Saturday, 19 November 2016

Old English Roses for Tea Time

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." ~ Meredith Willson, 1951

Hello everyone ~ Everywhere you look, the grayness of November is being lit up with lights and holiday decorations. I'm so glad we have Christmas to look forward to because it helps one forget that winter is coming and right now, we have all this beauty and an air of expectation to enjoy.

A few months ago my sweet Auntie P sent over some beautiful teacups. The two Royal Albert teacups below were left to her by her neighbour many, many years ago. He has since gone home to be with the Lord. I remember him and he was a dear old fellow. Gorgeous, aren't they? They are part of the Regal Series.




The two teacups above were part of Auntie P's collection. 

Auntie has been in the hospital the last number of weeks and will be joining my uncle in a Retirement and Special Care Residence when she is released. It is so very sad to have our beloved relatives growing older and being unwell. She will not be returning to their beautiful condo which she had built to her specifications. I really don't like changes like these nor does she. We haven't been able to communicate either because she has no access to a computer. She is in New Brunswick and of course I am here on PEI. But life oftentimes does this to us, doesn't it, and we must make the best of it.

Most of you know that the majority of my Rose Chintz came from her and now these beautiful teacups will become part of my collection. Thank you Auntie. I love you and God bless you!



For my post today I am sharing the Old English Rose teacup that Auntie sent me. Pink roses are very much at home among a little Christmasy tea setting. I couldn't wait to pull out the glitter!



I now have three Old English Rose teacups. Each one is unique. 



The one above is in the Hampton shape and the other two are in the Avon shape. 



The one Auntie gave me is incredibly rich looking with all the brushed on gold. It is vintage and is perhaps from the 1930's?



I am enjoying a cup of Stash Cinnamon Vanilla tea with a cinnamon roll fresh from the oven. 



Hubby will be happy to see them on the table! Cinnamon rolls are his favourite. The mercury glass votive which is tucked into the center of the rolls is for butter. Thank you Ruth for the inspiration.



Although Hubby can appreciate a beautiful china teacup, he does prefer a mug when sipping his tea and coffee. I actually know very few men who like their tea or coffee in a teacup. My father loved a teacup but then he appreciated fine things. My Uncle Doug, Auntie P's husband, being a Brit, also loves a teacup.


The teapot is Royal Albert in the New Country Roses pattern.

..."Perhaps that is the true gift of a teatime celebration: It fills our cups with joy and warmth and friendship. May the echo of the teacup's message be heard not only at Christmas, not only on special occasions, but anytime friends come together." ~ Emilie Barnes

Would you like to join me? 

I have started decorating but haven't gotten very far yet. I had the flu yesterday so that held me up. We purchased a little four foot table top tree this year. The big tree will be going up in the family room since we spend all our evenings in there watching the Christmas specials.

Once again, thank you for stopping by. It's always a pleasure to have you! Till next time, take care and Happy Thanksgiving to all my dear American friends!


I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Tea Cup Tuesday
The Art of Home-Making Mondays
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Saturday, 12 November 2016

Christmas Preparations and Tea with The Friendly Village

November ~ the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. ~ LM Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables

Hello my lovely friends! It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted. I have been really busy with appointments and life in general.

November is here and although it is becoming gloomy out there what with bare branches on the trees and more rain than sun, I am not minding it too badly. I am thinking about Christmas, you see. 



I have my fruit for my fruit cakes and one cake has already been baked and is cooling. I just took this one out of the oven. This cake is so pretty because it looks like the batter has been baked with bright jewels in it. A perfect Christmas cake!



I will let it ripen a bit before I cut it. The dark cake will get baked in the next couple of days. One son who lives out of province will receive some light cake and the other will receive some dark. Both of my fruit cakes are my grandmothers' recipes. And who knows where they got them? I do love recipes passed down from one generation to another, don't you?


I love tradition and this is one I keep every year; making my Grannys' fruit cakes. These are my "Memory Cakes." Just like many ornaments on the Christmas tree that hold such beautiful memories, the Memory Cakes hold special memories too. When I bake them, I remember those lovely women who loved me and played such an important part in my life. 

Once November arrives, I begin using my Johnson Bros. Friendly Village. This charming pattern of yesteryear will take us through till February or March. I love how each piece represents a different scene of days gone by such as The Ice House depicted on the teacups.



I am sharing a new Grace teacup as well. I like the creamy white with the iridescent overglaze. The fluted edges make it a very pretty set. 


In the display at Home Sense they had these teacups accompanying the Friendly Village pieces and they looked really pretty together so I'm doing the same. It just adds a little interest to an otherwise matchy-matchy tea table setting.

Now, how about some tea?
I had a friend over the other day and we enjoyed some lemon pie with our coffee. There are still a few slices of pie left so that is what I am serving today with my tea.



Tea is a symbol of friendship and hospitality around the world. - unknown




I know my American friends have Thanksgiving on their minds but has anyone started their Christmas decorating yet?



My next post will most likely have some Christmas in it. Till then, my friends, take care and thank you for your visit. Have a splendid weekend. 

I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
 Tea Cup Tuesday
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi