EASTER DECORATING

I always say just make sure your post

has something tea related in it and that

will be the case for me today....

look for the "tea cozy".

Our spring is running a little slower

this year than two years ago when

we came and it had been a short winter.

We have been told we could see

some snow later this week - ugh.

Outside the little Goldfinches are

looking very spring like....

 So even if it is chilly and damp outside...

I have these bunnies and chicks and

Easter things to enjoy in here.

The basket below holds things I purchased

and some eggs I made in the 70's but the

best treasure is that egg bank that was 

passed around at my son's baby
 shower some 43 years ago.....
but where did all that

money go that was in it?

as we celebrate!

WAITING FOR PANSIES for "Friends Sharing Tea"

Are you looking forward to spring pansies?

I know we are!

We were out yesterday changing our

bird feeders.  We removed 3 regular

feeders and replaced them with

the squirrel resistant type.

I also saw a little of the  earliest
 signs of spring.

We aren't there quite yet though and

I long to see some pansies so for

now I replaced the violet items in

my armoire with my pansy pieces.

I was surprised I didn't have more
pieces and only two teapots.

Little Pansy Faces
a Poem by Marilyn Lott

When I see those Pansy faces
They always makes me smile
In spring they are so welcome
And I look at them awhile.

They snuggle in with others
And play so nicely too
Ah yes, little Pansy faces
I will be glad to share with you!

I do recall finding this one
 at an antique mall in
 Higginsville, Mo
last year.

I can't imagine crocheting these
old pansy doilies that I love - when
they are certain themes and colors:

And I do hope the pansies will be here soon!

JANE AUSTEN'S IRISH PASSION

If you've seen the movie "Becoming

Jane" then you know a little something

about Jane Austen's relationship

 with the Irish fellow Thomas Lefroy

 and maybe you are the one who

 really knows the answer to the

 question:

  was Thomas Lefroy the inspiration for

 Mr. Darcy (Jane's beloved 

character in Pride and Prejudice

 or was it the infamous

 Mr. Wickham who was 

created to be like Lefroy?

With Saturday being St. Patrick's Day

I thought it best to stay on this journey

of Irish tribute and tea time - at least 

for this blog posting.

I do love the clothing of this Regency Period of time.  Do you? The Regency styles remind me of the sewing I did in the 70's when we wore those puff capped sleeves gathered at the top and then drawn in and went down tightly to the wrist.   The empire style had a lovely raised waist.  That sure brings back memories!

Yes, this photo from 2010 in my shop
brings back memories of a Jane Austen
 Tea Event.  I am retired now and both
 of these ladies (Elizabeth and Katrina)
 are now married and 
 Elizabeth on the left has 2 children.
   These young women were delightfully wonderful!

As you can see we have some lovely Irish
Raisin Apple Scones and you can find
this recipe - HERE.  I suggest a little 
more sugar - maybe 2/3 cup.

This tea cozy has Jane Austen fabric:

GRANDMAW'S LINENS FOR IRISH TEA TIME

Yesterday I was sewing  and had a

great view of the outdoors.  

Suddenly, it began to snow so

I went upstairs to the main level

for a cup of Irish Breakfast Tea!

Doesn't hot tea taste wonderful
on a cold day?

Right here in the kitchen I
set up a little table.

I recently made a tea cozy using
some of the linen embroidered
napkins my Grandmaw made
for me almost 50 years ago.
Since there were 12 large napkins
I used the ones that had some
 stains and cut out pieces that
missed the stained parts.

This little topper was one of the
table cloths Grandmaw embroidered
and I have a larger one.

I also pulled out some fun
 Irish cookbooks to enjoy.

A local friend,  Karen,  sent
me this Shamrock cup and 
saucer recently:

I have shared several recipes over
 the years
of various Irish Scones and one
can be found here.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON I-70

Just a few photos of my stall

at Midway in case you are

ever able to stop:

Someone left a comment on my
 Face Book Page "Bernideen's Tea 
Time, Cottage and Garden" that they
 thought it was messy and overcrowded.
  Well, stalls/booths are supposed
 to be crowded. That's the idea - 
to get as much into the
 stall as you can.

Late note:  Several have commented
 about the brown Sadler with pink roses. 
 I still have mine but also found this
 one to sell!

This is something fun 
in retirement!