END OF APRIL WITH A FIRST "TEA IN THE GARDEN"

 The last few days have welcomed the

opening of the first of the irises

 in our garden.

It was a lovely day to set up a little table

for tea.

The irises have been starting to

open and I remember how quickly

this takes place and then that

is over which always is a bit sad.

I have quite a few columbines blooming

too and I do love the little "hanging

bell" shaped ones.

  

Gone are the daffodils, jonquils and

tulips (except for a few).

I made a pie yesterday but it has since

been consumed by family.  Here

is the recipe!

A LOVELY FIND OF PURPLE TRANSFERWARE

Last  Saturday when we went to Mexico, Missouri,

I found a nice collection of purple transferware.

Many of the ones I found were the similar pattern "Pastoral Davenport" by A. J. Wilkinson Ltd which are so very similar to "Rural Scenes"  Clarice Cliff which  were six plates that I already had. 

 Some of the pieces were "Rural Scenes".  The most thrilling part was there were 5 cups and

 saucers in the group which I really needed.

I also have soup bowls now and lots more plates.

So I put away my collection of

English spring pansy pieces.

I already had some "Rural Scenes" Clarice Cliff

plates and these Clarice Cliff  "Charlotte" cups

and saucers and other pieces but last Saturday

I found a group of pieces to add with them.

I also got the large

wash pitcher.  I have

several of these

that I use for

bouquets.

This is the large

wash pitcher that

I found......

I don't know if you sew but if you do, you can make your own table cloths with simple narrow hemming on wider fabrics.  If fabric is 45" wide, you can add a strip to each side to make it wider.  Most oblong or oval tables are about 42" wide.  A common size for a dining room table is 60" and then upwards per 12" leaf.  The drop of the cloth on the sides and ends is usually 6-12".

I enjoy setting my table differently

every few weeks.  I am retired so I

need to keep busy.

The soup bowls and cups and saucers

were part of my new purchase. 

Do you collect any transferware and

if so - what colors?

A VISIT TO MEXICO

 Today we went all the way to Mexico.  This

would not be the country of Mexico but

rather the little town of Mexico, MISSOURI. 

 There is a wonderful antique shop there in an 

old Coke Plant (yes, the soda Coke). 

 It is only open on Saturdays and sometimes

 on Friday. We took a few moments to 

drive around

and see some of the old houses:

This was the side view:

I love seeing the flowers in the yards.

This home was amazing:

Just look at all those angles!

This house below had a wonderful tower.

I can only imagine the colors it could

be painted:

An amazing tower:

And this house below is more

English Tudor style but I have

always loved it:

We also stopped in a tiny town to

take a spring peak at a

Victorian house there that I have

taken photos of before.  This is in

the town of Auxvasse, Missouri. (below)

Well, the question is did I find any treasures

on this trip?  Well, yes indeed I did.  I found

some purple transferware which I have been

looking for and trying to collect.  So at the

Coke Plant Antiques I got all these pieces

which means 65 pieces for $100.00.

I am thrilled!

I do recommend this shop especially for 

antique clocks!  They have ever so many!

SPRING TABLE, A CARROT CAKE AND BOUQUET

 I am sharing a perfect cake for Easter

and a springtime bouquet for

my table.

It is such a delight to finally have some blooms

to pick in the garden and know there will

be plenty for bouquets in the coming months.

I have been enjoying my pansy themed

English pieces and now adding some

purple Rural Scenes transferware.

We still have a few daffodils and jonquils

blooming around the yard and some

tulips still coming on.  It won't be long

and the irises will really show off for

a while.

And what would spring be without a Cream

Cheese Walnut Carrot Cake?

The recipe for this cake came from this

older favorite tea book which is now

out of print.   If you don't already know this,

older used books are inexpensive and available!

This is something wonderful and simple!

APRIL IN THE GARDEN

 April has brought us a combination of

warmer lovely days and also lingering

cold days.  The bulbs didn't seem to

mind either.  

So I am sharing a few collages.

Happy April!

SUNDAY CELEBRATION