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
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36 comments:

  1. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    I would LOVE to visit England. Love your pictures!

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  2. DeannaFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    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

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  3. Rozen van papierFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    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.

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  4. Yvonne from North CarolinaFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    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.

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  5. MarthaFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    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!!!

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  6. JuneFebruary 1, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    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...

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  7. RaffaellaFebruary 1, 2011 at 5:46 PM

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

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  8. SuannaFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:31 PM

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

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  9. A Garden of ThreadsFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    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.

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  10. Lady KatherineFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    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!

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  11. Erin | Bygone LivingFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:13 PM

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

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  12. MumzieFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:19 PM

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

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  13. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    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

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  14. Victorian1885February 1, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    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

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  15. Wendy@Once upon a rose havenFebruary 1, 2011 at 8:58 PM

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

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  16. Honey at 2805February 1, 2011 at 10:05 PM

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

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  17. CindyFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    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

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  18. SusanFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    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

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  19. SarahFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    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

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  20. The TablescaperFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    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

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  21. RowanFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    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!

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  22. FABBY'S LIVINGFebruary 2, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    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

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    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.

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  24. loryFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:42 AM

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

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  25. BeverlyFebruary 2, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    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.

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  26. JoanneFebruary 2, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    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

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  27. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageFebruary 2, 2011 at 12:22 PM

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

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  28. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Such lovely images and those muffins look yummy!

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  29. melonthaFebruary 2, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    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

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  30. MadeliefFebruary 2, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    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

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  31. Judith @ Lavender CottageFebruary 2, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    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

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  32. Shabby soulFebruary 2, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    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

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  33. LynnFebruary 2, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    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?

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  34. The Charm of HomeFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    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

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  35. SylviaFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    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

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  36. Rita MFebruary 3, 2011 at 4:54 PM

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

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Thank you for all your sweet comments and may your day be filled with joy!

Carolyn