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 20 June 2011

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~

Victoria - Savoring Summer

Table Top Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday
Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Tuesday Tea

Tea Party Tuesday

Teatime Tuesday

 L.A.C.E.

Teacup Thursday

Tea in the Garden





Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

48 comments :

  1. Hi Sandi,
    I am happy to make a tea party this week. It was so warm I made iced tea. I love your peonies in that chintz tea pot. Beautiful! Your tea and food look delicious as always. I love your island and forever Anne will be a kindred spirit. Thanks for hosting this lovely tea!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Sandi! What a private oasis you have in your back yard. I love all the trees and that the birds visit you daily. The beach is also lovely - I have not been in years, but I love to walk in the warm sand! Your roses/lilacs are so pretty and remind me very much of my mom and grandma. The tea set is so sweet. Thank you for hosting this Summer Dreams Tea today. Wishing you many blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well hi Sandi! This is a very lovely post..one of my favorites so far. My favorite picture is you smelling those flowers...so pretty, Sandi. I love your tea time treats! Those tarts look so pretty on their tray so proud. I cant wait for you to start getting Tea Time!! Have a fabulous week my dear friend. I so enjoy your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a pretty, pretty post! Your roses are fabulous! I'm sure things will warm up soon. What a lovely place you live in.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello Sandi
    I enjoyed your summer time post with some of the things I remember from visiting PEI. The family that runs the strawberry farm where I picked is Vissers as well.
    From Trisha's comment it looks like you have subscribed to Tea Time magazine, I love it as much as Victoria.
    Thank you for hosting, I look forward every week to our time together over tea.
    Hugs,
    Judith

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Sandi, I am happy to be joining you again for a this special Summer Dreams tea. As always your post is stunningly beautiful. Love your roses. Your island is such a charming, lovely place. Maybe someday I will journey there. Thank you for always being such a gracious hostess. Happy Summer.
    Blessings,
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Sandi,
    this was such a nice summer post. Your holiday photos are gorgeous. And the Chintz pattern also. Thank you for sharing this all with us and thank you for hosting this event.
    Best greetings, Johanna

    ReplyDelete
  8. So many pictures of a variety of feminine, pretty scenes.
    Thanks for reminding about the wee folks. I'll put out my wee folks house in my garden tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You out did yourself with this teaparty. Everything is so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a delicious tea you served us all today! I so love the stunning rose china set! And, please, I just have to have a couple of tarts! Fruit filled pastry is a favorite of mine! Now, you stopped me dead in my tracks with the Green Gables shot!
    Always a dream of mine to visit Prince Edward Island. Joyful seeing its beauty vicariously through you!
    Joy!
    Miss Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Sandi,
    What a beautiful Tuesday Tea to welcome Summer. I could live inside this post and not come out till Fall. LOL
    Your yard is so inviting and the beach looks so calm and restful.
    Your Chintz is lovely and the tarts look so yummy.
    Thank you for sharing such an inviting post.
    God Bless you dear one.

    XO Celestina Marie

    ReplyDelete
  12. How absolutely refreshing. I'm going to read this again tomorrow, and maybe the next day too. The pink lemonade was a great start but the entire tea party was wonderful.
    - Joy

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a beautiful post! I almost felt I was there with you, wish I were! I love tea times!

    Lovely tea cups and tea pots!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh I love your post so much!! Sandi, you have the most beautiful rose china and I adore the way you display it. Your tartlets look amazing and I wish I could bite into one! Thank you so much for hosting a lovey tea!
    Have a wonderful day my sweet friend!
    <><
    Concetta

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, how I love that post. Such beauty. Thank you so much for sharing. And for hosting your sweet party. Hugs, Karie

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sandi, what a delightful post. I enjoyed the tour of your yard and the special spots on the island. It's all so beautiful. Your tea party is so pretty with all the pink rose teacups. I won't be posting this week and am sorry I can't as I really wanted to do a special summer one in our yard. I have been so busy with the kitchen reno that I just couldn't do it but perhaps I'll get a chance later on and post it on another Tea Time Tuesday. Have a great week. I sure hope it warms up! Blessings, Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  17. HI Sandi,

    I'm linked up for tea this week :) :) So excited. I have some knitting I need to work on r ight now. I'll come back tomorrow for a proper visit ;) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi: I just love your post today. As usual, you party is so beautiful. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Sandi,
    In love with that Chintz Tea Set!
    Have a lovely week!
    Hugs,
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sandi,
    What beautiful pics, yours and borrowed ones form the internet.
    Is your Hubby on strike yet? Joe was wondering how that worked. Here, the postal service is not allowed to strike by government order.
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Sandi,
    That is a lovely summertime tea post.I think being Islanders we enjoy many of the same things.I can't wait for those beach days to start rolling in.
    Hope your summer is wonderful!

    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a beautiful post! i would love a glass of lemonade too! the sand is soo inviting to bury one's feet! looks like an enjoyable time and i love the spot where you take tea, roses are always beautiful, as beautiful as your tea set! im so envious! lovely photos! thanks for sharing and hosting tea time tuesday! xx Susan

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am entranced by the beauty of your Summer Tea - celebrating Summer post - I felt transported with your words and pictures - at the beach, in the woods and on your back porch - It is so wonderful to appreciate the same things - but most importantly to appreciate the God who created them all and gave us the blessing of this and of fellowship - Thank you for joining me this week with Savoring Summer!
    God Bless,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Visiting is always so much fun for me. Spring has been odd here this year as well. Yesterday the winds were howling so I need to see how everything survived this morning.

    I stayed in yesterday to sort and clean out closets. When my nephew came by the other evening he looked around and asked, "What happened-the house looks like it threw up on itself!" I just laughed and laughed because it's true. I've already made two trips to Good Will and have more to take again.

    I'd like to have some of those trees for shelter around my house. Enjoy this first day of summer i and around your home. ♥♫

    ReplyDelete
  25. You have the most beautiful dishes and accessories and you display them in such beautiful settings. Gorgeous. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a beautiful post with so much to see and appreciate. I love how you put the gorgeous flowed in the teapot.
    Hugs,
    Terri

    ReplyDelete
  27. Dear Sandi
    You are really beautiful with your roses
    I think you live in a lovely place
    I dream with Prince Edward Island...Some day I'll visit you
    Hugs from the south of Spain

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your post is stunning today! I enjoyed seeing your garden, the beach, the lupines, Anne of Green Gables and of course your tea is lovely as always! What a lovely photo of you taking time to smell the roses! GREAT post, Sandi!
    Blessings and hugs, Beth

    ReplyDelete
  29. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful roses...and your lovely teacups and teapots. You always set a pretty table filled with goodies. It makes me want to pull up a chair and share a cup of tea at your table:)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Sandi...

    Ohh my...you DO live in beautiful country, my friend! I can only imagine what an entire field of lupins look like...well, other than seeing them through your photos! Hehe! Sooo very beautiful! I love the new garden area that you and your husband have created! And so very precious that you have stones from your Grandmother's home place...that's awesome!!! You certainly do have a beautiful view from your back porch, dear friend! I bet you slip away to take a few cup of teas out there from time to time...don't you?

    Well sweet friend, you have prepared another beautiful tea for us today! You really do set a gorgeous tea table and I would love to share a cup of tea with you! I also enjoyed your first photo with the lemonade! I think I have the same pink goblets. Was wondering what you know about them? A friend gifted me with the set I have so I really do not know a thing about them...just that they are pretty-n-pink!

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful countryside with us today...as well as your gorgeous tea table! Such a delight, sweet friend!

    Warmest summery wishes,
    Chari

    ReplyDelete
  31. A lovely, summer tea party! I have always wanted to visit PEI. Lovely china and beaches and....Hope you are feeling better...I ma praying for you!
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  32. I did not know PEI is noted for its potatoes. I am growing some for the first time for me, this year.
    I bought and read Anne of Green Gables recently and it is a very pure and enjoyable book.
    Your tea cups and pots with all the flowers are so happy looking, and your gardens and the shore.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sandi, your posts always bring such a special grace to my day!
    Your gift for creating beauty draws me right in and I don't want to leave.
    Like the most lovely book on the shelf!
    This was such a treat for me to savour as I sit here by my woodfire.
    Thank you for helping me dream of my lovely summer to come.
    Enjoy every sweet moment of yours!
    blessings..Trish

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Sandi, What a beautiful tea post! I just realized that our Savoring Summer party was today. Oops!

    Well, I certainly enjoyed your summertime post so much!

    The photos and the tea and dainties were all very special. :o) BTw, I tried to link up but it said I already had a link in this collection. I'm not sure why, but I wasn't able to add my link to today's tea post.

    So I'm adding it here. Thanks for the beautiful post!

    http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/2011/06/tuesday-tea-no-31-how-fear-and-worry.html

    Love,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh, what a GORGEOUS post. I truly enjoyed the summer of your beautiful spots on the Island and your yard. Everything is marvelous including your tea party with all the pretty pink rose teacups.
    Thank you SO much for leaving comment for me!!!

    Love and Greeting from Japan, Orchid.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for visitng my blog, Sandi and thank you for inviting me to join in on Tea Time Tuesday. I have added my link and will enjoy spending time reading through the other links.

    Blessings,
    Sandra
    Ravenhill Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Sandi,
    I enjoyed the visit to your garden.Your roses are lovely.
    Summer on your island looks like a wonderful time of year.
    PEI is THE one place in the world I would love to visit.Like a lot of people, I fell in love with PEI through the Anne books.
    thanks for sharing your special place
    God Bless
    Barb from Australia

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful blog entry! Love it so much! You inspire me so!

    Hugs
    LaDonna

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hello Sandi;
    I really enjoyed your post and all those beautiful photos,,,I just love the Ocean,,, but since I don't live near one,, I can at least enjoy our pretty lakes at the beach.... thank you so much for sharing...

    Hugs;
    Alaura

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Sandi,
    You left a comment on my blog asking for my email.

    Charyf@aol.com

    Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a lovely day today!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Sandi,

    Thanks for stopping by. My, I really love roses and i think i should grow them again. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Beautiful post,Sandi! Loved going through all your pictures and how lovingly you captured them...everything looks so delicate and romantic and oh so summery... loved your summer tea setting and the tarts look so yummy. I loved how you stopped to smell the roses.. Thanks for sharing!~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello Sandy...lovely lovely lovely! Eye candy for sure! I just want to jump into your post and live there for awhile. Love the little fairy!
    Enjoy your summer.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Sandi...Oh, LOVED this post today...full of goodies and pictures of PEI. I found a Prince Edward Island page on Facebook, which I joined...someday I'll have to come for a visit.

    Now I didn't know that PEI is famous for their potatoes...bt that doesn't surprise me since Mr. Alec King of Road to Avonlea grew potatoes among other things ;) :) I love potatoes, too :) :) So yummy. Your farmer friend is really sweet to give you some of his potatoes. That's a nice gift ;) :)

    Tea with the fairies is lovely :) :) They bring something magical to tea ;) :) Have a lovely day :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather ;)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Congrats on getting Featured at A Delightsome Life!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. YOU HAVE A LOVELY POST, I TOO LOVE THE SEA AND THE BEACHES.....YOUR TEA IN THE GARDEN WAS SO LOVELY, AND ALL YOUR DELICIOUS TREATS. HAVE A VERY NICE DAY. RIZZI

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your post about summer is wonderful. I enjoyed my visit here with you today.

    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.