"English Blend" sounds like a tea, but it is the name of the brick closest to our original brick to put on the house addition. My hubby, Glenn, said he knows I will never complain about it because of it's name! He is right. I love everything English and I love tea. How could we possibly go wrong with English Blend?
This is another dish I had to pack away during the renovation of our house. This plate was a gift for my mother from my brother and me. In the early 1960's I remember our dad giving us money to buy a gift for Mother's Day or for Mom's birthday. I can't remember which because both were in May. My brother and I walked to the only antique shop in town and picked out this plate. Of course my mother claimed that she was thrilled with it. She displayed it for the rest of her lifetime. She really did appreciate pretty things, so I hope she did like this one.
I have many beautiful pieces of china and glassware given to me by my mother and aunts over the years. 
All must be packed away due to the the renovation and extension of our house.
These are just a few beautiful pieces.
So many "treasures" and so many wonderful memories.
Kentucky temperatures have been in the 80's this weekend. The children of all ages were in the pool as much as possible. Our weather has been very nice except for rain showers earlier today with extreme high humidity. Austin is back in the pool for the moment, but not for long... We have school tomorrow! We had so many snow/ice days earlier in the year, that the school year has been extended to June 4th.
Earlier this week, we had our first planning meeting for the Berea Health Ministry 2009 fundraiser tea to be held on October 17. The event is a hosted-table event. Each hostess decorates her table to a theme of her choice. These are a few photos from the 2008 Tea Time With Berea Health Ministry.
I opened a simple new blog with photos from the 2008 event so potential hostesses can visit it to see examples of last year's lovely tables and learn details of the event. Go here to visit the Tea Time With Berea Health Ministry blog. I will be posting more information there as needed.
Back view (above)
May is National Home Remodeling Month and we certainly are contributing our fair share to the program! 
We are so happy to see the leaking chimney come down!! We have lived in this house 21 years and have spent big bucks on repairs but the problems always returned.
Back addition 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and laundry room (below)
Thank you to many of you who have asked how things are going. 
The Apron Book *Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort* by EllynAnne Geisel is a great resource book for those of us who have a fascination for vintage aprons. Why would anyone be fascinated with aprons, perhaps even to the point of having a passion for aprons? Because just like people, every apron has a story. 
My mother and Aunt Mary wore aprons called half aprons or waist aprons every day while cooking or cleaning house. They always had pockets as the green one above.
Most ladies I knew made their aprons. Rick-Rack was often used to embellish. (above)
I love the one above I found in my mom's things. The clock face is a pocket. The embroidered clock face is set on 5 o'clock and the embroidery on the star says "Time to Cook!"
Do you remember the dish towel apron? The one above is made from a Christmas dish towel. 
The "Mother's Apron Strings" tea at church was enjoyed by everyone attending. The greeters and kitchen workers wore aprons.
Vintage aprons were tied to the backs of chairs for decoration. 
The ladies picked favorites out of the variety of vintage aprons. The one above is decorated with birthday cakes. Looking at the many vintage aprons and teacups brought back memories for many of the guests and were great for table conversation. 
Continuing with my posts of "A Year of Teas" — I helped plan a mother - daughter tea held at our church today. This tea was sponsored by the Women's Ministry. It was not a fundraiser, but was a special time for fun, fellowship and worship for ladies of the church. One family of ladies had five generations attending.
The theme was Mother's Apron Strings. I gathered vintage aprons that belonged to my mom and aunts and Mary contributed aprons from her mother. The aprons were used for decorating and worn by the greeters and kitchen workers. I'll show more photos of those in upcoming posts. I am in the photo below (wearing my black teapot apron) along with daughter #2, Laurel and granddaughter, Kaitlyn.
As I mentioned yesterday, it's been a busy week of washing and packing 33 teapots, 53 cups and saucers, many vintage aprons gallons of tea punch. We had 16 tables, each set for 6 guests for a total of 96 guests. This was a tea luncheon from 11:00 to 12:30
More details and photos to come... 
I was asked if I would help with a Mother-Daughter Tea, "Mother's Apron Strings," at our church scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday). Of course I said "yes!" Based on previous events, the committee expected 50 to attend when plans first began. As of tonight, 95 ladies have made reservations. I washed and packed 33 teapots and 53 teacups and saucers. Others are also providing cups and saucers. I made 20 gallons of fruit tea and provided vintage aprons for decorating. I'll post the details with photos soon!
I will be away from blogging for a while to be with my 95 year old Aunt Ida, the last member of my Dad's family. Years ago Aunt Ida started me on the path of teacup collecting and the graceful art of entertaining/hostessing. She is very special to me and my family.
A couple of days ago, Angela over at Tea With Friends posted photos of some of her tea magnets and suggested that others might want to do the same. 
Happy 8th Birthday KJ
I found this little tea light depicting an old coal or woodburning stove with a tea kettle on top. It was the last one at our local Cracker Barrel and was the display model without a box. But hey! You all know me well enought to know if it says "TEA", it is for me!
Austin and Kaitlyn celebrated the Kentucky Derby with finger sandwiches, desserts and my tea punch served in official Derby cups.
The menu included some traditional Kentucky foods — Benedictine Sandwiches, Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches, Kentucky Legends Brown Sugar Ham on Southern Biscuits and some of the children's favorites — Pizza Rolls and PNB&J Sandwiches.
Desserts included the Kern's Bakery official Derby Pie and...
Strawberry Shortcake (below)
We had a great day watching all the Kentucky Derby hoopla on TV (all day long here in KY). 
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