Monday, 17 March 2014

Celebrate Spring with A Bird Lover's Tea





March
The month of cold mornings and warm afternoons
when the Fairies weave rugs with flowers
adorning the meadows and roadsides with color...
Edith Holden

Happy St. Patricks Day, dear friends, and Welcome to my special tea party! I am  Celebrating Spring with A Bird Lover's Tea.



Like many of you, I am a bird watcher and I always look forward to the return of the songbirds. Spring is only three days away and there are definite signs of it in the trees behind our home. The gold finches are beginning to change into their bright yellow plummage and the days are growing longer. I cannot wait to see green grass and flowers growing in my garden!

Tulips always say Spring so well, don't they? So I have chosen pink and yellow for my table today.


I am using a few different patterns so I decided to use my lace tablecloth and the same topper I used last week.

If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited it will calm you. ~ William Ewart Gladstone


My Victorian Bird teapot topped with a birdie has been invited to my party as well as a few of my little feathered friends.

There are so many wonderful sounds we enjoy in life but the sound of birdsong in the springtime is simply quite magical, don't you think? 



Mr. Blue jay....


Soon the windows will be open and the sweet sound of birdsong will fill my days.

The sweet bird's nest is one my son found for me while on one of his wildlife field trips. It was once home to a red-eyed vireo.



Today I am sharing three of my trios. I hope you enjoy!

The first is Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz which was given to me by my sweet Auntie P. This is my signature pattern for which I've had a love ever since I was a little girl. I adore its pretty sprinkle of posies and that it is oh, so girly! So many happy memories come flooding back to me when I look at this pattern. It also reminds me of springtime.


I meant to do my work today,
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me. ~ Richard Le Gallienne
 


The next trio is one I had shared not long ago which my darling hubby gifted me with for Christmas. It is Staffordshire transferware in a charming green pattern and I am using it in celebration of St. Patricks Day and springtime.


I find joy and beauty in simple things like a beautiful bloom, a bird singing outside my window, and tea in my favourite teacup.

My last trio is Royal Albert Serena.



The plate was gifted to me just recently by my dear blogging friend Bernideen of Bernideens Tea Time Blog. She sent this to me 'Just because!'


She knew I had the teacup and she wanted to bless me with the matching dessert plate. Isn't it  gorgeous? This darling card accompanied the plate. The teapot is topped with a bit of real bling.


Thank you, Bernideen, for your friendship and thoughtfulness. I absolutely love the plate and I will think of you every time I look at it!

But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes


This is my favourite little feathered friend, the Gold Finch.


Because it is St. Patricks Day, I am serving Irish Breakfast tea.

Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage. ~ Catherine Douzel


As well as tea, our tea treats consist of cucumber and cream cheese on whole wheat sandwiches, home made raisin spice scones drizzled with almond icing and accompanied by my raspberry jam and whipped cream.


I have four of these vintage pink sherbets that Hubby got at an antique shop. They are probably depression glass, not sure. They are etched with flowers and vines. Although they don't look it, the bowls of the sherbets really are a pale pink.

One holds an easy-peasy Raspberry jam which I made just for my scones.


This one holds whipped cream.


Birdies on cupcakes....Mr. Robin. When we see the robin hopping about, we know Spring is truly here.


The cupcakes are filled with custard and sprinkled with white chocolate curls. Very decadent!


The butter tarts are easy to make and I'll share my recipe later in the week. They sit on a pink depression glass plate.

Would you like a cup of tea and some goodies?

Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.

I am delighted you have joined me today!

 I wish you a season filled with birdsong, lovely blooms, and joy. Enjoy your cup of tea today and the Lord bless you!  



Your presence always makes my tea party that much more special. It is all about sharing your joy of tea time and you may be as creative, fancy, or as laid back with your tea time as you wish!

Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot or mug that you would like to share with us today? How about a tablescape? I would love to see it and I'm sure others would too!

I will bid you good day with an Irish blessing~
 
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus too,
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.



I am joining the following parties as well~

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/
Friends Sharing Tea~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi