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This perky yellow teapot and silver cozy belonged to Grammy McKee--my mother's grandmother. Grammy was from Wales--came through Ellis Island-- and was a very special person in my mother's life until she passed away when my mother was quite young. Mom DOES remember having tea with Grammy McKee in this teapot though. Grammy enjoyed her tea parties and apparently this teapot. I'm thankful for this teapot being passed down to me. Who can rises a cheery yellow teapot (which happens to be my mother's favorite color) filled with what I grew up to know as the "Welsh cure-all"--tea, of course!
The tea cup and saucer or the tea mug? Ah, this has been a struggle for me! I enjoy them both. The teacup and saucer pictured was a gift from a friend. The tea mug in the same Ruby Lace pattern of Royal Albert's Old Country Roses pattern, I just bought at a close-out store (great price!). I think the pattern is just beautiful--the rich ruby color covered in roses. I know when I use a teacup and saucer, I feel more elegant, more refined. I enjoy the beautiful curved lines and sheer beauty of a teacup and admire how it sits lady-like on it's saucer. The teacup MUST go with it's saucer. Tea must not be served in the cup without it's saucer ever present to hold it between sips. However, my tea always goes cold faster in a little teacup for some reason whether I pre-warm the cup or not.
The tea mug is a little thicker and durable, holds a little more tea, and is more utilitarian. It doesn't have the chunkiness of a coffee mug--it is much prettier and more feminine. It can be just as lovely as the teacup and saucer; however, it is missing those feminine curves and beauty of form.
I guess the decision between the two depends on what the mood is. Am I ready for a quick cup of tea? A tea mug will do. Do I want to sit and ? The teacup and saucer will be best here. Which do YOU prefer?
I love little cottages--in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Perhaps it's an extension from the '80's when they seemed to be very popular. Whatever the case, I am gathering a little collection of them on my mantle. Unfortunately a mantle is only so wide and so long...because I'm running out of room! I have a clock and a plate and a thimble...(sounds like a good topic for another post)...and, of course, some cottage teapots and this cottage tea mug which are absolute necessities for this tea lover! The tea mug is from the Allyn Nelson Collection. The two teapots are James Sadler designs. I LOVE James Sadler's teapots. The timbered one is "Anne Hathaway's Cottage" (No, not the actress--Shakespeare's Anne ...though I bet she wishes it were her house), and the other one is "Rose Cottage".
There is a "Wisteria Cottage" out there that is lovely and I'd like to get someday. The detail on these teapots is truly amazing--little animals, profusions of flowers, lifelike additions. These little tea related cottages are pleasant and pretty, and I really enjoy them (one reason why they're up on the mantle!). If you're going to have tea, it might as well be in something pretty, pleasant, or personal. Then the entire experience will be the best it possibly can be.
My husband and I were reminiscing just a little bit this past weekend that it was 10 years ago next month that we went on our whirlwind trip (5 days, 4 nights) to Paris. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary (which is in January) a little early and went over for Sweetest Day weekend the October before that milestone anniversary. I remember coming upon a kitchen store--I love kitchen stores...I suppose a kitchen store to me with all of its rows of necessary things is like a hardware store to my husband--one day while there, and this little sea foam green teapot was sitting on a shelf just waiting for me. It was love at first sight, and now it sits on the hutch in our dining area among all of my other tea treasures. It is a 2-cup pot trimmed in gold and says "Yves Deshoulieres" on the bottom which unfortunately I couldn't pronounce if my life depended on it. It's a beautiful, cheery reminder of that fabulous trip, and I think of Paris every time I look at it.
There is nothing like having a good source to find fresh ideas regarding tea, and my favorite source is Tea Time magazine. There are plenty of pretty tea tables and settings in each issue. There are exquisite recipes including usually at least one new scone recipe per issue. The vendors have beautiful wares on their web sites listed in the market section in the back. And, well, it's just nice to read something that is full of "everything tea." There are tea rooms that are featured. No, I usually won't copy a full high tea feature--complete with the entire menu and setting--but I like to find the little things that I can perhaps do. There may be a pretty napkin holder or place card to copy. There may be a yummy recipe to try out at the next church lunch (done that a time or two!). I may be introduced to a new tea flavor or company to try out. There may be a lovely teapot to dream about having someday. There might be a tidbit of tea etiquette I never knew I should be following. I might simply read a reminder on how important it is to stop rushing around and sit, relax, and enjoy a hot cup of tea in a pretty teacup and saucer. Sometimes I just like to soak in the beauty of the pictures presented just for beauty's sake!
Well, today around 2:00 a thunderstorm was brewing outside, so I decided it was time to brew something inside--some tea, of course! I announced to the kids that we would be having a tea party, and a tea party we had! It was simple with black tea with milk and sugar and some Walker's petticoat shortbread cookies, but who needs something fancy to have a tea party? I was in the mood for my blue flowered teacup and saucer that I found in Canada the last time we were there. It is a rather modern company, but I love the old, chintz-like look that it has. For my son, well, I used the most "masculine" teacup I have--a Royal Albert design that has grapes scattered on it and says "Grapes" on the inside. I suppose now that he is getting older I really must find one with a hunting scene or fish or dogs or something. Then, though she's almost six, the smallest member of the family used the smallest teacup and saucer to match her little appetite, and one that is indeed her's. It is a petite, delicate, almost transparent teacup and saucer with an understated gold trim that comes from France. We each had two petticoat sections, and while it rained outside, we had a most enjoyable time!
My favorite kind of black tea is, of course, the kind I grew up drinking. This tea is Red Rose tea. Lipton is fine and will definitely work if need be, but I think that Red Rose has a better, richer flavor. It used to be a Canadian tea, and growing up in Maine, Red Rose was always available and not that expensive. I can find it in the grocery store here in Wisconsin, but the boxes are smaller than the 100 count and are more expensive. Thankfully my mother and grandmother keep me well stocked and either bring or mail me some from time to time. As an extra treat, for years each 100 count box has included a little Wade figureine. It is always fun to find an extra treat (think Cracker Jack boxes) when you purchase something, and like a little kid, I look forward to opening a box to see what sweet figurine may be included with all of the yummy-smelling tea bags. And, you know what else? I like the name! ; )
I found this little round, bright teapot in a dusty antique store in Maine several years back. It's shiny gold appearance just spoke out to me...and the price was right. It is from England, an Author Wood, and has it's share of crackles and scratches. Also, it is small, I believe a four-cup pot, and I would probably never actually use it to hold tea and/or hot water; however, it is bright and beautiful and adds a delightfully shiny touch to our living room expecially when it reflects the sun in the morning (as you can see here). You just never know when you'll find a diamond in the rough in a shabby antique store, and this is certainly a good example.
Trivets really are nice to use instead of regular pot holders. I have many pretty and practical potholders, but they can render the teapot (especially ones with dainty little legs) tipsy which we certainly don't want for a teapot full of hot water. A trivet can be pretty, colorful, and especially elegant--not to mention a nice level surface to place hot teapots on. I have a trivet collection that I've gathered from gift shops, yard sales, etc. from all over. It is slowly growing (and crooked I see!) because I'm pretty picky about what they look like and the colors. They all must be teapots and not cheap looking. As you can see, there is plenty of room for expansion on my wall, and there is nothing like the thrill of the hunt.
Unfortunately I really don't care for green tea. I know it is good for you--very good for you. I used to drink more of it, but I made the mistake while pregnant with my first child of drinking a cup of it that was a little too strong. That was it! I haven't been able to choke down a cup since...except for THIS green tea. It is sort of an un-green tea, I suppose, and very good for you. It has green tea (which, by the way, has a very mild, almost-can't-taste-it taste) and red antioxidants in it (i.e. Rooibos, hibiscus extract, vitamin C). It has a strawberry-orange taste to it which I sweeten with honey (sugar doesn't go!). It's a good, relaxing tea in the evening and/or if I'm feeling poorly. This box I found at Wal-mart, so it is easily found. This cup of tea I put into one of my tea mugs. I'll go on about tea mugs in another post, but this strawberry one is cheery and provides a nice visual accompaniment to the tea.
With this teacup is a note that reads as follows: "My Grandmother Whitten (My Mother's Mother) gave this pretty cup & saucer to my Mother when I was 5 days old. Signed--Mildred" Well, my great, great Aunt Mildred was 5 days old in 1897! That means this teacup and saucer are at least 112 years old. I was tickled pink when my grandmother, to whom this teacup was given after Aunt Mill's , gave this to me. It has a few small chips, but you know, if I were 112 years old, I'd have some chips too!
I've decided to do a special post on my blog once a week--maybe twice if there is occasion--specifically on tea including teacups, teapots, tea places, types of teas...well, you get the idea. I thought of doing "Teacup Tuesdays" or "Taking Tea Thursdays" or some such cleverness on a specific day of the week, but I wanted to be a bit more spontaneous. Taking tea is a relaxing and, yes, beautiful process. I've been blessed with many teacups, teapots, and other tea wares collected from different places for over 25 years and would specifically like to share these with you. Some things you might have seen before on this blog but most you haven't. I know how much I've enjoyed seeing others' tea wares and pretties and thought you might enjoy it too.
This silver teapot was one of those "must haves". My brother and his family live in New Zealand. He is a pastor there and runs a small Bible institute. On a visit there many years ago I really wanted to buy a teapot. I was determined! We scoured antique and second hand shops, and I found this one much to my delight. Most of this type have a bone or even wood knob at the top and/or on the handle which I specifically didn't want (I know, it was allowed it to be cooler to the touch, but I thought the bone and wood detracted from the beauty of the teapots). Finally, we found this one, and it was just perfect! When I look at it, it makes me think of my brother so far away and the fun we all had (well, okay, maybe the men didn't have as much fun as we gals) looking for this.
This perky yellow teapot and silver cozy belonged to Grammy McKee--my mother's grandmother. Grammy was from Wales--came through Ellis Island-- and was a very special person in my mother's life until she passed away when my mother was quite young. Mom DOES remember having tea with Grammy McKee in this teapot though. Grammy enjoyed her tea parties and apparently this teapot. I'm thankful for this teapot being passed down to me. Who can rises a cheery yellow teapot (which happens to be my mother's favorite color) filled with what I grew up to know as the "Welsh cure-all"--tea, of course!
