Tuesday, April 10, 2018

“ BLOOMING TEA "

MAKE MY DAY


TWO years ago, I lost a most cherished, fifteen year old Cactus specimen, due to an episode with frozen pipes and heating malfunction in our heritage home. Needless to say, 
 I was heart broken.


As you can see it was a massive scarlet  flowering cacti.
 How do you replace such  a  precious friend?


Luckily, my girlfriend, Renate, gifted me a one year old cutting from her Christmas Cactus.  I located the quart sized container into the southern setting of my studio cottage, in the hope that it would find contentment in this sunny location. 
It has been growing for two years now, but as always ... I am sometimes, neglectful in the watering, which funnily enough, cacti love. ( ha ha) 

Did you know that ...
Cactus are a no fuss, no muss type of plant . 
It’s honestly true !!
So, yesterday, after three weeks of neglect, I journeyed into the dining room with a watering can.
Surprise, Surprise... 

IT'S BLOOMING !!!!



YAHOO... 
Ask me if I’m excited !!!!
Look at those gorgeous blossoms.


This just made my day !!!

PLEASE do join me for  this,
  “ Blooming" celebration teatime.

I found the prettiest tea set, at the Hospice shop. It just sort of popped up and said, pick me for teatime with the ladies... 
   So I did!!!
( Ha Ha)



A person can often  find beautiful cups and saucers at the Hospice Stores, at half the price of other antique shops. There is always a vast selection of tea sets that are  reasonably priced, between five and twenty -five dollars ... depending on the manufacturer. 
I paid ten dollars for this one.


 It was a very good deal, when you consider the amount of artistry and gold filigree that is decorating this( above)  
 Queen Anne tea set.


For our, “Blooming" Teatime, I thought that the, 
"Lady Patricia”, Hammersley tea pot would be perfect.

Hammersly, is a well established firm that has been around for over a century ... The company has always  specialized in the production of richly decorated bone china. 


Over the years, it has been associated with Royal Worcester Spode Ltd (1976) and more recently, it’s trade name has been bought by "Ansley" in 1988.
                                  I love all vintage china ... 
                                                  and 
                       am really quite enamoured with the 
                                   golden rose on the  lid.


I mean, who can resist all the  gold gilding !!!! 
Don’t you Love that handle?


This teaset seems to  make you feel like  a Cinderella ...
( ha ha)

It is definitely, china that is reminiscent of another era, when women wore gorgeous tea gowns,  
lacy gloves

 and took the time to sit in their tea parlours “ gossiping" about who’s who and the latest scandal. ( Tsk Tsk)

Shall we pour the tea?


Hopefully, you will enjoy this tasty tea selection that I purchased on Prince Edward Island.
                                     



I believe  that the  “ Apricot with Flowers” tea is going to be exceptionally appropriate for this afternoon’s  gossip session ...OOPS
I mean Teatime .


       There now... Let’s sit down and relax for a few minutes  
                  You can tell me how your day has been !!!!


My hubby has just returned from Asia, so of course, he wants to eat some real food instead of rice, rice and more rice.  His request includes, rack of lamb, lemon baked potatoes and mushroom and spinach sautéed. 

Here’s the quick and Easy Recipe:
(Lemon Baked Potatoes)

6-8 new medium sized Idaho Potatoes( thin skinned)
2-3 Tbsp Olive oil or butter
4-6 Tbsp  Squeezed Lemon Juice
( add more if you wish)
Salt and Pepper 

Directions:
Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of the pan
Do not peel the potatoes
Wash and cut the potatoes in half and place face down in a pan
Pour the lemon juice around the potatoes
Add salt and pepper
Bake  at 350  for 30 minutes

H-m-m-m
That means that this CINDERELLA has to loose the gown and the jewels and don a huge apron.
( BOO HOO )


 Yes ... the glass slippers have fallen off and magically become a pair of slip-ons ... WAIT ... there’s is hope for this daydream. You can still drink your last drop of tea before the dinner bell goes off.


AND 
I’ve decided
 that we’re going to keep 
the  dresses .



 LADIES ... Stay and  have another cup of tea, 
This is our " Blooming” Teatime  daydream 
so 
 I’ll take care of Prince Charming 

and 
BE RIGHT BACK
with 
the APPLE PIE.



                                           ENJOY Your Day !!!!



                                                             

    I’m sharing with: Friends Sharing Tea
                                   Tuesday Cuppa Tea   
                                   Share Your Cup   


56 comments:

Linda said...

Lemon baked potatoes? I am intrigued!!!!

Zaa said...

Thanks Linda .. I just added the lemon potatoes for you .. They’re really quick and easy ..Thanks for the sweet visit... Hugs

Anonymous said...

Hi Zaa great post my friend,love that cacti,i think i will look for one,the flowers are beautiful,thankyou for sharing your recipe with us xx

Joan said...

Lovely Pictures !

Zaa said...

Thanks Shez... I always enjoy your visit, my Friend...Hugs

Zaa said...

Hey Joan .. so nice to see you hear... I’m wondering which pretty sweater you are wearing for tea today ...Have a lovely day ...Hugs

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Your Christmas cactus is just gorgeous! Mine has a few buds on it right now...I'll have to keep an eye on it. LOVE your new tea cup. Hospice thrift stores are the BEST place to shop and the money goes for a wonderful cause. Enjoy your day my friend. Do you wear a pretty apron? heehee! Hugs!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh, what a fun story you've told, Zaa!! I just love coming to your magical teas. Your Christmas cactus is absolutely stunning, and I can understand why you were so happy to it blooming in your studio. I also understand the loss of your 15 year old plant. Our plants are kind of like faithful members that show us beauty. Your figurines always enhance your pretty teas, and yes, I'd love a cup of apricot flowers in your newly purchased vintage teacup (what a beauty!). The apple pie will be greatly enjoyed with my cup of tea...thank you very much. The lemon potatoes sound lovely, and thank you for the recipe. May you have a happy week in the return of your hubby! xx

Jeanie said...

Oh, those look like Lady Mary gloves. No, probably more Lady Edith gloves, but lovely in any event! Beautiful tea service and I really loved hearing about your cactus. It's so hard when an old friend is gone but your new one seems to be enjoying the atmosphere -- you must be doing something quite right!

Thanks so much for your visits and comments. I don't know how to reply to you directly but I just want you to know that I value online friendship and those visits and nice words always make me smile!

Creations By Cindy said...

WOW! Lemon baked potatoes sound yummy. Love your cactus. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Antiques And Teacups said...

Lovely! The cactus is gorgeous! I bought a small plant from the nursery a few weeks ago, and am looking forward to blooms in the future. Your tea time is gorgeous! Love everything! Such a welcoming, gracious teatime. Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Ruth

Linda said...

Thank you!! I love potatoes but have never fixed them this way before! Can’t wait to try this!

Zaa said...

Hey Diane ... Actually I do have an apron with frills all around it ( Ha Ha) ... You are such nature lover...I love going on walks around your neighbour hood...Gorgeous scenery ...Those cacti really do thrive on neglect and probably only the frost/cold will kill them...so don’t worry about you little cactus . She’s bloom for you ...ENJOY your week... Hugs

Zaa said...

HI Kitty ... I’d so love to have you and Cissie prepare a springtime tablescape for me.. I loved your Mickey Mouse tea posting... It was such fun ... The sun is shining today ... So I know that Spring is just around the corner. HAPPY DAY !!!...PLease do have a wonderful Dear Friend...xoxoox

Zaa said...

Thank You Jeannie.. I definitely think they are Downton abby gloves ... that you and I could share( ha Ha) for teatime. It so nice to have such a lovely new friend to share tea with ...Have a fabulous week...HUGS

Zaa said...

Hey Cindy .. I can’t wait to see what you do to the tote box..I love your HAPPY posting.. and your face is front and centre smiling for teatime today ...Big Hugs

Zaa said...

Oh Ruth ..Your postings are always so wonderfully informative ... You have such a great sense of inspiration for teatime... Thank You for the lovely visits.... ENJOY YOUR DAY ..xoxox

Zaa said...

You are so Welcome Linda...I don’t know why I didn’t include it in the first place...ENJOY !!!

wisps of words said...

Sooooo happy for your blooms! Simply gorgeous!

Lovely tea accessory finds... Thank you for the Lemon Potato recipe!.... So need that little illustration, thank you. :-)

wisps of words said...

Used that illustration here....

With a link back to you, of course.

Red Rose Alley said...

Your scarlet cactus is lovely, Zaa. I love those red blooms. Oh, your porcelain ladies make my heart sing every time I visit. This one sure is a beauty. And the tea pot with the gold rose is gorgeous. Wow, your husband just got back from Asia! My daughters are travelers, and that's the one place they haven't been to yet.

I love how you celebrate tea time, Zaa. It's such a special time of day for me too, and I appreciate it even more when I see your wonderful posts. : )

~Sheri

Zaa said...

Hey Wisps ..You are welcome to use whatever on my blog and please do have another cup of tea... Have a Happy Happy day...xoxo

Zaa said...

Thank you Sheri.. Your kind comments and teatime support is so very much appreciated... I always love to have tea with you, my Friend. I think we have similar likes ... Shall I pour you another cup of tea ? Your visits are delightful ... Big Hugs

Louca por porcelana said...

Oh my God!One more fabulous post!Magnificent!!!Wonderful teaset!!!Stunning figurine...That cactus is called "may Flower" here and I love it so much...I have two with me for long time,many years, and I am waiting for the blossoms!Hugs,dear Zaa!

Zaa said...

Dear Maristella ... Thank You for your kind comments ... You and I could have a great time chatting during teatime .. since we both love china and potted plants.... I do love the brilliance of the flowering cacti and would love to see your’ May Flower’. when it blooms.....What a pretty name for the plant.... I think I shall adopt it ( ha ha) Please do have wonderful week...Big Hugs

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Oh Zaa, your afternoon tea is just what I need this afternoon. Your lovely teacup and saucer and gorgeous teapot is perfect. All so very feminine and lovely in every way. What a great bargain! It's so nice when we run across the things that bring us joy!
I'm so glad your new cacti is blooming. I've never had a Christmas cactus, but seeing yours makes me want one! The red blossoms are beautiful. Have a lovely afternoon! ♥

Marilyn Miller said...

What a gorgeous new teacup. I love Christmas cactus's and had one for many years. I have missed it and your post is encouraging me to start a new one. Thanks!

Zaa said...

Dear Martha Ellen ... I so glad that teatime has cheered you sweet Lady ... I do love finding new china , so when I see a bargain I tend to get overly joyed ( Ha Ha)... Life is pretty short so let’s ALL be HAPPY. Indeed, cacti are easy to grow and give back big time in their blossoms.... I do hope that you will have a wonderful week... Looking forward to your next b posting, my Friend...xoxox

Zaa said...

OH YES MARILYN... Buy yourself a new Cacti and you will certainly be rewarded... They only need a sunny location and like I mentioned , they are very forgiving if you forget to water them( Ha Ha)

Karen said...

Oh Zaa,
What an amazing post! I absolutely adore your teacup, tea set and the fabulous Royal Doulton figurine! Such beauty!! Your Christmas cactus is doing so well. I don’t have much luck with those. I wish I could come for dinner. My your hubby is a lucky guy —potato dishes are my fav! Yum! Thank you for your heartfelt comments and visits! Blessings Grand Lady you are! Karen

Margie said...

What a pretty cactus! My gardening skills leave much to be desired so I think that the cactus would be the perfect plant for me.

I'm loving the gorgeous teacups and teapots featured this week. I have a number of Hammersley teacups so it was interesting to learn how they've been taken over by Aynsley. I also like treasure hunting at rummage sales where the proceeds go to charity.

Did you know that "spill the tea" is slang for gossip? T by Daniel has an online shop and it looks like they ship to the US: https://www.tbydaniel.com/

Zaa said...

OH Karen ..Where have you been my Friend... I missed you !!!! ... I’d gladly set a space for you at the dinner table... and enjoy the evening cup of tea or ( wine) Ha ha ... but that ’s under the tea table... so I’ll expect you for the next Spring Tea and a grand chat, Sweet Lady ... Big Hugs

Zaa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zaa said...

Margie .. you are a china elite undercover in Starbucks( ha ha).. enjoying modern gourmet tea and coffee” Gourmet” .. I have tried many their teas and coffees and they are delicious.... It’s super to have you searching them out and enlightening our tea knowledge..Thanks for the kind visit.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful finds; isn't it amazing how pretty teacups just beg us to take them home and have a tea party? ;) And the pot is gorgeous too. Sorry about the cactus but yeay for the new one growing and flowering! Thank you for visiting!

Debbie Harris said...

Hello dear Zaa~ such a delightful post!
Your blooming cacti is absolutely gorgeous!! I had a dear senior friend (she is now with the Lord) who had one and it was as gorgeous as yours, she called it her "lip stick plant".
I started growing one two years ago in memory of her and mine has done well considering plants do not do well in our country home, it's either to cold or to hot from the wood burner I think. Anyway, it does bloom but how do I get it to look and do as beautiful as yours?
Your tea time was simply magnificent!
What a lovely find you came across at the Hospice Shop. :-)
I have come to love Aynsley tea cups and have a couple in my collection.

Enjoy your day in all its beauty~

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Zaa, such a lovely post! And your potato recipe sounds like one that must be requested a lot! I'll try it soon. Your cactus is doing beautifully. I'm afraid I've always managed to kill cacti.

Zaa said...

Welcome Angie... It’s always so nice to visit and chat with a kindred spirited person... Hopefully you enjoyed your teatime here as much as I enjoyed your new blog.. I will be visiting often... Have a lovely day ...Hugs

Zaa said...

Hello Debbie ..
It is so nice to see you again.. I remember your lovely face from a few years back before I went off line... I’m so happy that we were destined to meet again as friends on teatime. Isn’t it a coincidence that “Stephanie" is your daughter ..She is also one of my favourite people....In reference to plants.. the” lipstick" plant is different than Christmas Cactus... You will probably have better luck with the cacti, as it tolerates dry rooms, but does like a sunny window. My advice for cacti is not to overwater... they really only need watering when the earth in the pot is bone dry... and I feed it only once a year after the blooms have gone...I wish you good luck with it.... THANK you for your sweet teatime visit..It’s so nice to have you back.. SENDING Prayers for your dear mother....Big Hugs

Zaa said...

Hi Jean ... I’m so glad for your visit today .. to tell you how much your health talk inspired me... I’m pumping the iron ( ha Ha)... The lemon potatoes is my version of a Greek recipe... that my family loves... The greek culture uses alot of lemon .. which I believe is good for us as it sometimes cuts the fats... so I do hope that you enjoy it one day. This Christmas Cactus is the only one that does grow for me..( ha Ha)... but it’s pretty hard to kill unless you freeze it out ...Thanks for the sweet visit, pretty lady ..See you again soon..Hugs

Debbie Harris said...

Thank you for that information and I will certainly take heed to what you have shared and love on that plant with special care.
Thank you for your prayers for mom, I covet them. :-)

Zaa said...

You are so WELCOME Debbie... ENJOY your day !!! xoxoxo

Bernideen said...

Dear Zaa:
If you just put a pot of tea with rack of Lamb and all those other items you would truly have High Tea as it is an evening meal served with a pot of tea (not finger sandwiches, etc which is Afternoon Tea). Your plant looks amazing and the tea wares you got - wow so lovely, especially the teapot set! Thanks for sharing.

Zaa said...

Hey Bernideen .. That is so interesting ...Thank You for the enlightening tea lessons... I always love to learn new things... I’m so glad that stopped by for for a chat .. I’m still marvelling at your purple toile and all the lovely cushion that you made.. You are avery creative Lady.... no you really do need some tea , my Friend... Have a wonderful day !!!!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, such a delightful tea! I enjoyed every moment! So many lovelies to savor.....thank you for the invite and the delicious recipe. I hope your weekend is sweet. x Karen

Zaa said...

Hi Beatrice... Thats so much for your sweet visit... I so enjoyed my tour at your post... BEAUTIFUL... and I hope that you enjoyed our teatime chat... Hugs

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Such a lovely tea party! Your cactus is beautiful as are all your pretty china pieces. That teapot is elegant. I love all the gold gilt. I would love to respond to your comment on my blog but you are a noreply comment blogger so I can't! Also I can't find where on your blog to follow you. I love all things Victorian and just love your blog.

Zaa said...

Hello AnnMarie.. Thanks for your kind visit.. my “ Following” is located on the right hand side.. Perhaps there is a problem with the system here as most people are able to reply ..I will check..Thank You for letting me know.... I’m making your cookies tomorrow. Please do have a wonderful week-end, my Friend... Hugs

Debbie said...

Your blog is beautiful! How wonderful that you were able to replace your lost cacti with such a beautiful specimen! Love your new found tea set.
Thank you for stopping by the Lakehouse, and Seashells and Lavender.
Debbie
xo

Zaa said...

Thank You Debbie... I have actually visited your beautiful Sanibel and so enjoyed your inspiring pictures.... I’m so pleased that you stopped by for a teatime chat....Hugs

Curtains in My Tree said...

Your newest tea cup is so pretty and looks great with that beautiful teapot and cream and sugar
I have a Christmas cactus also that is blooming,
I gave my huge one to a sister a few years ago when I thought i wanted a declutter house. Now I'm all cluttered up again LOL

Debby Ray said...

Your cactus is absolutely gorgeous! I have three small ones that bloom at different times of the year. Lovely post!

Zaa said...

Hey Janice ...Thanks for the sweet visit... I too have trouble decluttering ... I do love collecting , like you( ha ha) Those vintage pieces just keep calling ( ha ha)...ENJOY your day ..Hugs

Zaa said...

Debby .. How nice to see you here for tea... I’m so happy that we had time for al little chat... Have a Happy Day, My Friend...Hugs

Lowcarb team member said...

Your cactus is looking wonderful and doing most beautifully.
Tea was a delight ... thank you.

Have a good week ahead.

All the best Jan

Zaa said...

Thanks for the sweet visit Jan ... I enjoyed your post... and will never think about cream the same way ..Such interesting knowledge to learn...Have a wonderful day !!!