Old Country Roses

In September, I posted about the bargain Royal Albert Old Country Roses teapot I found for $29.99 at Home Goods. Although it is not made in England I couldn't pass it up at that price. Ever since then, I've had my eye out for a bargain creamer and sugar to go with it. I was browsing Ebay recently and just happened upon this set during the last hour of bidding. I purchased them at a great price. They are made in England so I am very pleased! A little retail therapy can do a lot of good for a gal!

Monday Tea Memories — Tea Palace, London

It is Monday and I would love to have a nice afternoon tea. I don't have time today so instead I will enjoy teatime memories.....

In March 2007, I traveled with Denise at Uniquely Tea on her Tea in London Tour. There were eleven ladies participating and we had a delightful time with many wonderful tea memories. The photos above were taken at the Tea Palace in Notting Hill on the first day of our trip. After traveling overnight and sightseeing through the day, we were so ready for the afternoon tea experience! We enjoyed different pots of tea and shopped like crazy in the gift shop. Wonderful memories.....

The big news is -- the Tea Palace is moving to Central London in April. Hmmm, I think that calls for a trip across the pond to check out the new location! Does anyone want to go?

Soccer Team Celebration

AJ, above had a fun time. Actually, AJ always has a fun time. *LOL*

Our winter indoor U10 soccer team celebrated the end of the season with a fun bowling party. We are already two games into the spring season. OK, so we have Fall, Winter I and II and Spring soccer seasons. That's a lot of soccer! (but, fun, too!)

We trade off -- I go to soccer with the "boys" and they go to afternoon tea with me! Can't beat that deal, can I?

Favorite Granddaughter

The seven year old favorite (and only) granddaughter, Kaitlyn, and her mom, our # 2 daughter, are moving back to Kentucky this week after living an 18 hour drive away for nearly 3 years. We are so happy, but it has been a busy week. The only time I've had for tea has been on the run!

Curate

This is a "curate." I purchased it a couple of years ago in an antique shop in Cookeville, TN. It was labeled as a "Victorian pie cooling rack."

Because I had seen these three-tier wooden folding racks used in a few tea rooms I knew I had to have this one! in the tea rooms they were used sitting on the floor beside the table holding teapots of different teas on each level. My curate is old and fragile so I currently use it to display some of my ceramic children's tea sets.

Bernideen at Bernideen's Teatime Blog recently posted about her Curate here. Take a look at her beautiful blog and interesting post.

Curate is a British term. A curate was an assistant to the rector or vicar. Therefore, this rack is an assistant to the tea server or hostess.

Teatime Bookmark

Our daughter, Melissa, is a Work At Home Mom with a successful online beading business, MJenningsDesigns.com. She specializes in personalized items including name and birthstone items. She has been very generous with teatime themed beaded gifts for me including earrings, bracelets, key chains, phone charms, a teapot pendant and more. I posted about several of those beautiful pieces with a photo here.

The cute bookmark with the teapot bead shown above was an early birthday gift she gave me when we went to afternoon tea in Cincinnati. Thanks Melissa! I love it! She is currently participating in a give-away on her blog. Check it out here.

Miniature Tea Set

This is a Longaberger Collectors Club miniature tea set. I took this photo with my ring to show the size. I was a bit surprised while looking through Ebay a couple of weeks ago to see the bidding at $249 for a set just like this. If any of you blog readers out there wants one for that price, I will consider parting with mine! Or, maybe I should hold out for more $$. *Big smile* In my opinion, the market is what the buyer is willing to pay at the time. Apparently someone really wanted the one on Ebay!

Not A Teapot

This is a beautiful RS Prussia chocolate pot and cups set given to me by Aunt Ida. She loved this set and enjoyed seeing it in my dining room displayed on my mother's handcrafted cherry Welsh Hutch.

This is NOT a teapot!! I am amazed at the number of Chocolate pots I see in antique shops labeled as teapots! You would think if an antique dealer knows how to price the product he or she should know this pot is not "short and stout with and handle and spout." Thus far, I have refrained from making the correction to the clerk/dealer, but I admit, I am quick to clarify the difference with my shopping companions.

This is one of my "tea pet peeves" sort of like "afternoon tea" is NOT "high tea! " I'll discuss that sore subject another time!

Kentucky Artisan Center

The restrooms at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea have been named the cleanest and best designed restrooms along the entire I-75 corridor. No joke! Read the details here.

I'm sure the state of Kentucky would rather the Artisan Center be known for all the beautiful Kentucky handmade crafts, Kentucky books, foods and other Kentucky products available in the shop and cafe. Oh well, I suppose it great to be known for both! If you are driving along I-75 stop in Berea for a visit!

And yes, I really did take my camera in the ladies room! A blogger is never without a camera!

Springtime Teacup Trio

Today is the first day of spring.

I will proudly display my Crown Staffordshire Springtime Teacup Trio. This set belonged to my mother. I have no idea where she got it, but I do remember she displayed it in a place of honor in her dining room for many years. I admired it long before I knew I would enjoy afternoon tea, collecting English Bone China teacup trios, and travel to England.

Over the past year, I have been able to acquire seven more of these trios at antique malls and on Ebay. I look forward to setting a beautiful spring theme tea table in memory of my mother and her love for this teacup trio and her beautiful flower gardens.

Teapot Earrings

Don't you just love to receive surprises in the mail? I certainly do. I received many nice cards and gifts for my birthday from friends and family. A very special thank you to all of you!!



These earrings arrived in a birthday card from Lah Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality. She is a very talented lady with a beautiful and inspirational blog. Be sure to take a look! We have been online friends for several years and have exhanged swap gifts through tea groups. I will think of that special friendship when I wear these earrings!

Teatime Measuring Spoons

These beautiful measuring spoons were a birthday gift from my friend Mary. I'm sorry the photo doesn't show the lovely detail of the teapots at the top and in the spoon of each. In my opinion, these measuring spoons are much too pretty to use, therefore I am looking for the perfect way to display them. I'll let you know when I find it. In the meantime, I am open to suggestions!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Are you wearing green today? Nine year old AJ wore a green shirt to school so he wouldn't get pinched!

The Belleek teacup in the photo above was given to me in 1988 by my 95 year old Aunt Ida. It was one of her collection of different teacups and saucers. She and lady friends went "antiquing" on the weekends during the 1960's. This was one of the "treasures" she found during those trips, and is currently one of my favorite teacups.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tea Time Blessing

Irish Tea Time Blessing/Grace

God willing, may our tea be steeped in serenity,

sweetened by sharing,

and surrounded by the warmth of your love.

March Tea at Greentree Tearoom

To celebrate my birthday on Wednesday, I met friends Mary and Patty at Greentree Tea Room. Greentree, is located in an historic home in downtown Lexington. They serve luncheon/tea at noon Wednesday through Saturday and afternoon tea at 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays with reservations. Greentree concentrates more on the food and service than tea, the beverage. They certainly serve a lovely lunch. The menu changes monthly and only one tea selection is served along with ice water. The atmosphere is lovely, as Greentree is also a very upscale antique shop. The table service is white tablecloths, white dishes and silver accessories.

The full menu is posted on each table and is pictured in the top photo. The first course served was a wonderful Potato-Leek Soup, but I forgot to take a photo. The second course was a wonderful warm Irish Oatmeal Scone served with Blackberry Jam and Fayette Cream (their version of mock Devonshire cream). The scone was topped with cinnamon, sugar and oats.

The third course, also served at the table was an absolutely delicious Hot Brownette (a small individual serving of the traditional Kentucky Hot Brown.)

The final two courses are served buffet style on a round table in the center of the middle dining room. It consisted of three savories, Parsleyed Sushi Balls, Benedictine Sandwiches and Pesto Chicken Tea Sandwiches and three desserts, Grasshopper Cream, Greentree French-Filled Wafers and Pistachio Cake. The tea served from silver teapots was Winter Blend.

Before and after lunch/tea, I spent the entire day shopping (a change from my normal routine of picking up a 4th grader at 2:15 every day). My shopping was a success and I enjoyed the day!

Birthday Teapot

I have wanted a Shamrock Belleek teapot forever! Thank you to daughter #1, Melissa, for calling her dad to inform him she found this special teapot for half price at a tea shop clearance sale just in time for my birthday! And thank you GJ and AJ for gift-wrapping it and presenting it to me first thing this morning with fun birthday cards. This just may be my favorite teapot ever!

Elementary School Book Fair

I volunteer at the local elementary school book fairs in the fall and spring. This is Book Fair Week. Another mother and I concluded it is expensive to be a book fair volunteer because we are the best shoppers there!

I found Pink Princess TEA PARTIES, a recipe book by Barbara Beery, founder of Batter Up Kids. This book especially appealed to me because I have a seven-year-old princess granddaughter who loves tea parties!

The book is a collection of tea party snack and beverage recipes for children. Every recipe is featured with a full color photo as shown in the photos above. If you are interested in planning and hosting tea parties for little princesses,this book has many sweet, beautiful and fun recipes!

Tea Decor

I pounced on thisfun teapot shaped bulletin when I saw it in a tea shop. If you click on the photo above you will see the "steam" coming out of the spout is made of wire and is holding some of my favorite photos of a girlfriends trip to the Biltmore and Asheville, NC.

An Appalachian Family - 1913

I have been sidetracked a bit from afternoon tea celebrations to work on family history for a DAR project. This photo of my dad's family was taken in 1913 three years before his birth.

My great-grandparents are in the upper left. My grandparents are in the lower right with my two aunts in front of them. The couple in the middle is my grandfather's brother and his wife. The others are children of the three couples including several my grandfather's brothers and sisters.

According to my 95 year old Aunt Ida, this photo was taken by a "traveling" photographer. It was common at that time to hang an assortment of quilts as a background. This photo was taken on the family farm in rural Kentucky.

Spring Is On The Way

The temperatures were in the mid 70's today and the sun was shining in Kentucky. Our crocus is blooming and spring is just around the corner!

Teapot Without A Lid

I saw this teapot without a lid in a shop and love the way this plant looks in it. However, I didn't buy it because I have a brown thumb and absolutely have no luck growing indoor plants. I just thought I would share the photo because some of my green thumb tea friends in Blogland might like this idea.

Although I can't grow house plants, I have placed arrangements of cut flowers (purchased and grown in my garden) in teapots on several occasions and used them as center pieces on my dining room table.

A Quote From:

365 Things Every Tea Lover Should Know ~

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

My Morning Cup of Tea

My favorite morning cup of tea is Bruce Richardson's Elmwood Inn Fine Teas Mayor's Cup. It is a blend of Ceylon, Darjeeling and Assam teas. I like the smooth and not-too-strong taste of this blend of black teas. I drink my tea without the addition of milk or sugar.

Notes from Tea 2009 Calendar:
"When buying loose-leaf teas, buy little and often rather than risk having larger quantities spoil at home."
"Adding milk to tea may block the normal, healthful effects of tea that protects against cardiovascular disease."

National Pound Cake Day

Today is National Pound Cake Day. I didn't know that until I saw a friend post that little tidbit of information on her Face Book Wall yesterday. The power of suggestion is a mighty one, so I got a big urge to bake, and of course eat, pound cake. It just so happens pound cake is one of my favorite desserts. Probably because of the massive amount of butter, sugar and eggs that go into a proper pound cake.

I looked in Southern Living 40 Years of Our Best Recipes to find a recipe using ingredients I had on hand. I made the Cream Cheese Pound Cake originally featured in the November 1995 issue of Southern Living Magazine as made in a tube pan, then updated in the November 2001 issue as baked in a Bundt pan. I made the Bundt pan version, but next time will make the tube pan version. I guess I'm just a traditional pound cake girl!

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

1 1/2 cups butter, softened,

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs

3 cups flour

1/8 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. vanilla

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.

Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in vanilla. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 10-inch Bundt or tube pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour 45 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.

Nine-year-old Austin wanted strawberries and whipped cream on his, but the best I could do was a topping of 1 carton of Cool Whip, 1 (20 oz) can of crushed pineapple in juice and a 3 oz. package of instant vanilla pudding mixed together to make a topping. (Recognize that topping from the old mandarin orange cake recipe?)

I enjoyed my cake plain, with a cup of Darjeeling. By the way, March is National Caffeine Awareness Month. A cup of tea has half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.

Good Times With Old Friends

This group of "old" girlfriends from elementary and high school have been getting together for outings since we celebrated our 50th birthdays a few years ago. Last night we went to an Italian restaurant in a nearby town. We all ordered different items from the menu, just like each of us and our families are different. Everything was delicious. We enjoyed an evening of visiting, catching up, and lots of laughter. We phoned an out-of-state member of this "exclusive" group and passed the phone around so each of us could chat with her as we begin plans for a big get-together in the fall.

The evening turned into an surprise early celebration of my birthday with fun cards and a gift of a beautiful pink teacup floral arrangement. Do these gals know me or what?!?

Thank you Patty, Jennifer, Ticky and Karla. I loved the cards, the teacup and saucer and the flowers. You are all very special friends!

Tea Timers and Tea Gadgets

I have several tea timers including digital and the three-tea one in the side bar photo. I am a "gadget person." I like gadgets, and just couldn't pass up these three individual tea-timer gadgets I found recently in a tea shop. During the past few months of blogging, I have shown a few of my tea gadgets and have others I haven't yet featured here. Do you have a favorite tea gadget?

March Teapot

Is it my imagination or does time pass more quickly the older you get? Today is already the first day of March!

Actually, March is one of my favorite months of the year. It is my birth month, and the time of the year when we begin to see green sprouts and even a few blooms around this part of Kentucky. As I walked around Home Goods recently, I spotted this teapot decorated with Shamrocks and concluded I should buy myself a new teapot to celebrate March.

Those of you who follow my blog know I can always find a reason to justify my habit, er hobby, of acquiring new teacups or teapots!