HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL: Walker's Scottish Shortbread

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Tartan Parade 2012

plaid

Tartan Parade

One Party ~ Four Blogs

Hyacinths for the Soul with Sarah

Upstairs Downstairs with Babs

Vignette Design with Delores

Polohouse with Alison

Time for Favorites on the First

and all things Scottish

in honor of National Tartan Day.

Lads and Lassies

Songs and Poems

of Robert Burns

Kilts and Tartans

Pipers

And . . .

Scottie Dogs

Scottish Terriers,

also known as Aberdeen Terriers

are originally from

the Highlands of Scotland.

Affectionally called Scotties,

these courageous, independent,

and self-reliant dogs

were bred to hunt

and kill predators

of the Highland livestock.

We don't have a Scottie,

but this cutie above has

recently joined our family.

Meet Sadie Mercedes.

Sadie suggested we round up a

group of jaunty Scotties

for the Tartan Parade.

Looks like these guys are lining up.

It's sunny today, but with recent rainy days

I pulled out the umbrella just in case.

Surely it won't rain on our parade!

We've got TARTAN!

A freshly brewed pot of Scottish tea

steeping in its own tartan cozy, a gift from

Mary @ A Breath of Fresh Air

Scottie Shortbread Cookies

Walker's Pure Butter Shortbread

I added a touch of icing for color.

Scottie Soap

from Gianna Rose Atelier

Scottie Napkins Trimmed in Tartan

Here's how the tartan stacks up.

Arita Tartan Charger

Lauren Ralph Lauren Skyler

Target Holiday 2010 Classic Tidings

Global Design Connection by Kate Williams

Home Beautiful Stoneware in Royal Stewart

Each plate is white and bordered in a tartan

with the exception of the Kate Williams' pieces.

They feature this jaunty little fellow.

A coordinating butter dish

makes a perfect little serving tray.

LIFE'S LITTLE INSTRUCTION BOOK

was a gift from a student in 1991.

It was written by a father as words

of counsel to his son heading off to collage.

It's simply a list of things one should do.

Page 1, #2 :

Have a dog.

Happy Tartan Day!

Bluebonnet Tartan

Like others across the globe, many Texans will no doubt celebrate National Tartan Day on April 6, 2012. The official State Tartan, Texas Bluebonnet Tartan, was designed by June Prescott McRoberts in 1986 and adopted by the state of Texas in 1989. You can read more details about the Texas Bluebonnet Tartan here.

To see last year's Tartan Tea click here.

Scotland Shop

If you need some tartan for your closet click the link above.

A special thank you to my friends JoElla and Susan

for letting me share photos of their Staffordshire pieces.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Tartan Day Tea Party ~ 2011

Campbells Scottish Shortbread

Tartan Tea Party

Celebrating

~ National Tartan Day ~ April 6 ~

Bluebonnet Tartan

Like others across the globe, many Texans will no doubt celebrate National Tartan Day on April 6, 2020. The official State Tartan, Texas Bluebonnet Tartan, was designed by June Prescott McRoberts in 1986 and adopted by the state of Texas in 1989. You can read more details about the Texas Bluebonnet Tartan here.

My Grandparents

My grandfather, born in Helmsley, England, came to this country as a young man of 28 in 1884. He lived to be 78, but died before I was born. I've not traced our family history, but I suspect that there is Scottish ancestry in some branch of our family tree. Regardless, I've long been mad about tartan. It's not just for Christmas, you know! So join me as I honor all Americans of Scottish descent and celebrate Tartan Day.

I have a fresh pot of a special blend

of Scottish tea steeping.

And I've pulled out one of my favorite little treasures from MacKenzie-Childs in the Maclachlan pattern and filled it with Scottish shortbread from Campbells.

The lid of this sweet box features a thistle, which like tartan, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Scotland. The thistle can be found in the Royal Arms of Scotland.

Campbells is internationally famous and according to the Campbells' website, is Scotland's oldest bakery. You can visit their site here.

We have a selection of shortbread

from Campbells' Gold Kilt tin.

I've gathered some of my

tartan pieces to celebrate the day.

Tartan paper maché

balls gathered in a footed dish.

An empty Walkers' tartan tin filled with spring flowers. Walkers is another company known for Scottish Shortbread. You can find them here.

This vertical tin is perfect as a vase, and it

features a charming little Scottish lass with her dog.

Entitled "Which Hand Will You Take?",

this tin was filled with chocolate chip shortbread.

Fortunately, I don't need reading glasses, but I couldn't resist this pair of vintage specks in their own tartanware case.

The case is in the McDuff pattern. TARTANWARE by Princess Ira Von Furstenberg is a great little book full of photographs of tartan covered objects that were produced as souvenirs from Scotland in the early to mid 19th century. Many of the objects are from the Princess' personal collection. Published in 1996, this book is now difficult to find.

You might want to settle in with a cup of tea, a few shortbread cookies, and enjoy my copy.

You can see the Gold Kilt

tin here on the tray.

The kilt is the distinctive traditional dress of the highland Scottish male. As this attire does not have the convenience of pockets, a sporran, (leather pouch) is worn to carry valuables.

Giveaway Now Closed

I purchased an extra Gold Kilt tin of Campbells Shortbread for one of my followers who leaves a comment on this post. If you would like one of these Gold Kilt tins of Campbells Shortbread for your own tea party, just leave a comment letting me know you are a follower and want to be included in the drawing. I'll draw a name on Sunday, April 10. Unfortunately due to international shipping costs, I can only ship to US residents.

Thank you for joining me today to celebrate Tartan Day, 2011.

For more tartan to celebrate the day you'll want to visit

Tartanscot,

who is sharing fab photos of all things tartan,

Delores @ Vignette Designs,

for even more tartan inspiration,

And the gorgeous Highland Tea with

Babs @ Upstairs, Downstairs.

Please click the links below to visit our hostesses for their

weekly parties to see what others are sharing this week.

Joining:

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Through Life