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 18 February 2013

A Little Lavender and Whimsy for Tea Time


"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size."~ Gertrude S. Wister 


Hello friends and welcome to Tea Time Tuesday! It seems February has just begun and now we are more than half way through it. I don't know about you but my heart is longing for springtime, especially with the nasty snow storm blowing around outside my window!




A little bit of floral and a little bit of ice...I have arranged some spicy carnations in a mercury glass hurricane lamp. 
Do you ever use things for something other than what it is meant to be used for? I'm sure you do!

Today I am having a tea which whispers of springtime.
Please make yourself comfy and I'll pour you some tea. All of my teacups today have violets on them.




"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know
There are Spring violets under the snow." ~ RH Newell

My little garden turtle is a new addition to the tea table and I hope you will make him feel welcome.




He has sprigs of lavender on his ceramic shell and he was just too cute to leave behind in the shop where I found him. Besides he was only a couple of dollars so how could I resist?
The fragrant sprigs of lavender beside him came from a friend's garden.

Lavender and violets have a way of whisking one back to a bygone era when ladies strolled along carrying their parasols and lace trimmed hankies. Somehow my little turtle reminded me of that simpler time.



"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others. For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness and for poise, walk in the knowledge that you are never alone." ~ Audrey Hepburn

Lavender and lace, cups of steaming tea in violet teacups, and some chocolate, who could resist? Certainly not me!



These are Marilla's chocolate truffles and they are made here on Prince Edward Island at Anne of Green Gables Chocolates,  Avonlea Village. They are absolutely scrumptious! Believe me, it is difficult to eat just one.


My February violet teacup was a gift from my hubby's aunt. She is no longer with us but I think of her whenever I bring out this beautiful Royal Albert teacup. It will always be a special teacup!



I am serving two teas today, a lovely Jasmine steeps in my fairy teapot and Harney & Sons English Breakfast tea which is a wonderful Chinese Keemun Black tea is in my pansies teapot.


 "Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage."~ Catherine Douzel




The little fairy on the teapot is having fun playing in the lavender. It won't be long and all the fairies will be playing among the flowers again.


"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... let it be good." ~ Author unknown



I am always happy to have you stop by. If you have something lovely to share today, be it a teacup, a favourite coffee mug, a lovely tablescape, or a new tea you would like to tell us about, please link up and share it with us.

Or if you prefer, you may do coffee or any of the following:
Hot chocolate, hot apple cider, lemonade, iced tea or coffee, or punch in a beautiful bowl.

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 that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Heart and Home ~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Friends Sharing Tea ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

44 comments :

  1. Dear Sandi,
    What a perfectly beautiful post!!! All things lavender and purple. I am absolutely crazy about that fairy teapot. I love her artwork.
    Lovely lavender~~~~Ruthie

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  2. Hi Sandi!
    Your tea is so pretty. I love all of your lovely violet china and your new little turtle is just too cute.
    Thank you for hosting and have a great week.
    ~Clara

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  3. Hi Sandi, This is a beautiful post. I love the colors! The pansy teapot and the fairy teapot are just gorgeous. I love the quote about using today wisely, and I copied it down to mull over and keep in mind. I don't want to waste my days; for my days = my life.
    Blessings, Beth

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  4. Hi Sandi,

    Your Lavender tea is beautiful! Your china is stunning and the colors speak of Spring :) I enjoyed the words in your post - thank you for sharing, sweet friend!
    And your turtle is too cute!

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

    Praying for you!

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  5. What a lovely post today. I am so fond of violets and lavender! And of course Royal Albert birth month cups and saucers are gorgeous always!
    I named my antique shop Lavender and Old Lace so you know I love all things lavender.

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  6. Hi Sandi,

    Your violet china is gorgeous! So pretty for the warmer days ahead. Thank you for hosting.

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  7. Sandi!!
    Everything is so beautiful!!!
    Love the tea pot and tea cups and in one of my favorite colors too!!

    Stunning!!

    Thanks so much for hosting..

    I linked up a strange story about a tea pot....

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  8. Hello Sandi
    You had to know this post would be dear to my heart. The little turtle with lavender on his back and the fairy playing amongst the lavender are both charming.
    The February teacup with the violets is the perfect one to sip from this month and with chocolates on the side, what could be better.
    Judith

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  9. This post is so pretty, Sandi. The mercury glass with the flowers is beautiful. I love the little turtle. I have collected them over the years. This one is so cute. Tea and chocolate...yes, please. Hugs, Deb

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  10. Hello, Sandi

    This is such a pretty post with the violets and lavender. I couldn't help but think about how much Judith would enjoy it as well!

    -Karen

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  11. Gorgeous violet colored tea setting - the turtle is adorable! Is that sweet fairy artwork by C. M. Barker? It's lovely. I appreciate you sharing and hosting - have a blessed week,
    Kathy

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  12. Such a pretty in purple tea you've shared today, dear Sandi! I love both teapots, but the fairy one is magical, isn't it? I sure would love one ( or two! ) of the candies!! Thank you for hosting your lovely party. xo

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  13. Since purple is my favorite color, I am completely swooning over this beautiful tea you have set for us today! Both of the teapots are gorgeous!! And all three of teacups sets are so pretty. I would like to snitch one of the yummy looking chocolates! Thank you for hosting and inviting us in for tea!

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  14. Oh Sandy!

    Your purple floral china - every single piece- is absolutely gorgeous!

    And I am absolutely certain the chocolates made me drool on my keyboard! YUM!!

    I absolutely ADORE that little lavender china turtle - careful or Judith from Lavender Cottage may come steal it from you, haha!

    Delightful tea time today, and thank you very much for hosting.

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  15. Sandi,
    I hope your feeling better. I have finally gotten better. Your little turtle is very cute. I always love to see them lined up on a log on a warm spring day. Thank you for hosting this lovely tea and for joining me at Home Sweet Home! See you tomorrow.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  16. I just had to add my lavender tea cookies to your party when I saw your post! I wish my cookies had your tea set!
    xo,
    Lisa

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  17. Dear Sandi,
    Your lavender and fairy teapots are beautiful. Lovely violet teacups! Thanks for hosting. Your lavender turtle is adorable.
    hugs,
    Lisa

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  18. Blessings on this beautiful February day! How I love your lavender lovelies. They remind me so much of my precious Grandmother. She loved these tiny purple flowers and always smelled of sweet violets.
    Thank you for hosting, my dearest friend.
    Carolynn xoxo

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  19. Hi Sandy, your lavender tea setting is very pretty. The teacups and little turtle are just adorable.
    It's been a long time since I joined your link party, but I'm happy to link up today.
    Have a nice week!

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  20. O I love all your Pretty purple things... I love the little turtle..You know I didn't even think that this month is Purple even though we just have a few days left I'm going to rush on home and pull out my violets...tea pot and all... I love your February cup Its' very sweet thank you for sharing with love Janice

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  21. Hi Sandi,
    I love your violet tea! Your violet teapot is shaped so lovely! Your violet teacups so pretty, love the February one!. Your lavender fairy teapot is so cute! I collect the Cecily Mary Barker fairies like the one on the teapot. I see your treasure of the sweet little girl is having tea with you again. So special! Thank you for hosting your tea party this week and praying you are feeling better.
    Blessings, Nancy

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  22. Hi Sandi,
    Your violet china is SO Pretty!
    Love the mercury glass vase too.

    Thank you for letting me be part of your Tea this week.

    Hope you are doing well!
    Hugs,
    LaDonna

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  23. Hi Sandi, Your post is absolutely beautiful! All that purple! Violets look so sweet in a tussie mussie. The chocolates from Marilla's shop look absolutely divine! How nice that you can just skip over there and grab some whenever you feel like it! *winks* I've been watching the Road to Avonlea series and when I do I always think of you. Gina

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  24. Hello Sandi,
    Your post is so romantic in lavender and white. How cheery are violets??? Very! Your tea setting is apt to put a smile on any winter day.
    The sweet fairy tea pot is amazing!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  25. Oh Violets are such happy flowers and I love them on Tea Cups!! Oh, may I have a chocolate truffle or 2? I love your Tea!

    Jan ♥

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  26. theirs that teapot again, I love it. Would you believe I was going to do violets today, but didn't have a teapot or the teapot. I may have told you this but we sold that one at an auction, never bought it, but my mother did years and years ago. I had tried to order it online and was having tea with her one day and she pulled it out. Love it, so pretty with your cups and the little pedestal dish to. All of it beautiful, have a great week...

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  27. Oh you got me with all that yummy lavender!!! The chocolates helped too ;) But I adore the purple and the white together, so springy! :) Have a fabulous day!

    Hugs,

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  28. Your violet teacups are adorable! And how cute is the Lavender Fairy teapot!

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  29. Dear Sandi,
    you own a stunning collection of lavender items. The tea pot is especially beautiful. And Royal Albert Flower of the Months is always nice to see. Thank you so much for this lovely tea time and for hosting this sweet event.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  30. What a beautiful post Sandi and that Cicely Barker Flower Fairy Teapot is so sweet - everything is lovely!!!

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  31. Good morning, Sandi! Your pretty purples are gorgeous. I love lavender and have it in various places throughout our home. One of my favorite scents!

    Have a lovely day and thanks for hosting!
    Mrs. Sarah Coller

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  32. Sandi: Your Lavender tea is just beautiful. I think I am going to change my home around to lavender because of you. Everything looks so pretty. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

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  33. Sandi,
    Your lavender tea is heavenly! Everything looks magical right down to the lavender turtle! Thank you for hosting such a sweet tea party!
    Sandy :)

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  34. Lovely Lavenders, all of them! Yes, so ready for spring but just heard a winter storm will here in 24 hours...oh no!

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  35. Hola Sandi

    Belleza total en esta tacita de té y en todo lo que presentas: las flores, los dulces, el encanto de tus palabras.

    Te felicito, amiga, por compartir tanto ensueño.

    Besos desde Argentina.

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  36. Sandi....Thanks so much for visiting me and inviting me to link up with you. I adore your beautiful teacups and that turtle is precious! I actually have a pet turtle (in my classroom) and am quite fond of them. I will have to look for one like him...:) I linked up and am off to check some of the other pretties!

    Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  37. Gorgeous, I just love the little fairy on the teapot too. I'm hopping over from Teacup Tuesday to leave some hugs on your lovely blog.

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  38. Sandi, your violet teacups are truly beautiful!
    And yes..they evoke thoughts of a bygone era of gentle ladies and polite graces.
    I'm so thankful that there are still such lovely ladies to be found..you yourself being a very special one!
    I love the white carnations in your mercury glass.
    That looks stunning!
    Have a blessed week, my friend.
    love..Trish

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  39. The mercury glass with the white flowers is the icing on the cake as far as your lovely tea setting. The violet & pansy tea pot & tea cups remind me of the violets or Johnny-jump-ups that are just pushing through the soil to bloom in a short time, unless we get an unexpected snow storm too.

    I love the quotes, especially the one about what you do today...

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  40. The mercury glass with the white flowers is the icing on the cake as far as your lovely tea setting. The violet & pansy tea pot & tea cups remind me of the violets or Johnny-jump-ups that are just pushing through the soil to bloom in a short time, unless we get an unexpected snow storm too.

    I love the quotes, especially the one about what you do today...

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  41. Sandi:

    I WANTED YOU TO SEE THIS BLOG (MAYBE YOU ALREADY HAVE)

    http://thelittlewhitehouseontheseaside.blogspot.com/

    I just wanted you to be sure and see this blogger from Brittany because you both share a love for Rose Chintz!

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  42. Hi Sandi, I enjoyed this tea post (a little late) and all the pretty lavender coloured china. The tea pot is so sweet. Pamela

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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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