Gifts from England

My husband is English and goes back periodically to visit family.   His mother lives not too far from Stoke-on-Trent (though I don't know how much china is still made there).  I haven't been able to convince him to go searching for OCR for me :-(  I guess that is a lot to ask!!

Anyway...he was there in May for a visit and, on his own, he brought me a beautiful tiered tray and his mother sent me a matching creamer and sugar bowl.  The pattern is based on wallpaper from the Victoria and Albert Museum and they are just beautiful!  I guess being surround by all of the china we have in the house has subliminally crept in somehow!!

Since it has been SOOOO hot this summer, not much baking has been going on here.  Because I wanted to try out a new size decorating tip, I bit the bullet and heated up the oven.  That gave me something to put on my tiered tray.  So here it is.  Thanks to my wonderful English husband and his generous Mum!

A little afternoon tea

The creamer and sugar bowl are just the cutest shape

The cabbage rose pattern is the perfect way to show off cupcakes

 I would love to have a complete setting of the cabbage roses dishes but I like the way that these, already in my inventory, go together

A last look at the table...that reflection of the chandelier shows up once again!!!  It's been around in pics before

Hope you enjoyed seeing my beautiful gifts from England!

Now for the dish on the dishes:

• The beautiful tiered tray and sugar and creamer: brought home from England
• Teacups are Wedgwood Queensware from ebay
• Noritake dessert plates also from ebay
• Noritake cake plate is a gift from my sister L.
• Pearl napkin rings from Dillards
• Light pink damask napkins from ebay
• Damask placemats from Dollar Tree
• Sweet treats...yours truly :-)

Thank you for stopping by...love to hear your comments.  

Also, be sure to stop by the Tablescape Thursday party with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.  There are always lots of beautiful tables there!

Belated Easter Table

Things have been very hectic so posting has come to a standstill lately.  I didn't even post our Easter table last week.  We are still in the process of changing over systems at work so it will be a while before things are calm and running smoothly...

That being said, I am going to post our actual table for our Easter brunch.  Even thought things are busy, I am still visiting your lovely posts to see all of the pretty tables everyone has done.  I apologize for the tardiness of my Easter post.

I wanted to use a color I don't normally use(green).  Here is the long view of the table in done in pastels...

The place setting is simple because it is brunch and the menu didn't require a lot at each setting...

I wanted green linens and luckily was able to find them (THAT doesn't always happen!)

Matching napkins...

Name cards are held by Old Country Roses holders...

Bunnies are so necessary for their "cute" factor!

Every year we have a traditional Polish butter lamb.  Friends of my parents starting giving them one every Easter (many years ago) and we still do this each Easter.  My sister Lynne brought it...

This is our tea cart all dressed up for brunch.  Our table is small so we use this to accomodate some of the food...unfortunately there is only a back shot of it...

 

Well...you HAVE to have dessert!

Strawberry mini cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese frosting
and peanut m&ms which are my husband's favorite...

These little truffles were sooooo chocolate-y
and so easy! (recipe from Tea Time magazine)

And this is a sour cream Amaretto cake...and yes that is an Easter basket full of candy to the right

 Closer inspection for those interested...

Brunch was delicious (one of my favorite meals!)  Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of the meal  :-(

MENU

Fresh Fruit Salad

Spinach Egg Casserole

Parmesan potatoes

Bacon & Sausage Links

Turkey Bacon & Turkey Sausage Links

Asparagus spears

Fresh Home-made Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits

Toasted Bagels

Strawberry Mini Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Amaretto Cake

Mimosas and Coffee

Now for the dish on the dishes:

• Green damask cloth and napkins: Incredibly great deal on ebay
• Val D'Or plates
• Pink dessert dishes: ebay
• Floral underplate for dessert dishes w/matching cake plate for the truffles: Noritake-a birthday gift from my sister L.
• Silverplate coffee pot as a vase: Oneida silverplate that I bought at their outlet store a hundred years ago
• The bunny is from Big Lots a few years ago (as well as the Easter things on the buffet)
• Old Country Roses placecard holders: TJMaxx by great good luck!!
• My favorite silver (plate): Reed and Barton "Rathmore"
• Etched water glasses: ebay
• Noritake dessert plates (on the buffet): ebay
• Champagne flutes: ebay except my Brit and I always use the ones we used as toasting glasses at our wedding.  They were a gift from our close friend in Chicago (Thanks always Bill!)

Well..thank you for sticking it out through this whole post!  I hope to post some more as soon as time permits, but I will still visit because I love to see all of your beautiful and creative tables each week.

Be sure to visit Between Naps on the Porch...our hostess Susan's wonderful blog.  Her button is up on the right.  

Tess

For The Birds

It's finally snowing here in upstate New York!!  I love winter and the coziness of staying inside with a nice fire as the snow falls outside.   Since I work at home, I situated my work space by this window which is great in all four seasons.

My sister P. gave me a "squirrel proof" bird feeder and I LOVE it!  It really works too...except the little chipmunks aren't heavy enough for it to close (they are hibernating now anyway).

It was busy outside the window today.  It was snowing and blowing and there was a lot of activity at the feeder.  I was able to take some pictures of my visitors. ( A little disclaimer-there is a screen on the window so I was taking pictures through that)

Here is my shy cardinal...He has shown up now and again over the past few months.  He's hiding in the cedars, but the chickadees are regulars and never shy.

Isn't he a beautiful guy? 

Gorgeous color with a beautiful mask and beak.

It was very windy today...talk about "ruffled feathers"!!

He came to the feeder...and the wind was blowing up his crown.  

My little Chickadee!!

This Blue Jay showed up for a quick snack and this was the only picture I could get.

SOMEBODY wanted to be outside, no matter how cold.  Our kitties live indoors...but they can dream, can't they?  Sorry Sidney...you can look but not touch!

The Mrs. stopped by as well...Isn't she so cute?

She spent quite a bit of time on top of the snowy cedars

I am so happy that it has finally snowed and that so many visitors took advantage of our feeder.  Do you get feathered visitors where you are?

Thank you for coming by for a peak out my winter window!

Tess

Downtown Abbey, Season II

As Laura Linney said..."Worth the wait"

Are you watching???  I just saw the first episode of Season II and am so tempted to order the dvd so I don't have to wait.  But alas, I will hold on and see it weekly!  Delicious anticipation...

 Are you rooting for Lady Mary and Matthew to be together?  I am, although I didn't like how she treated him in the beginning.

(I LOVE Hugh Bonneville)

World War I brought great changes to Europe and  Great Britain.  Downton Abbey reflects the changes in  social structure expedited by the war.  Things these upper class characters do would never have been considered doing before the war, they took on during it.  There were changes for the lower classes as well as it seems we will see unfolding.  The horrors of war are shown too .

Can't wait for next week!  (It's still loads of fun to see the way things were done, even in wartime)

Hope you are enjoying too!!!!

Happy New Year!

My husband and I are not New Year's Eve party people.  We're lucky if we make it to midnight (are we boring or what??).  BUT... New Year's Day we have one of my sisters and friends for dinner, including her college friend.  We've had them for dinner for a few years now.  So it's become a wonderful part of our holiday season. I decided to break out the Old Country roses.  I usually use these dishes for accent to my Royal Albert white Val D'Or.  Recently I have added to my collection and can set the table with mostly OCR.  I wanted to use holiday colors still...sort of a last hurrah.   And it certainly was colorful!!!

Pretty busy table, but I love lots of color!

I was happy to be able to use my Christmas centerpiece again

These cream soup bowls are Val D'Or.  Doesn't it look like the roses washed off OCR bowls????

I have loved this pattern for soooo long...

Too much holiday??  I don't think there is ever too much holiday...

Placecards with a cardinal.  They just say winter to me...

The bird's eye view of the whole place setting

Desserts were served on the buffet...

All sorts of desserts....

My sweet hubby is always outnumbered by women (he was taking the photo)

Somebody found a nice spot while dinner was going on...

But didn't like being awakened!!!  CRANKY CYRIL!

We had a full turkey dinner with all of the usual sides.  And there were desserts!!   We had so many that I sent some home with my sister, took some to work on my office day, threw cookies in the freezer, and  there is STILL trifle in the fridge!  Certainly not helpful for anyone's New Year's resolutions!!

Okay...so I am finally giving in and admitting that the holidays are over...

I wish everyone a wonderful, healthy, happy, and safe New Year!!!!

I love that you came by and please be sure to visit "Between Naps on the Porch"...Susan's button is up on the right and she hosts a wonderful tablescape party

Now for the dish on the dishes:

• Of course...all of the Old Country Roses in my china cabinet-wedding gift and lots from ebay
• Silverplate is Rathmore by Reed and Barton (my favorite)
• Iced beverage glasses are Waterford Marquis-Brookside pattern from TJMaxx
• Napkin rings-ebay
• Placemats and runner-gift from DH's family