73rd Tea Time Tuesday ~ A Summer Dreams Tea and Savoring Summer with Kathy

A perfect Summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~ James Dent

Welcome dear friends to Tea Time Tuesday ~

I am so happy you have stopped by! Please come in and make yourself at home as we celebrate Summer together. Alas, it doesn't feel much like summertime here on the Island with temperatures 10-15 degrees below normal, but surely it will warm up one of these days! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Today I am celebrating Summer with  two parties ~ my own Summer Dreams Tea and Kathy's seasonal party ~ Savoring Summer.

I have some refreshments for you as well as some photos from around my home and the Island. There might even be a wee bit of whimsy.... I apologize ahead of time because this post is a bit longer than usual. But then again, I am participating in Kathy's party too. 

Would you like a nice glass of lemonade before we get started?

Summer~ It is always with a sense of wonder that we watch Summer unfold before us. It is a time to bring out the iced tea and lemonade, to enjoy its carefree spirit, and take a little time for ourselves as we refresh, restore, and begin anew.

It is a time to get outdoors and become reaquainted with our gardens; the blossoms, the birds and the bees, as well as watch the butterflies flutter by.

One might even spot a wee fairy friend if one looks closely enough.

Indoors or out, the fairies are around especially this time of year!

Happiness flutters in the air whilst we rest among the breaths of nature. ~ Kelly Scheaffer

This adorable gold finch is one of my favourite little feathered friends who comes to the feeder outside my front window every morning. He and his mate are frequent visitors and oftentimes he brings his friends with him. I do love being entertained by the birdies, don't you?

The summer morn is bright and fresh, the birds are darting by/ As if they loved to breast the breeze that sweeps the cool clear sky. ~  William Cullen Bryant

Every bird likes its own nest best. ~ Randle Cotgrave

One of my havens for solitude at home is the back deck. I like to take my cup of tea or cold glass of iced tea and sit quietly, surrounded by my flowers, and just soak in all the beauty of the season. On a clear sunny day, I even like to watch the clouds drift by. At night, I love to watch the fireflies.

The only sounds that permeate the fresh air are the sweet serenade of feathered friends, the whisper of rustling leaves, and the trickling tempo of a fountain.

This is the view I have from the back deck...
My Caledonia Garden which is planted with annuals and bordered with stones from my grandmother's childhood home on Caledonia Mountain. Hubby just got this one planted over the weekend before it started to rain again. Not quite finished but getting there.

I love the trees which lend us all kinds of privacy and in among those trees our feathered friends live, sing, and build their nests. To the right you can just see the top of the bird bath which is centered in our garden.

Summer brings with it any number of pleasant pasttimes such as walking barefoot, picnics, barbeques, and bonfires, as well as long walks on the beach...

...or just basking in the warmth of the sunshine. Sometimes we enjoy a picnic out there. This is our little grandson Brent enjoying a juicy peach while he enjoys the scenery.

One of my favourite things to do is sink my toes into the warm sand. For some reason I find that almost medicinal. I can totally forget all my troubles when I'm at the beach.

We always choose the most private spot and just lie back and relax. For me, nothing is more enjoyable than sitting with the one you love and listening to the sound of the lacy-edged waves as they lap on the seashore.  

Walking along the shore is both invigorating and soothing.

We have the loveliest beaches here on the Island and this is where Hubby and I will spend most of the summertime!

I enjoy walking along a path through the woods too. Tranquility at its best; a time to reflect and give thanks to the One who created this beautiful world in which we live.

By oneself...

Or with a friend...

The beach and the woods both offer a peaceful interlude away from the comforts of home; a time to get out and breathe in the fresh air laden with the scents of nature.

This time of year, the fields and roadsides are abundant with lupins. I usually get out and take my own photos but this one I had to borrow from the internet. This is Clinton, PEI, and are they not beautiful?

Summertime also brings a new crop of potatoes. Did you know that PEI is famous for its potatoes? Well, yes, it is! This is a photo of my good friend, William Visser's potato field. He is a big potato farmer here on the Island and we should be enjoying new potatoes within a month or so.

The picture was taken by someone else but you can see the red soil we have here and Visser's farm is right on the water.

Of course with Summer also comes the re-opening of Green Gables where our famous Anne lived and dreamed. Again, I borrowed this one from the internet.

Meanwhile, back at home....

It's the month of June which means it's the month of roses and...

Summer means taking time to stop and smell the roses...

If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I'd be picking roses for a lifetime. ~ Swedish Proverb

The delights that begin in the garden can be extended indoors with the enticing fragrance of the flowers. Blissfully fragrant and enchanting in their timeless beauty, roses have the power to charm their way into anyone's heart and home. They remind me of gracious Victorian ladies, dressed in their finest frocks, taking tea with their best friends. I love bringing them indoors to enjoy in bouquets.

The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~ Hanna Rion

These are my Teresa Bugnet roses and they are my favourite. They are so old-fashioned in their apparel and their scent is heavenly. I look forward to their appearance every summer. Mine are still in bud form as everything is late this year. These photos are from last year. 

I love the romantic shade of pink and I'm certain little fairies dream within their buds.

I love making bouquets in my teapots too; they're so fluffy and frilly...

Summertime is also the season for lilacs. I love the scent of lilacs wafting through the air. These too, I like to bring indoors and enjoy them in bouquets if only for a day or two. 

Each cup of tea represents an imaginary journey. ~ Catherine Douzel

Now, time for tea...

A lovely cup of tea in a chintz teacup...

I have prepared a light tea for you today.

Candlelight and pearls, as well as a swan holding the silverware, and a double impatiens in a hatbox makes our tea a wee more whimsical...

My tiered plate stand holds tuna salad, and heart-shaped cucumber, cream cheese, and strawberry tea sandwiches on the bottom and...

...raspberry tarts and blueberry-topped lemon tarts on the top.

Please help yourself!

Breena, my little fairy friend, has decided to join us for tea.

"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them.

Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Love each other with genuine affection,

and take delight in honouring each other."

~ Romans 12: 9-10

I am delighted to celebrate Summer with you and thank you for letting me share some of the beauty and loveliness in my world. I hope you will take some time to visit Kathy @ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
and all my lovely participants as we partake of tea and all things summery.

Happiness is sharing tea with a friend. ~

I would love for you to join me for Tea Time Tuesday! All you have to do is share a favourite tea cup or teapot, a coffee mug, or something tea related. If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: apple cider, iced tea or iced coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, or punch. The TTT 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! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

China patterns and accessories used in this post:

Red transferware teapot and teacup bear no name

Historic America plate by Johnson Bros.
Rose Chintz by Johnson Bros.

Rose Bud by Maxwell and Williams

Rose Chintz by Gracie China
Silverware- Evening Star by Oneida
Lace tablecloth was a gift from a friend
Pink swan was a gift from my mother
Pearls from Scotland were a gift from my Auntie P
Pink candle lantern was a gift from Roselle at Seaside Rose Creations- http://roselle-seasiderosecreations.blogspot.com/

All photos, except the three which I got off the internet, and the one of me holding the roses which was taken by my hubby, are my own. The birds, the flowers, the beach, woods, etc. were all created by God.

Some excerpts have been taken from Victoria magazine.

I am pleased to join the following parties as well~

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Victoria - Savoring Summer

Marty~ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Table Top Tuesday

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Teacup Tuesday

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

Teacup Tuesday

Wanda Lee~ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Pam~ http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Wanda Lee~ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Donna~ http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Tea

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/

Tea Party Tuesday

Lady Katherine~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Teatime Tuesday

Trish~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/

 L.A.C.E.

Miss Spenser~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/

Teacup Thursday

Bernideen~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/

Tea in the Garden

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Father's Day Tea For Tea Time Tuesday

Welcome to Tea Time Tuesday ~

Hello tea friends and welcome to my  Father's Day Tea.

Today I am honouring the special men in my life and this post I am dedicating to them.

My Daddy was my first love. He brought me up, bounced me on his knee, took me to church, and instilled within me all the values necessary to live a life that would be pleasing to God and man. He was strict but it didn't hurt me a bit. While I was growing up, I thought he was the wisest man in the world and I could go to him for advice about anything.  He was my hero. I have so many wonderful memories of him.
He loved God and his family; music, sports, woodworking, and was a real character who possessed many friends.

This photo was taken of him when he was just a young man working as an accountant at Westinghouse. Sadly, my Daddy passed away in May 1995 and I still miss him! Love you Daddy and I always will!

"My son {daughter}, observe the commandment of your father, Bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you."  ~ Proverbs 6:20-22

One day, a shy young man came along who swept me off my feet, or rather danced me off my feet. We met at a record hop on a Saturday afternoon and he became my knight in shining armour! He is 17 in this picture which was taken on our first date. Isn't he adorable with his Beattle haircut?

This guy made me laugh and treated me like a princess. He still does; he's my hubby and the father of our children.

My hubby and I have been blessed with three sons and five grandchildren. They are all so precious to us and we thank God for each one of them!

When I speak of fathers, I must also mention my heavenly Father who I have known since I was a little girl. I love my life and I have Him to thank for that. He loves me unconditionally and has blessed me beyond my dreams. I cannot imagine my life without Him in it. Thank you Lord for Your loving kindness toward me. You are worthy of all praise!

You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence. ~ Psalm 16:11

We are having our tea in the den today. Because it is my Father's Day Tea, I won't be using any lace or frilly accessories but the toile makes up for it, I think. I have set the teapot on the table in front of the window and graced it with some red tulips from my garden; the few that the crows didn't destroy!

What a better teapot to celebrate this occasion with than the one Hubby gifted me with for my birthday a while back! A frenchy rooster struts his stuff on this teapot. On the rooster motif it says, Country Kitchen Fine Terracotta. There are no markings on the bottom.

I thought the tulips would look nice in a canning jar for a more casual look.

Hubby likes his books and his candy...

I am using some tea mugs today since Hubby likes his tea and coffee both in a mug rather than a tea cup. This one is red toile and made of china, produced by Royal Garden Staffordshire England.

This is the stamp on the bottom of the cup.

I have a trifle for this celebration. Since this is rather heavy and there is more room, I am serving this on the kitchen table. Would you like some?

Layers of sponge cake, vanilla pudding, and fresh berries topped with whipped cream make for a delightful treat with tea.

Served in my Kings Crown dishes, it looks pretty as well as delish!

Hubby likes his books and this is generally what his desk looks like; books stacked up everywhere. His desk is never very neat; his one flaw!

 Hubby is a great student of the Word...

I will share one of  Hubby's favourite verses-

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

Next week I will be hosting my Summer Dreams Tea and I hope you will make plans to join me then. The following day, June 21, Kathy @ A Delightsome Life is hosting her Savoring Summer party. Both parties should prove to be a lovely respite.

I would love for you to join me for Tea Time Tuesday! All you have to do is share a favourite tea cup or teapot, a coffee mug, or something tea related. If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea. Or any of the following is acceptable... iced tea or iced coffee, lemonade, hot chocolate, apple cider, or punch. The TTT 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! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants. The inlinkz is available below to sign up.

I wish you all a delightful day filled with love and a good cup of tea. And please be sure to give that special man in your life a little extra attention this week. God bless you!

I am pleased to join the following parties as well~

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Marty~ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Table Top Tuesday

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Teacup Tuesday

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

Teacup Tuesday

Wanda Lee~ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Pam~ http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Wanda Lee~ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Donna~ http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Tea

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Lady Katherine~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Teatime Tuesday

Trish~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/
L.A.C.E.

Miss Spenser~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/

Teacup Thursday

Sherry~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home 

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi