Tuesday, September 25, 2012

"AUTUMN LEAVES"

"The  falling  leaves drift by my window...The Autumn leaves of red and gold." Do you remember  Nat King Cole, singing this beautiful song.... Well, today, I am smitten by it's lyrics and music.
( Hum Hum )

It's midday and the sun seems to have that dusty glow of crimson breath mingling with a soft veil of sunlight .



While gazing through the window, I'm reminded of that age old ritual of taking midday tea. Won't you join me?

I hope I'm not too late to join Sandi's  Autumn Teatime  Celebrations. I'm akin to Alice's, White rabbit, who's late , who's late  for a most enjoyable date.


 However I don't look quite that bad( Ha Ha) ..Yes, I admit to getting up late, leaving on my pyjamas and eating cupcakes for breakfast... It's such a relaxing day !!!


I've even chosen a trio of  lovely vintage transfer ware , a setting for three, so you see I was expecting company.


Oh dear, there are only two cupcakes left( Hee Hee) ... I  do love to share though ... They're scrumptious little cakes that mother bought at the local market.,, bit  sized cuties, with an abundant amount of icing...Scrumptious !!!!


The teasets were purchased in British Columbia, Canada, ten years ago in a Langley antique shop appropriately called Victoria's. She carried  a lot of old world china and furniture that always sparked my imagination. I was alway meandering through her store and could have easily become a fixture.   This vintage set , Royal Staffordshire, created by A.J. Wilkinson Ltd., dazzled me with it's odd, or should I say unusual rectangular plate shapes.



I found very little actual information on the company except that it was a pottery or pot bank at Newport in Burslem, England, owned by the Shorter family. A sprawling complex of bottle ovens, kilns and production shops, that  employed 400 manual workers and produced earthenware. In 1885 Arthur  A.Wilkinson took over introducing gold lustreware on graniteware to America. In 1896, he took over the Royal Staffordshire Pottery in Burslem, which carries the illustrious Stafforshire legacy of fine pottery and china.


My acquired settings, included four  cups,saucers and sandwich plates with the traditional rural scenes that were so popular in the late eighteen hundreds.

Each china piece displays it own vivid depiction of  life on the farm, complete with a hay wagon. The  scenes and  plate shapes are quite beautifully formed with deep indentations for holding, a generous amount of  tea sandwiches  and dainties.  I seldom buy china in the brown tones, but these were of such exquisite form that I dubbed them " Mine ", at twenty-five dollars  for a twelve piece set. ..A very good deal, indeed !!!! 



The sturdy little cups endear the simple life and daily routines of  milking cows and  collecting eggs  in a rather  medieval drawing that warms the heart and transport you ," way over yonder" to another time and place. However , I would say that life was much harder and busier in those idealistic scenes, than we could ever imagine. We're such romantics !!!!


My favourite is the saucer, with it's charming  homestead scene . The traditional rakes, shovels and sickles are so cleverly laced around the rim, with herbs, vines and fruits, which definitely  enhance the beauty of this wonderful old china.  In essence, the dishes are storytellers, time travellers that awaken our minds to an ancient memory somewhere in time.

I do love transfer ware and wonder ... IF, these teacups could talk, what stories they would tell !!!


Here's a close-up of the saucer. I wouldn't mind a lovely old house  with a babbling brook, stepping stones and a few cows... On second thought, I do have an old 125 year old house. Maybe we'll forget about the cows and skipping over the stones to walk 5 miles miles to the market. 

Thankfully, in this day and age, we can put our work aside for awhile, to enjoy  the pleasantries of an  Autumn Tea Time with Friends.

I
We can enjoy the season with it's musty scents and  artful colours that are drench in the cool, autumn rain.  Fall invigorates me .... even makes me tingle. Maybe that's why, I  seem to drink more tea during the Fall season.


I'm  saying good-bye to my garden, but secretly revelling, in the yellow, green and golds that filter though my mind, as the the seasonal " Gallardia" springs forth . The garden colours seem to refresh  my tea cup with a sense of life's cycle and  the journey ahead. 

For me, it is new life, as my sixth grandchild and fifth grandson will be born. YES ....  Autumn vibrates with a glorious ' sleep' for the garden and a new awakening for my heart. 
What does Autumn mean to you?


TODAY ... I celebrate and share  the Autumn of my life with friends...young and old teatottlers, who can sleep in and wear their pyjamas till noon...maybe later!!!
  Thanks for sharing a few sips with me . Have a Happy and relaxing tea today.

"The autumn Leaves drift by my window
The autumn leaves of red and gold."

Sung By: Nat King Cole
Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
Music: Joseph Kosmo
1960's

Today I am sharing teatime with:

Sandi at: Rose Chintz Cottage... /Tea Time Tuesday/www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca
Ruth at: Tuesday Cuppa Tea/ www.antiques&teacups.blogspot.ca
Kathy at : A Delightsome Life//blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com
Terri at: Tea Cup Tuesday/www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.ca
Bernideen At: Tea in the Garden/www.bernideenstimeblog.blogspot.ca

  






37 comments:

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello my friend, it's very good of you to join me for my tea party. I am loving your brown transferware teacups and plates! I do love transferware! My son lives not far from Langley and we're hoping to go out at Christmas. Hmmm, wonder if Victoria is still operating? Your photos are lovely. We don't have many leaves that vibrant just yet. Our temperatures are very mild still. I've enjoyed your tea post and thanks for joining me. Happy Autumn!

Blessings,
Sandi

Antiques And Teacups said...

Hi Zaa. What a great autumn post! That's a pattern I love! The square shape is actually called Biarritz shape, and was made famous by Clarice Cliff who was the art director at Royal Staffordshire, Wilkinson's for a time. Some of the pieces of the Rural Scenes have her signature as well, and may well have been designed by her...or at least approved! We have friends in New Westminster and Langley. A lovely area! Thanks for sharing and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Zaa! Thanks for the lovely autumn tea. The colorful leaves are just beautiful. I love this time of year! I like your dishes and your photos are great. Even the rabbit! Happy Wednesday! Gina

Zaa said...

Thanks Sandi ...Victoria's is unfortunately closed , but another strip mall has set up in her place , where a variety of collectors sell their wares... Enjoy your visit and the lovely colours of autumn..thanks for hosting ...Hugs

Zaa said...

Thanks Ruth ..Yes I read about Clarice and her art deco designs... Mine do not have her signature..but are still lovely and THANK YOU for identifying the shape of my rural scene plates ....Every bit of information is inspiring...Hugs Dear lady ...

Zaa said...

Ha ha Gina ... I'm so glad that you had time to stop over for a visit and little teatime chat..ENJOY your Autumn days...Hugs

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Zaa,
you made a wonderful post. Autumn is a pretty season with the strong colors. Love the colored leaves. How nice to wait for a newborn grandchild. Best wishes for mother and child. Your te set is fabulous. I love the sweet pictures with romantic scenes. Thank you for sharing this delightful tea time and for your visit with the kind comment.
Best greetings, Johanna

Zaa said...

Thank You Johanna for your kind and happy visit..ENJOY your day, my Friend...hugs

Gina said...

I absolutely love Autumn, it's my favorite season. I would love to sit down to a cup of tea especially in those beautiful teacups!

Clara said...

Hi Zaa!
What a lovely post. I love your brown transferware and the tea cups are so pretty with the rural scene. Thank you for you visit and lovely words.
~Clara

Zaa said...

Thanks Gina ... You're always so very WELCOME...hugs

Zaa said...

Sweet visit Clara...I'm so happy that you're enjoying the Autumn scenes...hugs

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Hi Zaa, what a delightful post! I loved seeing your gorgeous brown trasferware with the pretty scenes. What a deal and what a treat to drink tea out of those cups. Best wishes on the birth of your grandson.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I'm your newest follower :) Thank you for your visit to my blog!

Zaa said...

Dear Kitty ... Welcome ... It's so very nice to share teatime chats with you ... I shall look forward to your visits...Hugs

Millie said...

A beautiful posting! I too can wear my PJ's till noon, and sometimes do!

Donna Heber said...

Hi Zaa!

What a lovely post! Your brown transferware is gorgeous with its pretty scenes. Love your autumn foliage.

Ana Cristina Caldatto said...

linda coleção, amei a lebre,
sua dama estatueta é linda,

vou levar sua imagens ao pinterest!
___________

lovely collection, loved the hare,
his lady figurine is beautiful

I will take your images to Pinterest!

Thank you for sharing ... hugs

Wendy@Once upon a rose haven said...

Hi Zaa,
Beautiful autumn tea! And your transferware is very lovely... the rural scene is precious.
Have a great day and Happy Autumn!
Blessings,
~Wendy

Bernideen said...

I am so glad to have you link to my last Tea In The Garden for the season1 Hope you can join me for Friends Sharing Tea beginning next Wednesday. Darling post and thoughts! Beautiful transferware.

Bookie said...

Thank you for commenting on my blog this morning.

I love the brown transfer! I have a couple of brown cups only. I searched two years ago for brown things...I was told brown was the new collectible and hard to find. Then I got my mother in law's brown and white plates. The browns make me think Thanksgiving and autumn!

♥ Miss Tea said...

Hi Zaa, thank you for the birthday wishes and comment at my blog, what a beautiful teaset you have, such endearing scenes on the plate and the teacup, i just love the lovely homestead scene and those photos of autumn leafs and flowers are so beautiful! Congratulations beforehand on the birth of your grandsons.

Love,
Susan

Anonymous said...

How lovely to meet you and visit for tea time! Have a wonderful afternoon.

Zaa said...

Ha Ha MIllie ...Then you too have a relaxing teatimes...Thanks for the visit...Hugs

Zaa said...

Welcome Donna ..Please do come again soon...Hugs

Zaa said...

Greetings ANA... It's so very lovely to see a new face and have a friendly teatime chat...Hugs

Zaa said...

Dear Wendy ..What a lovely name you have for your blog.. Thanks for the kind visit...xoxoxo

Zaa said...

Thanks Bernideen .. I always admire your garden posts...Hope to see you again soon, Dear lady ...Hugs

Zaa said...

Your right Bookie...Brown reminds me of the earthy Autumn season too... Love those fall colours... Thanks for the sweet visit... Bright Blessings..

Zaa said...

Thank You for your kind comments this teatime , Miss Tea... such a whimsical name and enjoyable blog , you have ..Please do remember to come again for another teatime chat....Hugs

Zaa said...

Your so welcome, Maple Lane... It's been lovely having you for a teatime visit...Be sure to stop over for tea anytime....Blessings

Maria Andrade said...

Hi Zaa,
I loved your tea post, not only for the beautiful Royal Staffordshire china - the scenes on the transferware are so lovely! - but also for all the talking... :)
And congratulations for the new baby about to arrive in the family!
Thanks for sharing it all.
Hugs

xinex said...

I love your brown transferware, so pretty! I would love for you to join me for tea by the fountain and pool!...Christine

Terri said...

Hello Zaa,
Your post today is truly lovely! I enjoyed reading about your decadent tea....cupcakes....before noon....in pajamas...Oh My! lol! Sounds heavenly to me!
I am loving your beautiful china, the pastoral scenes are gorgeous!
Hugs,
Terri

Two Cottages And Tea said...

What a beautiful post and I do love those transferware dishes! They are perfect for the autumn season. Have a good evening.



Lady Linda said...

Oh oh oh, I love transferware too. What a lovely fall collection. So fun for my favorite time of the year.
Linda

Zaa said...

Thank You Ladies.. I'm so glad that you've stopped over for a teatime chat... Enjoy your week-end.. xoxoxo