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 26 January 2015

Tea Time Tuesday's 5th Anniversary Party


Tea is a time in which we were perfectly contented with ourselves and one another. ~ Charles Dickens

Hello everyone and welcome to Tea Time Tuesday's 5th Anniversary Party! I am delighted you could join me today!



It is on this date five years ago that I started my tea party and I sometimes find it hard to believe that we have been partying for five years. Some of you beautiful ladies have been with me from the very beginning and I want to especially thank you for your encouragement and support. You know who you are!

An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow. ~ Unknown

During that time, I have met so many of you lovely tea friends and I treasure the friendships we have made. I have learned so much from all of you and I look forward to meeting with you every week over a cup of tea to share the things we love; like teacups and teapots. Who knows, perhaps we will still be meeting once a week for tea five years from now.

Please have a seat and join me as I share with you my favourite tea things.

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." ~ Henry James

With x-number of teapots and x-number of teacups, it was difficult to choose just one of each. As a matter of fact, my favourite "tea" pot isn't a teapot at all, it's a coffee pot. But I will share with you my favourite teapots too.



You knew I couldn't do a favourite things tea without sharing one piece of Rose Chintz, am I right? It is my signature pattern after all.

Who can resist this pretty pattern of full-bloomed roses, rose buds, and pale blue forget-me-nots on a creamy white background!  


It is charming, feminine, and just makes me happy to look at it. It is a pattern which seems to give a romantic nod to by-gone days when manners were still in fashion.

This vintage Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz coffee pot once belonged to my Auntie P and it holds so many lovely memories that I just had to share it with you. 



Whenever we visited Auntie she would always set a big tray with this coffee pot filled with coffee and a plate of sandwiches. I look at this pretty coffee pot and I think of her and remember so many wonderful visits. 

Many of you who have been following my parties for any length of time also know, the pattern Rose Chintz reminds me of my childhood and our visits to my auntie's home in New Brunswick. For as long as I can remember, she always set her table with this pretty china and now the majority of it is here in my home for she has kindly passed it on to me.

This "tea'' pot happens to be one of my favourites. Royal Albert makes an elegant teapot and this Old Country Roses is no exception. A pure white background is adorned with gorgeous red, deep pink, and golden yellow roses. I love how the blooms cascade down the front of the pot as well as on the spout.



It holds about six to eight cups of tea and perfect for company. It was a birthday present from my family.


This Royal Albert Lavender Rose is also a favourite and holds about six cups of tea. I had started this pretty pattern for my mother when I first got married and when she down-sized she gave it all to me. I love the dainty pink roses with hints of lavender in the roses and leaves. 



My favourite teacup was a tough one to choose because I have several favourites. However, if a teacup can entice you to dream then all the better. Indeed, this darling Royal Albert Summer teacup does just that. 



It is made in the Gainsborough shape with a pretty handle and footed base. With its whisper pink trim and thatch-roofed cottage, it whisks me away to an English countryside. You probably cannot make them out but there is a young girl and a few geese in the yard.


This is the back of the cup. The saucer is deep and bowl-shaped so if one happens to spill their tea the saucer will catch it easily. 

This teacup is England at its charming best!

Oh to live in an English cottage with a gaggle of geese outside your door and a flock of yearlings in your meadow. ~ Unknown

These other two are favourites as well and I have brought them out for your pleasure. They are both Aynsley and both beautiful in their own way.

This one is especially elegant with its corset shape and rich turquoise colour adorned with a gold leaf design inside the cup. I love how the sunlight shines through it.



This sweet pattern is also an Aynsley and it is called Rosedale. It is an embossed crocus shape sprinkled with pink roses. 
I am always attracted to a cottagey look it seems. The handle has a wonderful flat thumb rest. It's a lovely footed teacup which is thought to be one of the patterns that Princess Diana chose when she married the Prince of Wales.


The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose. ~ George Gissing




Please help yourself to egg salad sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, and pound cake sandwiched with chocolate. 


I baked cinnamon rolls for my hubby and we will also enjoy some today with our tea.



Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.



These Cinnamon Rolls are so easy to make. Simply make up your favourite tea biscuit recipe making sure to sift your dry ingredients. 
Roll out into a rectangle and spread butter evenly all over the rectangle right to the edges. Sprinkle about a cup of brown sugar mixed with cinnamon all over the buttered rectangle. Roll up and cut into one half inch slices and place each one into a greased muffin tin. Bake at 450 degrees for about ten to eleven minutes. Delicious! If you wish you may drizzle icing over them.


Tea is a hug in a cup. ~ Patrick Jane of The Mentalist



Believe it or not, next week we will be into the month of February and Valentines Day is on the horizon. I will be hosting a Valentines Day Tea the week of February 9th and I do hope you will plan for that too.

Thank you for visiting today. I always enjoy your company and I cannot wait to see your favourite tea wares! It may be a teapot, coffee pot, chocolate pot, teacup or coffee mug. Please link up below and I will come visit you. 



I am joining the following parties as well~

A Return to Loveliness
 Tea Cup Tuesday
 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Friends Sharing Tea
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home



Sharing from my heart~ Sandi