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.

Monday 4 June 2012

Tea Time Tuesday


"It's the month of June,
the month of leaves and roses,
when pleasant sights salute the eyes
and pleasant scents the noses." ~ Nathaniel Parker Willis

Hello dear friends and welcome to Tea Time Tuesday ~
This is my first tea party in the month of June. I hope we all enjoy this delightful month and the coming season!

It's lilac time at Rose Chintz Cottage. Soon my roses will be blooming too....


Whenever I see lilacs, I think of my grandmother....
Tomorrow, June 5th, is the date my beloved grandmother passed away. Although it was many years ago, I still miss her even after all these years.



When I was born, we lived on my grandparents' farm which was the hub of the community at the time. Now known as Riverview, New Brunswick, my grandparents owned the largest farm in the neighborhood and everyone knew who my grandparents were.
My grandmother was an outstanding cook and home maker and no one ever showed up on her doorstep that they didn't get fed.
Her hands were never idle and she was always available to lend a helping hand to her friends and neighbors. I adored her!




"I am thinking of the lilac-trees,
that shook their purple plumes,
And when the sash was open,
Shed fragrance through the room." ~
Mrs. Anna S. Stephens "The Old Apple-Tree"


I know some of you ladies appreciate old recipe books. This is my grandmother's recipe book from her school girl days which makes it almost a hundred years old. Her maiden name was Downing. Does the name sound familiar? It is the most famous street in England.





The pages which are in her own handwriting, are yellowed and very fragile. Most are soiled from the many years of baking and cooking her wonderful meals.



...a precious keepsake of a dearly beloved lady!






Thank you for the wonderful memories, Granny. I miss you!



I was going to bake her Scotch Scones for our tea but one of the ingredients was not clear and I dare not try to bake them without the correct amount. So, I made my own tea biscuits.



It's also rhubarb season on the Island....



I have some rhubarb fresh from my DIL's garden and so I made up a batch of sauce to go with the biscuits. I always add just a bit of orange juice to the sauce to give it a wee bit more zing.

Rhubarb Sauce
Combine in saucepan:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water with about 1 tbsp. orange juice
{OPT. 2 tsp. red jello powder to add colour}
Dissolve sugar in liquids, then bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and add 4 cups rhubarb cut into 1 inch pieces.
Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Doesn't it look scrumptious in the JB Rose Chintz fruit nappie which is one of the many pieces given to me by my Auntie P.




Rhubarb sauce is lovely on its own, on biscuits or scones, toast, and cake, or poured over ice cream.
Our rhubarb season is very short so we Islanders make up as much of the lovely fruit as we can!



I found this pretty Johnson Bros. square plate on eBay a few years ago and I am serving my tea biscuits on it.

Can you smell the lilacs?




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

I also have some warm rhubarb crisp with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Mmm....



The pink depression glass bowl was a gift from my cousin Val.

Today I am drinking my tea from Deb's teacup which she sent me a few weeks ago. It is very dainty and made by Jason china. Decorated with what appears to be hydrangeas, it is a gently scalloped cup and saucer set with gold trim on both pieces.




Isn't it sweet? I had shared about this dainty cup on Pink Saturday a couple of weeks ago but some of you may not have seen it. Thank you Deb for your kindness. You may visit Deb here at her home in blogland, Just Cats.




Tea sure tastes better in a pretty china teacup, doesn't it?



A lovely Twinings Black tea with Orange, my favourite at the moment, and biscuits fresh from the oven. As well as rhubarb sauce with a hint of orange for tea today. I hope you enjoy!



Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.

As I mentioned last week, I am planning another seasonal Tea Party on June 18. My "Savour the Summer" Tea promises to usher in the lazy hazy days of Summer with a Dessert Tea and a couple of new teacups I found just recently.

I hope you will plan to join me. Just share your favourite Summer inspired tea things and create a post around them. Perhaps you would like to serve a special dessert as well that week with your tea. There are any number of goodies you might delight us with such as: a lovely Trifle, a cake, a favourite square, brownie bites, macaroons, lady fingers, lemon bars, or perhaps your favourite cookie recipe. Maybe something as simple as a fruit cup or ice cream; the list is endless.

I am so looking forward to your tea posts!




The tea button is available for you to use in your post or place on your sidebar if you wish.

I bid you a beautiful day and lovely memories.





"...The grass withers, and the flower falls off.
But the word of the Lord abides forever." ~ 1 Peter 1:24-25

I am happy to see all your tea things, whether you have shared them before or not. This tea party is all about sharing your joy of tea time and any thoughts you might have on the subject. And for the summer months, I would love to see your teacups and teapots indoors as well as out in the garden, at the beach, on a park bench, etc... Also I would enjoy seeing your teacup and teapot crafts as well as recipes and any stories you might have to share about tea time. So, let's have fun this summer with our teas. Get out there and be as creative, fancy, or as laid back as you wish!

"The earth laughs in flowers." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am so happy you have stopped by for a visit today. Your presence always make my tea party that much more special! Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot or mug that you would like to share with us today? I would love to see it and I'm sure others would too!

If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too:
Hot Apple cider
Hot Chocolate
Iced Tea or iced coffee
Punch in a lovely bowl.
No alcoholic beverages please.

The Tea Time Tuesday 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!

To be sure everyone has a visit, it would be nice if you visited the participant before and after your name.

Inlinkz is available below for you to sign up for my tea party.

As a courtesy, please link back to me so your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Tea Cup Thursday~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Thrifty Things Friday~ http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home ~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Table Top Tuesday~ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tea in the Garden~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

52 comments :

  1. Hi Sandi, This is a delightful post! Your grandmother's handwritten recipe book is a real treasure. Loved hearing your memories of her. The lilacs are lovely too. Ours are long gone; something so pretty and so sweet needs to last longer! Oh, yes, there are reblooming lilacs now but I've not grown any. I am enjoying rhubarb too. I made a rhubarb custard pie yesterday and it was the best pie I ever ate! Scruptious!
    Hugs and blessings, Beth

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  2. What an absolute treasure you have in your grandmother's recipe book.
    I love rhubarb!

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  3. Hi Sandi, I wanted to get by and say congrats on the wonderful feature in Romantic Homes of your blog this month!! and wow, love that Johnson Bros. plate, I have a couple similar and love them so much, and how precious that you have that personal recipe book!

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  4. Hi Sandi,

    I just adore your grandmother's vintage recipe book. What a great treasure to have. Your lilacs are lovely and thank you for hosting.

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  5. Love your Grandma's recipe book!
    I have never tried rhubarb sauce with tea biscuits, and I'll guess it is very tasty.
    Nice china today, too.

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  6. I'm a little behind with a post to your party but I just wanted to say how much I love your grandmother's recipe book. I think that must be the most precious thing a grand-daughter could have of her grandmothers. When I think of my granny she is always in the kitchen baking or at the wood stove making toast for us to go with her home-made jams and tea. Such a precious gift. The tea-cup looks right at home with you Sandi. So happy you love it. It is pretty. I'll be back soon hopefully with a post for your party. Have a great day. Deb

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  7. Hi Sandi. I love your lilacs! We used to have pink, purple and white lilacs bordering our property a house back. I loved them! Such a beautiful and fragrant shrub. How wonderful to have your grandmother's cookebook! A treasure!
    Ruth

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  8. Hi Sandi,
    I LOVED hearing and seeing the memories of your Grandmother! I think we all can relate. You are SO LUCKY to have her cookbook. Mine didn't use recipes so they were lost. I would (((LOVE))) to have you snap a picture of her recipe that you can't make out an ingredient...PLEASE POST IT, and maybe we can all figure it out! I would LOVE THAT!
    LOVE that pink Johnson Bros dish. I found 2 of them at GOODWILL and they followed me home. NOT PINK though. I LOVE YOURS! My 2 will be popping up in POSTS here and there... LOVE them, but like your color better,hehe.
    Thank you for hosting,
    Have a fun week,
    Big Hugs,
    Donna

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  9. Hello Sandi, Delightful as always! How very sweet of you to share your Grandmother's handwritten recipe book - a treasure - I know you will recall fond memories of her as you look through its pages - your scones in that beautiful plate look quite tempting! I appreciate you being a gracious hostess,
    Kathy

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  10. What a lovely post. Your grandmothers' recipe book is such a treasure.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  11. I love every bit of this post, Sandi. Absolutely wonderful!

    Congratulations on your well deserved feature in Site Seeing/Romantic Homes July 2012.

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  12. Hi Sandi: What a pretty post. Everything looks so good. My grandmother used to grow rhubarb and make all kinds of delicious things. That is the most precious recipe book. I've never seen anything I've liked better. I always seem to miss joining your tea parties, but I am planning ahead to Savour The Summer Tea, so I will join you then..Happy Monday..Judy

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  13. Hello Sandi
    When I saw how fragile the pages of your grandmother's cookbook were, I was wondering if you could successfully scan them for preservation?
    Our lilacs are just finishing but I can imagine the sweet fragrance of yours.
    I cook my rhubarb the same as you, even with a bit of orange juice as well but only 1/4 cup sugar - guess I like mine tart! :-)
    Have a great week.
    Judith

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  14. Sandi, what a treasure to have the cookbook in your grandmother's handwriting!! Your tea biscuits Johnson Bros. darling plate!! Have a great week.

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  15. Hi Sandi,
    your lilacs look great with the china. What a precious heritage is this cook book of your grandmother. The old recipes are often fabulous. Debs' tea cup looks so charming and the scones look tempting. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful teatime and for hosting this event.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  16. Hi Sandi,
    Your grandmothers old recipe book is a wonderful keepsake.
    Love the pretty little plate from ebay and your new teacup is pretty also.
    We have been enjoying rhubarb too and lilacs!

    Quite a change in our weather-hope it doesn't last.

    Thank you for hosting,
    Carolyn

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  17. Sandi, your lilacs are really beautiful!
    I have that same colour, as well as a white one, and love to have their fragrance drifting through the house.
    Your Granny's cookbook is a precious treasure!
    How wonderful to have her hand-written recipes which must bring back such sweet memories for you.
    You must have inherited her gift for cooking, going by the luscious things you always tempt us with :-)
    Thanks for linking up to Heart & Home.
    Have a very blessed week, dear Sandi.
    lots of love..Trish

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  18. Another wonderful post, Sandi! I can almost smell the lilacs! Our lilacs were finished some time ago, so it's lovely to see them here. Thanks for sharing your grandmother's recipe book.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  19. As always Sandi,such a pretty post. I love the lilac,the china, and especially your Grannies recipe book,what a treasure. Couldn't they cook though? Usually from scratch and not using measures or recipes. I know my Grandma, put a handful of this and a handful of that,and it all turned out perfectly. I think that's why they hand wrote their books,because they made their recipes up from trial and error. Not very often did they make mistakes though. Yes don't we miss them. I have enjoyed taking tea with you today. xx jeanetteann

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  20. Hi Sandi, I really enjoyed this beautiful post today. I love your sweet memories of your grandmother's farm which is no doubt all houses today. Sad isn't it? Her old cookbook is a beautiful keepsake. I love the pretty plate and the biscuits and rhubarb sauce look so yummy. I must beg some from my neighbour and make a batch! Thank you for hosting Tea Time Tuesday. Hugs, Pam

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  21. What a beautiful blog you do. You're right tea should be drank out of china. I also have my grandmothers recipe books, her main one and piles of little ones. She died at 96, 10 years ago and I do still miss her too. She would have loved my teas.
    Our lilacs are finsihed, in fact our trees were pretty skimpy this year. Thank you for sharing, love your blog and look forward to it every Tuesday...

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  22. So neat to learn of your grandmother and see her amazing cook book. Are there any recipes from it that you have made?

    - The Tablescaper

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  23. Sandi, your lilacs look just lovely and so does the afternoon tea you enjoyed :)

    What a treasure you have in your grandmother's recipe book...a true treasure.

    m.

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  24. What a sweet post about your Grandmother! You are so lucky to have her recipe book, so very precious. Our rhubard is just now getting big enough to pick. I make alot of sauce too. Your teacup is so lovely and I enjoyed your tea today so much. Thank you for hosting! Happy June to you!
    Nancy

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  25. Hello Sandi,
    Your post is so lovely, every bit of it! I loved reading about your grandmother, and seeing her recipe book...wow! That is such a treasure.
    I truly miss my grandmother as well.

    Oh I love Lilacs too! They are like a breath of heaven to me. I have a new bush this year and it bloomed 3 blooms....I was delighted!

    Hugs,
    Terri

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  26. Oh Sandi, your post was so very special! I love all your beautiful china, and your lovely cup you were gifted....and I especially adore your Grandmother's handwritten cookbook - that is a true treasure!

    And thank you so much for hosting a wonderful linky party. I look forward to it each week and hate to ever miss it.

    And, finally, thank you for the fresh and fragrant lilac scent - magnifique!

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  27. OH! and also thank you for that rhubarb recipe! YUM!!!!

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  28. The roses have bud with me but they need warmth. The lilacs have not yet started to bloom. But the wild cherry blossoms. On my mother's family's side there has always been food for the as needed. They were not rich but they always shared with her to the needing. still cook my mother extra portions if it is someone who comes to visit and need a meal. What a treasure you own with your grandmother's recipe. I made rhubarb pie last week and invited my family. It is so nice that the garden offers ingredients for food and to bake. Very cute plate from Johnson Brothers. Very cute and summery teacup. I wish you a great week! Zinnia

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  29. Hello! Happy June...I am excited to see the Venus Transit today. YUM~ your rhubarb looks so delicious, and so do the scones. I love the old recipe book. What a treasure :)
    shawn

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  30. Hello Sandi,
    I made it, 30 but I'm here. I love the lilacs all in bloom. I made Rhubarb crisp this week and opened the tea room for one day.

    You have the most valuable treasure a girl could ask for. A hand written cook book of your grandmother's, Lucky are some. Love the little plate, have a great week :-) hugs

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  31. Beautiful post, Sandi. What a treasure your grandmother's cook book is! I can almost smell the gorgeous lilacs and the teacup is so pretty. Rhubarb and biscuits! I'll be right over! :D :D :D Happy Tea Day!

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  32. Well.. where do I start? This is such a lovely post. Your Rhubarb and biscuits look delicious. I love that pretty square plate and you photographed it so well with the lilacs. Thank you for hosting a wonderful tea. Happy june.
    ~Clara

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  33. Hi Sandi,
    Thanks for another lovely tea with the beautiful lilacs and your granny's handwritten recipe book. What a treasure!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs

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  34. OMG... Sandi,
    You really done a wonderful job. Thanks to granny's recipe book.

    This is my first time joining you and hope to join you in the upcoming weeks, months and years.

    Hope your participants, visit Sweden too and join my simple life.

    Have a happy mid-week and greetings from rainy Stockholm,
    /CC

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  35. Hi dear Sandi! I've been so busy been a MOTHER TO MY GRANDGIRLS, I have no time left for visiting or thanking lovely comments...it'll be until next Monday that I will return home..therefore, Tuesday would be my day to start anew!! Your grandma's recipe book is sure a one of a kind treasure!! I have my Mil's published cook books and mom's writen and collected recipe hand book. Loving the beautiful lilacs. Thanks for hosting lovely lady.
    FABBY

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  36. Hi Sandi,
    Thanks for hosting your tea party! I love your Grandmother's recipe book...what a wonderful treasured keepsake. My lilacs are finished blooming. Your lilacs are lovely. I remember having fresh rhubarb at my sister-in-law's and loved it! I haven't made my own yet. Yours looks delicious. Love your new plate from Ebay! Have a wonderful week.
    Blessings,
    Lisa

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  37. Hi Sandi!
    What a beautiful tea and the rhubarb looks delicious! I really need to try this! I saw you in Romantic Homes! Congratulations!! I so enjoy visiting you for tea, it was wonderful to see you in that magazine for tea too! Love that recipe book!! It is priceless.
    Sherry

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  38. Hi Sandi! It's so good to be back for teatime!! I have missed everyone these past couple of weeks or so and am trying to get on the other side of "too busy" - if that is at all possible.

    I was swept away with your tea today - your lilacs are stunners - ours come and gone in April. So nice to know they are blooming somewhere else in the world. Just came through about three weeks of incredible roses! The next wave of them should be out soon!

    Your teatime treasure of a cookbook was delish! I wanted to hold it and stroke the old pages - I just love old things! They tell stories and I am captivated! Thank you so much for sharing this part of your family!!

    Scones look marvie - I'd love one!

    Joy!
    Kathy

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  39. Dear One, This is a lovely post that you have shared. May God comfort you every time you miss your sweet Grandma. The cook book is wonderful and you are blessed to have it.

    Sweet blessings to you,
    d

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  40. What a lovely post Sandi! What a treasure you have in your grandmother's recipe book! Your lilacs look so lovely. I can't grow them in the heat & humidity of Georgia but I adore them! Thanks for your visit. I'm adding your button to my blog today & adding myself as a follower! xo Jina

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  41. Thank you again for hosting...this is a beautiful post...I love the cherished cookbook of your Gran...
    what a treasure..
    Shel

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  42. Hi Sandi: How very precious is this post. To have your Grandma's book, penned by her, Wow! Want you to know I still have you in my prayers dear friend. Hugs, Martha

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  43. This is one of the most precious posts' I've read! I love the memories of your grandmother and her recipe book. Such love! Thank you so much for sharing. The whole thing brought tears to my eyes!

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  44. lovely blog dear =)
    I'll be happy if you check out mine :)

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  45. The recipe book is a very special keepsake of your grandmother. Enjoyed every bit of your post.

    Visiting from Share Your Cup Thursday.

    Debra

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  46. Hi Sandi
    Your lilacs are beautiful and so is your china.
    Your grandmother's cookbook is a treasure for sure...how very special that you have it. Your tea biscuts are sooooo delicious looking. Will you share that receipe?...and I love crisps but have never made a rhubarb crisp. Please save me a piece.

    Lovely china and tea goodies...I wish I could have sent you some of my teapot sugar cookies.

    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Judi

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  47. Everything is so lovely and the cookbook is a true treasure. You could probably go online and find a similar recipe and see what ingredient is missing! I know these recipes are special!

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  48. You are so lucky to have your grandmother's recipe book - why don't experiment with her Scotch Scones recipe using an educated guess for the missing ingredient? Rhubarb crisp and rhubarb sauce sound really good, rhubarb is one of my favourite fruits.

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  49. Hi Sandi, what a sweet post. As you lovingly remember your grandmothers passing on June 5th I celebrate my sweethearts birthday. I have my mothers old black cookbook and the pages look so similar to your grannies. Oh how many times did their hands hold those books? I have rhubarb and have not made anything with it. I got the start from my daughter. I must try something this weekend. Your sauce and biscuits look delicious. Love the square plate and the teacup and saucer. I am marking the calendar for your next tea party. I would love to join!
    Thanks for sharing this with Share Your Cup!
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  50. Hi Sandi! I am back from vacation and trying to catch up with everyone! I have missed not being for TTT! But, I already have my post up for this week's party!
    My all time favorite flowers are lilacs and yours are gorgeosu! Yes, I think I really can smell them through the screen. Everything is so pretty in this post. Your teacup set is lovely and that little square plate is so pretty! I hope you are having a wonderful day!And congrats for you feature in Romantic Homes Mag! That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing with us at TTF this week!

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  51. I don't know where to start here but how can I have not found this blog before???? I am a tea obsessed artists and can't wait to see all the goodness on tea Tuesday... your blog is just gorgeous and inspiring... soooo happy to have found it...xx

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  52. Hi Sandi! I am back to let you know that I will be featuring this post on this week's TTF party! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

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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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