    xoxo
    Gigi

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet compliments!

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  29. How fun to get the family involved, your husband did the flowers? amazing, you have beautiful daughters! Talented family, Loved your Tea! Thanks for visiting me,
    Celeste, Plumfield House Gardens
    http://plumfieldhousegardens.blogspot.com/

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  30. Very pretty party setting. The cake is pretty as well and sounds tasty. you need to post the frosting recipe. Thanks for the invite.
    Susan

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    1. Oh yes, well you could use any white frosting and just add your flavoring. I didn't post it because...I never measure! I just dump my ingredients! I suppose it would be approximately 1 c. shortening, 3 lb. powdered sugar, and then your extracts and however much milk you need to make it the right spreading consistency. I'd start with a couple TB and add a TB at a time.

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  31. The cake looks delicious, and I love the way you did the placecards. Thank you for visting my tea party and your kind comment. Your daughter is very talented, the art work is great.

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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  32. What an absolutely BEAUTIFUL tea...everything looks amazing and the cake.....TO.DIE.FOR.
    I love your guests most of all.....:)
    xo bj

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  33. Gorgeous tea! The setting was spectacular and the decor phenomenal. Thank you for sharing the cake recipe, I will have to try it. The girls look so happy to be able to have a tea party. So great!

    Moments Divine

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    1. It was a wonderful day! Make sure to let me know if you try the cake!

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  34. Absolutely delightful! so special! Love the treats and the guests are so adorable! :D

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  35. What a lovely party! Mmm! Now I want cake!

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  36. Sarah, you beautiful beautiful soul! Oh, your mad tea party is precious, and the darling heart melting faces of the little ones enjoying their treats nearly brought tears to my eyes for some reason, they have angel faces!!!

    You are such a lovely person, thank you for being you!! Honestly, so so lovely.

    Thank you so much for joining in the Mad Tea magic!
    A very merry unbirthday to you!

    <3 Vanessa {A Fanciful Twist}



    ps: I am smitten with the Lady Baltimore cake, I must give it a whirl when the weather cools down a little <3

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    1. Thanks, Vanessa! I had a great time doing the tea and will be on the lookout for another next summer!

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  37. Yes, I did stop by---thank you! They really did enjoy it. I'm glad I invited them!

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  38. What a lovely little tea party! I love all things vintage, and your blog is a new treasure for me! Thanks for sharing!

    http://scrapsavings.blogspot.com

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  39. A perfect tea party.I enjoyed every minute.Thank You -Denise

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  40. Ooo thanks for the recipe for the Lady Baltimore cake it looks scrumptious. I loved all the Alice invitations and place settings.

    http://phoenixra.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/fairyland-goes-tea-party-crazy.html

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  41. I loved attending your party sooo much! I see that we share a love of beautiful non-matching vintage china and linens (love setting a tea table that way!!!!). And I see that you even had a place for someone named Betty! How sweet of you to honor your mother and grandmother this way! Just lovely! And thank you so, so much for attending my tea and meeting Victorienne and Purple Kitty! They were so happy you were there!

    Wishing you a wonderful rest of your Mad Tea Party Weekend!

    Betty

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  42. I hope you will forgive me! I ate two pieces of cake. It was so good! I've heard of Lady Baltimore cake, but this is the first time I was ever able to taste it. Thank you so much for such wonderful treats!

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  43. That cake looks so yummy!!! What a beautiful tea party, and it looks like your adorable guests had a wonderful time too!

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  44. That cake is beautiful and looks so yummy!!! What a lovely party! I am so glad I stopped in for a visit. That you for the invitation.

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  45. Fabulous!! Your celebration is delightful, my Dear...I'm so glad I stopped by!
    Hugs,
    Anne
    www.alittlefurinthepaint.blogspot.com

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  46. Oh Sarah! Your Tea Party is wonderful! I enjoyed all the details: the teapot and teacups...the artwork by your daughter...the gorgeous cake by your husband...Congratulations! It was a pleasure to visit you.
    Besos from Argentina,
    Silvina

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    1. Thank you, Silvina! I enjoyed stopping by your party, too!

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  47. What a wonderful tea setting and that cake is such a show stopper. Well done to the man who made the flowers! Everything looks so pretty and so Alice. I'm sure your daughters will have wonderful memories of this occasion!

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  48. You made a vintage recipe?! I am sooo impressed. I bet you had "helpers" too! It is so nice to meet you and your lovely young ladies at Tea Cup Tuesday. ~Mary

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  49. How beautiful! Your linens and chair covers are so pretty! I am a stamper and card maker so I love your invite. I have those Alice stamps and they are always popular! Thanks for sharing the cake recipe!

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  50. Hi: What a fun tea party! I can't pick what I like the most. The linens on the chairs are so cute. I will have to go and look at the rest of this party on Saturday. It looks like so much fun. Have a great week and thank you for joining Tea Cup Tuesday. Blessings, Martha

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  51. What a fun tea party! Love the linens and your cake looks wonderful. Your tea guests are darling! Thank you for joining me for tea and Happy Summer!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  52. It was so fun to create and draw the characters for Mom. I felt like I blessed her with this work. I'm glad that it worked out so beautifully. Thanks for having me and the girls enjoy the tea party.

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    1. Yes honey, you're definitely a blessing to me!

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  53. Your tea party is definitely a terrific Mad Tea Party! Love all the different patterns and on the chairs and the table. Your dishes are so pretty too! That Lady Baltimore cake looks delicious! Your husband did a terrific job on those lovely flowers--definitely the icing on the cake (literally!). I hope you have a wonderful week :).

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  54. Beautiful! I LOVE the artwork, my mouth literally watered at the cake! YUM!

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  55. Such a lovely party! I love the artwork and the flowers on the cake are superb!
    blessings
    ~*~

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  56. What a lovely party. Such sweet young guests!

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  57. Love a tea party!! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!

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  58. Your cake looks so wonderful and what a sweet table - so glad you shared with Tea In The Garden!

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  59. What a delightful day that must have been! Thank you for sharing your inspiring tea on the Art of Home-Making Mondays. Truly a pleasure to view :)

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  60. Stopping by to Thank you for sharing at One More Time Events and let you know you have been featured at this weeks party!

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  61. Sarah, what a fabulously fun tea party! The cake looks delicious and love the flowers hubby made! Thanks so much for sharing it with SYC. I will be featuring you this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I read each one of them and love to respond back to those who visit! Please consider signing up for EMAIL NOTICES so you'll have a reminder of our weekly HOMEMAKING PARTY---and more! Have a wonderful day!

Mrs. Sarah Coller

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