Tuesday, February 1, 2011

English Afternoon Tea


Hello everyone,
        Today we are back to winter here -well really it was always winter but I started daydreaming about spring. So with a storm heading our way in a couple of days I am giving myself a reality check. So, today it is a warm cozy tea with an English flair.

I love this teapot and teacup that have an English village scene on them.
I made some blackberry buttermilk muffins for us again- I still have lots of frozen blackberries from the bumper crop last fall that I need to use up.

It is cloudy today so my pics are off-sorry!

I bought this old needlepoint picture several years ago along with a second one of two kittens- I have always loved them and they remind me of an English home somehow.

I love this Victoria book about England and often enjoy a peek at it.
This is one of the pictures in it that I love.
 I bought a half dozen of these pretty roses today for my weekly treat.  I got my husband a big bag of trail mix - now I will let him look at my flowers so I think he should let me have some trail mix-don't you?Ha!

Another cup for you- I bought this at the thrift shop years ago.
Such a pretty delicate color rose- unfortunately not an English rose though.
This was the view outside my bay window a few days ago. Not spring but still a beautiful season!
All this talk about England brought back memories of our trip there in 2008. These are a few of the photos I took. I would love to go back and stay for a few weeks sometime in a charming little English cottage.
I love the doorways in England.

One of the highlights of our trip was going to the Chelsea flower show.
so many beautiful clematis.
How is that for spring color!

 Today, is Teatime Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage and so I am joining in again. Thank you Sandi for hosting these lovely teas.
Also today is Kathy's Return to Loveliness Victoria party at A Delightsome Life so go and check out these lovely parties.
Thank you to all who have stopped in to visit and to all of you who have left behind such lovely comments, I enjoy all of them.

Take care,
Carolyn

36 comments:

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

I would LOVE to visit England. Love your pictures!

Deanna said...

Lovely Tea Time with you!
The snow is blowing here in Kansas and tea hits the spot.

Carolyn, You always have the prettiest pictures to share.
You have the magic touch!

God bless,
d from homehaven

Rozen van papier said...

What a lovely tea! And that muffins, hmmm, I should like to pick them from your blog and eat them!

Have a nice tea,

Janny.

Yvonne from North Carolina said...

Carolyn, I absolutely adore your beautiful blog full of exquisite pictures of your home and family. I've subscribed to Victoria magazine from the very beginning and have thought that your posts could easily be featured in their magazine. So, I was not surprised today when I saw your "English Afternoon Tea" post featuring my exact teapot. And of course, I also have the "England" book which I still enjoy drooling over from time to time. Most of my friends do not think like me... they consider my ways quaint and charming. It's always nice to find another kindred spirit out there who thinks and enjoys every day life with such grace and charm. It's a pleasure to meet you via your blog.

Martha said...

I, too, love England -- love your pictures and those cups and saucers look so English. We'll be spending the month of May in a cottage in the Cotswolds -- I am so looking forward to it!!! My afternoon tea will be so much better over there!!!

June said...

This post is so dreamy Carolyn. Just what I needed today (as it is only 5 degrees today). But you warmed me right up with your tea and flowers.
I loved seeing the beautiful pictures of England too.
hugs to you...

Raffaella said...

Thank you.. it's so beautiful to take tea with you...

Suanna said...

Thanks for sharing. I love the tea cups and pot with the English Cottages on them.

A Garden of Threads said...

Cute teacup and teapot Carolyn. We stayed in a country cottage last June on our visit to Ireland. A must if you visit. Enjoy the tea parties.

Lady Katherine said...

How I love your Teapot and Teacups! The roses are so lovely! The photo in the book and the ones from your trip are just wonderful!

Erin | Bygone Living said...

Beautiful pictures! I adore that tea set, and the view from your backyard! Love the photos from England too :) SO pretty ♥

Mumzie said...

Lovely tea pot and cup...and thanks for taking us on a small trip to England. I love your blog and wonderful pictures! Mumzie

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Carolyn,
What a gorgeous English teacup and teapot! I love the scenery on them. I have always dreamed of going to England. Instead, for now, I am happy to listen to stories that my uncle, who hails from England and my Auntie P who has gone over several times to visit, regale me with. I love your photos! You do take a good picture! The roses are gorgeous too. Thank you for joining me for tea once again.

Blessings,
Sandi

Victorian1885 said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful English tea set and book on England. We visited England for the month of May in 1999 and swore we were going back every ten years..sad to say we have not gotten back there yet. I truly felt like I belonged there and had a hard time leaving. My Family came to Canada in 1885 and that is where I got my Blog name. Have a great week and keep warm..
Wanda

Wendy@Once upon a rose haven said...

Hello Carolyn, I enjoyed visiting your beautiful blog. Everything is
so lovely! Come and visit my blog for more teacups...
Warmest Blessings ~*~ Wendy ~*~

Honey at 2805 said...

What lovely photos & beautiful composition. It looks as if you have invited us to tea.

Cindy said...

Hi Carolyn,
Your photos are all so lovely. I would love to visit England, I have a couple of friends over there now, perhaps I could into their places for a cup of tea while there. Now look who is dreaming! Sometimes your photos make me do that.
Hugs, Cindy

Susan said...

Hi Carolyn....Ooooo, the tea was great, the blackberry muffins were delicious, and oooooo, the ambiance a tiny bit of sunshine on a dark, winter's day. Thanks! Susan

Sarah said...

Carolyn, your English tea was just what I was needing tonight. It is very cold here!
You've been to the Chelsea Flower Show! That has always been a wish of mine. Thanks for sharing the photos. I feel like I've been on a little trip. ~ Sarah

The Tablescaper said...

Lovely, a delightful little trip to England and I didn't even need to leave the coziness of my chair. Great teapot and teacup.

Funny thing, I recently saw that book on someone's blog and ordered it. It arrived just the other day. It's a great way to escape to the romantic land of England. I too would love to spend a few weeks in an English cottage.

- The Tablescaper

Rowan said...

I have the Victoria book on England too, it's full of lovely images. I haven't been to Chelsea Flower Show for years, it's quite an experience isn't it? It's a pity that afternoon tea isn't the institution it was, this summer I'm going to start having one or two little tea parties in the garden I think - even though I don't drink tea:) In my case it will be afternoon coffee!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love tea time...I totaly adore them when my friends make them and more so when I do...English style it must be.
I love your pretty pictures, yum those muffins...might you share the recipe, they look so good.
Hope you can visit me, you're very welcome, love to have you for tea on my next High Tea Tablescape next week.
XOXO
FABBY

Anonymous said...

Dear Carolyn,
All look so welcoming and delicious.
England and Holland are my favorite countries and I visited them many times. I love their way of life and beautiful villages and architectural heritage.
And I agree with you, if one must see flowers, one must go to the Chelsea flowers show. That is a treat.

lory said...

i love your pictures....and your blog is wonderful... i dream with you... lory

Beverly said...

That was perfect, Carolyn. Thank you for the tea and muffins. And, thank you for sharing the beautiful English blooms. I would love to make that trip some day.

Joanne said...

Such lovely and gracious photos Carolyn. You do an amazing job of capturing the exquisite beauty!
How I love England! I have visited several times. One of the photos you shared looks like Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. Some of them look like the Cotswolds...such a lovely place to visit!
I love your tea set and your gracious hospitality!
Thank you for sharing the beauty!
Joanne

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Such a sweet cottage teapot! You did excellent well catching the flavor of England. I think the needlepoint dogs are spot on!

Anonymous said...

Such lovely images and those muffins look yummy!

melontha said...

As always, I look at you dreamily beautiful dishes. Love for England, I share with you beautiful landscapes with traumhften gardens. The country provides a magical atmosphere. I would like to Cornwall do visit again.

Best regards Melontha

Madelief said...

Dear Carolyn,

I have been to the Chelsea flower show in the same year. We could have met!!! If only......at that time I did'nt know blogging did exist.

Your pictures are once again beautiful. Wish I could taste your buttermilk scones!

Lieve groet, Madelief

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Carolyn
We are so inspired by England, aren't we?
The tea set today is very pretty and the book looks like it would have some wonderful photos in it.
Getting buried under snow here and almost time for tea.
Judith

Shabby soul said...

Darling Carolyn, I was in Chelsea Flower Show in 2005, and until now I could never go there again. I still remember this place like a great Wonderland!!!
I like so muck your teacup with the little cottage.
Have a good day
Silvia

Lynn said...

Carolyn, Your tea, as always is lovely. The muffins looks so tasty, could almost reach out and grab one, lol. Beautiful photos of England. How long did you travel in England that year?

The Charm of Home said...

Oh, Carolyn, what gorgeous pictures of England! I love the shots of the cottages and the Chelsea flower show. What a marvelous time to visit!
Sherry

Sylvia said...

Dear Carolyn , your world is so lovely , delicate and stylish ...I have been your follower for quite some time and I truly enjoy all the beauty you share /I have the same teacup , but not this gorgeous teapot /

peace & love to you

Rita M said...

Beautiful pics Carolyn!
England is my favorite holiday country - it is so rural and beautiful.