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 8 September 2014

Tea Time Tuesday


"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."

-   Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885



Hello dear friends and welcome to Tea Time Tuesday

Well, here we are in the second week of September and school is back in session. Some of you are getting ready for Autumn. Me, I am going to hold on to Summer for as long as I can.

"Tea is a time in which we were perfectly contented with ourselves and one another." ~ Charles Dickens



When all my family was home in July, my youngest son surprised me with a new cup.


He had been to the Botanical Gardens in Missouri and found this Irish inspired cup made by Grasslands Road which he thought I would like. 

I wondered how I might display this new cup for you today and I thought it would look nice with old roses, old lace, and this teapot.



As you can see it is cream and green with the Claddaugh on it. 

My hubby is half Irish and our sons are proud of their Irish heritage. When my son saw this cup he thought it would be nice in my collection. Well, truth be told, Hubby has claimed it for his own! 


It is a large sturdy cup that holds about 7 oz. with a comfortable handle and quite masculine in appearance. It is unique, and because it is a gift from my son, I shall cherish it. It always pleases this mom to know my son thinks of me on his many trips.

The meaning of the claddagh ring is what gives the ring it's significance. The hands of the ring are shown holding the heart and the hands denote friendship and togetherness, the heart itself signifies love and the crown in the claddagh ring stands for loyalty.

I think the cup defines our family perfectly. 

I am going to enjoy some Irish Breakfast tea in my cup.



With a piece of Dutch Apple cake.





This cake is easy to make and has just a bit of sweetness. It is best served hot. You may serve it plain, with whipped cream, or a lemon or brown sugar sauce and it makes a wonderful dessert with a cup of tea or coffee. I will share the recipe on Thursday.



Coffee is my wake-me-up. Tea is my hug-me-up. ~ Sam Title


Before I end my tea post today, I thought I would share some of the wildlife I have enjoyed in our backyard this summer. All of these pictures were taken through the window so they are not as clear as they could be.




I got up one morning to find handsome Mr. Fox had made himself comfortable in our back yard.
We have had two bunnies visiting almost every day and the squirrels and chipmunks love to gather seeds that fall from the bird feeder. 




All things bright and beautiful, 
all creatures great and small, 
all things wise and wonderful:  
the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, 
each little bird that sings, 
God made their glowing colors, 
and made their tiny wings.~ Cecil F. Alexander {published 1848}



We have numerous birdies feeding at our bird feeder. 




One day the bird feeder fell and broke so we replaced it with this one which keeps the big birds away. 




Now our beloved finches, sparrows, and chickadees can feast to their heart's content without the jays and crows chasing them away. The new bird feeder was a great investment because the bigger birds can't get into it! The little birds spend hours in it and they know they are safe.

Now, if all goes as planned, we will enjoy the company of the gold finches all winter as we did last year. The secret to keep them from going south is to keep a steady supply of food for them and they will stay for the winter. These little birdies are more resilient than I thought.

One more thing; today is my oldest son's birthday. Happy Birthday Sweetie! Like his mom, he too is a nature lover. Anything you want to know about birds, insects, fish, or plants, he's the one to ask.


Every day is a little life, and our whole life is but a day repeated. Therefore live every day as if it would be the last.~ Joseph Hall

Thank you for your company today. I would enjoy seeing your tea wares; teacups, coffee cups, teapots, coffee pots, tea recipes, and visits to a tea shop are all welcome. 


I am joining the following parties as well~

Mosaic Monday
A Return to Loveliness
Tea Cup Tuesday
Tea Cup Tuesday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Tea in the Garden
Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home


 Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

37 comments :

  1. Hi Sandi. I love your new clad agh cup! Very cool! A lovely tea table for the first week in September. How fun to have a fox come to visit! Happy BD to your son! Thanks for hosting and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea and have a great week!
    Ruth

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  2. Dear Sandi,
    What a sweet son to be looking out for his mama.
    Very special of him. You had a hand in that in the way he was raised.
    Mr. Fox sure is handsome.
    Have a wonderful week, Ruthie

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  3. I do like that tea cup.... a LOT. My hubby is Half Irish, Half Irish/Canadian. Actually he is purely Irish since way back on his mom's side is Irish. His dad was from Northern Ireland!

    And that is a great birdfeeder. My cousin in New Brunswick has one like that. Wonder if they are available here?? Will have to check. We currently have one like your green one.

    Thanks for hosting once again!

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  4. Sandi, so much great stuff in this post. As soon as I finish this comment I'll be off to check out bird feeders online. I have such a problem with the squirrels, and that looks like a perfect solution. And I didn't know the goldfinches will stay through the winter. That apple cake looks delicious, and the new tea cup is very special. Happy tea day!

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  5. First: Happy birthday to your dear son!
    Your new teacup is different than anything I've seen before, I love it! The tart is making my mouth water, yummmm....
    Thanks for hosting this lovely party. Have a wonderful week.
    FABBBY

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  6. I love the bird feeder and the squirrel is so cute and you have solved the problem, a good idea. There are no squirrels around here, but maybe somewhere, but not in this zone.
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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  7. What a beautiful teacup and extra-special since your son thought of you and picked it out. Your apple cake looks wonderful, Sandi, and perfect with some Irish breakfast tea. Your new bird feeder is so sweet. I had to get a baffle for on top of mine to keep the squirrels away. Thank you for hosting your lovely party.

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  8. Hi Sandi,
    Your new teacup is so unique and how special that your son bought it for you. Your wildlife pics are beautiful and I especially love the reddish and yellow birdies perched on the feeder. The Dutch Apple Dessert looks delish too! Happy Birthday to your son! Thank you for hosting Tea Time Tuesday. Have a lovely week! Karen

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  9. How beautiful! I would just die if I looked out and there was a fox in my yard. :)

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  10. I love all the wildlife that is in your backyard....how wonderful to be able to look out your window and enjoy! Thank you for having tea for us again this week...always a pleasure to stop by and join the party! Hugs, Penny

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  11. What a lovely cup Sandi! How sweet he was out and thinks of you. I love little surprises like that from my sons too. That is a neat bird feeder that keeps the crows away. Thanks for hosting!
    Sherry

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  12. Your son was thoughtful to purchase the teacup for you and it looks lovely with the green transferware.
    It's a good thing the bunny and fox didn't meet on the lawn, someone may have have big eyes for dinner.
    Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday, the crossover is nice with the tea party included.

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  13. Hi Sandi,

    A very Happy Birthday to your son!

    How sweet when our children come upon something in their travels that instantly reminds them of us, or our passions, and then carry it all the way home for our pleasure! It's a beautiful cup and you've styled it so charmingly for us!

    I am constantly amazed at all the wildlife near residential areas in Canada. My goodness, foxes; are they dangerous? Now, the bunny rabbits and the birdies are more of what I'm used to when I stay with my sister in Unionville, Ontario. They can be seen hopping along from one garden to the next; simply storybook splendour!

    Thanks for sharing all the latest happenings around your neck of the woods and that new bird feeder is ingenious!

    xx
    Poppy

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  14. Hello Sandi,

    You have a very thoughtful son.

    Could I possibly have the recipe for your Dutch Apple Cake (I couldn't find it in the post, so if you included it, please forgive me). My hubby was looking over my shoulder as I was reading you post and asked, "Oh, what is that!" Haha So, now I have to make it. It looks pretty enough to serve at a very fancy dinner. I love the way it looks out of the pan.

    Blessings back at ya, m'dear. XO Wishing you a beautiful day,

    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  15. Your birds are so lovely, and it was great seeing the fox in your yard. You got some great captures! Love your new teacup - how sweet of your son!

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  16. Such a sweet son; he knows exactly what his mom loves. I enjoyed your backyard wildlife and I especially like the idea of a caged feeder for the small birds. I told my husband that we need to replace one of our feeders and we should get a caged one to keep the grackles, crows, red winged black birds, and doves out of the way. The little finches would certainly like that. Wonderful photos.

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  17. Hi Sandi, I like your new teacup. How special for your son to give it to you. My friend has one of those cage bird feeders and likes it as well. I should look into one. Have a great week.

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  18. The Irish cup is unique and nice for holding a generous amount of tea. Clear wildlife photos. Thank you for hosting this party.

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  19. How thoughtful of your son to think about you and buy that pretty cup. I like it. Than
    ks for hosting, Sandi....Christine

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  20. Sandi, I finally can join in! I tell ya life has been hectic and the one thing I want to do the most - blogging about tea - is about the one thing I haven't been able to do.

    Thank you for hosting.

    LOVE your Claddagh cup - and esp love your half Irish hubs is using. I never take the C ring my father bought me in Ireland......your cup is awesome, what a thoughtful son you have!

    Hope your son had a happy birthday.

    Adore your Gold Finches! Hugs!

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  21. So pretty and that cake is just divine!
    The pictures of the wildlife around your home are just amazing! Love that Mr. Fox.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  22. What a beautiful gift from your son. I can understand why the symbol of the Claddaugh is so special to your family. I wear a claddaugh ring on my wedding-ring finger. It has given rise to some interesting conversations!

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  23. Sandi,
    Thanks so much for the party!!

    I LOVE the new tea cup!! Lovely!!

    I also loved the wild life photos and Happy Birthday to your son!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  24. Love your Irish tea! The cup is so pretty. That cake looks so delicious I wish I had some now for breakfast! Your yard is a haven for many creatures, and that must be heaven!

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  25. Sandi, I like your teacup, children can be so thoughtful. Love all the nature around your home.

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  26. I came over from Mosaic Monday to see your finches, never expecting to see a gorgeous FOX sunning himself in your yard too ! :)

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  27. the fox . . . the hare . . . the birds . . . your lovely tea things . . . I might have to leave New Brunswick Lane and visit your island.

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  28. I need to look for one of those feeders. I have lots of naught squirrels. I love your post, the apple cake, table setting and pictures of your animal life!

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  29. The cup is gorgeous and your cake looks delicious. Happy Birthday to your son!
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  30. Hi Sandi! Your son picked a great cup...and it sounds like your Hubby agrees :). I LOVE the pictures you took of the visitors in your yard, especially the one of Mr. Fox. I keep hoping to see a fox in my neighborhood, but I haven't yet, even though I live near woods. My family have seen coyotes though!

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  31. I think the fox is visiting to be closer to the bunnies and chipmunks...great captures, and I love the claddagh tea cup! Of course the apple cake made me very hungry.

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  32. What a thoughtful gift from your son. It looks like a cup that will grow more handsome with use and age. I especially loved your wildlife photos. Angels to you and thanks for hosting.

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  33. That Dutch Apple Cake - a winner - and don't see many people make it. Might be just the thing for my next church coffee hour 'at bat'

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  34. don't have anything tea related to share today. Just stopping by to say hello Sandi. That teacup is full of charm and lots of history. A very sweet and thoughtful gift.

    That apple cake looks amazing. I have to give it a try.

    Have a lovely week,

    Janet

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  35. What a sweet son! The teacup does go perfectly with that picture. I love the meaning of the Irish emblem. I love seeing wildlife. My youngest daughter loves foxes. She would adore your photo! Happy belated birthday to your oldest son. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  36. I want a fox. They are so beautiful and although they say they do not make good pets, I dont agree. I have seen articles on people who raised a fox from the wild and it was a loving pet. They are not like dogs in general but sure would be wonderful to work with one. Loved the post
    Janice

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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

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