61st Tea Time Tuesday ~ A White Tea

Friends are the flowers in the garden of life. ~

Hello my dear friends and welcome to another Tea Time Tuesday! I hope you all enjoyed a lovely weekend. Our computer got infected last Friday and it made blogging very difficult on the weekend. Fortunately, last night our computer savvy son talked Hubby {long distance over the phone} through the steps to get it cleaned up. I thought perhaps Tea Time Tuesday might not be available this week but everything seems to be fine now. A big thank you to our son who knows his way around these things! It's hard to believe this is the last week of March. It's a bit cool here on the Island the last number of days but I know there are warmer days ahead. I'm happy we're heading into the month of April and I'm sure all of you are too!

I want to begin our party today by thanking everyone for taking part in last week's Spring Tea Party. You made it all the more special just by being here! Your participation was very much appreciated and you all had such lovely posts to share! Today's tea will be a bit more subdued. I have a new Skye McGhie teacup to share with you and so I invite you to have a seat and I'll pour you some tea.

Tis my faith that every flower enjoys the air it breathes. ~ William Wordsworth

I found this teacup at a garden center about a month ago. The cuts-outs on the saucer, fleur de lis, and creamy coloured teacup caught my eye right away. It's name is Pierced Lace, made of porcelain by Skye McGhie. I love the quiet elegance of it!

It has a softly crimped edge around the top and bottom of the cup itself and it has a comfortable loop handle. By the way, the spot you see on the spoon is only a reflection!

This teacup will go with most anything which is why I was drawn it. It goes wonderfully well with my other teacup, Cream Lace also made by Skye McGhie.

Aren't they pretty together?

When from our better selves we have too long been parted...how gracious, how benign, is Solitude. ~ William Wordsworth

I was leafing through the latest issue of Victoria ...

.. and came upon this layout of a gorgeous tablescape.

One photo in particular caught my eye; this sweet sherbet dish filled with lovely blossoms.

So I thought I would do a small presentation of the bouquet using my mini white carnations. It's not quite as colourful a bouquet but it will do nicely, I think. It looks like a soft cloud of blossoms and I'm somewhat surprised that my little fairy Breena hasn't shown up to light upon it! I so enjoy the spicy scent of carnations. Where do you find your inspiration?

Now, on to some refreshments....Tea is ready and I have some freshly baked blueberry-oatmeal muffins.

I have been watching my waistline lately so I have cut way back on my baking but I felt sorry for my hubby and decided to bake up some muffins for him. I don't mind sharing them with you and he doesn't mind either!

I also have some wonderful lemon curd to spread on them.

Have you ever tried lemon curd on blueberry muffins? Mmm, yummy!

I must confess that this lemon curd is not home made but if you're interested in the recipe for home made, you will find it below. Lemon curd is lovely with muffins, cake, or scones.

LEMON CURD

Grated peel of 4 lemons

Juice of 4 lemons {about a cup} Be sure to use real juice and not that from a bottle!

4 beaten eggs

1/2 cup butter cut into small pieces

2 cups white sugar

In top of double boiler, combine all ingredients. Place over simmering water and stir until sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until it is thickened and smooth. While hot, pour into sterilized canning jars. Store in a cool dry place or refrigerator. Only make as much as you will use within two weeks. Perhaps you will want to half the recipe. Yield about 1 pint

Our tea today is Earl Grey. I find Mr. Earl is always right!

To remove the sticky residue of a price tag from a teacup or saucer, gently rub it with nail polish remover.

I believe I heard a song sparrow singing outside my window the other day so that means the song birds are on their way back. I look forward to seeing and hearing them! I'm sure you do as well!

"Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." - Matthew 10: 29-31

The week of April 18th, I will be hosting my Easter Tea. I hope you will join me for that party too. Spring will be in full swing by that time and the bunnies and chicks will be making their appearances. Perhaps you would like to share a tea to celebrate that wonderful holiday with me.

Happiness is sharing tea with friend.

Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued is always beyond our grasp, but if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Thank you for joining me for tea today. I hope you have enjoyed your visit and I would be pleased to have you participate. Simply share a favourite teacup, china mug, or teapot and tell us about it. You may do coffee, iced tea, hot chocolate, or hot apple cider if you wish instead of tea. The Tea Time Tuesday button on my sidebar is available for you to use in your post if you wish. A poem, tea quote, or scripture verse would be more than welcome! Please link back to me so your visitors may find their way here and visit with all my lovely participants. The inlinkz is available for your convenience below.

Ahh, there she is! Breena and I both invite you to visit again soon for we do enjoy your company! I am also joining the following hostesses for their parties:

Kathleen~ http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ - White Wednesday

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/ - Tea Tuesday

Donna and Miss Spenser~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/ - Teacup Thursday

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Pink Saturday is Here Again!

Happy Pink Saturday!

Hello bloggerettes~ How was your first week of Spring? We had a fabulous week but this morning I woke up to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground! I'm so happy it will not be sticking around!

I wasn't sure what I was going to share with you pinkies this weekend. But then I decided to pull out some pieces of my cranberry glass collection and share it.

This was my very first piece; a wedding gift from one of my aunts.

The next was a gift from my hubby one year.

The last one was also a gift from hubby. It is quite a substanial size. I have a few more pieces which I will share another day.

This little fairy is Breena and some of you have already seen her but for those of you who haven't, here she is again relaxing in a pink rose.

Sometimes I keep her under glass so she won't get away!

My last little pinkie is a fairy too! This is my little 16 week old granddaughter, Jenna-Lynn, all in pink.

I just visited a wonderful blog filled with pink called The Pink Home - http://thepinkhome.blogspot.com/ Please stop by and visit Bella the author of it. Bella has lots of pink and pink advice to share!

Thank you for stopping by Rose Chintz Cottage and viewing all my pinks. Now please take some time to visit Beverly and her party of pinkies. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Some New Pretties

Hello everyone~ I hope you've all been enjoying this first week of springtime! I was out and about the other day and I found a few pretties that I brought home with me.

First of all, I had seen this plate earlier and I went back to find it had been marked down even more than it had been previously, so it came home with me.

Pansies just say springtime, don't they?

I already had this plain white plate and don't they look pretty together! Almost like a flower.

I had been on the lookout for some new napkins and napkin rings. I love the nubby texture as well as the sheen of these creamy coloured napkins!

The napkin rings look like jewelery.

So pretty with my china.

Well, who's this?

I found this little bunny and he asked me if he could come home with me. Well, I couldn't resist his little sweet face! I mean, who could! I couldn't resist his mate either, so they both came home with me!

Bunnies and springtime just go together, don't you think? They will spend their time playing about my home for a little while.

Thanks for visiting today. I hope your day has been filled with sunshine!

I am joining Sherry for her Home Sweet Home party - http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

and Courtney for Feathered Nest Friday -  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Celebrate Spring with Tea Time Tuesday and Victoria!

Welcome Spring ~ A New Season to Celebrate!

Hello dear friends ~ Welcome to my Spring Tea Time Tuesday and Kathy's Celebrate Spring with Victoria~  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/  

Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil. ~ Reginald Heber

I am simply delighted that you are here! Please come in and make yourself at home. This is a big day!

Today is my 60th Tea Time Tuesday party and I want to thank all of you lovely ladies for helping to make this tea party meme so enjoyable. This is also the first full day of Spring!
I can not express how happy I am that the long winter is finally behind us.

March

The month of cold mornings and warm afternoons

when the Fairies weave rugs with flowers

adorning the meadows and roadsides with color...

Edith Holden

I love springtime~ A time when the earth awakens from her Winter's slumber and Mother Nature cradles in her womb, the first tender shoots of bright blooms in the garden. The trees break forth into fresh buds, and brooks, clear as crystal, begin to run merrily along their way. They almost sound like they are singing; they are so happy to be freed from their captivity of  ice and snow!

Soft warm breezes stir the air and the lilt of songbirds outside my window harken to me early in the morning. I welcome the melody of my little feathered friends; I have dreamt about birdsong all winter!

The earth has come to life again and I too, seem to come alive and I relish each new wonder of the day.

In the evening, just as the sun goes down, the tiny spring peepers behind my home begin their chorus.

I find myself once again, as delighted as a child when all of these wonders take place.

It's good to be alive, and I give thanks to God who has created this new season for our enjoyment.

Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world. ~ Virgil A. Kraft

I find joy and beauty in simple things like a beautiful bloom, a bird singing outside my window, and tea in my favourite china teacup.~

For our tea party today, I am using several teacups as well as my mother's Lavender Rose teapot. Lavender Rose is a lovely pattern for anytime of year, but I especially like it this time of year.

Pink is the theme I've chosen for this tea party. Pink and springtime just seem to go hand in hand, don't you think? The teacup I am featuring today is my Shelley teacup. This pattern is called Blossom and it just says Spring so well! Sadly, it is no longer being produced. I love its feminine scalloped shape and embossed design as well as the little nosegay inside the teacup!

The pink blossoms are so dainty and I love the robins egg blue trim on these pieces. This teacup is special to me not only because of its colours but because it was a shower gift many years ago and it is the only Shelley teacup I own.

My Shelley teacup is being joined by Royal Albert's Lavender Rose....

...and an Elizabethan teacup which I shared a couple of weeks ago.

These teacups all look splendid with Mum's Lavender Rose teapot!

As I was preparing my tea post, I came across this lovely Spring poem.
Thank you Marilyn, for allowing me to use a portion of it!

SPRINGTIME WONDER

There is nothing quite as pleasant

As a walk in springtime hours

The bees even harmonize with life

As they drift among the flowers.

~

God softly whispers to us

As gentle rains caress

The countryside with drops of life

In such pure tenderness.

~

And if you listen close enough

I'm sure that He'll impart

The freshness of spring upon your soul

And a flower in your heart!
~

AUTHOR:
Marilyn Ferguson
© 1987 Used by permission

I have placed the teapot on a pedestal cake plate and surrounded it by a wreath I have made. The fresh flowers are close by.

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass so fresh and sweet;

For song of bird and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear and see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee! ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I always like to add a little touch of whimsy to my tea table such as this pink swan which holds the silverware. 

My springtime tea table.

Milk and sugar...

For your pleasure, I have prepared some refreshments. I have finger sandwiches ready as well as toasted macaroons.
These ribbon sandwiches, I have made many times over the years. They are  perfect for showers and tea parties! They're pretty too.

Made with whole wheat and plain white bread; they are spread with egg salad, devilled ham, and cream cheese. I always tint the cream cheese pink.

I also have a lovely Lemon tart.

For those of you who just want a little nibble there are some chocolate mints.

The most wonderful loose leaf Victorian Garden tea stands by in the teapot. I purchased this wonderful tea from our own Prince Edward Island Preserve Company. I have already decanted it for you. This tea is a lovely blend of Ceylon black tea, China green gunpowder, vanilla, rose petals, and lavender flowers. I felt it was the perfect tea for a Spring tea party. Only the best for my friends!

No matter what kind of tea you serve, the best tea is made using bottled, distilled, or spring water.

Which teacup would you like to use?

Ahh, Tea Time, a wonderful respite.

Lemon with your tea?

Beauty is God's handwriting. Welcome it in every fair face, every fair sky, and every fair flower. ~ Charles Kingsley

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.~ Ballou

                                            

So, let's celebrate ~ A new season filled with promise, friendship, and tea parties!

The tea table awaits you; please help yourself.

                                                            
Take time to be friendly~ friendships give life a delicious flavour.~

Tea is instant wisdom - just add water. ~ Astrid Alaude

I want to thank Kathy for hosting her Victoria - A Return to Loveliness party every week. One can always use a little more loveliness in their life!

I enjoy curling up with a copy of Victoria magazine and a nice cup of tea! One can lose all track of time perusing its lovely pages; especially the Spring issue.
Victoria magazines give us a wonderful glimpse into the lives of such gifted ladies as Marjolein Bastin and Tasha Tudor, as well as a variety of interesting subjects. Have you gotten your copy yet?

Thank you for coming by to help me celebrate my favourite season. It's always lovely to have you!

I hope you have enjoyed your visit and if you would like to participate in my tea party, please use the inlinkz below to sign up.

I wish you a season filled with lovely blooms, birdsong, and the love of family and friends. Enjoy your tea, and the Lord bless you!    

I am also joining the following hostesses for their parties:

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/ - Victoria- A Return to Loveliness & Celebrate Spring with Victoria

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/ - Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee & Tuesday Tea For Two

Donna~ http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/ - Tuesday Tea

Donna and Miss Spenser~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/ - Teacup Thursday  

"Therefore...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi