I've Been Naughty!

May your life always be like a pot of tea... overflowing to warm the soul. ~ An Irish Blessing 

The other day, I was naughty!

I walked into The Anne of Green Gables Store looking for a specific item when lo, and behold, I spied something as soon as I walked through the door. That something made me smile!

As soon as that something saw me, she spoke to me and said, "Well hello, Sandi, I've been waiting for you! Wouldn't I make a fabulous addition in your home?" My heart went pitter-pat at the sight of her and knowing that she wanted to come home with me, well, what could I do?

I looked around for the other items I was wanting and then gently picked her up on the way to the cashier. The lady who waited on me told me they had gotten only two of these in and she wished she had more because it's such a beauty. She too loved the old-fashioned design of it and it was not  pricey.

I had promised myself I wouldn't purchase any more china because we had planned on down-sizing. But plans change and we're staying put at least for a couple more years. I really don't need any more of these but I honestly couldn't resist this lovely thing.

Now here she is sitting in all her prettiness... 

Crafted from fine porcelain and embellished with big pink roses and a lustrous gold trim, she beckons one to admire her. She is part of the Hampstead Collection and she holds 4 cups of tea. She's delightfully fancy but has old-fashioned charm, don't you think?

Home is where your teapots are. ~ Helen Oyeyemi

I have no idea why, but I have always been enamoured by a pretty teapot and I started collecting them years ago. I love teacups too but there is just something special about a teapot that makes me yearn for those genteel days of by-gone years when ladies, wearing their pretty hats and gloves, enjoyed their tea amidst polite conversation. 

I suppose it's my way of connecting with the past and perhaps a reminder of my grandmother whose pantry always held jars of homemade cookies and canisters of tea and coffee, as well as the beloved teapot. Lovely memories!

Getting back to my teapot...The cover is adorned with what reminds me of a little tiara on it. 

Her gently scalloped lines just add to her loveliness. Pretty roses on the spout too. Would you have brought her home with you?

A great idea should always be left to steep like loose tea leaves in a teapot for a while to make sure that the tea will be strong enough and that the idea truly is a great one. ~ Phoebe Stone

I gave away two teapots to make room for her; less guilt that way! And, I have made myself a promise not to step too often inside that store because I ALWAYS see something I like. Believe it or not, that is the first time in over two years I have stepped inside that store. Oh, they carry such pretty things!

Now, let's enjoy some tea from my newest acquisition, shall we? I am using my pink damask tablecloth that I got on sale a few months ago. 

Do you take your tea black or with milk and sugar? They say one must use milk because cream is too heavy. I always take mine black but every once in a while I like black tea with a slice of lemon.

It was a dreary day with the chance of rain when I did my photo shoot so pictures are a bit dark.

Chocolate macaroons are our treat today.

Aynsley made in England which I shared not long ago but it's such a good match to the teapot.

Windsor set made in England. It has the barest pink on both the cup and the saucer.

There is still light and joy to be found in little everyday moments. ~ unknown

... like having tea poured from a pretty teapot.

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. ~ Van Gogh

So where does the nature come in? Well, roses are a beautiful part of nature. They bring beauty into every room whether arranged in a vase or forever preserved under a glaze on a lovely piece of china, such as a teapot!

Have a beautiful day, dear friends.

I am joining the following parties as well~


Friends Sharing Tea
Share Your Cup
Home Sweet Home

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Royal Albert Roses

A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in - what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars. ~ Victor Hugo

Hello again, my dear friends! I love where I live in the summertime! Here on Prince Edward Island we have clean fresh air and no smog. We are surrounded by water so if one likes the beach, you have your choice of beaches to enjoy and the cry of the seagull is in harmony with the sound of the ocean. For me in particular, there is nothing more relaxing than digging my toes into nice warm sand and listening to the sound of the waves on the sea shore.

At night, you can see the stars peeping out overhead and if you're lucky, perhaps a shooting star on which to make a wish.


Today I'm picking up where I left off the other day and using my floral arrangement again. I consider any floral arrangement I have to be a mini garden because I don't have a garden of my own. 
I've cut it down and placed it in another vase to bring the flowers down to eye level which is what I prefer. My tea table is indoors today because again, it is too hot outside. 

This is such a pretty combination; roses, lilies, hydrangea, chrysanthemums, and a few others that I'm not sure about. I love a monochromatic arrangement because I find it very elegant!

Won't you join me? My vintage cups and saucers are all Royal Albert Old English Rose. Two of them I found at antique shops. 

This beautifully gilded one was given to me by my sweet Auntie P when she was downsizing. It has been to many tea parties and church functions because it has her initials on the pieces.

And you've seen this Royal Albert New Country Roses teapot many times before. It's a favourite because of the shape, colour, and size.

Tea... As the centerpiece of a cherished ritual, it's a talisman against the chill of winter, a respite from the ho-hum routine of the day. ~ Sarah Engler

I am serving some sugar cookies and peanut butter bars with our tea.

So, which teacup would like like?

Please pray for our friend Ruth who hosts Tuesday Cuppa Tea each week. She has taken a leave of absence from her linky party to care for her hubby. Thank you for your visit and have a beautiful day!

I am sharing this with the following parties ~

 Friends Sharing Tea
 Home Sweet Home

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Midsummer Moments

If you were to ask what is most important in a home, I would say happy memories. ~ Lillian Gish

Hello dear friends! I'm back! I have been hiding under a mountain of laundry the past few days which is what happens when your family comes home for a visit. 

Call me old-fashioned but I believe that...creating a home your family loves to be...a place that nudges your loved ones to happily sigh,"Ahhh...it's good to be home!"...it makes everyone feel loved and nurtured. ~ unknown

My children never fail to say this when they come home. And it never fails to make my heart swell with gladness to hear them say it. I feel like all the preparations I've made are worth it. They are very good at telling me I make the best spaghetti or the best potato salad, etc. "'No one can make seafood chowder like Mom.'" I feel like I have accomplished what I set out to do. They know everything I do for them is because I love them. My guys are the best!

We had such a wonderful visit! The grandchildren are growing like weeds and we see such a change in them. I've seen the biggest change in my little seven year old granddaughter. She has gotten taller, quieter and loves pretty clothes. And cat ears! She wore them everywhere.

She loves shopping and she got a few t-shirts adorned with those sequins that change colour when you swipe them in a different direction. I told her I wish I had one because I love bling. I think it's the little girl in me. Jenna-Lynn also loves tie-dyed t-shirts. What fun to have a little girl around! As most of you know, I had three boys and then four grandsons before our little princess joined our family. I love them all to pieces but you can imagine the novelty of having a little girl around for a couple of weeks. 

I did not get to have tea time with Jenna-Lynn because I was "taking it easy" after sustaining my injuries just before they came. With a stretch bandage around my mid-section, it was pretty uncomfortable between the pain and the sizzling heat which more or less zapped me of energy. 

It is still hot, hot, hot! All July and now into August we are getting incredibly warm weather which is great for the beach combers. It is unusual weather for the Island especially with such a long run of it. 

Now, for a couple of minutes, I'm going to be one of those annoying grandmothers who shows off  pictures of her grandchildren. 

My granddaughter loves to do ballet.

She's very nimble, the way I used to be. I love watching her do the splits because I used to be able to do them too. My mother always said I was double-jointed.

Papa and I treated the kids to ice cream at Cows one evening when their mom and dad went out on a date night.

Hubby cut the top of the cow's head off but other than that, it's a great picture.

We all enjoyed breakfast together at the PEI Preserve Company. My sweet DIL and my grandson, Zachary.

My granddaughter colouring a picture for us with her daddy looking on who needed a shave.

We visited my mother who was overjoyed to see them. My DIL put some music on and Jenna-Lynn did some ballet for her great-grandmother. It made Mom's day! Mom is less than a month from her 89th birthday.

They loved walking around Charlottetown and enjoyed the sights and sounds as well as many ice cream cones.

I think they helped keep Cows Ice Cream in business while they were here because they ate a lot of it. 

We are having one of the hottest summers I can remember so many days were spent on the beach. They had so much fun! 

There is Beauty to be found in every Moment. ~ unknown

Boomer loved the beach too. 

My beautiful DIL; the daughter I never had. 

They spent a couple of evenings out at the beach so they could watch the sun set. The beach has to be one of the most beautiful places to be when the sun is going down.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away. ~ Unknown

Jenna-Lynn capturing the sun. 

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. ~ Jawaharlal Nehru

My DIL did this split photo which I love. 

My son brought me home an iPhone so soon I will be able to take pictures like this too. I've heard people say that a camera is becoming obsolete and judging by some of the photos that have been taken with Hubby's phone, that may be so. I know his phone has taken some pictures that far outshine my camera and I have a good camera. Anyway, it will be fun to experiment.

One last shot of the beach at sunset. We all love shots taken on the beach when the sun is setting. There is just something magical about it. God created a beautiful world for us to enjoy.

One of our many red dirt roads that they like to drive down.

We enjoyed wonderful family dinners and outings together. My DIL snapped this shot of my middle son and me at a restaurant where our family gathered for a meal. This was a special moment.

I have oodles more photos but this is enough for now. 

Come for tea...I really need a cup after another load of laundry and I still have lots to do.
I'm having Earl Grey today. I still have a few sweets left over from my family's visit because I tucked a few away for my hubby. I had to hide them because my son, not the kids, just about cleaned me out. He kept sneaking them. *smiles*

I thought tea out on the deck would be nice before it gets too hot but it was already too hot. 

Aynsley made in England.

Summer made by Royal Albert. 

So I quickly took some pictures and moved indoors.

May you always have...Tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart might desire. ~ an Irish blessing 



Thank you for your visit today. I know this was a long post but I wanted to share with you my family's visit. I hope you enjoyed it. God bless you and I'll see you next time. 


I am sharing this with these parties~

Tea In The Garden
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi