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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.

Monday, 14 November 2011

Tea Time Tuesday


"Usefulness is not impaired by imperfection. You can drink from a chipped cup." ~ Greta Nagel

Welcome my lovely friends to Tea Time Tuesday ~
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend. I have been down with a bug for almost a week and I'm still fighting this wretched thing. First Hubby got it and then me. I've been drinking lots of ginger tea....

But enough about that and on to a more pleasant topic...
There is a sense of anticipation in the air, can you feel it? The holidays are coming and I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to decorating and baking and wrapping presents! I'm also planning a Christmas Tea which I will talk about further on in this post.

A few weeks ago, I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea with Carolyn of Aiken House and Gardens. As you all know she had won my Blogiversary Giveaway and I wanted to deliver it to her in person. So she invited me and our mutual friend Heather to an afternoon respite.

This is a photo of Carolyn's home that I took just as I got out of the car. My photo is somewhat crooked, but you can see how charming her home is.  


Her little garden cottage stands just a few steps away from her front door. One can view it from the kitchen window too. Can you imagine gazing out the window while preparing tea and cookies and seeing this little gem? It's as cute as a button, isn't it?


This little vignette greets you as you enter the front porch. I adore the sheep!


Once seated in Carolyn's cozy sitting room, we all enjoyed a lovely cup of tea and some scrumptious homemade Raspberry Coffee Cake. That is yours truly on the left and my friend Heather is on the right. I borrowed this photo from Carolyn. Carolyn herself escaped the lens this time but I will get a photo of her next time!


Carolyn and I played together as little girls until I moved away to another community. Then we met again through our mutual friend Heather whom I have been friends with for forty years. Heather's husband and I hung out together in High School so the friendship goes back a very long way.

Carolyn and I both share a love of red transferware. This was my teacup that afternoon. Isn't it beautiful? Love the toile and gold trim, very classy!




Carolyn's wonderful coffee cake.


Carolyn has such impeccable taste in her decor and she collects many different colours of transferware including the red. This is a lovely display of her brown and cream which was in the sitting room where we had our tea. Isn't it pretty? Love the display cabinet!



We all enjoyed a lovely afternoon and I thank Carolyn for her gracious hospitality.




A few weeks ago when Hubby and I were in NB,  we went thrifting and I found some new treasures. Do you like my 'new to me' teacup?


It is Old English Rose by Royal Albert and I really love the shape of it! The fuchsia and pink roses as well as the small pedestal with its thin gold trim make it a delightful teacup. This particular pattern has been out of production for many years so I am pleased to have found it. It has a beautiful handle with a thumb rest and sponged on gold adorning the teacup as well as the saucer; a lovely addition to my collection of teacups.



Tea quenches tears and thirst. ~ Jeanine Larmoth and Charlotte Turgeon




Now, about my upcoming Tea Party ~
On December 5th I will be hosting my Embrace The Season ~ Christmas Tea and I would like to invite you all to come and join me.
I thought a Christmas Tea accompanied by your favourite holiday recipe, memory, or craft would be nice. Perhaps you have some lovely Christmas teacups, mugs, or a teapot which you would like to share with us or maybe you have a teacup tree. If you don't have any holiday china, you are still welcome to join in as usual. I'm looking forward to seeing all your favourite tea things for the holidays!
I have made a button which you can use in your post or place on your sidebar. Just right click and save into your computer then place it wherever you like.


So mark your calendars and join me on December 5 for what should be a lovely time for us all!

Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.

I am so happy you have stopped by today and I invite you to join me for Tea Time Tuesday! All you have to do is share a favourite tea cup or teapot, a coffee mug, or something tea related. If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: apple cider, iced tea or iced coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, or punch. The TTT button on my sidebar is available for you to use in your post or place on your sidebar if you wish. A poem, tea quote, or scripture verse would be more than welcome! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.


"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand." ~ Psalm 139:17-18

I am joining the following parties as well~

Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Teacup Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee 

Tea Party Tuesday 


Friends Sharing Tea

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

43 comments :

  1. What a special time! I love the Aiken House blog. You must have ahd a wonderful time. I love the RA teacup. One of my favorites of their pretty rose patterns. Happy TT.
    Cheers!
    R

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  2. Oh this is just a dream dear Sandi!..,A vision of loveliness; how very delightful for the two of you dear lady!

    What a fabulous house, a gracious lady Carolyn is, and such prettily yummy looking tea treats.., Oh my!

    Thanks so much for joining us once again for tea; we always delight in having you partake.

    Hugs, Wanda Lee

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  3. Dear Sandi,
    that new photo in your profile is so lovely. How amazing to meet Carolyn in her house. All looks really inviting and cozy. To sit there in front of the fireplace with tea and this delicious cake, must be a pure delight. The display of the cups is really marvellous. And so is the red transferware cup. When I discovered your new Royal Albert cup, I thought, the pattern would be American Beauty. It seems quite alike for me. How interesting, that there is a further sweet pattern, named Old English Rose. They have so stunning patterns. I noticed the date of your Christmas Tea Party and would love to join in. Thank you for hosting this wonderful event.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  4. How wonderful to get you and Carolyn in one post today! Such a treat to visit you both. Lovely Royal Albert tea cup! I am marking down you Christmas Tea and putting your button in my sidebar. Thank you for hosting us always!
    Sherry

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  5. Sandi, I enjoyed the pictures so much. So glad you had a wonderful time.

    All the treats look so delicious. Love tea things.

    Thanks ever so much for hosting.

    Barb ♥

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  6. I had this vision of the two of you playing along like Anne of Green Gables and Diana. How wonderful to have such a friendship and to share similar interests! My heart has been filled with joy knowing you all.
    Your tea looks wonderful - just love that beautiful teacup you found - a treasure. I always enjoy the first of the week - sharing tea! Hope you feel better - they're getting sick to the left and to the right of me here! Doing my best to take care of them and to not catch it!
    Thanks so much for hosting!
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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  7. What a wonderful visit you must have had. I just adore her blog as I do yours. Looking forward to the Christmas Tea.

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  8. Hello my sweet friend!!!
    I LOVE your Photo picture on your About Me area.

    What a lovely tea party you gals had. I loved your teacup and the goodies looked so yummy!

    I will definitely try to participate in your Christmas Tea. I have some Christma Tea Cups that will be fun to share and hopefully by then things in my studio with have settled.

    So glad I stopped by...hope you are doing well!

    Hugs and Love,
    Lorena

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  9. Hello Sandi
    Hope you are feeling better soon. I would love to come back to PEI and visit both you and Carolyn for tea.
    Your new tea cup is pretty, pink of course, and is a nice addition to your collection.
    I'm afraid to buy any more, no room to store them. :-)
    I've marked the Christmas tea on my calendar and should have something better than ginger snaps to serve by then.
    Judith

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  10. I'm swooning over the red transferware! Gorgeous. Love the new cup, too. Happy Tea Day!

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  11. I am really exciting thinking about your Christmas Tea Party
    I have to thing what I am goinbg to show!
    Love

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  12. Hi Sandi, I loved seeing pictures of your tea with Carolyn. Also love your new tea cup. Have a wonderful week! Feel better!
    Hugs, Beth

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  13. Hi Sandi! A delightful teatime with a blogger friend, indeed. My post this week is similar, but MUCH more casual.

    I am looking very forward to the Christmas Tea you are planning! I'm thinking even now as to what I should highlight! So many stories - which would be best . . .

    Joy!
    Kathy

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  14. You had the most delightful tea and visit. Carolyn has such a cute home. I love your new tea cup! I have a small collection of Old English Rose myself. You gave a wonderful description of it!
    You have the best tea quotes of anybody I know! Thank you for the warm welcome back to blogging and the encouraging words.
    Good Health and Blessings
    Pam

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  15. Everything is so lovely, Sandi! Thank you for sharing your afternoon with Carolyn. What a beautiful home she has! I'm so sorry you've been ill. I hope you're feeling much better soon!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  16. How wonderful to have tea with friends. Carolyn's house is so charming, must have been enjoyable and a real treat even just to see it. Your rose cup sea is lovely, Sandi...Christine

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  17. Greetings, Sandi!

    I hope you are feeling better today.

    What a lovely post! I look forward to your Dec. 5th Tea. It was so fun to see the rose-covered tray that I brought Carolyn when I visited her in August! It all seems like a dream ago now...Where does the time go?! Before you know, the holidays will be on our doorstep...

    Hugs,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  18. Hi Sandi: Love the house. It is beautiful. I am excited about the Christmas Party, count me in. Love your new cup, stunning. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

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  19. How wonderful to get to visit with an old friend.

    hope this finds u feeling better!

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  20. Hi Sandi~
    Wow, what a nice post! Sweet visit with your dear friends. The food, setting, decor and company were all wonderful. Love the display cabinet and sheep. Your cup is charming. SO exciting to see you are planning a Christmas tea...I hope to participate! :)
    hugs
    shawn

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  21. What a charming home. I love the tea set, and that coffee cake looks yummy.

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  22. Sandi this is a lovely post. You really looked like you and your friends had a lovely time. Your friends home is beautiful.
    I also have a Royal Albert teacup like your new one. I love the shape and colour. xx

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  23. I did not post a teatime story today, but truly enjoyed visiting you and your friends in such a sweet place for tea. What a nice time for you all, what a lovely home. I love the red transfer-ware especially.

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  24. Such a visit you three and tea. What a lovely time you must have had at Carolyn's. I can imagine looking out the window onto this little cottage and hope to see it too some day. I adore the display of tea cups and the little sheep. Everything and one looks cozy in Carolyn's sitting room.
    Your new tea cup in wonderful, amazes me how your capture the life of a tea cup. A Christmas tea is a great idea, hum...I haven't a thing to wear, well that won't stop me I'm off thrifting a Christmas tea set, wish me luck!

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  25. Hello Sandi...
    I am joining your party for the first time...hope all work's!

    I must say above all, there is nothing more wonderful to have tea with a good friend, as you did with yours...
    Carolyn"s home is very pretty,as is her transfer ware chins set...I didn't know until now that this type of china is called "transfer ware"...
    You found some thing very beautiful in NB...lucky lady!
    Blessings
    Grace
    (from MB:)

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  26. Good morning, Sandi. When I first saw your blog, I noticed it says "40 days until Christmas". I am like, no way!! We are almost there and I haven't gotten anything ready yet. Oh well, time to start. LOL...
    I love the story of you and your dear friends. It is a great blessing to have friends that you grew up with. I still have best friends from my childhood and get to see them at least once a year. That is really not enough time to see someone you love, but distance will not allow more time. Carolyn's home is very beautiful. I love the flowers at the entrance and she seems like a great hostess.
    Your cup is wonderful and the big roses that adorn the cup are delightful. I can see you enjoying many great teas in this cup.
    Thank you for a lovely post today.
    Have an awesome day!
    Brenda

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  27. Sandy, thank you for sharing your day with your friend. Her home is indeed gorgeous! Love the red transfer ware too! Your new cup is a lovely pattern.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  28. How wonderful to go and deliver your giveaway in person, totally great Sandi and to an old "real" friend from way back...too special! Lovely house too. What a delightful time you must've had with memmories of teenhood while zipping tea and having cake. A vision of loveliness like Wanda Lee says! Thanks for sharing and for hosting, I'm so glad I joined!
    FABBY

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  29. How lovely for two friends to enjoy a teatime celebration together... I adore Carolyns redware pattern.. I've never seen it before .... Thanks for sharing all your friendly pictures too.

    Your Old English Rose cup is gorgeous and one of my favorite patterns... I have a few pieces myself and they're simply the best for giving you that special teatime ambiance. ...Glad that you are feeling better... HUGS

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  30. Hi Sandi,
    What a nice tea you shared here!
    The rose tea cup and saucer is so lovely!
    I also loved that white display cabinet at your friend's house.
    Very original and beautiful!
    Hugs

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  31. Wow, you have a lot in your post. First off, I'm glad you're feeling better. What a lovely tea! It's so neat to hear of your long friendship with Carolyn. Love your new teacup. And hmm... a Christmas tea on December 5th. That sounds so soon!

    - The Tablescaper

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  32. I also shared a thrifted Royal Albert teacup today. Yours is lovely, Sandi.

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  33. Thanks for sharing your visit to Carolyn's home. What a wonderful time you and Heather had there!

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  34. I'm full of envy over your visit with Carolyn for tea! What a treat that would be! I also love the "chipped tea cup" quote heading your post. Your new RA teacup is a beauty. They have so many lovely patterns. I hope you shake your bug soon. I've had one dragging me down too! boooo!

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  35. Hi Sandi,
    Sorry to hear you have been down with the flu and I hope you feel better soon.
    I was surprised to see my house pop up today on your blog-how quickly the season changes as the leaves have mostly fallen since that beautiful day.Thank you for your sweet words on our afternoon tea.
    I am a little late to the party as I was been decorating the 'cottage' for Christmas.
    I love your new teacup-another friend of mine has a beautiful collection of this pattern.
    Take care,
    Carolyn

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  36. I just had to visit this week despite the craziness and enjoy your prose, photos and feelings of tranquility I get reading your posts! Thx!

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  37. Hi Sweetie!!!
    Thank you for your encouraging words and your recent visit! I guess I just needed to know I am not invisible...was feeling that way for some reason. lol

    My headaches have gotten worse since before I had my Hystorectomy. When we moved to this area I had allergies but they have gotten worse...molds can be really bad here this time of year and they seem to be my trigger. Today was another day I woke to a headache. I am really going to go to our Lord in prayer and ask for deliverance...thank you for doing that on my behalf!

    You have so encouraged me and I thank GOD for you and the many other bloggy friends who have been there for me!

    You have blessed me...be blessed!
    Lorena

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  38. Hi Sandy your new cup and saucer is so pretty! I can't wait for the Christmas tea party coming up and hope to participate. I also noticed your new profile picture - very pretty lady! I hope you have a wonderful week. I'm a little late joining the party this week. Blessings, Pamela

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  39. Hello Sandi,
    Hope you recover soon.
    Your 'new-to-you' cup and saucer is very pretty, I like the handle and the touch of gold.
    I am well and truly into the Christmas Spirit....Love this time of year.
    Looking forward to your Christmas Tea Party.
    God Bless
    Barb from Australia

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  40. Hi Sandi,
    sorry to hear you have been unwell - I hope you are on the mend now, my friend!
    Your rosey 'new' cup is very pretty indeed.
    So is your lovely new profile photo!
    Looks like you and Heather had a wonderful day at Carolyn's.
    What a great lady..and gorgeous home!
    I'm really looking forward to your Christmas Tea and hope to be able to join you :-)
    Thanks so much for linking to LACE and leaving such a lovely comment.
    Lots of love in Jesus..Trish

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  41. Sandi, you are just so sweet and post the most wonderful pix. I always enjoy everything you do. I'm not sure how this tea party thing works....I keep meaning to ask someone about it. I think I'm missing out on some fun. Could you enlighten me when you have time?
    My Tasha Tudor group has a virtual ST Nick's tea on Dec 6th...ST Nick's Day.
    Thanks,
    Linda

    PS...get well soon

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  42. Oh my - what a dream to get to visit her home - delightful! But you bring so much to the table yourself and your blog is wonderful!

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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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