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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 19 May 2014

Victoria Day Tea With Royal Albert





"May your life always be like a teapot...overflowing to warm the soul." ~ Irish Blessing

Welcome to my Victoria Day Tea dear friends! What an amazing weekend we've had! The weather has been fabulous and yesterday we celebrated our son's graduation from College.


{This is a longer than usual post so please pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and settle in for your visit.}

The whole family chipped in on a wonderful Canon Rebel T5i 18-135 kit for him and was he surprised! We held a pot luck dinner for him after the ceremonies with lots of family and friends in attendance.



Here in Canada we are celebrating Queen Victoria's birthday today. Many of us have fired up our barbeques and are enjoying what we consider to be the first long weekend of the Summer.

File:Dronning victoria.jpg
Internet

Queen Victoria was instrumental in bringing to her fellow countrymen and the world so many lovely fashions and mannerisms. 

Internet


Her beloved husband Prince Albert also has an honourable mention today as our beautiful Royal Albert china bears his name.

English bone china has always been admired for its beauty, its translucency and pearly white quality.

"the tea-cups are particularly fine-lipped,
a feature much loved by the ladies"
A travelling reporter for the Pottery Gazette of 1898 commented - Gleaned from the Internet

In honour of this gracious couple, I was going to bake a sponge cake which was Queen Victoria's favourite but Hubby came home from work with a home made coconut cream pie which some one had made him for his birthday. He is so spoiled!

So this week, we will enjoy pie instead of sponge cake with our tea.

I have brought out all of my Royal Albert teacups and teapots. Some patterns, I have more than one teacup but I will only count the one. I will feature ten teacups because otherwise, this post would be too long. Almost every teacup I have is vintage.


I have been wondering how many RA teacup patterns I have and now I know; eighteen. I also have three RA teapots!

I have an American Beauty saucer without its mate. Someday I hope to find the teacup too.


The majority of my china was either passed down to me, gifted to me, or was found at thrift and antique shops. You will notice most of my teacups are adorned with roses and that I have a lot of pink.

On Mother's Day I was given two dozen lovely white tulips.  One dozen was from Hubby and another dozen was from my son. These will grace my table today.  


Please make yourself at home and I'll pour you a nice cup of tea. You are welcome to a slice of  Hubby's pie. He really doesn't mind sharing. 

My first teapot is of course Old Country Roses and it was a birthday present from my family.



The matching OCR teacup was a gift from my hubby in remembrance of my father who loved this pattern.

Here we have Old English Rose. I have two in this pattern. This one is in the Montrose shape and the one behind it is in the Avon shape. 


Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.



This charming teacup is called Summer. Love the cottage landscape and the soft pink border!


This aqua rose beauty is Veronica and was a gift from my mother many years ago.


This is Friendship with its unique shell design and Cosmos.

You all know Lavender Rose. The entire set of Lavender Rose was passed on to me by my mother. I had started it for her when I got married.

I also have the teapot.


“I feel as if I had opened a book and found roses of yesterday sweet and fragrant, between its leaves.” ~ LM Montgomery, Anne of the Island

This pretty yellow rose teacup called Tea Rose was a thrift find.


This gorgeous set is Lady Carlyle.


And this pretty set is Serena.


I had found the teacup at a thrift shop and Bernideen @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog surprised me with the matching plate.

This is my New Country Roses teapot which was a Christmas gift this year. I love the soft pink with roses.


And this sweet needlepoint set is Petit Point.


"Serenity is a solitary cup of tea; pleasure is sharing it with another." ~ Victoria magazine



This pie is so good! A lovely cream filling in a home made crust and topped off with toasted coconut.


Earl Grey is in my cup.

Like most of you who collect teacups, I have other makers too. But today's Royal Albert is in honour of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert.
I hope you enjoyed seeing my collection. Did you pick a favourite?

If you have a teacup or coffee cup, a teapot/coffee pot, a tablescape, a newly discovered tea, or a trip to a Tea Shop, please link up below and I will be happy to come and visit you. 

Have a beautiful day everyone and God bless you!

Peace be to you, and peace be to your house,
and peace be to all that you have. ~ The Book of 1 Samuel


I will be joining these parties as well ~

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/
Friends Sharing Tea~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

43 comments :

  1. Congratulations on your son's graduation - a great accomplishment! Your table looks so lovely and each and every cup and saucer are outstanding! Lovely pie too - yummy!

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  2. Congratulations to you son! I loved your post this week...they are always lovely, but I really enjoyed this one! Have a great week....hugs, Penny

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  3. I have no post to link, but certainly enjoyed this visit and virtual tea party. I was struck by the number of cups that you and I both have - mine came down to me from my mother-in-law's mother or were shower gifts when I married 40 years ago.
    That pie - the crust is just perfect!

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  4. What a lovely collection Sandi! I would love to sit and have tea with you using any of these cups. But I would request Lady Carlyle, if I could, it's one of my favorites! Congratulations to your son too! Have a lovely week, and thank you for hosting.

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  5. Congratulations to your son on his graduation! You know I loved this post since it is filled with my absolute favorite tea cups.... Royal Albert. And you have a couple I have not seen before. How is that possible.... LOL

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  6. Oh how great - congratulations to your son on his graduation.
    Your tea cups and tea pots are so beautiful. I would be hard pressed to pick up a favorite one as they are all so stunning. You have a wonderful collection. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Have a great week.
    Mary

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  7. I tried to pick a favorite cup, but each one is beautiful.

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  8. Hi Sandi,
    Congratulations to your son. What a wonderful accomplishment He looks very handsome too! I just love all of your beautiful Royal Albert teacups today but especially favour the Lady Carlyle and Old English Rose and your new teapot. They all look so pretty together on your table. Thank you for hosting tea time today. Have a wonderful week! Karen

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  9. Congratulations to you son, Sandi, and Happy Birthday to you dear hubby. I wild love to join you for a slice of that coconut pie and a cup of tea. I would choose either the Summer teacup (swoon!) or the Petit Point (sigh!). I wonder if the pie maker would share the recipe? It looks scrumptious! Thank you for hosting your party and sharing all your lovely teacups and teapots for today's tea. xo

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  10. Congrats to your son Sandi, the gift of the Canon Rebel was a nice idea.
    I enjoyed seeing your RA collection of teacups and teapots. Wish we could all come for tea one day as there would be plenty of pretty pink cups!
    It has been a great long weekend, I've been in the garden as much as possible.

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  11. What a beautiful collection of Royal Albert! I have the Lady Carlyle--it's one of my favorites.
    Congratulations on your son's graduation!

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  12. It would be difficult to pick a favorite, they are all so beautiful. Thanks for sharing a piece of that wonderful pie and all the beauty of teacups. What a lovely graduation gift. My Canon Rebel I gifted myself for my retirement.

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  13. Congratulations to your son on his graduation!! and what a lovely tea you have set out. Thank pie looks delish!!!... Thank you for hosting and sharing. Blessings, Celia M. (HHL)

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  14. I enjoyed this post with all your Royal Albert china. And the coconut cream pie looks fantastic! Yummy. My aunt had a full set of the Petit Point china. I remember seeing it in her built in china cabinet. I hope you had a nice Victoria Day. Blessings. Pam

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  15. Such a lovely collection of Tea Cups.. I enjoyed seeing them .. and that pie looks wonderful.. Thank you for sharing it all with love Janice...

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  16. It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend--congratulations to your son on his graduation! Thanks for sharing your beautiful Royal Albert patterns! How wonderful they are mostly gifts! Your family/friends have wonderful taste :). Royal Albert is probably my favorite...9 times out of ten if I really like a pattern, it is Royal Albert. Hmm...a favorite...there are so many beautiful ones to choose from! I LOVE the summer set (and I might have winter and spring) but Lady Carlyle is always beautiful. Thanks for hosting!

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  17. What a lovely Victoria Day Tea! Your Royal Albert teapots, teacups, and plates are gorgeous. And that coconut cream pie looks scrumptious! It's my #1 favorite pie. Belated b-day wishes to your hubby, and congratulations to your son on his graduation from college. Lot's of wonderful celebrating going on in your family.

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  18. Sandi,

    Your Royal Albert collection is beautiful! I love them all! Congrats to the graduate!
    Sherry

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  19. My, what a lovely collection of Royal Albert. Congratulations to your son...a milestone indeed.

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  20. Congratulations to your son, Sandi. Makes a mom proud. Lots of pretty tea-cups here. I think my favorite is the one called Summer. So sweet. Your pie looks delicious. I'm sure it was a great addition to a good cup of tea. It was a fun long-weekend but, of course, it went too fast. Hugs, Deb

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  21. Hello Sandi - congratulations to your son! I know you're quite proud. I love the story of Victoria and Albert. I don't know how close the movie, 'Young Victoria' comes to their story - but I do love how they worked together - beautiful tea, post and the pie looks amazing! I do appreciate you sharing and hosting,
    Kathy

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  22. Congratulations on your son! Your tea cups collection is really beautiful.
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  23. I am in tea cup heaven today with your beautiful post! Wow! I love them all! But my favs are your Summer and Veronica. Oh they are gorgeous!
    Your V&A tea time is fab! I am glad you had a great holiday.
    Congratulations to your dear son! Yay! Many many blessings on his life journey.
    I really love visiting you. Thank you for the time you take to bring tea to us each week.
    Hugs
    Terri

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  24. Good Morning Sandi-I love visiting You any time but on Tues it's always so much fun.A beautiful and proud day You had for Your good-looking Son ; )Congrats.to Him,also You and Your Hubby.Your collection is always exciting for Me to browse.Thank You for the party I love to join when I can-Hugs Denise

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  25. I have dinnerware for 2 in Old Country Roses and American Beauty that I use for special occasions since it's only Alpha Hubby and I at home now. They are so delicate! I loved seeing all your beautiful RA cups. My favorites are the delicate flowers of Haviland Limoges cups and dishes.

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  26. Dear Sandi,
    congratulation to the graduation of your son. Its really a big event. I love that you choose RA tea cups for Queen Victorias birthday. They all look lovely. I always tend to the cups with roses, especially the Lavender Rose. The pie looks wonderful. Your husband is really spoiled with good friends. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tea party and for hosting this sweet event.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  27. Sandi:
    I went and got In Linkz because the other one was not working. I reentered you. Just letting you know!

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  28. Lovely post, gorgeous milk glass and tulips......but my goodness! The Veronica Aqua Rose is sooo beautiful! Thank you for sharing history as well!!

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  29. Hello Sandi,
    It was wonderful to have a look at all your Royal Albert s, lovely. Sponge cake would have been nice but it was very thoughtful to bring home pie. Yes, this weekend marks the season for many. Congratulations on your son's graduation.

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  30. Hello Sandi, I wrote this post yesterday, and I just thought why not link this to your sweet party!
    I never really fit in, but I always like to come around places where tea is served and the ladies are kind. And the pie is creamy and cold :o)
    Have a wonderful evening to you!
    Blessings, Roxy

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  31. Hi Sandi: All of the cups are beautiful. I own 3 of them. My favorite is the cross stitch one. It is stunning. I am going to look for one of those. You are one lucky lady. Sending hugs, Martha

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  32. Oh Sandy, you have a lovely and beautiful collection of RA!

    The pie and your tulips, your handsome son - everything is just wonderful. Thank you so much.

    My fav is the lady Carlyle - so amazing, but every one is awesome.

    I REALLY like your New Country Roses teapot, that soft pink is so YOU! Hugs.

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  33. It's impossible to pick a favorite with so many gorgeous examples to choose from -- what a collection!

    By the way, your son's new camera is the newer version of my favorite camera ever, the Canon Rebel. I had one of these at the magazine where I used to work. Bought one for myself last year and am still trying to learn all the clever things it can do!

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  34. I have a lot of Royal Albert teacups too and I think they are a favorite of mine. I love the Old Country Roses, though. And congratulations on your son's graduation!

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  35. Congratulations to your son! I love all your pretty tea pots and tea cups. Now I honestly don't like coconut pie but I must say...this one looks yummy! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  36. This is the most adorable thing ever!! Now I officially want to have a tea party! Thanks for sharing :)

    Chelsea

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  37. Hello Sandi,

    Congratulations on your son's graduation. And such a thoughtful gift. You have a beautiful collection of tea cups. What a great joy to be able to use them often. They add such beauty and grace to our lives. I did not link today. No tea related post this week. Only a tablescape.

    Have a wonderful week,

    Janet

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  38. Sandi,
    What a beautiful post ! Congrats to your son on his graduation!!

    There seems to be a lot of problems with emails in Blog land lately..

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  39. Victoria long weekend is past, but I sure enjoyed having tea with you today. Such lovely cups you have. I enjoy my assorted collection of Royal Albert too.

    That coconut pie looks dee-vine!

    Wishing you a beautiful new weekend.

    Huggs,
    Brenda

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  40. A huge congrats to your son. And to you....watching my kids succeed is one of the best things in the world. Hugs and wishes Sandi for another beautiful weekend. Today it's Saturday and the sun and temps are amazing. Hugs.

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  41. I was out of town this week and didn't get here to join in the fun. But I must say, this post is one of my favorites I have seen as I learned a lot, enjoyed the look of the pie (lucky hubby) and am sitting here enjoying each piece of your china. I love how different they all are. The Aqua one from your mom is so pretty. I have never seen that color on china. Congratulations to your son on his graduation! All the best for his future endeavors!

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  42. Congratulations to you and your son on his graduation Sandi. You must be so proud of him.
    I love all your collection of Royal Albert te sets. I didn't realise how many there are. But my most favourite is the Old Country Roses. My sister was the one who introduced me to this opulent designed tea sets. Thank you for sharing your treasure, they are all beautiful in their own exquisite way.
    Enjoy the yummy pie.

    Hugs,
    Aida

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  43. Congrats to your son Sandi! What a wonderful accomplishment. As always, your teacups are gorgeous! So sweet of Bernideen to send you the matching plate. I am drooling over here because Coconut Cream pie is one of my favorite desserts. Looks simply delish! Happy Holiday and 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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