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 19 March 2012

Celebrate ~ The Splendor of the Season ~ Spring Tea



"If I should invite just one special guest to join me for afternoon tea, I'd pick someone who knows all my faults and even still, loves me." ~ Unknown


Happy Spring my lovely friends! Are you ready to celebrate the new season? 

We had such a beautiful weekend here on the Island with mild temperatures and lots of sunshine. The snow is melting away and beneath its blanket, there is the stirring of new life.

I saw a flock of Canada geese yesterday and the robins are back. I expect my dear little feathered friends, the gold finches, will be back in about four weeks as well. I always look forward to their return!

This time of year on the Island, one never knows what one will find or make the headlines!
About a mile from our home, is our University of PEI and in a tree on campus is a crow's nest which a fox has made his home in. Needless to say, the crows are not happy about the intruder! This is already on YouTube and making its rounds! Isn't he cute?




Spring brings with it a promise of lovely things to come...
We throw off our heavy coats and boots and relish the bare ground beneath our feet.
It's the season of renewal and there is a sense of expectancy in the air. Folks wear a smile and there is a noticeable spring in their step.

Every field wears a bonnet
With some spring daisies on it,
Even birds of a feather show their clothes off together.
Sun's gettin' shinery, to spotlight the finery,
Spring, Spring, Spring.
- from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers


Ah, yes, Springtime! It's here so ~ let's Celebrate! 

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 today's tea, I'm going with a pink theme with just a touch of robin egg blue


Pink evokes a sense of romance and innocence, and it's just so pretty; a happy colour! Robin egg blue is another favourite colour of mine and we always associate springtime with the robin.

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


I looked for soft pink tulips but could only find white ones. The white will do nicely however.




I am using rose lace on the tea table as it lends a romantic touch to our tea. 
My birdie inspired teapot stands at the ready. I am serving a loose leaf Victorian Garden tea. It's a lovely blend of Ceylon black tea, China green gunpowder, rose and lavender flowers, and vanilla.   

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



I have mixed my patterns today using three different teacups. I like mixing patterns as I think it brings a certain charm to a setting, don't you?



My first teacup is a favourite. Blossom is adorned with pink blossoms and a very soft robin egg blue. This Shelley teacup welcomes Spring to our tea table.




It is such a girly cup with its soft colors and fluted edge. Love the wee spray of posies just inside the cup!

My next cup is Veronica made by Royal Albert; another touch of robin egg blue. Brushed on gold and beautiful blue roses makes this a stunner of a teacup. This too has a sweet spray inside the cup.




Also sitting pretty is the Lavender Rose cup by Royal Albert. I love this charming pattern of pink roses with sprigs of lavender. Again, a cup with posies inside to enjoy while sipping on your favourite tea.



I love the handles on Royal Albert teacups!  





A little birdie joins the party as well.



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




For our refreshments today, I have made strawberry cream cheese on pumpernickel hearts with fresh berries.





A birdie cloche holds a few shortbread and Swedish butterballs.




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






Perhaps you would prefer a slice of butterscotch pie. This has always been a favourite of mine.





Piled high with meringue, it is rich and so good with a cuppa tea!





Yum!


Please help yourself!

In two weeks, on April 2, I will be hosting yet another special tea; my Easter Tea. Spring will be in full bloom by then and I'm sure we can all share something lovely in celebration of this joyous holiday. My tea party button is free for the taking if you wish to use it.



Then, later in the month of April, I will be hosting a tea in honour of the Titanic's 100th Anniversary which is coming up on the 15th of April. I hope you will make plans for that Tea too.



So, there is much to look forward to in the coming weeks.

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





"Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles He performs for people!" ~ Psalm 66:5



I am delighted you have stopped by for a visit today! Your presence always makes my tea party that much more special.
Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot or mug that you would like to share? I would love to see it and I'm sure others would too! I welcome all new and old friends.

If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too:
Hot apple cider
Hot chocolate
Lemonade
Iced tea or iced coffee
Punch in a lovely bowl
No alcoholic beverages please.

The Tea Time Tuesday 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!

To be sure everyone has a visit, it would be nice if you visited the participant before and after your name. Let's all enjoy our Tea Day!

Inlinkz is available below for you to sign up for my tea party.
As a courtesy, please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way back here and visit with all my lovely participants. Thank you! 

I am joining the following parties as well ~ 

Simply Sweet
A Return to Loveliness
Teacup Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Tea Party Tuesday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Tea Cup Thursday




Sharing from my heart~ Sandi