FOR THE LOVE OF ENGLISH TEA WARE!

Just to put ones mouth to the cup

To feel the fine details

To hold the delicate handle

It all comes together

At tea time - lit by candle.

Praise to the roses and hail to the buds

The flowers hand painted

With sweet little rubs

Pass me a plate

Some sugar and cream

For tea can not wait
It's my tea time dream............
Bernideen 

   

TAKING TIME FOR THE THINGS YOU LOVE

Last week on Monday, April 27th we began something wonderful at my shop. - After 28 years of having a tea and gift shop called "Bernideen's"  we started a going out of business sale.  This is not a bad thing but rather the beginning of a new chapter in life.  They call this retirement although I plan to be very busy. 

 I love to do so many things!

One of the things I love to do is go to antique malls and flea markets and relax with my husband.  Yesterday was a beautiful day and after church we ventured to Denver where I found this darling Arthur Woods teapot at a very large antique mall.

So what does one do with ones self when you no longer have to go to work?  Well, here are just a few things:  bake, cook, garden, sew, go antiquing and flea marketing, grow some plants from seeds, can some jams and pickles later in the summer, go to a farmer's market, go to yard sales, make things for the family for Christmas, learn to make birdhouses, visit all the garden centers, take some classes, take a photography class, get to do ordinary chores when you aren't so tired and on and on!  No, there is  just one more very important one: having time for hospitality and ladies over for tea.

 My table below had lots of old tea stains which all came out with a good wet brushing with baking soda.  I have cleaned up several lately with that and it seems to work well.

I am also sharing another "Afternoon Tea Tiered Tray" above that my husband made for me.  I am so spoiled as I now have 6 everyday ones and 3 seasonal ones.  I think I have a preferred choice of a levels with a luncheon plate on the bottom, then a dessert and a butter plate on top. 

May is always such a welcomed month. 

 I wonder what the least welcomed month is? 

 I guess it all depends on where you live.

SPRINGTIME PANSY TABLE

Last night I set the dining room table with a pansy theme.  Last week I shared a personal sized cream and sugar and so I am also sharing a little Tuscan Pansy set today.  I now have these 2 sets that are personal sized and here is one on my springtime table:

We still don't have a lot of blooms going on but I have seen some lilacs around town.  One of the things I have observed is that lilacs bloom at different times,  even in the same area. There must be many different species - early bloomers and late bloomers.

 The Crab Apple trees are blooming in my subdivision right now.  I love the pink ones and I believe the white ones are the flowering - non - fruit bearing ones.  Over closer to the mountains I have seen some flowers blooming in yards but here at my house it was spitting snow yesterday morning.  I do see that plants are coming up so I am excited about that.

I have some love English Crown Dorset Pansy
 dessert plates I am sharing:

A little poem from 365 Things Every Tea Lover Should Know:

I'm sending you love and tea,

To warm your winter's day

Think of me as you pour your cup

And all the good things we would say.

If we could be together now

Instead of miles apart,

We'd sip our teas and memories,

The sweet warmth fills the heart.

Susan Young

A Loving Recipe for a Perfect Cup of Tea

1 - willing friend who loves to sit and share

1- grateful heart to have a friend that cares

1- beautiful garden to show us God is near

I hope you have a pleasant week.

  Join me in prayer for a world in great turmoil.

THE ROSEMOUNT MANSION IN PUEBLO, COLORADO

Today we went for a ride south down to Pueblo, Colorado.  We drove by the 37 room mansion built in 1893 which was the home of John A. and Margaret Thatcher.  I took a couple photos to share and will let you know they serve Afternoon Tea in the Carriage House for special events several times a year.

The home (museum) was not

 open to visitors today.

After noting how lush and green these photos are, I thought I better mention it is 10 degrees warmer in Pueblo than where I live and springtime was definitely advanced here.  Last night it even snowed a little during the night where I live!

A PASSION FOR PANSIES

I've never met anyone who didn't like pansies.

Every spring I look forward to their arrival and

 I'm quite sure you do too!

  

Today is "Friends Sharing Tea" and I am glad you

 joined me as I am sharing a few Pansy teatime things.

Up above  is one of the Afternoon 

Tea Trays my husband

 had made for me.

I love tea strainers and different gadgets

 and find them entertaining!

 I gravitate to vintage things and I love the look of something old, worn and never let crazing stop me.  Do you know what crazing is?  All those tiny crackling marks on a really old teapot are crazing.  It means it was loved!