Monday, March 26, 2012

"FLORAL TEA TIME "

Hurrah ...  My studio cottage  is just about ready to move into.... Many of my days,weeks,  months even years  have been spent  fussing with colours, painting, renovating and unpacking boxes in two, century old plus houses.  Often, I wondered if  all the demolition and work  would ever end. Now, as I  ponder the thoughts of moving  into  " Grace House ", while the, "  Grand Lady " , undergoes yet another  facelift, I'm dumb founded .... like, " What !!!!!!...  I get to live in a finished  house. ...AHHHHHH... Unbelievable !!!!

Today, I looked around and realized that I had painted the walls of the cottage, in  garden colours, particularly, those from the palette of my clematis.... pinks, mauves, purples greens and yellows.



Suddenly the mundane cardboard boxes ceased to be a toil of slave labor and drudgery( hee hee) ...  They  became a brilliant  gateway,  into a peaceful  floral palette  of memories, and of course, there was a pot of tea brewing.  Would you like to relax for awhile and join me for some refreshments? Please  do  come in and spend a little  time with me !!!


Today, I'm all about flowers, so tea is served in a delicate floral teaset, that my mother  bought me, for my birthday ... and I am, incidentally, getting younger from now on.( Ha ha)   ....  This is definitely a Springtime teaset. .... and one that will be perfect for  those outdoor tea parties...Don't you agree .....  Thanks Mom.


Two years ago, I had the most beautiful clematis and today, I am in earnest to replant and cultivate more of these beautiful vines. It's  amazing  how some plants intertwine themselves into your heart and sometimes, even  around your  teacups.( Ha ha)


Choosing a  Tuesday Teacup makes my day. It has  become a happy  ritual, that has become  part of who I am . ... a teacup sipping G' Ma with five grandsons and one grand-daughter on the way.  "What A Wonderful Life"... Have you ever watched that movie with Jimmy Steward and Donna Reed.. It's a classic!!! OK..I'll get back onto the subject ...Sorry ladies.


This pretty set is part of the, late  " Messrs.Thomas Forester and Sons Ltd, from, Longton, England, who were  manufacturers of Majolica and Art Ware. They were highly noted for their exquisite floral creations.


The intricate design here, reminded me of the ' Indian tree' pattern , but it is simply marked, as part of Phoenix China, with the emblematic bird stamp on the bottom. I suspect, it was manufactured in 1925 onwards, as the "Made in England", was often added under the pattern name at that time. I tried to get a picture of the stamp but it was too obscure, to get a clear shot.


Phoenix Works, as it was called, had a particular eye for beauty and detail in their pottery and china, drawing artistic inspiration from around the world.  They had agencies and showrooms in London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna as early as 1883.  The pottery won numerous awards in Calcutta, New Orleans, Belgium and Paris. Whatever way you look at it , right side up or upside down, it's a pretty  teaset.


 Artistically, only a few colours, were gleaned, to create such a remarkable example of interconnected artisty. How many colours do you count  on the colour spectrum of this set?

I see the Grecian, Asian, East Indian influences and even our supposedly,  new art form,  Zettie ( Ha Ha) in this design.... It  does seem to possesses an old world charm, that melds  exotically with the New Age ....  !!!!

 So Ladies... What cups have chosen today?   I can't wait to see them. What plants are you growing in your garden this year?  I shall have to make plans over another cup of tea with you, soon. Do you have any gardening secrets we can share during our teatimes together?  I do !!!!



Oh Oh .. My cup is empty...  I hear the newspapers  rustling  in the boxes and the unwrapped treasures are waiting to be re-discovered ...  Mercy.. There's no rest for  the Grand Lady.







30 comments:

Terri said...

Hello Zaa,
Lovely post! Your Indian Tree tea cup is fabulous! I love that old pattern. And your new tea set from your mom is fabulous as well. Wow! What a stunning design and it looks amazing against your clematis colored walls!
Yay for you moving into your gorgeous new studio!
Hugs,
Terri

Ineke Original said...

Hello Roslind,
Just love this! So wonderful!
with love,
Ineke

Snap said...

Beautiful spring tea set and your Indian Tree tea cup is gorgeous. Such a wonderful pattern. You are already for Spring! Enjoy your new studio! Happy Tea Day!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Zaa,
Your Indian Tree teacup is really lovely and I love the tea set from your mother. How pretty it is! Love your deep pink clematis too! Thank you for joining me for tea today and sharing your pretties.

Blessings,
Sandi

Zaa said...

Thank You Ladies for you kind wishes and wonderful teatime chats...Hugs

Ineke Original said...

Hallo Roslind,
You can translate my Dutch writing. It is on my blog.
with love,
Ineke

Cinderella Moments said...

Redoing an old house would be a dream come true. Lucky you!! I could even go for building a brand new one with all my ideas. For now it has to be dollhouses. LOL! But I hope to see pictures of your house. It must be so rewarding to get to the end of a dream project.
hugs
Caroline

Zaa said...

Thanks Ineke ... I found it.. Dear Friend and will be visiting again soon... have a Happy Day...Hugs

Zaa said...

Thanks for the visit Caroline... I can't wait to cruise around your blog for more Cinderella Moments... I'm your newest follower...Hugs

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Zaa,

thank you for your visit and the kind comment. You will find the Shop with the button below my header or with the link www.silber-und-rosen-Shop.

Oh my, your tea set is really breath taking. So lovely! You Mom is really wonderful that she makes you such a precious gift. Thank you for sharing and have lots of fun with that pretty set. I hope you will have time sometimes to rest and enjoy the set.
Best greetings, Johanna

Zaa said...

Thanks Johanna... I always love your visits... and Congratulations on your grand opening... Have a lovely day ...Hugs

Ruth...Time Was Antiques said...

I love clematis and that is a lovely shade. The teaset is a lovely one for spring, and Indian Tree is always a favourite!
Cheers!
R

Zaa said...

Thanks for the teatime visit Ruth ..Hugs

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The tea set your mother bought you surely is the perfect one for a garden tea party.
I like the pink clematis you showed, makes me want one in that colour now too.
Judith

Zaa said...

Welcome judith ... Yes I do love a variety of clematis too.. so glad you stopped over for tea...Hugs

Antiques And Teacups said...

I love your Indian Tree and your teaset is so elegant! I love it! I love the lavender walls as well. Absolutely charming! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

victorian parlor II said...

What a beautiful post! Love the teacup and the gorgeous flowers:).

Blessings,

Kim

Zaa said...

Thank You Ruth ... Your visits are always Welcome.. Glad you like my wall colours ( ha ha)...Enjoy your day .

Zaa said...

So nice to have you for tea Kim...Hugs

Unknown said...

Our clematis won't be blooming until high summer ... Yours is a lovely variety - such a pretty pink!

Thanks for dropping by and leaving such a nice comment! It's always nice to meet for tea :)

Zaa said...

Thanks Kimmie .. It's so nice to make your acquaintance.. Please do come again soon..Hugs

Zinnia said...

I like the idea of ​​picking up colors from the garden, I also have done. It is soothing. Wonderfully beautiful tea set that feels very spring. Very cute teacup that enhances the tea hour. I wish you a wonderful day! Zinnia

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Zaa,

LOVELY post! You have the same love for fine china and flowers as I have... Let's hope your home will be soon in order and you finding more time to enjoy a real cup of tea.
Love to you,

Mariette

Brenda said...

Well, Grand Lady, you certainly GRAND! Your post is a delight! The 1st tea set is FABULOUS! I love the beautiful colors in the tea set and on YOUR WALL. Nice chose!Y0ur chosen tea cup of the day is wonderful; full of color and SPRING! This floral creation IS exquisite! You can see why they won so many awards. Tea time with you was splendid!
Thanks for visiting me Down Memory La La Lane. Now I am a follower.
Your new friend,
Brenda

Zaa said...

Thanks Marietta... Yes we do enjoy similar garden and teatime treasures... I'm so happy to chat with you at teatime... Please do come n again soon...Hugs

Zaa said...

Dear Zinnia... What a delightful time I had touring your many blogs... Reading is one sure way to enjoy new Friends... Thanks for your friendly teatime visit...Hugs

Zaa said...

Greetings Brenda ... I hope you had a Happy Birthday ..Mine is tomorrow ..the 29th ... so were almost twins ( ha Ha)...I'll be thinking of you when I blow out the Candles...Thanks for the happy visit... Hugs

Lady Linda said...

Lovely lovely blog! Very exciting.
Happy Birthday wishes too.Here's to a wonderful magical year ahead.
Love, Lidna

Lady Linda said...

OPPS...that would be LINDA...my fingers were going too fast lol!

Zaa said...

Your Birthday Wishes are so very much appreciated ,Lady Linda... How ever did you know ( Ha ha).... Hugs