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 9 September 2013

Tea Time Tuesday


"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead." ~ Louisa M. Alcott

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to another Tea Time! There is nothing I like better than a bright sunny day, a leafy tree, pretty china, and a fresh pot of tea.... unless I'm at the beach!

So, before the warm sunny days of Summer are past for another year, I decided to set up a little tea out on the front lawn.


This tree stands directly in front of our window where the bird feeder is. The songbirds fly to and from this tree and entertain me all Spring and Summer. I enjoy the gold finches, song sparrows, purple finches, and chickadees among others.

I love this tree for two reasons; it gives us privacy from the street and the songbirds find refuge in it.


Once in a while even a mourning dove will sit up there on the feeder and serenade me with his mournful cooing song.



All summer I have longed to set a tea up under that tree and I finally got to do it. So join me, won't you?


I thought my Rose Chintz would look especially pretty out there. The pink fluted cake plate is new and I decided to show it off today with my favourite pattern.



I love the dappled sunlight peeking through the leaves onto the tea table; so pretty!

"Come and share a pot of tea
There's just enough for you and me.
And if by chance we drink it up,
We'll make ourselves another cup!" ~Author unknown




Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz is a pattern I have loved since I was a little girl, as most of you who have been partying with me for any length of time know.



I never tire of this pattern with its large pink roses and blue forget-me-nots. Perhaps because it's so girly, perhaps because it brings to mind wonderful childhood memories at my Auntie's home.

"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." ~ Frances H. Burnett, "The Secret Garden"



This Summer, Auntie gave me four more pieces to the set, the salad/dessert plates which I was missing. Just perfect for a light salad and a spot of tea.



I'm sure most of you know that many china patterns have different sized plates which are used for different purposes.

A dinner plate is 10 to10-3/4"
A luncheon plate is usually 9 to 9-1/2"
A salad plate is 8 to 8-3/4"
A bread and butter plate is 5 to 7-3/4" {usually 6 inches}


If you look closely at the collage, you will see that the larger the plate is, the more of the rose pattern there is.

There are also plates larger than a dinner plate. These are called buffet plates, service plates, or chargers.

Oftentimes a luncheon plate is called a breakfast plate, fish, or sandwich plate.

Dessert plates are found somewhere between the salad and B&B plates but are not common. So oftentimes the salad plate doubles as a dessert plate.

Early in my marriage one of the jobs I had was at a jewelery store and I enjoyed selling china and learning all about it. I hope you have learned some interesting facts today.



My roses have dropped the last of their fragrant petals but I can enjoy roses all year long on my pretty china.

"One by one the petals drop
There's nothing that can make them stop.
You cannot beg a rose to stay.
Why does it have to be that way?" ~ Judith Viorst - "Summer's End"




Do you have a favourite china pattern? Do you have a piece of it or the whole set? Perhaps it is a pattern you dream about and hope to someday own. I would love for you to share it with us.

"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." ~ Psalm 118:24

Thank you for joining me out on the lawn for tea. There is a definite change in the air now. Soon my tree will be robed in bright colours for the new season and the only birdies sitting in its branches will be the chickadees, blue jays, and crows.

Hope your day is filled with delight and a good pot of tea.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Inspire Me Tuesday ~ http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
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://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Tea In The Garden ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
What's It Wednesday ~ http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

35 comments :

  1. How wonderful this setting is for tea time and don't birds and teatime go together well! Loving your table with your rose chintz and that the helpful information and instruction.

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  2. How very pretty ! Birdies and tea time go hand in hand . I often have my morning tea out on the patio and watch the birdies in our big old trees and feeders we have here as well as the birdie fountain bath I have under the pergola in the center of our garden ! I am looking for the old English red and yellow rose print tea pot the original size and tea cups and saucers , lots of knock offs out there but I will find them eventually. This is the time of year I go out to antique ware houses and the venders have changed their merchandise so maybe I will find what I am looking for ! I have a small collection of cottage style tea pots I display up top of my cupboards . There is a tea house around here in the small town of Sparta . http://www.spartahouse.com/ that also has a huge collection of tea pots of all sorts I think you would love this place I do ! Wonderful post and photos . Have a good week !

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  3. Pretty and cozy tea time. I love to hear dove's and watch them walk around on the lawn, there are two that comes to my feeder at times.

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  4. I love so much your rose chintz pattern ! Could suit in my home too : I only use plates with pink !!! My last ones are a model of the end of the 19th century with pink birds : love so much to eat in it .
    xoxo from PARIS

    Joƫlle

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  5. This antique british porcelain tea set is amazing. Looks so beautiful in the garden table.

    I'm so glad to be at your party.

    Blessings,

    Cecilia

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  6. Wow!!! I love your romantic porcelain and your tea setting is a dream.
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  7. What a beautiful tea time dear Sandi and I love the sorroundings with birds and gorgeous Rose Chintz dishes...lovely! Thank you for the instructions and helpful information too. Thank you the lovely party sweet lady. Have a pretty week.
    FABBY

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  8. Dear Sandi,
    you make every tea time so very special. I love your thoughts for the tree and the birds. And the setting is very charming and feminine. Your Rose Chintz set is sooo pretty. It was very interesting to see the different sizes and how the pattern is spread on them. I didn't know that at all. I learn always so much while blogging. Thank you for having me for tea and for hosting this sweet event.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  9. Hi Sandi,
    I just love your Rose Chintz tea in the garden today. So very beautiful! I have also started collecting that pattern after seeing your beautiful collection! I hope that you have a wonderful week! Thank you for hosting Tea Time Tuesday! Take care,
    Karen

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  10. I think this is the perfect tea set for your outdoor tea setting - what a lovely place to enjoy the surroundings and the lovely birds - I so love Mourning Doves! Your gifted pieces are marvelous - truly LOVE this pattern. I am delighted to join your party and appreciate you sharing,
    Kathy

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  11. What a pretty view from your window, dear Sandi. I wish I could join you at your rose chintz tea party. I'm there in spirit, sweet friend. Thank you for hosting. xo

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  12. Just as a certain fragrance reminds one of a person, so does seeing Rose Chintz china anywhere remind me of you Sandi.
    Having tea under the tree that provides for your family and the birds is very pleasant this week.
    Your auntie is kind to add to your china pattern and the facts on plate sizes, I found interesting.
    Thanks for hosting.
    Judith

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  13. What a gorgeous setting. These last days of summer are so precious.

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  14. Sandi, I so enjoyed your lovely outdoor tea time today.

    I adore your lovely china pattern - all I have is the teapot - I love your have so many pieces of this wonderful chintz!

    I squealed with delight to see your pic of your wonderful yellow fitch. You know they steal my heart away, too!

    Your scalloped new pink cake plate is awesome.

    Thank you for hosting. Hugs.

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  15. A perfect spot for a tea time setting. Your new scalloped dish is so nice.

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  16. Thanks for the peaceful cuppa in your garden.
    Hugs

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  17. Hi Sandi,
    What a lovely teatime setting! I can just imagine the sweet birds singing their songs just for you! Your rose chintz dishes are beautiful and how wonderful to be gifted with more. Your cake plate is so pretty and love the way you tied the spoons with the ribbon. Such a nice touch. Thank you for hosting your tea party every week.
    Hugs...Nancy

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  18. Sandi I enjoyed this post so very much! I love your lace curtain window view and those sweet little birds, I can never get enough of birds.
    And how I wish I could join you for your beautiful tea in that gorgeous setting. Thanks for educating me on the plate sizes, I am going down to measure my plates right now.
    Happy Tea Time Tuesday!
    Gina

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  19. hello
    prendre un thƩ avec vous sous ce
    bel arbre est un dƩlice
    voir des oiseaux si plein de couleur
    c'est le paradis
    merci de ce partage
    tendresse
    edith(iris) France

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  20. I so enjoyed your post, it looks so quiet under that tree to be set up for tea. A very nice spot to reflect from your window even though you know what is on the other side of the tree your imagination could stop right at the tree. Yes, love your pattern and I don't every get tired seeing it. I just picked up a favourite piece I should get busy and make a post for tea time tues and bring it along. I'd have to unpack it first as it was a just find and still paper wrapped. Things are slowing here and that means I'll be out and about the blog world, missed you so.

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  21. Hi Sandi
    your rose chintz tea set is adorable - I love the colors.
    Such pretty birds visiting your garden - just in time for tea!!

    Thank you so much for hosting
    hugs
    Shane

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  22. I love love love the view from your window. To look out and see the tree and the birds and Him everywhere...that's the absolute best. Have a beautiful day Sandi....

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  23. I would love to have tea with you with those beautiful dishes.

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  24. Hello Sandi,
    I would love to join you under your tree for tea today : )
    Your rose chintz china is perfect anywhere and it is lovely here. Everything looks so pretty. Seeing all the different plates together is wonderful. That was nice of your aunt to give you more pieces.
    I hope you have a lovely week.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  25. Sandi,I enjoyed Your outdoor Tea.I also love to sit outdoors and have a time alone with the birds and The Lord God too :) Denise

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  26. Hola Sandi
    Gracias por venir a saludarme en el dĆ­a de mi cumpleaƱos, es un honor para mi que una amiga como tĆŗ me visita igual que Terri y que Martha que son grandes anfitrionas del tĆ© y me han aceptado a mi con mis humildes tazas pero con todo el amor. Nos separa el idioma, quĆ© lastima, pero bueno... yo puedo leer bien todo lo que tĆŗ publicas que es de maravillas.

    Yo tengo algunas de tus tazas, las que presentas hoy, tetera, cremera, azucarera... son preciosas.

    Besos con todo mi cariƱo siempre.

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  27. Good day, Sandi! I adore your tea setting, and the accent of ribbon around the spoons - delightful! I, too, just love when the sun glistens between the shadows of the branches and leaves in the early morning...it's always so peaceful and lovely.

    Blessings for the day,

    Marianne

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  28. I really love your rose chintz China, it's such pretty design. I have some pretty china called Victoriana Rose that I'd like to get more of.

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  29. So nice to meet you as well! I love your beautiful pictures, so many nice pieces. I am a friend of Kathryn Ross. We meet several years ago when I worked in a tea room would visit. When the tea room closed and I opened my shop she became a regular and very supportive customer. Our friendship has grown over the past couple of years and she is a real blessing. Thank you for visiting my blog and I look forward to getting to know you better.
    Cheerio,
    Karan

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  30. Hi Sandi: This is the day the Lord has made! Your garden tea looks so pretty. Wish I was closer I would join you in a heart beat. Have a wonderful my dear friend. Blessings, Martha

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  31. Sandi I think it's great to have a tree in front of the windows. I have one in the front of the house that people are forever trying to get me to cut down but I won't have any of it. It's fantastic to have the birds there. And on the side I have two maples where the squirrels chase each other all day long. Love your rose chintz pattern. As a matter of fact I just saw a plate somewhere. Hmm, now I want to remember where...age...lol. :)

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  32. Hello Sandi,
    It's been awhile ago, I did pop up in your blog due to many reasons during Summer.

    OMG! Your Rose Chintz are one to drool for. Love the simplicity while the elegance shines on them.

    Happy mid-week.

    P.S.
    Will be joining soon I get my feet again in blogging.
    /CC girl from D´Box

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  33. You are so right...that Rose Chintz is perfect for this setting

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  34. Love your dishes!!!
    So pretty. Always a treat to stop by and see the beautiful Tea Times with you.
    God bless,
    d

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  35. Tea under the tree, how beautiful Sandi! The perfect place to enjoy nature. Love the pretty yellow bird. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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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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