LAST PEONY CELEBRATION for "Tea In The Garden"

 

I have to admit that I am sad to see

 the irises and now the peonies 

going bye bye!  Some might remember this

area to the right as the former Koi pond.

Believe me, I don't miss the work.

I suddenly saw the weather report for

tomorrow which said temps were going

up so I thought I better get going on 

another "Tea In The Garden" post

for this blog.

This week has been so busy.  Our son came

over and took out the giant 25 year old

pussywillow in our front yard.  It was

dying and had to go but we will miss

the privacy it created.

Our spring has been lovely and I know what

comes next - getting ready for heat for sure.

I have loved all the columbines

this year.

I grabbed a little of this and that

for my big bouquet.

I am very fond of Crown Dorset Teapots:

I hope you

have a

lovely spring

and 

coming

summer!

TIME FOR VIOLETS

About the time the calendar said spring was here,

we got a freeze which really damaged my garden.  

The lilacs had started to have buds and leaves and

now those parts are quite brown so this year who

knows....we just take it as it comes.  In the meantime

we will cover the table with violets:

I have loved violets all my life.

Because I have such a fondness for old vintage linens I decided to set my table with an old

1950-60's violet tablecloth, an embroidered

topper, etc.

 

Someone very sweet must of made that

little violet doily above.  I love it.

I hope your springtime brings some violets!

BEATRIX POTTER FIGURINES

In the springtime I find myself always thinking

 about Beatrix Potter.  I loved that sweet movie

that came out years ago, "Miss Potter".  I

love so many different types of people from

the past:  Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor,

Jane Austen,  L. M. Montgomery, the

Bronte Sisters and Edith Holden.  It's not

 that I like every single thing about them but

 rather I choose to focus on the characteristics

I like best.  

We have been watching the Road to

Avonlea series recently and we just love it.

But we have our favorites episodes and our

 favorite characters.  I think what we love is

the idea of "community" - people who know

their neighbors and support one another.

Back to Beatrix Potter:

We have some daffodils and hellebores and

pussy willows so I did my first little bouquet.

I have been so excited to see some of the earliest

bulbs appear.  I do know that winter isn't over

 and tomorrow for example, is supposed to

 be ugly!

In Iowa maybe a blizzard - oh boy!

Doing this post,  I have pulled out these little

figurines which I collected many years ago.

This doll has stirred up memories for me

as I have a friend who is turning 80 years

old soon.  I met her when I was 17 and we

were both attending a small Iowa Bible

College.  During the 1980's she lived

in Toronto, Canada and we went for

several visits there to see her family and 

on one of the visits we went to a gal's

farmhouse who sold antiques and vintage

items and I 

purchased

this doll from her.

Beatrix Potter certainly left a wonderful

legacy which so many celebrate today.

I hope your springtime

comes very soon!

NOVEMBER THANKSGIVING TABLESETTING

 I am sharing my Windsor Ware Harvest Fruit dishes by Johnson Brothers.  I started out years ago with some plates and

have added to my collection when I have seen them at a

decent price.  

Speaking of prices, I recently found a real bargain at

a local resale shop.  Last year Victoria Magazine featured

the most gorgeous cake dome and stand in the Christmas

issue.  I just looked and the replacement business that

everyone talks about had one for over $400.00 but I got

mine for $40.00.  I was so excited.

As you can see to the right, I do have a dome which

had no stand that  I purchased last year so now I have 

2 of those.  I also found some more of the

crystal etched glasses which I mix and match on my

table.  This one is called "June Night" and is beloved.

I broke at least 2 of these over the year so having

extras is a good plan - especially when I see

them at a good price.  They are from the 1930's-40's.  

And I say "oops" to that vacuum

 cleaner wand to the right!

I have been enjoying Instagram so much

and would encourage everyone to look

at it for "whatever" interests you.

The punch bowl above was purchased at the

Salvation Army resale store in Old Colorado City

many years ago.

I make the same comments every year:  I wish we celebrated Thanksgiving earlier so we had more time before Christmas.

TIME FOR "THE OLD MILL" JOHNSON BROTHERS transferware

 

When August comes I start thinking about

this set of dishes which I think are like an

early fall set.  The Old Mill transferware

is a 1950's Johnson Brothers pattern.  Today

I found a good price on 5 more cups and

saucers on Ebay plus an extra cup which 

will work great since I have a saucer.

Do you buy things on Ebay or Etsy?  I have

over the last few years and really with the

cost of gas you can often trade that out for the

cost of shipping.

We have so many hydrangeas right now

I have had to cut many off the over

weighted branches and those hanging

into my neighbor's yard.

I love old linens but they don't have to be

perfect to suit me.  This Tuscan Mondano Italian

Filet Lace tablecloth has a few holes in it.

By the time everything is on the table they

are hardly noticeable.  I also have the napkins

to match.  

Many years ago in Old Colorado City (the historic

first capitol of the Territory before Colorado was a state) there was a tiny shop called "The Lace Chest". 

 It was so lovely and a place of escape for sure. Sharon

sold gorgeous linens and antique items.  I purchased the pearl handled forks and knives there.

I hope you are well and have a

lovely August.

Late note:  I just got my box today with 5 

more OLD MILL cups and saucers and an extra 

cup which was perfect since I had a saucer!

This was a Ebay purchase at a good price.