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