tea room musings no. 7 ~ for the love of bygone times


Do you ever feel like you live in the wrong time?  I think I am an old soul living in a modern woman.  Shhh… do not tell anybody but I dream of the Victorian era.  Of beautiful parties where men wore formal evening suits and women wore primp and proper, yet exquisite dresses.  I dream of propriety, of refinement in the world, and of gentile days.    

That is why I use fancy teacups and flowers whenever I can.  It is a combination that is quintessentially English and It reminds me of ladies who do tea in a beautiful garden talking about this and that— conversation can go from the trivial to the serious... after all a cup of tea can be a answer to any problem.  And while most days I do simple, some days I want fancy and frilly.  

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 “The path to heaven passes through a teapot.” – Ancient Proverb

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A pretty tea time reminds me of Henry James novels, of John Singer Sargent paintings...

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John Singer Sargent (1856 - 1925). The Wyndham Sisters.jpg

Of ladies who lunch and have afternoon teas, who change into various stupendous outfits during the day-- breakfast, a stroll through the park, afternoon tea, and for formal dinners. 

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Whether with company or alone, a table set with fancy tea china, vintage linens, and beautiful bloom from the garden, always puts me in a relaxed state of mind.  Immediately my mood changes, and with a smile, I let the gentleness muffle out the harshness of the world. These are the moments that bring contentment to my female heart.

 You can find sharing in these wonderful linky parties:In a Vase on Monday, Share Your Cup, Home Sweet Home, Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Garden Like Link-Up, Home and Garden Thursday, Vintage Charm,Tea In The Garden, Paris In July

From the Garden No. 4 ~ The Sweet Scent of Roses


"You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will, But the scent of the roses will hang round it still." Thomas Moore


Every summer night this year, I am thankful that I decided to grow roses.  Their sweet fragrance scents the air wherever they are.  I especially love them in my bedroom.  During the day, the delicate scent drifts through the air, imparting a lovely smell in the room.  At night, it is lovely to have these beauties be the last thing you see as you fall asleep.  

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For this vase I used the Scepter'd Isle rose and added globe thistle, plus purple flowers from an arrangement I received this week.  I do not know what it is but it reminds me of lavender.  The globe thistle add interest and oddly works with the delicate roses.  And for a vase, I went with milkglass because I am just obsessed. :)