Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Tea Time Blues







Tea Time At

  Hyacinths for the Soul




Today's tea celebrates

 all things blue.





The cups and saucers were souvenirs purchased 

in Quimper, France in honor of my first visit.





They are antique pieces produced by 

the De la Hubaudiére faiencerie circa 1895.




The graceful teapot 

holds steaming water   .   .   .  




To use with vintage silver steeping spoons 

that feature mother of pearl handles.




I think they are bit more elegant than

using tea bags.   Don't you agree?




Just place the spoon in the cup 

and pour in the steaming water.




Can you smell 

its delicate fragrance?




These sugar tongs are petite, 

and beautifully embossed. 




One lump or two?




A friend gave me blueberries 

fresh from the farmer's market, 

so I made blueberry muffins to have with tea.




I used Martha's recipe found here.

They are made with cornmeal and 

 buttermilk, very moist and not too sweet.




Where there is food involved, 

you can be certain our Sadie girl

will be waiting at your feet.


Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

 My tidbit for today is, 

 "Take those pretty things out of the cupboard 

 and take joy in actually using them 

 for their intended purpose."

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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish





Dr Seuss' Poem kept rattling 
around in my head as I set this table.

A fellow Quimper collector 
was joining us for lunch this week.

It seemed appropriate to 
use some of our Quimper dishes.

I chose these fish plates that were made 
by HenRiot Quimper in mid 20th century.

With their bright floral motif 
and the blue sponged details, 
they were a perfect choice for a July luncheon.

Each plate is finely detailed.
~ Faces ~ Fins ~

~ Fish Tails ~

I used napkins with a French provencal 
pattern in blue to soften the stack of ceramics.

The same napkins in 
red were used atop the stack.

Silver napkin rings of fancy fish 
swam their way around each serviette.

Vintage Mother of Pearl flatware 
seemed to be the perfect compliment.

This beautiful red Italian
 compote was a recent thrifty find.

With its gently scalloped edges and filled with a 
feathery fern, it fit right into the theme of this table.

As did my recent silver find 
from the City Wide Garage Sale.

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
The red dinner plates were also thrifty finds.  Two round and two square, so this table setting is a mix of both.  It's just the two of us most meals, so I don't shy away from picking up pairs of plates when I find pieces I can mix with other pieces.  This tablescape is definitely an example of a "collected tabletop". 


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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Petit Déjeuner a la Maison du Cox


Spent the weekend with friends in Dallas.

The details of this simple breakfast 

were too pretty not to share.




~ Petit Déjeuner ~ 

A Simple Breakfast ~ Bread and Tea




~ Lancaster ~ 

English Ironstone by Adams





~ Frontenac ~

 Antique Sterling by Simpson, Hall, and Miller




~ Petit Jam Pots ~

Antique French Faience




~ Quimper ~ 




~ To Have Style! ~




~ It's Early! ~




~ Perfect Time For Hot Tea ~




~ Ali, Le Chat ~

The French saying mugs above were designed and made for La Madeline Restaurants years ago by our friend, Cathy Schermer.  Regretfully I only purchased a couple when they were available through La Madeline, and now they are no longer being made.  I keep thinking I'm going to find a few at the thrift stores like my friend Linda @ A La Carte.  She has found several at her local Goodwill, one of which she kindly sent my way.  Thank you, Linda! 
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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

4TH OF JULY ~ RED ~ WHITE ~ BLUE



Blue and White Ceramics


Filled With Red, White, and Blue!
My inspiration for this year's 
4th of July tablescape.


I had the good fortune to be selected 
as the one to receive a pair of these 
beautiful blue and white flower frogs that
offered as a giveaway last March.
Thank you, Marlis!  They are my "go to" vases this summer
and are a perfect compliment for either side 
of a recent estate sale find.

My Flag Day post featured  
a few pieces of Liberty Blue transferware 
that I'd found at a thrift store.
Much to my surprise, 
3 of these plates arrived at my doorstep last week,
a gift from blogging friend 
She had extras and wanted me to have them.  
Now I can set a table for five.  
Thank you, Christine!

Click here to read the Flag Day post 
that tells the history of Liberty Blue.

4th of July 
Red ~ White ~ Blue

The Liberty Blue plates 
feature a pretty border of flowers.
I paired them with white chargers with a lattice border, 
and completed the stack using a blue linen napkin
atop a woven red placemat.

Bright red napkins finish
 off the red, white, and blue tribute.

Mother of pearl and silver flatware 
shines like the stars in our flag.


All Perfectly Patriotic!

A 4th of July celebration isn't complete 
without a few sparklers to end the evening.



~ RED ~
Red Zinnia and Strawberry Bachelor Buttons~
Lemon Basil and  Pincushion Flowers

~ BLUE ~
Plumbago and Lily of the Nile, Both From My Garden

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

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