Monday, April 6, 2020




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.

Thank you for joining me today to celebrate Tartan Day, 2020.
I first shared this post in 2011.


Continue Reading....
14 comments
Labels:

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Tales of the Traveling Tote # 22


Rabbit, Rabbit!
Welcome to Tales of the Traveling Tote #22

I'm dedicating this edition to Poppy, my new MKC tote,
You can read all about this special bag here.
Poppy has been out and about,
 getting to know Austin the past 3 months.

 January is my birth month 
and this cutie's too.

We celebrated together at 
Hayley's Cakes and Cookies.

Januuary was filled with celebration lunches 
with friends, and Poppy joined in on every occasion.
I was excited to introduce this new girl to my precious friend, Pamela, who is also an enthusiastic collector of MacKenzie-Childs.
Image from Peached Tortilla
January 25 was the start of the Lunar New Year,
so First Sundays at The Peached Tortilla
celebrated with a Lunar New Year Megashake.

Of course I had to take Poppy!


We've been visiting favorite plant centers to see what 
might be available as we plan a new courtyard
that is part of our remodel project.

Miss Poppy selected a few new pots.

 Miss Poppy and I visited Gerogetown to share the day with my sister, and took her to our favorite lunch spot, Sweet Lemon!

After lunch we popped into a few new shops. 
This clever heart decorated cacti caught our attention.

 The shop is The World Headquarters of the Texas travel TV show, 
THE DAYTRIPPER, with host Chet Garnet.
Inside we found a variety of Texas themed merchandise and handmade products made here in Texas.

"Texas is BIG!  And exploring it ain't no small vacation - it's a lifetime endeavor.  But that's exactly why we're here.  From the well-known landmarks to the completely obscure dives and hideaways, we explore every corner of the Lone Star State.  Hopefuly , inspiring you to head out on your own Texas-sized adventures." 
The Texas Daytripper

Look at these cute pillows created by the 
young woman who owns this shop.

 Gatherings, my favorite Georgetown antique shop, 
is always packed to the brim with antique and vintage pieces from the past, styled in the most amazing, eye catching vignettes.

Back in Austin, I confess, Miss Poppy is well 
known at my local Starbucks.


 And all my go to bakeries in town.  
I enjoyed a fun evening out with girlfriends for dinner and the
Broadway Austin production of HELLO DOLLY.
My Courtly Check wallet is a perfect fit in my newly gifted
clear bag, required for such events.

No exotic travels for us,
but we sure have stayed busy!
Thanks for joining us!

Jenna is hosting the March giveaway, 
leave a comment on her blog to be entered.
Be sure to visit all the adventures below.
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women  

Continue Reading....
40 comments
Labels:

Monday, February 17, 2020

President's Day Table


~ Presidents' Day ~
Monday, February 17, 2020
This day always brings to mind memories of my oldest brother who was born on February 22.  He shares both the name and birthdate
of the first President of the United States.


Cherries make me think of
both of these guys named George.

In their honor I set a table  
with what else but ~
CHERRIES, of course!

Vintage linens, black and white checks, tartan plaid,
and Mary Engelbreit's own cherry inspired dishes.
Definitely a Mary Engelbreit sort of table!

A vintage cloth 
with sassy lacy details . . .

Holds its own below black ruffled
placemats and a bold tartan plaid charger.

Dinner Plate

Salad Plate

Soup or Cereal Bowl

All layered to give the
classic Mary Engelbreit look.

Add a bit of vintage 
mother of pearl flatware . . .

And a spoon 
with ginkgo leaf detail . . .

A bit more touch of 
tartan plaid for good measure . . .

And a bit more 
black and white checks.

The special touch 
of a vintage toast rack . . .

Paired with the acorn leaf details of a
favorite butter knife finish off the setting.

As you munch on a bite of bread and butter before
lunch, lean in closely, I've a little secret to share.

All the dishes on this table were "thrifty" finds!
"Goodwill Hunting" @ 99¢ a piece. 

Oh, is that bowl still empty?

How about 
a cherry pie . . .

To finish out the layers for this
very cherry table
honoring two guys named George.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I first shared this table in 2011, but I like to bring it
out of the archives to share again and again.
Hope you don't mind seeing a repeat every now and then.

 Joining

Continue Reading....
15 comments
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)