From Sea to Sea, Happy 150th Birthday Canada Tea Party!

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayward sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


Happy Canada Day my dear Canadian friends and welcome everyone to a little tea party in celebration of our great country's birthday!

Tomorrow, July 1st, we will celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. Canada is a wonderful country to live in; rich in culture and history. We have our heroes and we have our ordinary folks like yours truly. 

Of course you all know I live on the east coast of the country on Prince Edward Island which is the birthplace of Canada. Charlottetown is the Cradle of Confederation. 

And one of my sons and his family lives out on the west coast in British Columbia so I will share a few pictures of our visits there as well. Then we will have some tea.

You all recognize this place, I'm sure; Green Gables, which I photographed from the Haunted Wood. PEI is most famous for our red headed heroine, Anne of Green Gables, and she more or less is the reason why tourists flock here to the Island every year.

Victoria Park named for Queen Victoria, one of our most beloved royals, is a beautiful place to take a walk and spend some time by yourself or with family and friends. 

This is the waterfront down by the boardwalk where Hubby and I take our coffee in the evening. The trees are full and lush this time of year and it is a lovely way to spend an evening watching the sailboats in the harbour. 

They say that there are more than twenty-three shades of green in an Island landscape and with our rich red soil, makes the rolling hills of freshly cultivated farmland a sight to behold as one drives through the countryside. 

I know you are all familiar with our beautiful beaches as the beach is one of my hubby's and my favourite haunts.

Oftentimes, when the tide goes out, it leaves warm pools behind for little ones to play in.

This is the south shore at Tea Hill with lupins in the foreground taken by my neighbour.

Yes, the Island is a little paradise.

On the west coast in BC, we have the mountains, beautiful and majestic! PEI is quite flat so to get an up close view of these mountains is pretty amazing! Driving down this highway with the mountains towering in front of us was breath-taking.

This is the village of Whistler with one of the ski slopes in the background.

A photo to remember of our trip out to Whistler is this one with our youngest grandson in front of the Olympic rings. 

There many strange tree formations in BC and there are tree stumps so large that one could have a picnic in there.

A picture from Cypress Mountain overlooking North Vancouver.

This is the Suspension Bridge and no, I wouldn't go on it. 

Finally, to wrap up some photos of our great country, is a statue of one of our heroes; Terry Fox. He was a young man who had lost his leg to cancer and attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. 

My son and his little ones posed for the picture.

The disease claimed Terry's life in 1981 but his efforts live on as well as his spirit. He is one of our national heroes. "All you need is will, you don't have to be gifted, and your dreams will come through if you try," is written on the plaque. 

I admire this young man and although he lost his life to the dreaded disease, he lives on in the hearts and spirits of his countrymen. Even through adversity, his message, to never give up, is loud and clear. Side by side, we can stand strong and accomplish much together. 

From sea to sea, Happy 150th Birthday Canada! We love you!

Now, would you like to stay a bit longer and have some tea? 

"Stay" is the most charming word in a friend's vocabulary. ~ Louisa May Alcott

I would like to have set up my tea table out by my rose bushes because they are spectacular right now but I'm not up for that just yet. I'm still in the healing process so we will do it indoors and besides, it's raining out there.

Canada's birthday calls for lots of red and white so I am putting my red and white china to use today.

This is my favourite red and white teapot which is accompanied by some of my red and white teacups. All of the white roses are embossed on the teapot which makes it extra pretty.

JB Old Britain Castles

Burleigh Felicity

I have been craving a good tea sandwich the past several months and now I am able to enjoy one or two. Maybe even three? I have chicken salad and egg salad, both of which I have been craving since February. 

I also have a white layer cake which I had made for the occasion. Yes, I have been craving this cake too with its butter cream icing but I certainly won't be eating it all myself.

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

Would you like to join me? My tea is Wedgwood Orange Pekoe which I received from my friend Margie. Thank you Margie! I have not been able to enjoy a cup of tea either for a few weeks and now I can. It's amazing how when something goes wrong with you, it can affect your whole life including your appetite.

I know my American family and friends will be celebrating their holiday next week so I also want to wish them a Happy 4th of July!

Thank you for joining me today and I wish you all a fabulous and safe holiday weekend. 

"...God keep our land glorious and free..."

God Bless Canada, and God bless you too!

I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Tea in the Garden
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Home and Healing

You never know what peace is until you walk on the shores or in the fields or along the winding red roads of Prince Edward Island in a summer twilight when the dew is falling and the old stars are peeping out and the sea keeps its mighty tryst with the little land it loves. You find your soul then. You realize that youth is not a vanished thing but something that dwells forever in the heart. ~ L.M. Montgomery

My little grandchildren seeing the red roads of the Island for the first time.

Hello dear friends! I thought I would pop a short post on here to let you all know that I've had my second surgery and I'm home from the hospital. It was a difficult weekend but I think I'm finally beginning to mend. 

Sunday was Father's Day and my son and his girfriend stopped by for a short visit. She brought me flowers from her parents' garden. Among them was this handful of dainty little Lily-of-the Valley which I have arranged in a teacup. Aren't they darling? And they smell so good too.

I want to thank each and every one of you who have taken the time to pray for me, visited my blog, and left such lovely comments. You really are a special group of ladies and I'm happy to call you my Friends!

I may take a short break from blogging to get back on my feet. I'll see how it goes. In the meantime, know that you are loved and very much appreciated. Take care everyone and God bless you!


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

A Treasure Trove of Vintage Beauties

"Usefulness is not impaired by imperfection. You can drink from a chipped cup." ~ Greta Nagel


Welcome to Rose Chintz Cottage dear friends! This may be my last post for a while depending on how I feel after my surgery. That date is drawing nigh this week. 

The other day my Auntie P, my cousin, and my Aunt Ruby made a trip to the Island to visit my mother who is in a nursing home. They also brought with them a box full of Auntie P's dishes for me.

This is setting is from a "tea in the garden" one year.

Now most of you know the story of my Rose Chintz, how much I love it, and how I acquired most of this girly china.... 

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

This pretty pattern tugs at my heart strings every time I look at it. It is a glorious bouquet of pink roses, rose buds, and soft blue forget-me-nots on a creamy white background, captured under a glaze, to be preserved forever. The teacups and mugs each have a delightful little spray of blue forget-me-nots and a single rosebud inside the cup. It is charming, feminine, and just makes me happy to look at it. It is a pattern which seems to give a romantic nod to by-gone days when manners were still in fashion.

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck." ~ Emma Goldman

This vintage Johnson Bros Rose Chintz coffee pot belonged to my Auntie P and it holds so many lovely memories that I just had to share it again with you. 

Whenever we visited Auntie she would always set a big tray with this coffee pot filled with coffee and a plate of sandwiches. I look at this pretty coffee pot and I think of her and remember so many wonderful visits. 

Many of you who have been following my blog for any length of time also know, the pattern Rose Chintz reminds me of my childhood and our visits to my auntie's home in New Brunswick which is where I hail from originally. For as long as I can remember, she had always set her table with this pretty china. 

As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round. ~ Ben Hogan 

It is also bittersweet because the time has come for Auntie to part with them. She is newly widowed and in a retirement/assisted living residence where she must receive a little care. 

She promised me her dishes years ago when she was finished with them and alas, that time has come. Sadly, even the emails she and I had so much fun sending to one another have come to a halt because she can no longer use a computer.

So here is the rest of her beautiful china. As you can see, there are plates in every size; tea/bread and butter plates, salad/starter plates, breakfast plates, and dinner plates. 

There are mugs, bowls in varying sizes, salt and pepper shakers, a platter, one of several I have now, and a number of serving bowls in varying sizes and shapes. Some pieces have a chip and some have worn but that means they were loved and well used. That makes them ever more special. 

I love the square bowls and plates!

I am thrilled to have the salt and peppers! I also have three creamers and two covered sugar bowls.

And these little oval pickle dishes will come in handy for so many things.

There are always flowers for those who want to see them. ~ Henri Matisse

These are some of the pieces Auntie gave me a number of years ago. The pitcher is a favourite and looks splendid holding lilacs. 

Rose Chintz at lilac season. 

I have several double egg cups as well as demi-tasses and the gravy boat with the underplate.

I have enough mugs and teacups for a party. I haven't counted the pieces but I am pretty sure I have at least two dozen of each plate and bowl. Remember, I have already acquired many pieces from Auntie before this. 

Auntie has made this niece of hers very happy! Not only do I have this treasure trove of beautiful dishes from her but I have all the wonderful memories attached to them.

Happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. ~ Denis Waitley

The majority of the Rose Chintz has the pink Johnson Bros mark as well as the green mark on the back of each piece. This means they are vintage and manufactured between the year 1930 and 2003. After that they were made in China. Some pieces are very difficult to find now-a-days. One can find pieces on ebay and in antique shops but not all of them bear the pink stamp and green mark. If the piece bears this JB mark, then you know it was made in England.

So, here you see the majority of my Rose Chintz collection. It will be cherished and will always bring to remembrance the dear auntie who set her table so prettily with them for so many years. Thank you, my beloved Auntie, I love you so much and God bless you!

God bless you too, dear blogger friends. Wishing you all an extraordinary week and thank you so much for visiting.  

I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Tea in the Garden
Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home



Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Teriyaki Stir Fry

Hello dear friends! I hope June is nice where you are. We have been having some lovely weather lately and it would be wonderful if it keeps up because we have such very short summers here.

Today I thought I would share a recipe I came up with. Back in March I eliminated all wheat and dairy which included no bread, cereal, pasta, eggs, milk, cream, cheese, butter, etc..., red meat, spicy foods which included pizza, and fats from my diet to try to calm down my cranky gallbladder. While I was able to eat chicken and scallops {I'm not very fond of fish} as well as lots of fruit and veggies, I couldn't have many of the foods I had always enjoyed. Believe it or not, I miss cheese most of all. But because I took the initiative to change my diet, I have little discomfort with the gallbladder most days. I have had only two very bad attacks during these three months. And my date with the surgeon is next week so I don't have long to go now.

So, I decided to experiment with a few ingredients to make our meals more interesting. Chicken and scallops, as good as they are, can get pretty boring when you serve them the same way day after day.
Dear Hubby had to eat pretty much the same things as I did because he doesn't cook. He never complained but he would have the odd hamburger with onion rings while I would have a salad. *sigh*

This dish is what I call Teriyaki Stir Fry and it is quite tasty. 

You will need:
2 chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
half a red pepper, cut into strips
half a yellow/orange pepper, cut into strips
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup red onion, sliced
OPTIONAL - you could add some chunks of pineapple also if you wish.

The sauce:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 TBSP soya sauce
1 tsp garlic powder

Cook the chicken in a non-stick pan until no longer pink and then add the veggies. Saute´ the veggies until tender crisp. Add the sauce and cook for about fifteen to twenty minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Serve over a bed of rice. I used Uncle Ben's long grain rice. Makes two to three big helpings. Enjoy!

I hope you try it. 

Next week, if all goes well, I will try to share one more post before my date with the doctor. 
Now, I'm going to enjoy this beautiful weekend and I hope you have a beautiful weekend too. God bless!


 Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
 Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Spring Flowers, Family, and Some Good News!

I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June. ~ L M Montgomery

Welcome dear friends and welcome the month of June! What a beautiful time of year it is! This is my favourite season when everything is fresh and green. Spring into Summer; I simply love it!

Every Christmas my west coast son and his family send us a calendar of their family photos which we love to receive. The month of June, it is a close up picture of him and his adorable wife. I love these two so much and we are praying that soon he will receive a transfer back here to the Island. They want to move home so badly!

Aren't they a sweet couple? This guy was such a rebel growing up and caused me many sleepless nights but he has turned into the sweetest and most loveable guy. All that praying and loving has sure made a difference in his life. I read somewhere not long ago that strong-willed children become adults who change the world as long as we can hang on for the ride and resist the temptation to "tame" the spirit out of them. How true!

I guess it's been a couple of weeks since I posted last. I received the results of my surgery and I'm thrilled to tell you they found no malignancy. Such a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and those of my family. I can't help but smile with the good news. 

Smile, it's the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart. ~ Anthony J. D'Angelo 

My middle son was planning a trip home immediately had the news been bad. Now he will come in August. My family is so supportive and I love them to the moon and back, as they say! These are my three guys and how blessed I am to be their mom.

Next on the agenda, is the gallbladder surgery and then hopefully I can enjoy my summer after that.

Here at home, the bleeding hearts have spread from the side of our house to the front and oh my, they are so pretty! I just love those perfect little pink hearts dangling from the vine.

Earth laughs in flowers. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I also have a pitcher of rainbow roses on a table in the corner of the living room. They always brighten the room up especially when we are having a dark and dreary day like we are today.

Pretty soon my Therese Bugnet roses will be in bloom and I am looking forward to bringing their heady fragrance into my home for bouquets. 

A joyful heart is good medicine. ~ Proverbs 17:22

Well that's my news for now. Thank you everyone for your prayers and lovely comments. Wishing you all joy and remember to count your blessings. I know I am!

Spring flowers are in blossom all over.
The whole world's a choir - and singing!
Spring warblers are filling the forest
with sweet arpeggios. ~ Song of Solomon 2:12 - the Message






Home Sweet Home

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi