Tea Time Tuesday - Don't Hide in the China Cabinet!

It's Tea Time Tuesday again!  Last week, I was so sad after the sudden loss of my dear cat that I just didn't feel up to participating, but I've looked forward to getting back into the fun today as a little "pick me up" in the middle of the week.

Once again I am so thankful for the gracious ladies who host these wonderful tea-themed memes and I am participating in the following tea parties:

Martha's Favorites
Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations
The Plumed Pen
Lady Katherine Tea Parlor
Artful Affirmations

Today I am showcasing a special little tea cup that is brand new to my collection:

Isn't it a sweet little cup?  I think it must have been originally a child's toy as it is very tiny.  The little bird on the handle is just so cute and very delicately fashioned.  A truly whimsical little piece!

It was given to me by a very special friend as a birthday gift a few weeks ago.  I have no idea if it has any market value ... the mark on the bottom of the saucer is almost illegible and all that I can read is "hand-painted" and then what looks like half of a symbol of some sort.  But this cup and saucer have great value to me because they were given to me by a dear friend who is going through all kinds of difficult trials right now, yet in the midst of her struggles, she took time to think of me.  

When I look at old pieces of china, it sometimes occurs to me that they are a little bit like us as women!  We can be so delicate and fragile, and yet somehow, we endure the test of time.  Think of all the opportunities that a really old tea cup and saucer would have had to break!  How many times they may have been moved from one building to another!  How many hands have turned them over, some hands frail with arthritis, others full of the klutziness of adolescence.  And yet, these lovely china pieces have endured throughout the years, their exquisite fine details still intact, colours still vibrant, handles still in place.  

And there is a dilemma to be faced with lovely china, isn't there?  If we leave it safe in the china cabinet, surely it is less likely to be broken!  And yet then it will never be enjoyed, it's prettiness will never cheer up another soul who would delight in the pleasure of sipping tea from the delicate cup and admiring the lovely pattern.  And life is like that too ... we can hide ourselves away in the "china cabinet" of life, protecting ourselves from ever being hurt, but then we will never know the joy of sharing our heart with another soul, or reaching out in love to a needy friend.  

So I'm particularly thankful for this sweet little cup and saucer today, because they remind me of a dear friend who hasn't stopped reaching out beyond herself, in spite of the fact that there are days when she probably wishes she could hide away in a corner of a safe china cabinet somewhere.   My prayer for her is that she will make it through this trial without any "chips" or "cracks" and that she will know how very much she is appreciated by her friends.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, 

but to reveal to him, his own." 

-Benjamin Disraeli

Theology in a Tea Cup

It's Tuesday again and time to link up with all those lovely tea parties that whisk us away to a gentler, kinder place, where the pot of tea is always fresh, everyone is on their best behaviour, and all the world's problems can be easily solved over a steaming cup of Darjeeling or Earl Grey.  The only dilemma is whether or not to have a slice of lemon or a drop of milk!

Tea is being served at:

Martha's Favorites
Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations
The Plumed Pen
Lady Katherine Tea Parlor
Artful Affirmations

And of course, tea is being served right here.  Today, my inspiration came from a poem that I recently read.  I read it once, and then again, and then had to read it one more time.  Actually, over the last few weeks, I've returned to it again and again, and I am still pondering the meaning.

All day long

She has been arranging our welcome:

Scouring down the house,

Sweeping under beds,

Pulling out the old crocheted counterpanes,

Shining glasses and tableware,

Dusting sideboards and picture frames.

Now she sits in a deep chair

Till we come crunching down the beeches

To the door.

Nice, isn't it?  Sort of creates an instant feeling of coziness and love.  You just know that when you arrive at that door, you are a welcome guest!  But why has it caught my attention so deeply?  Well, it's because of the title.  Here ... I'll give you the whole poem one more time, but this time, I'll include the title.

God


All day long
She has been arranging our welcome:

Scouring down the house,

Sweeping under beds,

Pulling out the old crocheted counterpanes,

Shining glasses and tableware,

Dusting sideboards and picture frames.

Now she sits in a deep chair

Till we come crunching down the beeches

To the door.

Ah ... doesn't that title change the whole poem?  I'm enthralled by the idea.  I actually have no problem with the idea of God being a woman ... because I think God is a spirit being - neither male, nor female.  I also think that since God created both men and women, both genders are reflections of who He/She is.  Anyway, the poem really got me thinking, and this morning I began to wonder about something - if God invited me over for tea, which tea cup would She choose for me to use?

I decided on this one:

The pattern "Memory Lane" is by Royal Albert and consists of delicate blue forget-me-nots circling pristine white china.   I purchased this tea cup and saucer as a gift for my Grandmother for her 80th birthday.   Born in England, my Grandma was a great tea drinker and loved to drink her tea out of a fine bone china tea cup.  I wanted her to have something special to drink her tea from, that would be particularly beautiful.  When she passed away several years ago, the cup and saucer came back to me, and of course they really have become part of "Memory Lane" now because they always remind me of my Grandma.

But why did I chose this particular cup and saucer when I was thinking about that poem?   

Well, contrary to mythological beliefs, all grandmothers are not sweet darling little old ladies who never do anything wrong!  My grandmother had a temper.  She wasn't perfect.  She was human.  And although I'm sure there are many elderly couples who have nothing but goodness and light to say about each other, my grandparents could raise bloody hell, if you'll excuse the expression.  

One day when I was visiting, I happened to notice that my Grandma was using the Memory Lane tea cup with a different saucer.  She explained, with a rather odd look on her face, that the saucer had broken.  Looking at her hands, all gnarled and stiff with arthritis, I assumed she must have accidentally dropped the saucer and I decided immediately that I would get her a replacement.  I mentioned my intent to my Grandad later that day.  He told me Grandma didn't deserve a new saucer.  Apparently they had a big fight and she had thrown the saucer at him and that is how it broke.

I got quiet for a moment when my Grandad told me the story.  Then I looked him in the eye and told him that I was going to go ahead with my plan to replace the saucer.  I said to him, "Grandad, love isn't something we give because it's deserved, it's something we give because it is the very nature of love."  The thing is, I didn't love my grandmother less because she had temper.  I didn't feel she deserved the tea cup and saucer because she turned 80 but didn't deserve a replacement because she deliberately broke it.  I gave the cup as a gift because I loved her.  And love isn't supposed to be conditional.

That's a lesson I learned, not from my grandparents, but from my God.  See, I'd like to claim the idea of unconditional love as one of my own, but truthfully, I only understand a glimpse of it through the grace of God.   When I read that poem, I think of how God so patiently waits for each one of us to come and spend some time with Her, eagerly preparing in advance for our visit, longing for the moment when we arrive.  And She loves us unconditionally, each and every one of us, not because we have done something to earn it, but simply because God is love.

I am glad to say my Grandma eventually came to an understanding of that Divine Love.  After spending the first 86 1/2 years of her life as an atheist, she became a believer in the last 6 months of her life.  And the amazing thing is God didn't love her less when she was an atheist than He did after she became a believer.  He loved her from the moment time began and will love her through all eternity.  Because God is love.

(The poem "God" is one I discovered in a book called Irish Mist written by Father Andrew Greeley.  I'm not sure if he is the author, or if it was written by someone else.)

Tea Time Tuesday

Well, it's here again ... Tea Time Tuesday over at Martha's Favorites, Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations, The Plumed Pen, and Lady Katherine Tea Parlor.  Don't you just love a tea party, complete with beautiful china and beautiful friends with whom you can enjoy it?

Today I am showcasing a lovely little tea cup I picked up at a yard sale a few weeks ago.  I have always been partial to pansies, so this cup immediately drew my attention where it was sitting amongst a pile of old china and glassware.

I really love everything about it from the shape of the cup, to the fluted edge of the saucer.  And the colours of the flowers are so very pretty.  You can imagine, I was quite excited to purchase a Royal Albert in perfect condition for only $1.50!  (Have I mentioned just how much I love to go to yard sales?!)

I also found another delightful piece of china at the same sale.  Unfortunately, it is not in perfect condition, but I fell in love with it anyway, and at 75 cents, I thought it was well worth the asking price.  However, being a little bargainer, I asked if they wouldn't mind taking $2.00 for the cup & saucer and plate all together.  I got lucky and they said yes!  Never hurts to ask, does it?  :)

As you can see, there is some damage in the glaze on the plate, but there are no chips or cracks and the design is really lovely.  It's marked Royal Winton on the back of the plate and has a number 7 in gold.  I'll have to do a little bit of research to find out more about the pattern.

Don't they look cute together?  And just look at those sweet little treats sitting there beside them!  You'd never guess, but they're actually little lipgloss containers!  Aren't they adorable?  I found them recently in a small boutique and couldn't resist purchasing them, with the intent of using them as a wee little gift for someone sometime.  

There are actually four of them in the package, each one looking "good enough to eat"!  They are made in England by a company called "Natural Products Ltd." and labelled "Naughty but Nice!"  And why am I giving you so much information about these cute little lipglosses?

Well, because I just can't resist giving them away to someone, that's why!  It occurred to me yesterday that I now have 100 followers.  Definitely a reason to give something away.  So, anyone who comments on this post in the next 7 days, will be automatically entered into a draw for these cute little lipglosses.  And because I love to give things away, I'll probably tuck a little something else into the package as well, before I mail it off to the lucky recipient.  

Hope you're all having a wonderful time visiting tea parties today!

Blessings, 

Ro

The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose.
Heda Bejar

It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.
Richard Braunstein

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

Tea Time Tuesday!

It's that wonderful day of the week when our thoughts turn to the refined notion of tea parties, lovely china, and good friends to share them with!  Martha over at Martha's Favorites, Sandi over at Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations, Wanda Lee over at Plumed Pen and Lady Katherine over at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor are all hosting tea-themed memes!  What a great way to meet new people and enjoy viewing the unique tea things that each person has so thoughtfully included in their blog.

Today, I am featuring two of my favourite tea cups.  For some reason, I find myself always drawn to Aynsley china.  If there are 10 tea cups to view at a thrift shop, my eye just invariably seems to go to the one in the lot that is an Aynsley!  The two tea cups I'm showing you today are both the same Aynsley pattern, although they have different background colours, one being blue and one being pink.  Apparently there are others available too, and I would love to add to my collection some day so I have one of each background colour.

I love the fact that while there is a small landscape on the outside of the tea cup, 

the largest, most beautiful landscape is hidden inside!  

The bluebell pattern is so lovely, a landscape pattern with soft blues and rose colours, it never fails to evoke the soft cool Spring days one would find in England.   After emigrating to Canada, one of the few things my Mum missed about England was the long Spring weather.  Here in Southern Ontario, Canada, things get hot fast and from one day to the next everything changes dramatically in the Spring.  My Mum used to tell us stories of walking in a forest carpeted with bluebells and it always seemed the most magical of places we could ever imagine!

And speaking of cool Spring weather, we had a wonderful break from the hot, steamy summer weather yesterday, with the arrival of a sudden downpour.  Even the cicadas stopped their incessant buzzing while the rain poured down in sheets, drumming loudly on the porch roof while I sat serenely on our swing, so enamored with the raindrops that I found myself setting aside the book I was reading so I could enjoy the spectacle of a rainfall.  Once the rain had lessened, I snuck inside to grab my camera.

Tea Time Tuesday!

Well, it's Tea Time Tuesday over at Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations and Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites.  Can't wait to spend some time today checking out all the lovely tea cups that everyone will have posted!  So much fun.

Today, I am featuring one of my tea cups that really isn't my favourite!  It's just not exactly my particular taste, however, I wanted something a little bolder and wilder to showcase today for a specific reason.

My bougainvillea is blooming with riotous colour thanks to all the wonderful advice you bloggers gave me about keeping it alive and well.  

It's just so stunning right now that I thought I would choose a teacup that would look great with those incredible blooms.  But a delicate little tea cup just wouldn't do!  So instead, I chose this one ...

It's bold and a little bit sassy and not really like my usual taste at all, but still I couldn't resist it when I came across it at an estate sale a few weeks ago.

On the bottom, it says "HAND PAINTED" and "MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN" with a crest that says "TRIMONT CHINA" in the centre.  I have no idea if it has any particular value, but I quite enjoy having it in my collection and it's bold yellow colour and big design just seemed to match the vibrant colours in my bougainvillea.

Here's one last look at the saucer ...

Quite something, isn't it?

Blessings,

Ro

May Flower:

Pink, small, and punctual,

Aromatic, low,

Covert in April,

Candid in May,

Dear to the moss,

Known by the knoll,

Next to the robin

In every human soul.

Bold little beauty,

Bedecked with thee,

Nature forswears

Antiquity.

Emily Dickinson

Tea Time Tuesday!

It's Tea Time Tuesday again over at Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations and Tea Cup Tuesday at Marthas Favorites.  Thanks once again to these lovely ladies for hostessing such delightful tea parties!

Where my dear "Mr. Magnolia" and I live in the Niagara Region, we are surrounded with lovely vineyards and quaint little villages, with only a half-hour drive to Niagara Falls or a one hour drive to Toronto.  As you can imagine, tourism is a big part of our local economy and as a result, we are very lucky to live within an easy drive of a number of really special tea rooms that cater to tourists and locals alike.

A couple of weeks ago, I visited one of those tea rooms with two very dear friends.  Located in Ridgeville, Ontario the Berry Patch is the sweetest little tea room you can imagine!  It's situated in a converted barn, with a little gift shop inside, and all the seating for the tea room is on the lovely deep verandah!

There are many teas to select from and each person is served their tea in an individual china tea pot with a unique china tea cup and saucer.  I chose a delicious Earl Grey Cream and found it to be an extremely smooth version of Earl Grey.  I had a lovely pink tea cup to drink it from.  Each tea drinker is also given their own little sieve to keep out the loose leaf tea.

They really do grow their own berries at The Berry Patch and my delicious scones came garnished with lovely plump fresh raspberries straight from the garden!

The gift shop has many lovely things to choose from and it was fun to browse.  Of course there were lots of tea related items, but also some lovely hand-made jewelry and other "girly" things that were lots of fun to check out!

My friends and I had a wonderful "tea date," enjoying the atmosphere and pretending for a moment that we were back in a more civilized time, with no troubles too great that a "spot of tea" couldn't cure them!  But we also had a true time of sharing and caring, something that is often done much more easily over a hot cup of tea or coffee.  It reminded me once again of just how valuable real friendships are - in this case, our friendships have endured well over twenty years, through incredible life changes, difficulties and joys.  I hope we're still drinking tea together when twenty more years have passed.

"Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; 

so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel 

that comes from the heart."

Proverbs 27:9

And just a little update on my dear "Tiger" - she is getting better every day!  It will be a long recovery time for her but we think she is doing quite well.  Thank-you to all for your prayers and positive thoughts!  She sends purrs back in your direction, and we send our many, many thanks for your kindness.

Teddy Bear Picnic

It's Tea Time Tueday over at Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspiration and Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites.  Honestly, because of the wonderful blog hops these two ladies host, Tuesday is becoming one of my favourite days of the week!

But over here in my own blog, something special is happening ...

Cordelia Rabbit decided to throw a tea party for her teddy bear friends.  Jeremy and Olivia are quite small bears.  Cordelia told them they could have their very own tea cups to drink out of, but she would have to be the one to pour the tea since they are just too little.  

Jeremy is a serious little bear.  He likes to stand up properly even when he's at a tea party.  

Olivia is much more mischievous.  She was having fun rolling around on the floor and pretending to be a ballerina.  Cordelia had to tell her to settle down and drink her tea before it got cold.

When it was time for the dessert plate to come out, nobody was surprised to see it loaded up with blueberries!  Everyone knows that teddy bears simply ADORE blueberries with their tea.

But Cordelia Rabbit said she would prefer something a little bit crunchier.

Olivia thought maybe she would try the radish too!

It was certainly crunchy, but it tasted hot and burnt her tongue.

She decided that teddy bears really do prefer blueberries after all!

If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise,

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better go in disguise,

For ev'ry bear that ever there was will gather there for certain because

Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic!

The china teddy bears used in this "Tea Time Tuesday" vignette are very special to me.  They were given to me by one of my brothers when I was only 4 years old.  Originally, there were 3 little bears but unfortunately, one of them got broken along the way.  Olivia has a little bit of damage to her orange polk-a-dot bow but, considering I have celebrated my 39th birthday a couple of times already, I'm really pleased that I still have two of my little bears after all these years!

The little tea set is one I picked up at a garage sale this past weekend.  I've been wanting a wee tea set for a while now and was so happy to come across it - and happy to purchase a lovely Royal Winton plate at the same sale for only a dollar!  Perhaps it will be featured in one of my Tea Time Tuesday vignettes in the future.