All Things British for Tea Time

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~ Winston Churchill

Hello dear friends! Won't you join me for a little conversation and a cup of tea? I love that quote by Churchill! It can make all the difference in how your day goes. Or your life for that matter.

My ancestors originated in England, Germany, and Ireland but I want to focus on England today because that is where Royal Albert china was first  produced.

Oh to live in an English cottage with a gaggle of geese outside your door and a flock of yearlings in your meadow. ~ unknown

My late Uncle Doug who passed last May was my beloved Auntie P's hubby. I was very fond of him and he used to regale me with stories of his homeland, England, including The Potteries. He loved the Lord, my auntie, his tea, gardens, and the old country. He and Auntie took a number of trips back to England and returned with all kinds of tales. He made England seem more real to me and I hung on every word. I adored his accent, his charm, and his wit. Like many Brits, he liked milk in his tea and those little tea sandwiches with the crusts cut off. I always tried to indulge him when they visited. I miss him and will always cherish the times we spent together.

What is it about the English countryside - why is the beauty so much more than visual? Why does it touch one so? ~ Dodie Smith

One of England's greatest monarchs was Queen Victoria and we Canadians celebrate her birthday every May because we belong to the British Commonwealth. Although this is February, it is widely rumoured that one of Victoria's favourite colours was purple. Since February's flower of the month is the violet, I am sharing my two February Violet teacups by Royal Albert. 

Life is like a cup of tea...it's all in how you make it... unknown

Both of these sets were gifted to me. One was a house warming gift from my hubby's late aunt and the other was my late MIL's birthday cup. Hubby's sister had her mother's cup and saucer and when she found out I had one, she gave the other to me. I have been waiting till now to share them. 

Isn't it so pretty with its violets and that little hint of teal in the background? A very attractive combo!

As a nation, the British drink 165 million cups of tea daily. That's enough to fill six Olympic sized swimming pools. - Internet

I am having Earl Grey tea today. According to statistics gathered from the Internet, the Brits drink more tea than anyone else. One of their favourites is of course, Earl Grey. 

According to historians, the Earl Grey blend could be named after  Charles Grey, the British Prime Minister in the 1830s. Rumour has it that he received the first tea as a gift from a Chinese woman. But according to Twining’s, the tea was a unique infusion which was presented by a Chinese envoy to Lord Grey. - Internet

In any case, it is a favourite with many of us.

I am also using my Sadler teapot called Spring Crocus which had been a Giveaway win a few years ago. Sadler is also an English maker. Aren't the hues lovely! Among the posies are daffodils, irises, tulips, violets, crocuses, forget-me-nots, etc.

The weather is so mild right now that it feels like spring is in the air so beneath it all I have used my damask tablecloth called Spring Blossoms. 

I had a friend over for coffee the other day and we enjoyed some butterscotch pie. I still have a few pieces left so let's have some with our tea, shall we?

Getting back to Victoria... She was empress of the world's largest ever empire, and her name denotes an entire era of British history. She had such a marvellous influence on that period that she will be long remembered and revered.

Internet

She adored fashion and apparently she kept absolutely every piece of clothing, from her mother's clothes to her own baby clothes. A staff member once said that going into her wardrobe was like a history of 100 years of fashion. Victoria is responsible for making the white wedding dress popular. {info I gathered from the Internet}


Victoria adored her husband, Prince Albert, whom we all know the famous Royal Albert china was named for. Most of us know, she mourned for her Prince the rest of her life when he passed and she wore black until the day that she too passed in 1901.

Victoria loved dogs, as most of the royals do, and her favourite was a little King Charles Cavalier spaniel named Dash. This Victoria, played by Jenna Coleman, is petting her Dash. He was a little tri-coloured dog that accompanied her everywhere. 

courtesy of the Internet

I find it interesting how the Brits love their dogs as well as their tea. We all know that Queen Elizabeth loves her corgis. This little guy obviously adores her from the way he is looking at her. 

Internet

My mother, when she was younger, bore a striking resemblance to the Queen in this picture.

Other famous people such as Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees has always loved his dogs. He also has to have a cup of tea before he goes on stage. 

courtesy of the Internet

When Barry's brother, Robin Gibb passed in 2012, his beloved Irish wolfhounds were part of the funeral procession.

Paul McCartney loved his dog, Martha, an old English sheepdog. Both Barry and Paul wrote songs about their dogs.

courtesy of the Internet

I'm sure you are all familiar with Robert Crawley's fondness for his yellow lab in Downton Abbey. How I miss that show!

courtesy of the Internet

I don't have a fur baby myself but would love to have one. Fortunately, my children have pets so I get to enjoy them when they visit. We have two cats and two dogs in the family. 

The kitties...

Merlin

Minnie

The pups...

Boomer

Spike

The weeks of February are slipping by and it has been somewhat of a trial for me. So this post is meant to be a bit on the whimsical side today and I had fun gathering info about my subjects. I hope you enjoyed it. May this beautiful day bring you joy and please do enjoy your cup of tea and your fur baby should you have one. Thank you for visiting and God bless you all!

Humour is the spiciest condiment in the feast of existence. Laugh at your mistakes but learn from them, joke over your troubles but gather strength from them, make a jest of your difficulties but overcome them. ~ LM Montgomery

I am joining the following parties as well~

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

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi