Celebrating a Silver Sunday Mother's Day

May 9th

Look what showed up on

my M.E. desk calendar today.

Love the idea of continuous small treats.

Join me below for some lavender treats.

A special breakfast tray for

Mother's Day

Lavender tea in vintage silver

Lacey linens

Warm lavender scone with

fresh blackberries and whipped cream

A fragrant lavender bath

followed by soothing lavender creams

Lavender speaks of

~ wealth, wisdom, devotion ~

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Thank you to the hostesses of these beautiful blogs.

Click the links below to visit and

find a list of others participating this week.

Silver Sunday @ Gypsy Fish Journal

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

M. E. Monday @ The Cherry Chick

Tea Time Tuesday @ Lady Katherine's

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites

Teapot & Tea Things Tuesday

@ The Silken Purse

& The Plumed Pen

And the Winner Is . . .

Thanks to everyone who joined my Tartan Day Tea and left a comment. If you missed the tea last week you can still stop by. Guests are always welcome here for a cup of tea and a little shortbread.

In honor of Tartan Day 2011, this jolly Scot has a special Gold Kilt tin of Campbells Shortbread to send to one of HFTS' followers who stopped by for tea and left a comment.

In the spirit of international fairness . . .

All the comments went into a silver

champagne bucket for the special occasion.

And

With bagpipes piping, the winner is . . .

Donna of Conghaile Cottage

Congratulations, Donna. Send me your addy and the shortbread will arrive in time for tea at Conghaile Cottage. If you haven't met Donna, be sure to stop by for a visit. Donna always has the kettle on, and last time I looked she was serving strawberry scones. Click here for a sweet bite.

Joining

Gypsy Fish Journal

for

April Silver Sunday.

Click here to see more.

Time to Spring Forward

~Silver Tray of Vintage Pocket Watches ~

Round Top Antique Market, 2010

Just a little reminder that

Sunday, March 13, 2011

is the date to "Spring Forward"

to set clocks ahead one hour.

It's also Silver Sunday @ Gypsy Fish Journal.

Key To My Heart

My sweet husband has held the

key to my heart for over 36 years.

He doesn't believe in 

contrived holidays like Valentine's Day,

though he often gives me flowers through the year ~ just because.

Or special little treasures 

~ just because.

He is truly 

"MY SWEETHEART"!

German Charlotte ~ Alice's Key #9

Beth @ The Gypsy Journal

My sister has held the key to my heart

since we were young children.

There's no one like my sister.

She is always, always doing thoughtful

things for others ~ just because.

A vintage silver tray edged in gorgeous flowers

and butter knife adorned with acorns ~ her birthday gift to me.

She knows how to make my heart sing.

She's the kind of "sweetheart" that only a sister can be.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Click the link below to join Beth and others sharing this month.

The Gypsy Fish Journal for Silver Sunday

"Thyme" to Celebrate

January 4, 2011

"Thyme" to CELEBRATE

These little birdies told me that this . . .

Special lady was celebrating her 90th birthday. I know! She doesn't even look like she could be an octogenarian, much less someone moving into her 9th decade.

So to celebrate a special aunt's 90th birthday, some of the girl cousins gathered for lunch and an afternoon full of laughter as we shared stories of times spent together through the years.

I'd put away the reds and greens of Christmas, but left up this gorgeous wreath of fresh greens that I received from Liz @ Rose Vignettes. It still smells wonderful, and with its silver accents it fit right in with the party colors. Be certain to stop by Liz's for a visit this Friday as she hosts Fresh Cut Friday.

I added other white flowers with silver about the house.

Champagne mimosas started the celebration with a toast to the birthday girl.

Along with a few nibbles of pretzels.

The tables were set with mini pots of thyme,

details of silver and gold . . .

And black and white.

Hour glasses reminded us of times that we've shared through the years.

I layered black and white Courtly Check chargers on larger chargers in Ambiance Vintage Garden. These were topped with black plates and small white soup cups.

The smaller table was set with pewter chargers and checkered plates by Royal Stafford.

Shortly before the guest arrived I added a rose bud at each place setting for a touch of color.

The coasters with their elegant gold monogram were in the $1 bin at Michaels. I didn't use a table linen, so these were perfect to use under glasses of iced tea.

The luncheon offered another opportunity to use the little silver salts and peppers that were one of my birthday gifts last year.

The champagne bucket, repurposed to hold Winter Cloud phalaenopsis orchids, once belonged to my aunt. She gave it to me several years ago because she no longer entertains. It's perfect as a vessel for flowers.

Lunch was served buffet style.

~ Potato Leek Soup ~ Spinach Salad ~ Onion Walnut Muffins ~

And of course Birthday Cake!

The cake was Lemon Lavender Pound Cake. You can find the recipe here. It's a rich, moist cake made with sour cream. The glaze is lemon juice infused with lavender flowers. I highly recommend it!

Brownie bites, baked by a niece who couldn't be with us, were passed around as the birthday girl opened her gifts. Rich dark chocolate and yummy!

Everyone took home one of the small pots of thyme as a memento of our gathering.

I wish you special times with family and friends during 2011.

Joining

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Fresh Cut Friday @ Rose Vignettes

Friday Favorites @ Whistle Stop Cooking

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Silver Sunday @ Gypsy Journal

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS by Trygg & Poshek

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

By Koren Trygg & Lucy Poshek

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS , an Antioch Gourmet Gift Book, is a petite book of cherished Christmas traditions. It's the perfect size to slip into someone's stocking, and though out of print, it can be found here on Amazon.

This delightful book credits the Victorians for the "classic, festive holiday we cherish today". It was during the 19th century and Queen Victoria's reign that many of the age old customs were revived, "emphasizing their romantic and religious significance". The Christmas tree, a German tradition, dates to the 16th century. When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, a German, she wanted him to feel at home and had a Christmas tree brought into the palace. Thus the practice of decorated Christmas trees became fashionable in British homes.

Gingerbread cookies decorated with red sugar were often hung on the trees for decoration.

Most of the ornaments were handmade.

Glass ornaments later became the fashion.

The Victorians took the pagan idea of hanging greens in the house as a welcomed opportunity to use wreaths and garlands of fresh greens to "dress up their homes in the spirit of the holidays".

The custom of Christmas cards dates fromVictorian times. The typical greeting of the time is the same as today, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."

Traditions of Christmas stockings, according to British legend, date from "when Saint Nicholas dropped some gold coins along with his gifts down a chimney. The coins would have fallen through the grate but were caught by a stocking that had been hung to dry on the hearth. Ever since then, children have been leaving their shoes or stockings to be filled on Christmas Eve."

Victorians loved their sweets and began preparing marmalades, jams, jellies, puddings, and cakes months ahead.

By December they began baking cookies and breads.

The last two chapters are devoted to special recipes that can be used as gifts from your kitchen or to host your own Victorian Christmas Feast. I selected the recipe for Old-Fashioned Gingerbread to share for Food For Thought because gingerbread is my favorite.

It's cold outside, so come on in by our cozy fire . . .

Where you can enjoy a cup of hot tea and a piece of gingerbread fresh from the oven.

"Had I but a penny in the world, thou shouldst have it for gingerbread."

William Shakespeare

Click the link below to see more FFT Edible Reviews

Joining Jain @ Food For Thought

Jain has invited everyone to visually share favorite holiday books during the month of December. I hope you'll join in with some of your favorite books, illustrating them with treasured collectables, holiday decorations, or food from the kitchen.

Also linking to:

A Few of My Favorite Things

Bargain Hunting & Chatting With Laurie

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Silver Sunday @ Gypsy Fish Journal

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tuesday Tea for Two @ The Plumed Pen

Tea Time Tuesday @ Lady Katherine's

A Return to Loveliness @ A Delightsome Life