Faith Family Friends

Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Tea Time Tuesday


Hello ladies~ Come on in and have a seat. I'm so happy you have dropped by! It's Tuesday and that means it's time for tea here at Rose Chintz Cottage!

When my hubby and I got married, like most young couples, we didn't have very much. Most of the things we owned, we purchased ourselves. Among those things was my first set of dishes called Alicia Rose which was Ironstone and it was made in England.

I had saved up my money and went to Eatons department store and purchased a set because I loved the roses on it. It was a six piece place setting for eight which included a dinner plate, salad plate, cereal/soup bowl, fruit nappie, and a teacup and saucer. The set also included its own stemware, flatware, dessert bowls and matching tea plates. I loved it and used it for many years. I also purchased the matching tea pot, sugar/creamer, and salt/pepper shakers. There was also a large platter and vegetable bowl.

Unfortunately, I only have a few pieces left; the platter, the veggie bowl, and teacups along with a few dessert plates. Most of the dishes have some crazing on them but that just adds to their charm, I think. I am still using the flatware too.
Mmmm, what could be better on a cold Winter's day than a hot cup of tea, freshly baked tea biscuits, home made strawberry jam, and a dollop of clotted cream on the side?
Please help yourself; I have plenty!

When I was pondering what story to share with you today, I came across this short story in my little devotional, Tea Time with God. The scripture verse caught my eye and brought a smile to my face because it was one I often posted on the refrigerator when my three boys were growing up.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"- Psalm 133:1

Like most little ones, they had their squabbles, but today they are the best of friends. I have one son living near me but the other two live off Island. The youngest goes to university in Toronto and the other lives in Vancouver with his family. So, when we are able to get together as a family, we really appreciate it and enjoy one another, which leads me to this story.
One of the most interesting of all natural phenomena to witness is the nightly return of the "fairie penguins" to their rooks in the sand dunes off southern Australia. You were right, Beth!

Morgan Freeman does a documentary on these adorable little creatures called "The March of the Penguins."
These penguins, only about a foot in height, swim for days, even weeks, fishing for food. When dusk approaches, one or more groups of fairie penguins return home. As if the waves are spurting ink onto the sand, they spill out of the surf, then together in tight clusters as if gathering the courage to cross the naked sands. They make a bold dash for the dunes, hopping up and over any obstacles they encounter, each penguin hobbling toward its rook on a well-worn, tiny path.

Once at home, each penguin greets his or her "spouse" at the opening of the sandy cave which they share. They peck at each other as if kissing. They usually mate for life, and they take equal responsibility for nurturing their young.

After the initial greeting, both of the mated penguins may move down their path, as if to "greet" their nearest neighbors with a friendly hello. Tiny clusters of four, six, or eight penguins can be seen "chattering" for ten minutes or longer. Before dark, all the penguins have made their way into the safety of their rooks, where they feed their young and spend a quiet night.

The next day, the mate that has returned stays behind to guard the rook while the other mate goes to sea. Like clockwork, the penguins again march to the water, hurl themselves through the crashing waves, and regroup beyond the surf line to form raftlike structures that will "float" the seas in search of food.

What a beautiful image of God's family these creatures provide for us, as they cheerfully live and work together in unity.

I hope you enjoyed your tea today and you will come back next week to join me once again. Those of you who would like to share a piece of your china, be it a tea pot, teacup, or a favourite china mug and a story or scripture verse, please let me know in your comment and I will happily add your link to this post. Have a lovely day everyone.
My lovely participants:

13 comments :

  1. Hi Sandi,
    Pretty teacups and your biscuits look good too.
    I think the penquins set a good exsample for us!
    I have joined in for your tea time Tuesday-thanks for hosting.
    Take care,
    Carolyn

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  2. Hi Sandi.. What a wonderful post! Regrettably, I was not able to find time to post for tea today.. and I really DO look forward to it too! Next week for sure! Tea was lovely here today, and the biscuits were delicious! Thank you so much! ~tina

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  3. Hello Sandi
    I have joined you for Tea Time Tuesday and want to tell you that I bought the exact same Alicia Rose set from Eatons with the glassware and cutlery too.
    So long ago, and I don't have one piece left because it was sold at a garage sale as I moved on to other dishes and glasses.
    The penguin story was very enjoyable.
    Judith

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  4. Hello Sandi, I just love your china and the tea biscuits look great!
    Thanks for filling us in on the penguins. Great story!
    I didn't realize you did Tea Time Tuesday...maybe in the future I can join you.
    God bless - Beth

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  5. Hi Sandi~ Great analogy with the peguins and beautiful tea cups~ How wonderful that you still have from your first set. I enjoyed hearing about how you saved and going to get them~ I bet that makes them all more cherished ~ We are joining you again today for tea~Blessings Love Heather

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  6. I came from Carolyn's... such lovely teacups you ladies have... cheers!

    cielo

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  7. Always a joy to have you visit sweet Sandi!

    I love the rose dishes! I bought a sweet little cup today but it was missing it's saucer. No biggie to me because the cup is darling.

    Love the Tea Time Tuesday and the Penguin story soooo wonderful!

    xoRebecca

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  8. This post was so lovely. I love that you link people. That is so kind of you. In two weeks, i will have a special post about a tea party.
    I would love to be friends.
    www.lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com

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  9. Oh what great china! You share the best stories on tea time Tuesday! I really need to get it together adn join in!!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  10. Good Morning Sandi,
    What a beautiful post this not so sunny day here on the coast.
    I love your beautiful rose dishes, so sweet. The story of the penguins is awesome. I did not know about these little guys. They are so dedicated. It's wonderful.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  11. Such lovely teacups. Wish I could stop by for a cup.

    - The Tablescaper

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  12. I googled "Alicia Rose" china and found your lovely blog post. I have a complete set of these dishes from my mother, and would sure love to add more dinner plates to it! I must have every single size platter and serving bowl they made (one has been repaired), which I rarely use as I prefer pottery bowls.

    Great to find a fellow believer with the same china, lol.

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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