Tuesday, February 8, 2011

MY 26TH TEAPOT & TEA THINGS TUESDAY AND TEA TIME TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 8TH

Hi everyone, I've missed you all. I was sick earlier this week. It was strange, but I'm feeling much better now. Hopefully all of you are managing to keep the "yucky cold/flu" at bay..

Thanks for stopping by for tea today. Oh, goodness, I had a hard time deciding what to show, because I LOVE it all :) :) Here's my tea for today. Sit, sip a cup of tea with me, and let's share some things with each other ;) :)
I couldn't decide what to share today. So last night I was trying various combinations of tea cups, pink Depression glass plates, and doilies. You'll recognize these tea things from earlier posts. It seems that I'm gravitating towards pinks and reds. They speak to me of romance, feminine beauty, charm, vintage loveliness ;) :)  The doily and the pink Depression glass plate are American made. The German demitasse with matching saucer were made in Germany.

Then, I thought, "No, I need something different. So I tried this combination with my English Rose teacup on the same  pink  Depression glass plate with the pink and white doily underneath. One thing you'll notice that's a common theme is that I like to layer different elements together :)  As far as I'm concerned, there is no hard and fast rule for decorating a tea table. If it makes you smile and fills your life with beauty, than it's right :) :)  Plus, life is always better with flowers around, even if they are on a teacup. Don't you agree?

 Still not sure, I tried a third variation. Now this pink rosebud tea cup with matching pink & minty green plaid saucer was also made in Germany.  This is the only set that I actually purchased in a proper tea shop called "Savoure". Isn't it beautiful?  Plus, I love placing my antique tea strainer with the minty green silk ribbon on top. The colors really compliment each other very well.

Oh, the tea strainer is so pretty.  Here it is without the cup.  It's old and the patina is faded. I'm not sure if this is  silver, pewter or stainless  steel. Any thoughts on how to clean it up and make it shine? Oh, you also have a nicer view of the pink Depression glass plate with the ruffled corners. Oh, I sure am in love with this glassware!!!

This was my original tea setting. It was very simple. There was no particular rhyme or reason to this, other than I like the way the colors blend together. This setting is on top of my vintage sewing box. I didn't set up tea on the table itself. My table has become my permanent craft table now. However, the top of my sewing box is perfect for some tea when I need to take a break.
I have always loved these antique silver spoons that I purchased at a yard sale last summer. These still need some cleaning, but I love the aged patina on them. Plus, for the purpose of decoration I like the spoon facing up. Doesn't it look cute in that small rose pitcher? These would look lovely with beautiful silk ribbons tied in a lovely bow.   What do you do with your antique spoons? In any case, I think the aged patina goes well with the beautiful roses !!!


 This is what I actually ended up having for tea this morning. It is very simple and appropriate for a single person. Actually, whatever makes you smile and brings your heart joy is appropriate for tea. The February 2011 issue of Victoria magazine was my inspiration. In one of the advertisements, there were these lovely shortbread cookies. So I purchased a box at the store this morning.

 Don't those shortbread cookies look absolutely delicious? My favorite flaky dough cookies weren't available. So I chose these instead. Oh, there's a history here. I'll get to that in a moment. Let me just say that of all the different tea cookies that one can make, simple is my favorite. Understated and elegant at the same time ;)
Here's the box that those lovely shortbread cookies came in. Oh, they were EXPENSIVE. I won't tell you what I paid for them. What I will say is that they are a product of Scotland. Also, when I lived in Switzerland,  I worked in a Migros store in Basel. My first job while there was stocking the cookie shelves, including these very cookies. I literally stocked hundreds of boxes on the shelves. Walkers shortbread cookies and I go all the way back to the summer of 1994. They are very buttery, dense and crispy - all at the same time !!!

Oh, I was feeling a bit rebellious today. Instead of proper tea, I had a nice cup of cafè au lait instead, with just a hint of sugar.  It's non-traditional. Some days it's a good day for a cup of tea. Other days it's a good day for a cup of coffee.  This particular teacup and saucer were gifts from my sweet friend Dorothy over at Notes from Mémère. She's a lovely lady who loves Jesus Christ.  Please stop by and say hello. Everytime I look at this china, I think of my friend :) :) :) This particular pattern is by Pope-Gosser and made in the U.S.A.
Usually my dad has no interest in tea. However, he said my tea setting was nice, except for one thing. "Spoons should be face DOWN. No one wants to grab a dirty spoon" says my father. Huh? Who knew? Well, I'm not going to say anything. I couldn't say anything, because it was hysterically funny. I tried them spoon-down and this is what they look like. My father thought it looked better. Now, my father will never drink tea. However, he has had his Pepsi in a teacup with ice cubes. Now talk about untraditional. However, it words for him  and he's happy with that ;)

 Now, this is what my sewing box normally looks like, when I'm not styling it for Tuesday tea parties :) Yes, I have a bit of everything on there, some sewing items, crochet cotton. Hey, it's pink :) :) Now I don't leave food on there.  This is what my messy tea setting usually looks like. In fact, I took my shortbread cookies and coffee upstairs. That's where I sit at my computer and share with all of you lovely people ;) :) Oh, I made quick work of those butter shortbread cookies :)

That's about it for the moment. do you ever have those days when you can't decide which tea setting to use? I have always enjoyed tea. Plus, when you are surrounded by loveliness, it's sometimes hard to decide which to feature :)  Thank you so much for stopping by to visit me. I always enjoy having you over here :)  Oh, I'm so happy about all the new followers, too. I notice each and every one of you.  If you leave a comment here, let me know how you found me ;)

I'm going to get my flannel quilt out and start working on that again. It's a quilt that I'm sewing by hand from start to finish. It'll sure be nice when it's finished. Oh, if you think on it, my friend Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm has a really neat praise report. Her family is going to adopt a precious young boy from the Ukraine.  Her son's family hosted him for Christmas. Here's the link to her site. Please pray for the entire process and for the family. This boy is meant to become part of their family. They are raising money to help bring him home to the United States. Oh, I have been praying long for this family. So have many other people. I know that their family would really appreciate your prayers. You can read through the various posts to get the whole story :) It's worth your time :)

Oh, so cool. My friend Melissa over at Lilac Lane is hosting a giveaway. There are many chances to win this whole week. Why? Well, for Valentine's Day of course. She has some beautiful fabric scraps plus a gift certificate that she'll be giving to a lucky person. Check out the button on my right sidebar for more details.

That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

22 comments:

Melissa @Lilac Lane said...

I LOVE the tea sets! How beautiful. Thanks for mentioning the giveaway -- I hope you win.

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Heather,
Oh what a beautiful post!!! Absolutely divine!!
XO

Patti said...

you have set a lovely tea table. I totally love pink Depression glass. And I LOVE the tea strainer. I don't know how to clean it up, but I think it looks lovely as is...such a vintage-ness to it that way.

Shortbread is among my favorite kind of cookie. I dont' think I've ever had that brand, though I've seen them in the store.

Thanks for sharing...happy teatime to you.

Love,
Patti

Kim B said...

I love all the different tea set settings :) I enjoy tea and coffee but usually just from an ordinary mug. I should start using teacups. I cant wait to see your quilt you are working on. Hope you are having a super nice week so far. Hugs, Kim
Oh the shortbread cookies sound delicious.

Parsley said...

You always have the most lovely tea parties!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello dear Heather,
First of all, let me say that your personality is so sweet and it truly shines through in your posts! Secondly, I adore shortbread, even better if it comes from Scotland!
Now, that rosebud cup sitting on the lovely pink and green plaid saucer are simply adorable together! What an adorable pair! I would be happy to sip tea from those! Wonderful post! Thanks for coming to tea with me.

Blessings,
Sandi

Jill said...

Hi Heather!

I love all your tea items, I can't pick just one :-) Don't you just love Victoria magazine? It's one of my favorites I subscribe too!

Wuthering Heights is good so far, you should read it when you get a chance. As much as I read I'm surprised I miss this one! LOL.

Hope you have a wonderful week! Thank you again for your precious comments on my blog! I appreciate them so much!

blessings
Jill

Terri said...

Heather, you picked the perfect cups to share today! I love the tea cup and saucer for sure! It is very romantic. And your tea mug is very very pretty as well. I agree with you about no hard and fast rules for tea table setting.
I am glad you are feeling better, continue to heal and I hope the rest of the week goes really well for you.
Hugs,
Terri

Linda Stubbs said...

Thank you Heather for mentioning our family!

I would come to your house for a tea party any day!!!! Your tea cups are so precious. Very delicate!

Some day if not here on earth then surely in Heaven we will tea the day away!
Hugs, Linda

Lebenslust was sonst said...

Liebe Heather,danke für deinen Kommentar.Wie ich sehe liebst du auch die Rosa Farbe,dein Geschirr ist sehr schön,und du hast sehr nett dekoriert,schade das du soweit weg bist,ich würde gerne Kaffee trinken mit dir.Liebe grüße aus Österreich schicke ich dir-Edith.

Rebecca said...

I'm dizzy from trying to keep up with all your beautiful vignettes! You have sure developed a great eye and hand for beauty, Heather. I enjoyed the story of your time in Switzerland (how long did you live there?) and chuckled at the mental picture of your father drinking Pepsi from a tea cup :)

Nancy said...

All of your tea settings are beautiful! I agree with you - Life is so much better with flowers! Pepsi in a tea cup! That's something I will always remember! Have a wonderful day!
Nancy xx :D

A Primitive Homestead said...

Heather do I ever love your wood sewing box. I think it is so cool your Dad has had his pepsi in a tea cup. How fun it must be for you two to share this. So cool he noticed the spoons. Me I like them up. LOL. You can see the beauty of them. I bought a new lemon herb tea to try. I do like it. I would love to see your quilt. Blessings!

Becca said...

Here in South Africa, teaspoons are much smaller than the ones in your picture and either placed on individual saucers or down, like your father said, in a plain round bowl that might or might not match the china. I learned much about such things from my very British MIL when she was in her heydey--not that long ago as she only moved into a retirement centre 3 years ago (she's 93)with my FIL! Of course, over here most people use mugs for everyday tea & coffee. I love tea, but not coffee (very odd as I am an American).

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Dearest friend, Heather...For the life of me, I don't know why I haven't been here! You have been SO very sweet to me, and your comments are always so encouraging.
You have a beautiful blog! I will be sure to come back and visit again.
In His grace,
Cindy

Kathy Eickholt Cat Lady Kate's Elegant and Depression Glass said...

How pretty! I like doing the same thing, trying different combinations of glass and china.

Your pink depression glass has a name by the way. It is Princess. Hocking Glass made it from 1931 to 1935. It's one of my favorites.

Beth said...

Heather, This post is really, really lovely! You have photographed your tea settings beautifully. I like the delicate, feminine, romantic pink also. My favorite tea cup is the one with the tiny pink rosebuds. I also love Walker's shortbread - mmmmm.... Glad you are feeling better. Take care of yourself, and thanks for inviting me to tea today.
Blessings, Beth

blessings said...

They're all so pretty! Don't you hate it when you have to pay a small fortune for a small indulgence? The shortbread does look really yummy though.

Glad you're feeling better! Blessings... Polly

paperbutterfly said...

I love the pink rosebud teacup from Germany. So delicate! Thank you for sharing all of your creations with us.Glad you are feeling better.
Look forward to seeing you soon for tea.
Blessings, Pam
PS To answer your question from last week...I adore buttons...they're cute and add a little whimsy.

Lynn said...

Hi Heather,
Beth at http://beyondthegardengate-beth.blogspot.com/ gave me the link to your lovely post. I am an "Oregon-wanna be". I so want to see your lovely state, all the different climates I have read about. Your tea sets are beautiful. I love your dad drinking his pepsi with ice cubes in a tea cup. Personally, I believe a person's comfort and happiness is so much more important than "perfection or strict rules". Of course, there are always exceptions, but I so loved the pepsi in tea cups, precious. God bless your dad. Blessings on your week. Oh yes, I am your newest follower. Knowing a real person from Oregon, cannot loose you now! Plus I love your blog.

Annesphamily said...

Hi Heather! I love Linda too and pray daily for her family and their situation with their sweet host child. I know God will work it all out for His glory and their family. Linda is such a joy like you to know You girls encourage me daily.
I also love walkers shortbread! All natural. No yucky soy lethicin! Cant speel either! I wish you had participated in Sharon's tea cup exchange. It was fun. I am going to post pics soons. Gotta visit Linda and her daughter and the fonts!

greatdecoratingideas.com said...

beautiful tea sets! thanks for sharing!