No Place Like Home

The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely. ~ Louisa May Alcott


Hello my lovely friends and welcome to No Place Like Home; a blog party where you are invited to share all your home and garden posts as well as other things that make you happy. A party to share your imagination, wonderful ideas and gifts with others.

On Friday I shared my new vintage teacup I had found while out thrifting. She's a beauty and anyone who appreciates a fine teacup would like this one. She is made by Aynsley and such a lovely colour. I just love it! If you missed this post and would like to read about my newest acquisition then please click here.

Yesterday we spent some time at Victoria Park where I took a few pictures. We always try to have coffee there in the evenings. Isn't this peaceful?

The boats were out on the water. The blues were perfect and I didn't have to doctor up the colours at all. Nature did this all my herself.

The trees are beautiful, wearing their bright green tresses. 

This tree in particular arched over me like a canopy and I tried to get a good shot while standing under it but this was the best I could do. The branches reach almost to the ground and it was beautiful standing beneath it. 

A little further down the tree lined walk. A shot from behind one of the many benches that look out over the water.

This is the line of trees along the walk that goes by the Governor's Mansion. There are benches every few yards to sit on and enjoy the water view. These trees have been here for a long time and could probably tell some stories.

This is the back view of Governor's Mansion. This summer I may go in and take some pictures of their beautiful gardens.

It was about the seven in the evening so the shadows were getting long. 

And that was my little stroll through Victoria Park.

Last week's party served up a wonderful variety of ideas and recipes. They were all splendid and thank you so much for sharing. I am honoured that you linked up to my party. You are a wonderfully talented group of ladies! 

On the weekend I had a few moments to spare so I am sharing three posts from last week's party that had the most clicks.

Carmen @ Country Blessings had the most clicks. She shared with us her wonderful tea in the garden with an excerpt from her pastor's sermon which was quite lovely.

The next two ladies tied for having the second highest number of clicks on their posts. 

Janice @ Mz. Witherspoon's Cottage shared her sweet morning tea with roses. Isn't her pink rose doily sweet?

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home shared the wonderful treasures she found while out shopping at yard sales; lots of pretties. Don't you love her chandelier?

Thank you everyone for participating last week. As a courtesy, it would be nice if you would have a link back to my party. 

Now let's see what you are creating in your home to make it a cozy place to come home to for your family, your friends, and yourself. 

Lord, this humble house we'd keep 
Sweet with play and calm with sleep. 
Help us so that we may give 
Beauty to the lives we live. 
Let Thy love and let Thy grace 
Shine upon our dwelling place. - Edgar A. Guest 

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Serendipi-Tea and A Good Book

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


Hello my lovely friends! I hope you're all enjoying this first week of summertime. I know I certainly am. After all the cold rainy weather we've had, I am soaking up the sunshine and loving it.

It is always with a sense of wonder that I watch Summer unfold as cold gives way to warm days and balmy evenings.

I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June. ~ LM Montgomery - Anne of the Island

Last week I showed off some Rose Chintz china with my lilacs. I also mentioned that I had bought some new teacups. I had gone into a shop looking for a vintage lace table topper and I found none. 
But what I did find could only be described as being serendipitous. 

This was a sneak peek at one of the teacups. Isn't it sweet?

Now, would you like to see the whole teacup? Here she is in all her vintage splendour!

Do you see why I couldn't resist her? She is adorned in one of my all-time favourite colours, turquoise. She is called Blue Crocus and she is adorned with a sweet surprise of purple violets just inside the cup and lots of gold filigree. I would say I found a superb teacup. 

Who would have thought to put these two colours together? Well, Aynsley did. You were right, Margie!

I honestly don't need any more teacups but when I feasted my eyes on this one, well, my heart went pitter-pat and she had to come home with me! It is not often that one finds a teacup in this scrumptious colour. The amount of gold filigree makes it a stunning work of art, don't you think?

Hubby said I would be sorry if I didn't bring her home. He knows me so well!

So, shall we sit and have some tea using my pretty aqua tea ware? A nice cup of tea with a friend or two or three, makes for a lovely afternoon of camaraderie and conversation. 

Serenity is a solitary cup of tea; pleasure is sharing it with another. ~ Victoria magazine

I brought out my Gracie China teapot. The aquas all go together so well.

Another Aynsley teacup that you have seen before.

Fresh posies from my yard; roses that just bloomed this morning and some bridal veil.

My bridal veil is heavy with blossoms this year, the best it's ever been.

I had made some rhubarb batter pudding for dessert this week when I had my son and his family over for taco night. I have just enough left to serve with our tea. It is a lovely dessert consisting of sweetened red rhubarb baked beneath a cake-like pudding. A dollop of fresh whipped cream and a strawberry for garnish, it makes a delightful accompaniment with your tea.

Tea is Four O'Clock Almond Biscotti, a white tea indulgently flavoured with almond biscotti notes. Good to the last crumb...uhhh drop...!

A table set for friends.

A couple of months ago Linda @ Friendship Tea held a giveaway for an autographed copy of Laura Child's newest book, Devonshire Scream, and I was the winner. Thank you, Linda.

I do most of my reading at night so it took me a couple of weeks to finish it. It was hard to put down and I must say, I think it is Laura Childs' best tea shop mystery to date. It is a story that will keep your interest from beginning to end. 

Those of us who enjoy a good mystery and have read the Tea Shop Mystery series are familiar with tea shop owner and amateur sleuth Theodosia Browning. Her friends and co-workers, Master tea blender, Drayton, and baker extraordinaire, Haley, are always on hand to help find clues. With her sharp mind and nose for hunting down the bad guys, she, along with her friends, as well as Detective Burt Tidwell, delves into solving the mystery. Lots of fun! 

Childs always includes some delicious recipes in the back of her books too so be sure to pick up a copy. It is well worth the read!

When you have flowers, books, and tea, you are never alone. ~ Alexandra Stoddard

Enjoy your cup of tea today and a good book. 

I am so happy you have stopped by for a visit today. I always enjoy your company. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday for No Place Like Home.

Remember
Aways remember to forget,
The things that made you sad,
But never forget to remember,
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget,
The troubles that passed way,
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day. ~ unknown


 I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Bernideen's TTCG Blog Party
 The Art of Home-Making Mondays
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Marthas Favorites
 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

No Place Like Home

Let your boat of life be light, packed only with what you need - a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends worth the name, someone to love and someone to love you. ~ Jerome K. Jerome

Happy first day of Summer! and welcome to No Place Like Home; a blog party where you are invited to share all your home and garden posts. A place to share your imagination, wonderful ideas and gifts with others. 

There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life more beautiful for others. ~ Mandy Hale

The past two days have been warm and sunny. Having been deprived of this kind of weather the last two months, we Islanders are relishing this break in the weather pattern. It is interesting to note that everyone is much happier. 

The sailboats are out and the greenhouses are very busy. Ah, Summer! It doesn't last long but I'm going to enjoy every moment. I can't wait to get out to the beach and feel the sand between my toes and listen to the waves lapping on the shore. Total bliss!

It is lilac time on the Island and I love arranging these gorgeous flowers in my china; Rose Chintz to be specific. The purple of the lilacs pulls out the blue forget-me-nots in the pattern and it looks very attractive to me. Very girly, and I do love girly!

The fragrance of the lilacs is so lovely. If you would like to see more of this post please click here.


Last week's party served up a plethora of lovely ideas and delicious recipes. They were all splendid and thank you so much for sharing. You are a wonderfully talented group of ladies! 

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I won't be able to share special features during the summer months. But when I am able I will share a couple here and there. Today I will share the post which received the most clicks.

Jocelyn @ Just a Little Southern Hospitality had the highest number of clicks on her lovely tea time post. Congratulations, Jocelyn!

Thank you everyone for participating last week. I am honoured that you linked up with me.

As a courtesy, it would be nice if you would have a link back to my party. Now let's see what you are creating in your home to make it a cozy place to come home to for your family, your friends, and yourself.

Lord, this humble house we'd keep 
Sweet with play and calm with sleep. 
Help us so that we may give 
Beauty to the lives we live. 
Let Thy love and let Thy grace 
Shine upon our dwelling place. - Edgar A. Guest 


I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Bernideen's TTCG Blog Party
Tea Cup Tuesday
The Art of Home-Making Mondays
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home

An InLinkz Link-up

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Lilacs and Roses

What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfilment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. ~

Gertrude Jekyll - excerpt from Victoria May/June 2011

Hello everyone! It's been another cold and rainy week. No one is happy because those who like to garden, golf, play tennis, or walk on the shore, are not able to. Very disappointing!

However, on a brighter note, the trees are very lush and green as is the grass. Bushes and trees are filled with blossoms and the promise of summertime is still ahead. The songbirds are singing their little hearts out in the trees behind our home and it fills me with joy.

So, let's gather some fragrant lilacs and pretty china and see if they can cheer us up. The scent of lilacs alone can make one happy!

I have shared my Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz many times over the years but I have to share it again when the lilacs are out. I had originally set my table with blue transferware but it just looked flat so out came my Rose Chintz once again. 

I love using my Rose Chintz pitcher for a big bouquet and I like using smaller pieces like a creamer for smaller arrangements. Lilacs just look so pretty with this pattern.

My Rose Chintz talks to me. It reminds me of a little girl visiting her auntie over in New Brunswick who always set her table with these girly dishes. The dishes had been a wedding present to her and her husband. Auntie's table always looked special, almost like a garden, and that made the little girl feel special while she was there. It was something she could count on and she was smitten with those dishes from a very early age. 

Most of my beloved Rose Chintz came to me via my sweet auntie and now they remind me of her and the loving relationship we share.

I love how the lilacs bring out those sweet little blue forget-me-nots sprinkled among the roses in the pattern. It just looks so pretty and whimsical.

I cannot resist sharing this pattern when it is lilac season.

Lilacs and lace.

The other day I went into an antique shop looking for a vintage lace tablecloth. I didn't find one but I did leave with three china cups and saucers {Yes, I have been naughty because I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more.} When one is planning to downsize, one doesn't keep buying china. Until you at least get settled and then you can start again. Pretty china is my weakness. 

I love things that bear the touch of time; chips and all - they're more beautiful than perfection. ~  Victoria magazine


I also bought a little silver plated pitcher which I simply couldn't resist! It has a patina on it but I like it. The camera picks up the outline of where there used to be a label but with the naked eye you don't see it at all.

And here it is with a couple sprigs of lilacs in it. Cute? I think the shape of it is ever so sweet!

This is going to hold many different posies over the years.

I made blueberry oatmeal muffins to have with our tea. We have been eating rhubarb for a week so I thought blueberries would be a nice change.

Next week I will share one of my new teacups with you. Here is a sneak peek.

You like?? Are you curious? This is one teacup I COULD NOT leave behind and you will see why next week.

Thank you for your company today. I love it when you stop by. Enjoy your weekend and be sure to stop and smell the roses or lilacs or whatever is blooming in your part of the world! Take care, dear friends.

PS ~ The sun finally came out! Yay!!

People need people and friends need friends

And we all need love, for a full life depends

Not on vast riches or great acclaim

Not on success or worldly fame

But just in knowing that someone cares

And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers. 

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

I am joining the following parties as well ~


Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Bernideen's TTCG Blog Party
Tea Cup Tuesday
The Art of Home-Making Mondays
Share Your Cup Thursday
Home Sweet Home


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

No Place Like Home

A house without love may be a castle, or a palace, but it is not a home; love is the life of a true home. ~ John Lubbock

Hello my lovely friends and welcome to No Place Like Home; a blog party where you are invited to share all your home and garden posts. A place to share your imagination, wonderful ideas and gifts with others.

I shared a couple of posts on the weekend. My Royal Albert Blossom Time china always comes out this time of year because of course, it is blossom time. You may visit that post here if you missed it.

I also shared a recipe for Rhubarb Crisp and you can find that here.

Last week you all shared so many wonderful crafts, ideas and recipes. You are a wonderfully talented group of ladies and I am so honoured to have you link up to No Place Like Home. 

There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life more beautiful for others. ~ Mandy Hale

As a courtesy, it would be nice if you would have a link back to my party so that others may find their way here to visit all my other participants. 

Now let's see what you are creating in your home to make it a cozy place to come home to for your family, your friends, and yourself.


Lord, this humble house we'd keep 
Sweet with play and calm with sleep. 
Help us so that we may give 
Beauty to the lives we live. 
Let Thy love and let Thy grace 
Shine upon our dwelling place. - Edgar A. Guest 

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Rhubarb Crisp

"Good morning mister sunshine, you brighten up my day!"

I hope you all enjoyed this first full week of June. There is a seldom seen bright yellow object in the sky today. Hello Mr. Sunshine! It's so good to see you!

It is rhubarb season here on PEI and I make all kinds of treats from this wonderful and versatile vegetable. Muffins, rhubarb crisp, preserves and pie, are just some of the delectable goodies one can make with rhubarb. This week for tea time, I made some Rhubarb Crisp or Crumble as some of you would call it. This recipe comes from an old cookbook put out by Five Roses Flour called "A Guide to Good Cooking." It was one of the first cookbooks I bought when I got married.

Rhubarb Crisp

Cut up 3 cups of fresh or frozen and thawed rhubarb into one inch pieces and mix it with 1/3 cup brown sugar. 

Grease a 8 inch baking pan and put the sweetened rhubarb into the prepared pan. Then mix up your topping.

Crumble topping

2/3 cup oatmeal
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon 
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup soft butter or margarine

Mix the dry ingredients all together in a bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle the topping over the rhubarb and bake in pre-heated oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. Serve warm plain or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Yield: 6-8 servings.  Delicious!

I will be sharing this recipe with the following parties:

Bernideen's TTCG Blog Party
The Art of Home-Making Mondays
Share Your Cup Thursday
Home Sweet Home

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi