Sharing Tea with a Friend

While I didn't share my tea time yesterday on social media, I did share it with my lovely friend, Becky. It was a beautiful morning to sit on the porch and fellowship and catch up on life. The following quote is apropos–

“No matter what is happening in your life, you always offer tea.” 

– Clemantine Wamariya

Today, however, is solitary tea time and I just had to show y'all the gorgeous tea cup my friend gave me. Well, she gave me two but of course, I'm only using one :-)

"TA Made in Japan" is all it says on the bottom so I have no idea of a pattern but they are hand painted!!! The lusterware finish is spectacular!!! I LOVE them!!!

The I. Godinger teapot is another amazing gift from a friend. And the lusterware creamer belonged to my paternal great Aunt Florence. It was part of a tea set gifted to her as a wedding gift in 1921. 100 years ago!!! That's one of the things I love about most of my tea things; gifts with memories!

Take some time to slow down today and remember those you love and who love you. Say a prayer for them. We all need our names to be lifted up to our perfect Father in Heaven who can bring peace and stability to our lives.  

Early morning quiet time is essential to my day. How about you?

Tea Time Tuesday

 I was so excited to pick up this delightful little tea set today! It's five pieces (teapot w two cups, two saucers) in a darling blue gingham pattern trimmed in silver. I'm drinking Black tea with Italian Sweet Cream, enjoying fresh flowers and spring temps here in coastal VA.

What's in your tea cup today?

“A simple cup of tea is far from a simple matter.”
– Mary Lou Heiss

Tea Time Tuesday

Black Tea (decaffeinated) with sugar and almond milk served in my Wawel tea/coffee set that was a gift from one of my dear sisters-in-law several years ago on my birthday. I don't know the pattern of the china, after much searching on the internet but it has delicate blue roses with gold leaves, embossing, and gold trim. 

The tray is one of my favorite finds that I picked up from a thrift store. Dating back to mid century, it's a handmade brass tray with a blue enameled Moire' glaze, designed by Harry Alan Kyes. 

What are you enjoying this lovely Tuesday?

Tea Cup Exchange #3

Once again, Stephanie @ The Enchanting Rose put together a phenomenal Tea Cup Exchange! I enjoyed shopping for my recipient, Ceil @ Surrounded by the Spirit. She has been a delight to get to know. 

Now, Bonnie @ White Lace and Promises had my name in the exchange and sent me an AWESOME package of goodies! If you get an opportunity, hop on over there and see what an amazing transformation she's done to her kitchen! 

Notice the fun and whimsical colors on the left side of this photo. It's an oven mitt! I don't have one of those but it sure has come in handy with all the baking I've been doing. I was challenged to get any good photos inside, so after this one I took it all outside :)

All these terrific skin care products from Mary Kay...

Let me just say I was in desperate need! 

How did she know?!

With being cooped up so much this winter because of my surgery, I have experienced some terribly dry skin. These lotions are A. MAZ. ING. The lip gloss feels so good on my chapped lips. And that pretty pink bottle is filled with an oil-free eye makeup remover. Oh yeah. Love it!

oops...The tea is all gone! How did that happen? ;)

But the crowning glory of the package is my tea cup. Tears welled, fast and hot, when I unwrapped this jewel. My mom loved white fine china and I inherited her set after she passed away. It's rimmed in silver but still, when I saw this dainty cup and saucer, I couldn't help but think how much my mom would have loved to see it. And those are her pearls that compliment the loveliness of my new cup.

I didn't take a photo of the bottom of the cup but it's a Royal Bayreuth from Bavaria. There's actually a collector's club and I've been reading the fascinating history of this company. I know it may sound dull to some but not to me. I love learning about who made such delicate and fine china, the country of origin, etc. 

Just look at that sparkle! She's a real beauty and I want to say how much I appreciate Bonnie sending me such thoughtful gifts along with an extraordinary teacup that I will always treasure!

Thanks again, Stephanie! Love you much and appreciate all you do for your blogging friends.

To see what everyone exchanged, hop on over to... 

“Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . ."” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Sharing with

Tea Time Tuesday

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends and Tea Cups

The only way to have friends is to be one. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The great thing about having a long time friend is discovering something new after knowing each other for almost 15 years. My friend Pat and I did just that this week.While I was over at her home for some crafty play time, I was admiring a set of lovely tea cups in one of several cabinets that adorn her dining room. She was telling me a little of the history of the cups and I mentioned that I collect tea cups and have been in involved in a couple of tea cup exchanges online. Well, she immediately took this gorgeous cup out of the cabinet and presented it to me. I told her I couldn't possibly take the cup but she insisted. My heart was, and still is, overwhelmed with her generosity.  You see, this tea cup and saucer are part of a set that belonged to her husband's grandmother and was made in Occupied Japan (1945-1952) after WWII. 

Any advice on how to go about identifying it? Does anyone recognize it? 

: : : : :

And now that I have shared my love of collecting tea cups with Pat, and my excitement about the upcoming tea cup exchange being hosted by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose, I think she is going to sign up to participate in the exchange!

If you're interested, just click on the graphic and it will take you straight to Stephanie's where you can read about how to participate, too. It's a great way to meet new people and make new friends. And this time it is open internationally!

Sharing with

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea Time Tuesday

Tea & Birds

A new cup to drink my tea in, and of course it has birds on it.

A small piece of cheesecake with blueberries and a hot cup of tea for dessert 

sets the stage for a little bird watching.

This big fellow stayed on the tree for hours, drinking sap.

I do believe...I much prefer tea :)

Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?

I'm linked with

  Tea Time Tuesday

and

Tea Cup Tuesday

Did someone say Teapots? ~ Tea Time Tuesday

In Sept, my husband and I took a trip to PA and while there we went to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory in Lititz, PA. They had the most amazing display of teapots from all over the world! I was so glad they allowed pictures to be taken. I could have taken a zillion lot of them, but I held myself in check and only took four. I know. I should have taken more.

Let's not forget where I was. A CHOCOLATE FACTORY!!! I was definitely interested in buying chocolate, especially since I'd never heard of Wilbur Chocolates. 

Well, let me tell you...they are so SMOOTH and CREAMY and the BEST I have ever tasted. No, I'm not a connoisseur but I do eat lots of chocolate. See. I love just saying typing the word chocolate :) 

So, if you ever find yourself in PA, near Lititz you must go to Wilbur's and get some chocolate! You won't be sorry :)  

What's your favorite chocolate?

I'm linked with  

Tea Time Tuesday, 

Tea Cup Tuesday, 

&

Tuesday Cuppa Tea.

NEWSFLASH: They are NOT Tea pots. Apparently they are CHOCOLATE POTS!!! 

Seriously???

Can you just imagine having a pot of chocolate that big?! Bring it on, baby!

Thank you , Maria for letting me know what I took pictures of. Once again, I am so duh!

Beautiful China Tea Cup ~ Tea Cup Tuesday

I found this pretty tea cup at the Flea Market.

I don't know what the Chinese writing is. Maybe the pattern?

Gold trim and a dainty floral pattern cascades around the rim with some pretty detail on the side. 

On Sunday, I met a very sweet lady at the visitor's center in Marion, NC named Diane. She is from New Hampshire and into all things tea. In the past, she has taught how to host a tea party and is an avid collector of teacups and teapots. Diane was wearing the most adorable teapot pendant on a chain. I asked her if I could take a photo so here is her beautiful teapot pendant!

My daughter told ma about a cool online photo editing program called PicMonkey, so I've been having fun playing around, as you can see...

That's it for this week. I'm hit & miss with my posting but I'm having fun learning about china from everyone else who posts on the Teacup Link-ups. If you have a love for all things tea & china, hop on over and see all the exquisite tables that the ladies set!

I'm linked with  

Tea Time Tuesday, 

Tea Cup Tuesday, 

&

Tuesday Cuppa Tea.

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

No time for tea...

All I have to share today is this pretty little creamer.

She's in the Gloria pattern from Favolina. 

And numbered 49. I have no idea what that means, really. Only 49 were made? Number 49 of however many? Why would they just stamp 49? 

Also, I don't even remotely have anything it will match, but I thought it was too sweet to pass up. And who knows...I just might need a creamer one day! 

Oh, and that blurred sugar dish in the back? I found that too but it's totally unmarked. Loved it though, with its hexagonal shape and slightly off white color, so I added it to my nonsensical collection :)

Now for the exciting news...

I'm focusing my search efforts for the next couple of weeks on looking for preemie clothes because my daughter will most likely give birth to our first granddaughter within the next 2 -4 weeks, making our sweet baby anywhere from 4-6 weeks early. Join me in praying for a safe delivery, would you? I have the added blessing of being my daughter's doula, so I am stoked!

God is good in ALL things!!!

Can you tell I'm excited?! I might have used a few too many exclamation points today :)

Have a great day in the Lord!

I'm linked to:

Tea Cup Tuesday,

&

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

~ Tea for Two ~

I love this Asian Tea Set that I found at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop. 

Simple in design but nice and cozy for just the two of us.

I'm linked to:

Tea Cup Tuesday,

Tea Time Tuesday

&

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

~ My favorite cup for tea ~

Everyone has a favorite cup, right?

Whether it be a dainty china tea cup,

Trash to Treasure

a hearty ceramic mug, 

*Microsoft Images

a family heirloom,

Teacups & Scrapbooking

or one that just fits your personality, 

Rooster ♥ Teacup Tuesday

you know you have one. 

Admit it. 

I do. 

Isn't she a beauty?

All I know about her history is that she's from England.

But my mom bought this cup long years ago. I don't remember it not being in her cabinet. This is the one I always used when I visited her home. It brings to mind early mornings and late nights spent in conversation on my mom's porch, or curled up in the living room, talking and enjoying a hot cup coffee or tea, depending on the time of day.

 Catching up on life and all its joys & sorrows. 

So today, I share not a spectacularly fragile piece of china, but a precious piece that evokes memories of my mom. 

I wish she was here to sit with once again!

It's only used for tea now, as that cocky rooster cup above is my go to for coffee. 

Yes, pun intended ;)

What kind of cup is your favorite to use? Dainty, hearty, or just plain fun?

Thanks for coming by! 

Have a great day in the Lord!

 I'm linked to

 Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

and

"Savour the Summer" Tea Party

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

*denotes a Microsoft Image 

Goodwill find ~ Teacup Tuesday

I'm late posting because I couldn't get my camera to work properly. I don't know what's going on. The pictures aren't very good so there are only two.

I rescued this pretty teacup, along with the bread & butter plate, from Goodwill yesterday morning for $1.00. It's so delicate with its sweet floral border and silver edging.

It's from Celebrity Fine China, Heather pattern.

Even though I don't have any other pieces to match, it will still be fun to drink tea and eat cookies using these dainty pieces.

I'm linked to:

 Teacup Tuesday

and

Tea Time Tuesday