"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.

    I’m sharing with: Friends Sharing Tea

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“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

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“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