Tea Time Tuesday

"Then followed that beautiful season...Summer...
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Happy Summer and welcome to Tea Time, my lovely friends!

Has your soul been touched to its very edges by a bloom yet? My roses do that for me. At last, I have been able to gather a bouquet of roses from my own garden for my tea table.

It's no secret that I love my old-fashioned roses. I guess they are a bit like me; old-fashioned at heart. These roses are Theresa Bugnet and they smell divine! I love their layers of frilly, fluffy petals. Sometimes they are so large, they resemble peonies.

They last only a short time before their soft, silken petals fall one by one onto the grass or table. But oh my, the exquisite joy they bring to my heart!

"The serene philosophy of the pink rose is steadying. Its fragrant, delicate petals open fully and are ready to fall, with regret or disillusion, after only a day in the sun.

It is so every summer.

One can almost hear their pink, fragrant murmur as they settle down upon the grass:
'Summer, summer, it will always be summer.' "~ Rachel Peden

By now you know that roses will be my flower of choice for the first of my Summer tea parties.

"Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I thought today would be the perfect time to introduce my newest teacup. This Regency bone china teacup was gifted to me just a few days ago by a very dear friend. It doesn't appear to have a name so I have named it after the beautiful lady who gifted it to me, Luella.

Pink roses on a white background and gold trim; perfect for my shabby romantic cottage decor! 

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~ William Arthur Ward

Luella had purchased the teacup while she was shopping at her favourite out-of-province store and she thought of me. The store had had a tea party and they were selling off their teacups.

It just so happens that I have another teacup which is a very good match. This one is made by Royal Albert and I received this one as a wedding gift many years ago. Don't they look pretty together?

The roses and placement are identical on these two sets even though they are made by two different companies. Luella's roses are just a little deeper pink.

Hubby brought home some lupins for our party today.



My little turtle has joined us.

Since I am not able to set up a tea out of doors, I have selected a toile quilt as my table covering  and my lace parasol is being put to use, creating what I hope will be a decent Summer Garden Tea party.

Tea sandwiches are Cucumber with cream cheese on white bread and Egg salad on whole wheat; two of our favourites around here.

I have some fresh fruit with Marshmallow cream too and I will share my recipe for this on Wednesday at my HOME party.

Tea is poured.

We're having Lady Grey.

Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.

"There are always two cups on my table." ~ Tang Dynasty

I am sharing this tea party with Terri at Artful Affirmations for her Garden Tea Party.

Some of the other pieces I have used for my party today~
Gracie China
Grace Tea Ware 
Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz
Syke McGhie
Pink Depression glass & pink hobnail
Lead crystal votives and vase
Oneida 

I am delighted you have come to tea today and I would love for you to join me by linking up some tea things of your own. Simply create a post around a special piece of china, teacup/teapot, coffee mug, or a tablescape and I will be happy to come and visit you!

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayward sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson



As a courtesy, please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

I am joining the following parties as well~

A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Tea In The Garden ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Homemaking Party~ http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi