“SUNSHINE TEATIME"

              Today is the day … I shall think of Spring ... 
“ I’m ready for flip-flops, green grass,  sunshine, blooming
                                flowers  and birds singing.”
                                         ( Tweet Tweet)

I’m ready to take flight and trip the light fantastic with happy memories of last years' garden .

Lupines

Roses

Iris

                                               and bea-u-tiful
                                  Peonies.

  YES ... I am ready for a soothing cup of tea ... Aren’t you ?

Happy, Happy, Happy 

This “ Dunoon” tea set is my constant companion in the music room. It fills me with inspiration. (Tra-la-la) ... and makes me want to sing  for Easter!!!

The china has been eloquently named, “ Desire” and was 
inspired by the Austrian Artist, Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) 
           who is reknowned as one of the centuries greatest 
                                    decorative artists. 
    
I purchased the teapot, many years ago, during my travels to beautiful, Prince Edward Islands, Canada. 

While there were many other exciting patterns to choose from, this one, “ Desire"captured my heart with it’s wild artistic  whimsy.

Klimts' personalized style predominately uses women as his subject matter along with a myriad of 

gold leaf patterns. 

Gold, gold and more gold inspired his Art Nouveau 

  shapes and patterns, which make it quite mystical and unique. 

The artwork intertwines beautiful forms, bodies, faces and a most brilliant color palette in a dance of secret symbolism ...  which I believe, is perfect for our relaxing  "Winter Spice" Tea. If you like ‘ apples’ or apple pie, you will love this particular Twinings' flavour.

The teapot is a perfectly oversized vessel that could admirably handle six to eight cups of tea. It is a light weight porcelain that boasts a strong handle, making it user friendly for those of us who have arthritis or weak wrists. You won’t have any problem  getting  a good grip on this "pretty girl".... Infact ... The handle is one of it's best attributes. 

      Don’t you think that the lid is a work of art all by itself ... Look at all those precious posies !

Ooo-LA-LA

It seems, that whenever I take this teapot out of the cabinet, it becomes animated and starts to hum in my ear, which naturally prompts me to sing.


      Perhaps, you know this Leonard Bernstein song from the

                                   musical, "West Side Story". 

                                   "I FEEL PRETTY”

                                  "I feel pretty, Oh so pretty 
                            I feel pretty and witty and bright “ 
                      And I pity, any girl, who isn’t me tonight”
                            I feel charming, Oh so charming
                           It’s alarming how charming I feel
               And so pretty, that I hardly can believe I’m real. "

                                 
It has been a long Winter, Ladies, so ... COME ON ... One sip of the tea and you will be in “ DREAMLAND”, thinking of your Spring flowers and maybe even vocalizing along with me.

Lilies

Hydrangea

Clematis

SUNFLOWER

I LOVE LILIES

Oh my Goodness... the sun is so rejuvenating today. Teatime in your company has been exhilarating for me too.

Thank You for joining me in my songs.

Ha ha ... and you are all on key.

AMAZING !!!

OOPS ... I forgot to show you the other side of the teacup.  Surprise... Surprise

 Which side do you want to drink from? ( Ha Ha)I guess, it depends of how comforting you find the cup... Which side  inspires you? Of course, not everyone is going to admit to getting excited and over the top comfortable with a teacup and a few colourful symbols .

    REALLY ... It doesn’t take much to make a person happy.        I’ve learned that it is all in the attitude and somehow...  
              Sunshine, a Song and a cup of tea with Friends
                                        does it for me.
                                                                 
                          What makes you happy?

                    Here’s my special  wish for you all today. 

                           SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDER
                                   Written By: John Denver

    "Sunshine on my shoulder makes me  happy, sunshine
                              in my eyes can make me cry 
         Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, 
                             sunshine almost always makes me high.
      If I had a day that I could give you, I’d give to you 
                                 a day just like today.
      If I had a song that I could sing for you, I’d sing a song 
                            that makes you feel this way."

Thank You for joining me for Tea

HAPPY EASTER LADIES 

                 I’m sharing with:       Friends Sharing Tea

                                                      Tuesday Cuppa Tea   

                                                      Share Your Cup   

“BIRTHDAY TEA"

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday everybody . We celebrate  four out of five Birthdays in the month of March .. so needless to say ... It is a busy time. Please come in and join us.

Today I’m looking up recipes for cakes and tea  ... My Hubby leaves tomorrow  for three weeks so he does need alittle TLC.... It’s time to celebrate !!!

Well, I decided on a delicious “ Mint’  tea ... from the “ Mighty Leaf” collection which I buy online. (mightyleaf.com) It’s an organic, whole leaf tea with no caffeine.  I first tried it in the Air Canada VIP Lounge  and immediately fell in love with it’s refreshing  flavour and  lingering aroma.  

Since whole leaves need room to open and expand, the Mighty Leaf Company has created a large pyramid shaped silk bag for the tea to express itself through... 

It is truly a luxurious blend that is quite unforgettable.

SO I  best get on with  preparing the brew. 

Hubby’s birthday is March 17th so  he thinks  that he is Irish

( Ha Ha) since his Birthday falls on St. Patrick’s Day ... In celebration,  I decided to pull out the “Belleck”.  

I’ve always admired Belleck Pottery for it's ethereal look. Often, I wondered what makes it so different from other porcelains, so I did a little research and discovered that it is indeed a special 

 Parian ware that is a type of bisque porcelain imitating marble.

Belleck was developed around 1845 by the Staffordshire Pottery manufacturer “Mintons" and named after Paros, the Greek Island renowned for it’s refined texture and white Parian marble, which has been used since antiquity for sculptures.  In pottery,  it is prepared into a liquid form that can be caste into a mold, enabling mass production.

 What I love most about this pottery, is the thinness and slightly iridescent surface that it displays. Of course, it’s not everyones’ favourite ‘cup of tea’ ( Ha Ha ) but isn’t it  beautiful !!!

I must admit to being a little apprehensive about pouring tea into such delicate looking vessel, but then I thought ... What are teacups for? Actually, this pottery is not as delicate as it looks. 

Go ahead and have another sip. 

  Oh my ... I do hope that you are going to enjoyed your cup of tea (Ha Ha)

Please ... Be sure to save room for a piece of  Black Forest cake. 

OK ... Time to sing and blow out the candles. I don’t think Kim will have much trouble with that task!!!

Goodness ... Look who else wants a piece of the  cake .( Ha Ha)

It’s “ Simon” the Squirrel.

He’s a curious little fellow who is  always chittering and chattering when company arrives ... or maybe he came to wish Kim a HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!  

THANK YOU   

For 

attending the

BIRTHDAY TEA

I am sharing with :   Friends Sharing Tea

                                    Tuesday Cuppa Tea   

                                    Share Your Cup   

“ MARCH TEATIME "

"The March do blow and we shall have snow" ...  and four Birthdays this month ... It's time to shovel the walks, get to    wearing’ the Green ... and start partying.

               We’re on our third snow storm in seven days.
                   This is the overhang on the front porch.

Can you believe that, the snow is up to the rooftops on many of our neighbours houses.

Alternatively, I can still appreciate the “ BEAUTY " of Winter which encourages us all to enjoy a lovely, warm cup of tea .

My husband always brings me little gifts when he travels... He knows what I like !!!!

Everything tea ... Isn’t this a cute little tea strainer!!!!

Today is the first time that I’m using and sharing it with you, my dear friends. I used a 1/4 tsp times three to fill the vessel ... so, I guess, that makes, at least 5- 6 cups of delicious tea, depending on the size of your teacup. 

I DO HOPE THAT YOUR COMING TO OVER LADIES !!!!

 Loose leafed "Earl Grey" is the pick of the day ... Hey Hey !!! Please Join me!!!!

OMG ... I forgot to tell you about my $6.00 purchase at Value Village. " TAH DAH"... I call this teapot  “Penelope" for her plain colors and winsome design . 

Small, cute and PERKY .... That sturdy little handle really does make it easy for pouring.

Good things do come in small packages.

I also frequent the Medical Hospice Store, buying clip earrings for my mother, who is in the Veteran's Nursing Home. Most  recently, I found  this  ‘darling’ little teaset ... hanging amongst the bigger, bully cup girls ... WELL ... I just snapped her up for

 $ 3.00 and said “ nah, nah, nah" to those Bully Babe Teacups because online she is a collector's item priced at $56.00.

Too much fun !!!

She’s a dainty little Royal Winton/Grimwades ( 1886-1900 )  that hums with humility and Sweet Peas ... I’ve tried and tried to grow Sweet Peas ... but they do need the proper location. This year I’m determined ... to grow these precious  flowers. Does anyone have planting advice?  

Anyways  ...  How is it that a cup and saucer can  inspire a person’s  Springtime imagination. ( SIGH)

I just want to “ HUG” and "SNIFF"the floral pattern that cascade throughout this porcelain ( Ha ha) ... It’s one of my favourites.

Come on Ladies, let’s get to brewing ... Are you ready for a Earl Grey Tea Latte?

All we need is a kettle and maybe a blender to make a surprisingly delicious latte.

It only has a few ingredients.

                                                           Here is  “MY” recipe
                                                     #1

                                                 Fill your pot with boiling water
                            Two bags or 3 tsps of Earl Grey Tea
                                          Steep for 6 minutes

                                                  "  SECRET INGREDIENT "

                                    ADD... 1/2 tsps  of  lavender blossoms

                          ( It truly makes ALL the difference)
                                             STRAIN the tea
                                                   Add milk

                                                                  ENJOY !!!
  However, you may be a “ Gourmet Gypsy" at heart and          want a sweeter, more diversified blend of flavours in your tea. 

                                                                 #2
                                                “ OPTIONAL RECIPE"

                            Pour all the( above) tea recipe into a blender
 Add one/two  cups of Milk/creme/almond milk or coconut milk
                                   3 tsps Cocoa powder
                                   2 tbsp Maple Syrup/ honey
                                   1/2 tsp vanilla extract
                                   1 tiny pinch of sea salt
                                            
                                              M-M-M-M-
                                 Just right on a wintry day .

WISHING YOU ALL

A

“ HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY"

I’m sharing teatime with:

                                    Friends Sharing Tea

                                    Tuesday Cuppa Tea   

"A SNOWY TEA"

Come in ... out of the cold my Friends.

Pull up a chair and settle in for another relaxing teatime. Today, I have chosen a charming but most controversial little teapot from Staffordshire. 

I’m sure you recognize the familiar figure on the pot. It is part of the Sadler collection of Historical Teapots ... Henry the Eight teapot and four of his six wives ... Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleves and Jane Seymour are in attendance  ...  the other two wives, I believe, are terribly indisposed.

This is a discontinued, octangular pot that is seven and a half inches wide and six inches high to the top of the gold trimmed lid. It is a small unique two cupper, which I love to use on  snowy days. 

Well, with the ‘King" comes his most beloved creature ... Look, who is peeking into my windows ...  Often, a herd of twelve White-Tailed Deer travel down our hills, but this young fellow must have known that it was teatime. Look at that white-tail ... Isn’t he lovely !!!

Sadly, the white-tailed deer sometimes have difficulty surviving winter, particularly if the snow is deep, so I really don’t mind         them staring and nibbling the young shoots in the back bush. 
              
 Their wintry visits seem a blessing to me. Should we invite him in for a cup of tea? Chances are that he wouldn’t be too impressed with our brewing bouquet.( Ha Ha)
                                  

                                       Come Ladies  ...  
Take a gander at what I found in the back of the cupboard. 

          Don’t you think that the white design resembles the 
                                           deer’s tail ?                

I must say, that this teaset is a pleasure to drink from, as the cup is very deep and high .... ( Ting-a-ling)...You could ring it like a bell if it was turned upside-down( ha ha)

TEATIME !!!!

No ... This is not your normal pretty looking “ Windsor " pattern. The design has a strong male presence, which is quite befitting for the King Henry teapot and our white-tailed Friend. Infact, I am feeling quite attracted to the white flourishes of energy that electrify this saucer. 

It seems to have “ HIGH SPIRIT" like the deer that dashes away, in leaps and bounds.

Nibble, nibble, nibble .... sweet woodland creature ,

              while we have a cup of soothing chamomile tea.

I do enjoy the mellow ambience and sweet taste of this tea on such a cold and wintry day.

  I was all set to share a book with you, but the wildlife has      completely taken over our teatime ladies ... Maybe we should drink up and go for a brisk walk through the woods!!!

On second thought ... Br-r-r-r ...  Let's stay put and enjoy one another,  a little longer. We can appreciate the view from the inside. 

LOOK at that cheeky little face!!! Ha ha

This has been a thrilling teatime adventure and I’m so happy that  you took the time to follow along the snowy

path for a cup of tea with me. 

There’s no need to hurry.

 ENJOY your brew

 and

 the scenery.

The sleigh is prepared for your journey home.

Don’t Worry

Be Happy

Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening 

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his wood fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

                     

                                           I am sharing with :
                                    Friends Sharing Tea
                                    Tuesday Cuppa Tea   
                                    Keep In  Touch