"LILAC TEATIME"

   Lilacs seem to herald the coming of Spring.  
                  I can visualize  them.  I can smell them .
                                     I LOVE THEM !!!!

As a child, I would sit on my Grandmothers steps  just inhaling and admiring the beauty of  the lilacs that surrounded her porch. 

NOW 

40 years later

It’s a like a deja-vu, as we have twelve lilac trees  growing in 
                           front of our old Victorian house. 

Last year the shrubs exploded with magnificent color and perfume that sent my olfactory nerve into orbit.  It is impossible to explain or capture a scent but, I’m sure that you all can reminisce and smell the lilacs. 
                                              Can’t you ?
                                          ( HEAVENLY)

Somehow, that intoxicating scent can take you back to a forgotten time or even transport you into a  sweet rendevou with something new or exilherating ... 

Like Teatime !!!

 So Ladies ... Take a big imaginary whiff of the lilacs(ah-h-h)
            WAIT WAIT >>>  Come back to our teatime reality 
                                                     and 
                           LOOK at the pretty teacup that
             was hiding on the bottom shelf of china cabinet.

I don't think that it has seen the light of day for at least ten years, which was when I originally, unpacked it ( Ha Ha)...

IMAGINE  !!!!

It’s a delicate gem that has the artists’ signature, " Susie Cooper" stamped onto each piece. At first, I thought the china might be a newer set, but with a little teacup detective  research, I soon discovered that Susie Cooper was no ordinary girl.  She was an  ambitious thinking woman, ahead of her time, who had left the A.E. Gray & Co. in 1926 to pursue her own interests.

Susie Cooper(1929-1964) was an English decorator and designer, who’s earthen collectables and tableware included wall masks, figurines and art pottery using freehand painting, banding, graffito, lithography and aerography. 

Now, suddenly this little teaset, has a presence of it’s own, that is starting to roar with the “I AM WOMAN” song from Helen Reddy ... "Never judge a book by it’s cover”.
WELL ... I certainly have a greater respect for this cup and saucer now.(Ha Ha)

Other things that I found in the cupboard:
 A  pretty cream and sugar set that matches up quite nicely with the teacup.

An Art card that I had created and collaged in 1984
OOPS ...  Is that telling my age? ( Hee Hee)

              and  a lovely set of Opera notes( La-la-la) 
Isn’t it surprising what is discovered while brewing a cup of tea.

Now I can write you each a recipe or better yet, fill you in with some lilac information.

For instance, did you know that you can eat lilacs? They have a sweet lemon flavour... and make a great edible garnish when candied or mixed with sugar for your tea.

        Another brilliant option to sweeten your tea with is:

                              Lilac Honey
                              Choose a jar size of choice
                                    Use local pure honey

Fill a jar with freshly picked lilacs. Leave a little room at the 
top of the jar. Pour over the honey and tighten the cap. 
                            Leave it to cure for six weeks. 

There is no need to strain the flowers, as you can eat them along with the honey.

It is also a great natural sweetening  alternative for baking recipes or again, for embellishing the flavour of your tea.

Just for your information: Did you know that lilac wood was used to make pan flutes.
(Toot Toot)

On that note ....  Let us keep brewing our tea ... How about a loose leafed blend like English Breakfast ? ...  You can add  
             anything  to a rich black tea and it will taste   
                                        AMAZING. 

Would you like Lilac honey or Lilac sugar in your tea ?

Which do you like best?

You are more than welcomed to another cup of tea.

THANK YOU for indulging in my floral fantasies of spring flowers and tea. ( ha ha)

PLEASE DO

Hang onto your bonnets Ladies ... It is a little windy outside.

                                Life is not measured 
                              by the number of 
                        breaths we take, but by 
                        the moments that take
                              our breath away.
                                            -Maya Angelou

 As you know, I’m a bit of a romantic and love music, so I’ll leave you with a beautiful  Springtime song. ... Check YOUTUBE for Katherine Jenkins singing “ We'll gather Lilacs”

                                          "We’ll Gathering Lilacs"
      We’ll gather lilacs in the Spring again
      And walk together down an English lane
   Until our hearts have learned to sing again
            When you come home once more.

     And in the evening by the firelight’s glow
     You’ll hold me close and never let me go
     Your eyes will tell me all I long to know
           When you come home once more.

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