OLD COUNTRY ROSES TABLE SETTING

 Sometimes the main benefit of

setting up a table setting is the

fact that it is the perfect opportunity

to wash them all (and these by

hand of course).

I had arranged this floral for one of

 my "Tea In The Garden" posts but

 when I realized the colors matched

 my Old Country Roses china pattern,

I decided to do this table setting post

and include the arrangement.

I have done other posts on this

china pattern before.  Actually, I

acquired this set around the time of

our 40th anniversary which was about

15 years ago.  A lady came into my

shop trying to sell the set to earn 

money to pay her utility bill. (It had belonged to her Mother In Law but  was not her taste) I sent her down the street 

to another shop but when she came

 back 2 hours later,  my husband 

insisted

 we buy it.

Many consider Old Country Roses to 

be the most beloved all time pattern.

My pieces are from England (except

the warmer) but starting around 2000

 the pieces were outsourced to China and

Indonesia.  If you look for some - the English will always be more collectible.

Read the bottom backstamp.  Also,

the 1962 date is the date that the

pattern came to be - not that particular

piece of china.

204TH QUEEN VICTORIA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for "Tea In The Garden"

 As I have shared over the years, I

am rather fond of Queen Victoria

and Prince Albert.

Queen Victoria was born May 24,1819 and how thrilling that an entire era is

named after her - not many can 

say that.

You might enjoy watching the BBC

series "Victoria".  I have the sound

track and play it often.

I had made this banner many years back

when we lived in Colorado.

I have several books

about Queen Victoria:

When doing my floral, I tried to

 incorporate the Victorian

era passion for color.  They

put orange with red.

The garden is changing from spring

to summer and I don't look forward

to the hotter temperatures ahead so

this weather now must be enjoyed

to the fullest.

These 2 cups and saucers commemorative

Queen Victoria's Diamond 60th Jubilee:

If you would like to bake these

scones, they are Cherry Vanilla

and the recipe is Marie's at

The English Kitchen:

My math was a little mixed up when

I put on my FB page that this was her

104th birthday today.  Naturally, a lady

quickly straightened me out and I corrected it.........senior moment.

BABY BLUEBIRDS for "Tea In The Garden"

 

What a beautiful day to set up a 

little "Tea In The Garden" outside

and share with you my joy of seeing

five baby bluebirds being fed by

their parents on our deck this morning.

As you can see the baby on the lower

right above, is still working on

turning blue.

Today it is a perfect weather scenario

with temperatures in the 70's and after

3 days of much needed on and off 

rain, we have

some lovely sunshine.

I have had the teapot and cups

and saucers for a long time now.

 

So the bluebirds are hanging around

the yard because we have a feeder

with meal worms in it.  I think

Sparrows took over the blue birdhouse

though which is disappointing.

Sparrows have taken over so

many of our birdhouses.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

This last photo is terrible as it was

taken from inside the house through

dirty screens and windows but it

is fun to see 3 of the 5 baby birds:

A TRIBUTE TO "THE PARADISE"

 I make it no secret that I am a fan

of Jane Austen BBC films, Downton

Abbey and other Victorian period 

dramas.  I have never posted here about my all time favorite so here goes.

I spent 28 years in retail so I was naturally drawn to this BBC British

drama which came out in 2012 and features the story of  what

is suggested as the first English

department store "The Paradise".

The film begins in 1875.

  Because

another series had more viewers (Mr. Selfridge) they only did 2 seasons 

of "The Paradise" which was a disappointment

to me.

This was Denise's first visit

to "The Paradise":

So the story evolves around the lovely

Denise Lovett (above)who moves from a small town in Scotland to live with her

Uncle Edmund who owns a struggling little outdated business across the street

 from the successful "Paradise". 

 Despite her modest background, 

Denise catches the eye of the owner, 

Moray (a widower)and gets a job

 there in ladies wear.

If you love seeing Victorian clothing

and especially women's hats, jewelry

and dresses, you will be dazzled by

what you see.  Sometimes I love the

costuming and sometimes Katherine Glendenning's dresses with matching

 hats and purses are a bit overwhelming.  She even ordered a matching dress with one for new (by marriage) daughter and 

her one for daughter's doll?

I am not here to tell you the story

told in "The Paradise" but just to say

that the costumes are incredible.  As

for the men, their jackets, ties and

smart vests are absolutely gorgeous.

The building itself is a wonder to

behold but especially the wrought iron

looking gazebo structure when you 

enter the main room of the floor

level of "The Paradise".  Everything

is so beautiful and presented so

lovely.

Here are a few other posts

that I have done of period films.

TODAY IN THE GARDEN

 We are enjoying some lovely

weather.

I have come to realize that

Allium bulbs make more Allium

bulbs and this year we have many.

I have thinned the irises out many

times now and will continue as 

they seemed the thrive here.  I

just put things out on my driveway

and in no time they are gone.

The next thing to look forward

to is the peonies and they are

coming soon.