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 24 June 2019

Flowers, Books, and Tea


I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June. ~ LM Montgomery - Anne of the Island

I would love it to be always June! Hello, lovely friends, how are you? A friend brought me these beautiful flowers. 
The fragrance of the lilacs is heavenly! Lilacs, lupins, Queen Anne's Lace, Bleeding Hearts, and miniature Snowballs make up the bouquet. Isn't it exquisite?

I adore flowers!

A few weeks ago, I went into our book store and picked up a book by author Joanne Fluke. The "Murder, She Baked" TV movies were based on her stories. I'm hoping this will be another series of books that I can enjoy. 
I also ordered Laura Childs' newest book, "Broken Bone China." I love mysteries that include tea time or a bake shop. Both of these books have recipes in them too.
I hope I enjoy this new LC book because the last number of books, I figured out who did the dastardly deed early on in the story, so it kind of ruined it for me. Although I always enjoy her books, I hope this one is different and the culprit will be a surprise.

Unlike some of you, I like to read the hard copy instead of an e-book. I also don't go to the library because it's too hard for me to get there and besides, I like to have my own copies. How about you? Do you like collecting books or do you like the virtual books? I also read my books over again. If I don't keep them, I donate them.
internet

We got a lot of rain on the weekend which is why my pictures are a bit dark today. 

I wish the lighting had been better because you're not seeing the true hue of the flowers.
Now how about some tea?

From a child's whimsical teapot to an elegant English teapot, to collectible teapots that adorn some homes, they are a subtle reminder of all that is good in this world. ~ Barbara Roberts


I found this darling tin of Walker's Scottie Dogs shortbread the other day at our HomeSense. One never knows what they might find in there. 

I also found a new teacup. I had no intention of buying another teacup because I have so many, but this one matches one of my teapots and I couldn't leave it sitting there. I will share it another day. The only other teacup I would like to have is the Royal Albert American Beauty which is hard to find around here. 

Would you care to sit with me
For a cup of English tea? ~ Paul McCartney

My RA teapot stands at the ready with English Breakfast tea in it. My teacups and little scottie dog shortbread treats are all ready for you. 
This is a Burleigh Victorian Rose cup which my cousin Val gave me. Val gave me several pieces of this pretty china but no saucers so I'm pairing the cup with a saucer from my Eatons home collection. My uncle Joe, Val's step father, just passed a few days ago. He has been a part of the family since Val and I were young girls so he will be missed! He was my last surviving uncle.

Of course you are all familiar with my Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz. If I happen to have lilacs in the house, I like to use my Rose Chintz.

I just love the Brits and how they savour their tea time. We can all take a lesson from them. 
courtesy of Getty images & internet


British born Sir Barry Gibb, of the Bee Gees, {on the left} always sipped a cup of tea before a concert. Now isn't that interesting?
What happens around the teapot, stays around the teapot. ~ unknown

Thank you for joining me today and aren't we all thrilled that June is here? Happy Summer everyone and have a beautiful week!


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

14 comments :

  1. Lovely post. I always love reading all your quotes! I'm sorry for the loss of your uncle.

    June has been lovely here so far but its going to be hot later this week. We'll have to close up the house and turn the air conditioning on!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I vastly prefer real books, and only buy the digital version when it is significantly less expensive than the hard copy. And I never go to the library, even though it's literally 2 doors down from my business, because sadly, it's not very friendly over there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so sorry about the loss of your Uncle Joe, Sandi. I am sure the memories of him will bring you comfort.
    Your bouquet of flowers is just beautiful and such a thoughtful gift from your friend. Yes, of course, I'd love to join you for a cup of tea and a cute Scottie shortbread cookie. We could discuss your latest books that you bought, and I could get a peek of your new teacup. Pretty teaups are so hard to resist, aren't they?? Happy Tea Time, my friend! Hugs to you...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh I never met a tea cup I did not like.lol I love pretty china and like you, I need to use it more to savor the moment. I do find it inspiring that the British never use a mug, always a proper cup. I had become addicted to my YETI because I like my coffee very hot.:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am hoping you are feeling better now after writing about not feeling well in past posts. Flowers are a good way to make one feel better...as well as reading a good book. I too, prefer reading a real book that I can hold in my hand and turn the pages. I bought two new tea cups myself this past weekend. Not something I do often; but the weather has been so rainy and dark...I believe it gave me a bit of a pick me up feeling. Sincere condolences for the passing of your Uncle. Thank you for sharing such a pretty post today with all your flowers, tea cups and how lovely you display them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My condolences on the loss of your Uncle Joe.

    Looks like we both had productive visits to HomeSense/Marshalls! Can't wait to see your new teacup.

    I also prefer to read real books and usually borrow them from my local library. If I enjoy the book and know I'll read it again (or use it for reference), then I'll purchase a copy. I recently borrowed Broken Bone China and plan to read it over the long weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love Laura Childs' books. Another good series is Krista Davis's "Diva" series. About 10 years ago we moved from 3500 sq ft to 1800. The first thing to go were all of my hardback and paperback books. My electronic reader made the move and is now my main source for reading.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful tea cups and ooh...what cute shortbread cookies. I bet they were yummy. Oh I love me some Barry Gibbs. Girl, I want the book in my hands. I am not so sure I could get used to reading any other way. I took have read several books again over the years. I finally started donating books a couple of years ago as I caught myself wanting to hold onto them! Ha!I love to read especially when on the beach. Hoping that you are feeling better Sandi. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sorry about the loss of your Uncle. Hold on to the memories to guide you through. Never easy I know.

    I've been thinking about you and your son.

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your post! I have a set of Rose Chintz also. I also love real books - not e-books. I've never bought an e-book anyway. It's rare for me to go to the library though I would love to do it more. Years ago before going on our 2-week vacations, I'd go to the library and check out about 5 books to read! I got my daughter doing that, too. :-) I've also purchased a number of books at thrift stores to add to my small collection. I love mysteries the most, and the Gothic romance mysteries by Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart. Of course, I have the Anne books. :-) Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes. :-) I love animal stories (Redwall series). The James Herriott (vet) books, and the old westerns by Zane Grey. And I love the Jan Karon books (Mitford series). I've read some of them and I'd love to have my own copies some day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am going to look up both of those books. I am really enjoying mysteries these days, and I do get mine from the library. I don't have room for anymore books here at home and can't really afford to buy them, so I am thankful our library has a good supply. However, they may not have this newest book, so I will have to see about that. Love those cute little Scottie dog cookies...would love to have some with a cup of tea. Your post was lovely...the flowers make me want some lilacs, which we can't get here in Florida. I love them so much, and they were my mother's favorite flower. Thank you for sharing these pictures today. I can almost smell the lilacs!! Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sandi, that's just the sort of flower arrangement I like. Beautiful post! And I love Walkers shortbread and can never resist when I see the scottie dogs. I would feel so at home jumping into the scene--the books, tea, china, etc. Wishing you a wonderful summer.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sandi,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!! Since I am no longer working, I have really enjoyed being able to sit down with a book and read....I hope to get a library card at the local library. I do have quite a collection of books that I bought at our church flea market in anticipation of my retirement so when i get through all of them, I will be looking for more. I actually do have a kindle that I have never used! I like the feel of a book in my hands...This is a lovely post as always!! We finally have Hot Summer weather here with it being a bit too hot for me...Thanks so much for your encouragement and well wishes...I am getting stronger everyday...
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a lovely post! My mom, sister and I loved the "Murder She Baked" movies and my mom has read nearly all of those books. She is currently reading through Leslie Meier's "Lucy Stone" series that is very similar to Joanne Fluke's. And I have the first in the tea shop mystery series which I am looking forward to reading. I must read physical books...I so prefer them to a digital copy! There's nothing like the feel of a book in your hands and actually turning the pages. Besides that, I, too, love growing my personal library.

    This was a delightful post to read...I hope July is a beautiful month for you!

    Joyful blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete

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

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.