Tea and books for two, for tea cup Tuesday
Living on the side of the mountain I can be very sure of two things in my neighbourhood: one= a good amount of rain and two= the best little used book store in the Lower Mainland.
The store is Booklovers and as a matter of fact, yes, we are! My friend Dalyce, the owner, always puts aside beautiful books for me.
This afternoon Chloe and I had tea in my bright yellow cups because apparently it is the closest we are going to get to sunshine for the rest of the week.
I know we were only two for tea but I have three sunshine cups and couldn’t resist taking all three out for tea. They are clockwise from bottom left: Aynsley (don’t you love the roses in the bowl?), Royal Grafton, and Royal Albert.
A repurposed 1930’s enameled and glass ashtray will hold the tea strainer.
The books I bought today included this exquisite 1898 copy of Stoddard’s lectures of Florence, Naples and Rome with the most beautiful marbled paper and leather cover and Yeats Autobiographies: Reveries Over Childhood and Youth and the Trembling of the Veil, 1926.
The tea I made is a blossom tea simply called “Nice Flower & Shining Moon” and was a gift from a friend. I put the little, round marble of tea into my glass tea pot and watched it magically transform into this lovely blossom.
It tasted fragrant and green, fresh and mild. C chose the Aynsley cup.
I served some handmade Italian nougat to go with our tea and C picked up The Rambler Nature Book, 1911.
My cup was the Grafton one and I started reading my 1915 edition of Kipling’s Jungle book.
We had a lovely hour or so having our tea in the dining room listening to the rain and drizzle outside, and then we got back to work.
Happily linking up with Terri of Artful Affirmations to whom I’m wishing a happy, happy, Happiest birthday, and later to Martha, and sending Martha lots of love and strength. Hope you’re managing to keep your Dunkirk spirit in the face of difficult times. I’m thinking about you and I care. And Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage. Sandi, I hope you set yourself the loveliest St. Patrick’s day table this year too. 🙂
mrsbongle
Lovely pictures!
Veronica
Thank you Mrs. Bongle. I must pop over and see how you’re doing. 🙂
Sara v
Veronica, Hope that you don’t get tired of me saying “GORGEOUS” I’m going to have to pull out my thesaurus or something–Your china is so amazing, it makes me happy every time I see it. And yes, I do love that flower in the bowl–and I really love tea that blooms!! Holy cow, that is so cool. And, yes I love, love, love old books. (and nasturtiums) Thank you for a visual feast and the lovely tea–I may not be sipping it, but your description makes me feel like I am 🙂
Veronica
Sara, you’re such a sweet sweetie, thank you. I love the word gorgeous, it reminds me of friends like you. One day we’ll sit down to a good cup of tea and a long chat. I’m sure of it. 🙂
FABBY
Holy smokes to you, Veronica!! Your teacups are stunning..wow, Royal Albert is just my fav!! I only have a 3 tier sweets server that hubby just gave me for our Anniversary. I also love the flower in the bowl and fresh tea..wish I had some with you right now! Thanks for the lovely and sweet comment.
FABBY
Veronica
Hi Fabby, You’re always invited for tea. 🙂 (And that was a lovely thoughtful gift! Hubby is a keeper!)
michellepond
I think you have the best tea times ever!
Veronica
I just might Michelle. 🙂
sorrygnat
Lovely photos; i wanted to crawl into the serenity and beauty of the photographs, but my nose went bonk, and alas, alack, i remain outside, gazing in!
Veronica
Oh no Esther…lol…pesky screen!
Sophie
il neige en France et un thé avec un bon livre est le bienvenu!
belle journée
bises
Sophie
Veronica
Bises back to you Sophie 🙂
Carol Early Cooney
It is just so lovely. You are so smart to treat yourself and C. to such beautiful things. They are only good if enjoyed.
Veronica
So true Carol, special things are for special people not special occasions. 😉
Creative Carmelina
Happy Tea Cup Tuesday…thanks for your visit.
Ciao bella
Creative Carmelina
Catherine Llewellyn
a whole hour for tea in the afternoon … and why not? … what a treat … thanks for another soothing and inspiring story x
Veronica
I’m so glad Catherine. 🙂 x
Johanna
Hi Veronica,
that was a delightful tea time. Not only for you and sweet C, but also virtually for us. And this tempting french nougat is that way without any calories! Your china is so gorgeous as the the tea flower is magnificent. Your pictures are full of harmony and beauty. Thank you for sharing this delightful tea time and for your visit with the sweet comment.
Best greetings, Johanna
Veronica
Hi Johanna, thank you so much. I’m sure the nougat will take a couple good trips to the gym to work off, but it was so worth it! 🙂
Sandi
Veronica, your teacups are just beautiful! I love them all but especially the Aynsley cup. The blossom tea is so pretty and I imagine it tastes very lovely and fresh. I too like old books. Thank you for coming to tea and enjoy your week.
Blessings,
Sandi
Veronica
Hi Sandi, I looked thru my cup collection and they mainly are bright colours. I never thought of it but I guess that’s what I’m most attracted to. 🙂
Maggie from Stillness at Cherith
I love the yellow teacups
and the flowering tea =)
Veronica
Hi Maggie, thank you so much. I love them too. 🙂
Ruth W.
Love your sunny teacups! And what could be better than tea and a good book to read! Lovely photos! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth
Veronica
Hi Ruth, I’m having so much fun reading everyone’s posts. Thank you for organising the link-up. 🙂
jeanetteann
What a lovely way to take tea. I so love all your sunny teacups. Yellow one’s are so few and far between these days.
Books and tea go together so well. I am intrigued by the flower in the teapot. Lovely
Thank you for visiting me and for your sweet comment. 🙂
Veronica
Hi Jeanette, Are they really? I didn’t know that. I loved seeing your craft room. It was a treat for me. 🙂
Artful Affirmations
Wonderful Veronica! What a lovely way to brighten a dull day. Your table setting is sweet with the flowers there. Your three tea cups are gorgeous! I love all three, and yes, the flowers in the bottom of the cup are just so beautiful! How can one not feel better, when taking time out for a tea like this!
Thank you so much for the kind birthday wishes! I indeed had the best day!
Hugs,
Terri
Veronica
I’m very happy to hear that you had a lovely day Terri. 🙂
Just
Great way to spend an hour; having tea with a friend. Loved your photos. You reminded me that I have some flower tea to try and I’ll enjoy it in my see-thru tea-pot. Deb
Veronica
Hi Deb, athough she’s 20, (and sometimes good at it), Chloe still likes spending time with me. It’s really nice. Enjoy your flower tea and make sure to watch it bloom. We were fascinated! 🙂
KathyB.
The teacups are so cheery and they do evoke a feeling of sunshine even on my computer screen. What a pleasant time, sipping tea ( so beautiful) from lovely teacups while reading books with a friend, and it is raining outside. My idea of the best day.
Veronica
Hi Kathy, I’m glad my day evoked a feeling of sunshine…lord knows we need it here in the “Wet Coast” 🙂
Sabra Bowers
Blooming tea…never saw it before. Gosh, so beautiful.
Veronica
Isn’t it lovely Sabra? It sort of fell apart after 30 minutes or so, but it was wonderful while it lasted. 🙂 I’ve no idea how that tea flower was made but dread to think that it involved all sorts of not-so-good-for-you glues or additives.