Tea on Tuesdays ~ Teatime Simplicity

        "Breaking free from the grips of a lingering summer,
and gaining freedom to embrace an anxious autumn,
requires a September."   ~ Butch Richardson         

September is finally here, fortunately the Texas temperatures have cooled a bit, and I'm home after recent travels the past few months.  It feels good to settle back into a routine, and to join Pam and Mary for their monthly Tea on Tuesdays.

I'm always thrilled to join my friends, Pam and Mary, and we welcome you to September's edition of Tea on Tuesdays.Thank you, Pam and Mary for your kind invite, andthank you, Butch, for letting me quote you!

I don't exactly get up with the chickens, but I do love mornings.

We have a small sitting area off our galley kitchen.  It's the perfect spot for morning coffee or tea.

I enjoy the morning light streaming in.It makes for a time of quite reflection and timeto gear myself up for what's on the day's agenda.

I'm a coffee drinker most mornings, but I also enjoy a cup of hot tea, especially when I can feel the seasons changing.
Do you start your day with quiet time over morning coffee or tea?

I fill one of my teapots with steaming waterto brew an individual cup at a time.My vintage teapot was a thrifty find some years ago.   It was made by McCoy Pottery in the 1940s. 

McCoy art pottery was made in Roseville, Ohio beginning in 1910.

 I was drawn to the cream colored glaze with the pretty green ivy pattern and the detailed handle made to mimic a rough ivy branch. 

 My research found a cream and sugar were also produced in Ivy.

My cup and saucer are Wedgwood Etruria's Napoleon Ivy pattern.It was first made around 1800 and was the pattern used by Napoleon during his exile on St. Helena in 1815.  Thus the name.

As best I can figure, the mark on my pieces date to the 1940s.

Though one is pottery and one fine china, I don't hesitate to use them together.  The charm of the ivy pattern on each is what immediately caught my attention and why I added them to our home.

Having a cup of tea is also the perfect excuse to use beautiful tea accessories collected over the years. This gorgeous antique sterling tea strainer is a find brought home from antique shopping in Dallas last spring.
Why not create yourself little rituals of elegance?  

This brass tray is my tea station that resides on the kitchen counter.I've often shared my individual tea strainer spoons for steeping loose tea directly in a cup of steaming water.  The mini hourglass helps me measure my steeping time.  I prefer to steep my tea longer than recommended to enhance the flavors and increase the caffeine, but one doesn't want to steep so long as to cause a bitter taste. 
The Molly Hatch ceramic tea caddy makes me smile.Tea Revives You ~ Yes, it does!

Do you know what this beautiful silver cup and straw are?When my "Chef" and I visited Buenos Aires many years ago, wereturned with this antique maté and bombilla, a souvenir of our stay.Maté, a traditional caffeine rich herbal tea and national beverage of Argentina, is consumed in a specific vessel of the same name.  The metal straw, a bombilla, is designed to function as both a sieve and a straw, allowing one to enjoy the brewed tea while blocking out the plant matter.  

Though I'm not a fan of drinking maté, I do treasure this souvenir.  It makes a perfect petite vase.

I have enjoyed Harney & Sons Fine Teas over the years, anda favorite flavor has always been Hot Cinnamon Sunset,a black tea with warming spices of cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel.

Recently I've discovered a new favorite flavor, Salted Carmel.Perfect for autumn vibes and a delightfulway to transition into this new season!

If you appreciate attention given to beautiful presentation,  Harney & Sons' exquisite silken tea sachets are elegant,and their lovely tea tins are pretty enough to be repurposed.

What's a cup of tea without a sweet bite?

I spotted this limited edition product at Trader Joe's.Pumpkin Spice Mini Cupcakes are oh, so, tasty.Pretty little cakes for the perfect bite of pumpkin spice with hot tea. 

Seriously, look at the yummy, creamycream cheese icing with ribbons of caramel.

Even though a serving is considered to be 3 cupcakes, 

I only allowed myself 2 and plated them on my new

Arte Italica pewter pedestal with ivy sprigs from the garden.  

Remember, even if one is enjoying tea for oneself, 

make it special and use your pretty things. 

Speaking of rituals of elegance, don't forget to bring 

fresh flowers into your home and perhaps light a scented candle.  

Yes, simple elegance is the 

perfect way to start a morning.

Treat yourself.  You deserve it!

Originally when asked to join Tea on Tuesdays for September, I envisioned tea out in my garden as I did last October.Sadly, between the excessive heat, lack of rain, and my travels, the garden is in need of attention, so I'm focused on bringing it back. You can visit Tea on Tuesdays, October 2023, here.  
Mary and Pam's beautiful posts are linked below.  Enjoy!

Mary @ Home Is Where The Boat Is

Pam @ Everyday Living

Also Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn
Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia     Over the Moon @ Marilyn's Treats 

  Vintage Charm @ Our Hopeful Home Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner      Farmhouse Friday @ Country Road 407

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes