Tea Time Tuesday

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead." ~ Louisa M. Alcott

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to another Tea Time! There is nothing I like better than a bright sunny day, a leafy tree, pretty china, and a fresh pot of tea.... unless I'm at the beach!

So, before the warm sunny days of Summer are past for another year, I decided to set up a little tea out on the front lawn.

This tree stands directly in front of our window where the bird feeder is. The songbirds fly to and from this tree and entertain me all Spring and Summer. I enjoy the gold finches, song sparrows, purple finches, and chickadees among others.

I love this tree for two reasons; it gives us privacy from the street and the songbirds find refuge in it.

Once in a while even a mourning dove will sit up there on the feeder and serenade me with his mournful cooing song.

All summer I have longed to set a tea up under that tree and I finally got to do it. So join me, won't you?

I thought my Rose Chintz would look especially pretty out there. The pink fluted cake plate is new and I decided to show it off today with my favourite pattern.

I love the dappled sunlight peeking through the leaves onto the tea table; so pretty!

"Come and share a pot of tea
There's just enough for you and me.
And if by chance we drink it up,
We'll make ourselves another cup!" ~Author unknown

Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz is a pattern I have loved since I was a little girl, as most of you who have been partying with me for any length of time know.

I never tire of this pattern with its large pink roses and blue forget-me-nots. Perhaps because it's so girly, perhaps because it brings to mind wonderful childhood memories at my Auntie's home.

"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." ~ Frances H. Burnett, "The Secret Garden"

This Summer, Auntie gave me four more pieces to the set, the salad/dessert plates which I was missing. Just perfect for a light salad and a spot of tea.

I'm sure most of you know that many china patterns have different sized plates which are used for different purposes.

A dinner plate is 10 to10-3/4"
A luncheon plate is usually 9 to 9-1/2"
A salad plate is 8 to 8-3/4"
A bread and butter plate is 5 to 7-3/4" {usually 6 inches}

If you look closely at the collage, you will see that the larger the plate is, the more of the rose pattern there is.

There are also plates larger than a dinner plate. These are called buffet plates, service plates, or chargers.

Oftentimes a luncheon plate is called a breakfast plate, fish, or sandwich plate.

Dessert plates are found somewhere between the salad and B&B plates but are not common. So oftentimes the salad plate doubles as a dessert plate.

Early in my marriage one of the jobs I had was at a jewelery store and I enjoyed selling china and learning all about it. I hope you have learned some interesting facts today.

My roses have dropped the last of their fragrant petals but I can enjoy roses all year long on my pretty china.

"One by one the petals drop
There's nothing that can make them stop.
You cannot beg a rose to stay.
Why does it have to be that way?" ~ Judith Viorst - "Summer's End"

Do you have a favourite china pattern? Do you have a piece of it or the whole set? Perhaps it is a pattern you dream about and hope to someday own. I would love for you to share it with us.

"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." ~ Psalm 118:24

Thank you for joining me out on the lawn for tea. There is a definite change in the air now. Soon my tree will be robed in bright colours for the new season and the only birdies sitting in its branches will be the chickadees, blue jays, and crows.

Hope your day is filled with delight and a good pot of tea.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Inspire Me Tuesday ~ http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Tea In The Garden ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
What's It Wednesday ~ http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi