Monday, July 8, 2013

A Violet and Pansy Tea




Welcome Dear Friends,
 
I am so pleased that you are here today for a "Violet and Pansy Tea in the Front Garden" with me!
 
 
It is yet another warm day on the West Coast of B.C.  Let's sit in the front yard where the sun is shining brightly and there is a lovely fresh breeze as well. 





 
 
The Pansies are thriving and finally the Hydrangeas are in bloom
 


Can you smell the lavender?
 


 
 
I thought we could use this vintage violet teapot that was once my dear mother's.  She had it for as long as I can remember and so it holds some special memories of our teatimes together.  It is made in England and stamped Ellgreave on the bottom.  There are also some gold number markings.
 
 
The tiny violet cream and sugar were given to me from my lovely sister and are Windsor Bone China Made in England.
 


 
 
The violet teacups are identical and were also my mother's.  They are entitled Royal Stafford "Sweet Violets".  The handle and pedestal base make it a very dainty teacup. 

 

There is  one large violet in the middle of the inner cup and many smaller violets surrounding it.  The outer cup is plain white with a gold trim.
My mom always says that she is such a "Tea Granny".  Did your mother or grandmother ever say that to you too?



I found the wee violet vase at an antique store on one of my treasure hunting excursions.




I know that many teas are very good for you:  Peppermint Tea, Green Tea, Dandelion Tea and Black Tea.

But I must have my Red Rose Orange Pekoe.  I loved Nabob Orange Pekoe Tea and I was disappointed  when it became discontinued.


Pansy is an herb that grows in the wild all over Europe and North America. There are several strains and varieties of the pansy plant and the flowers appear in a wide range of colors. The pansy plant has been revered for its beauty and medicinal properties since ancient times. Countless numbers of folk remedies use pansies as an important ingredient. They are used to treat a wide array of health problems and diseases. Herbal medicine uses pansies in various forms such as pansy tea, pansy nectar, pansy infusions, and pansy tincture. Pansy infusion is made by adding two teaspoons of the herb to a cup of water that is then kept aside to infuse. Similarly pansy tea is made by pouring a cup of hot water over two teaspoons of the herb. The tea is filtered before drinking. It is recommended that you drink pansy tea half an hour before a meal for the best results.
http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/herbs/pansy.html


The pansy herb sounds so beneficial.....

  Shall we float some pretty pansies in our tea just for fun?

I must move the tea set to the side table since our tiny table is becoming crowded now with our berry treats.
 

Help yourself to some berries and cream.
A yummy summer treat!





Thank you for sharing a Violet and Pansy Tea in the Front Garden with me!

Have a  wonderful week!
Karen

This week I will be joining:

Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday

Sandi  ~  http://www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
Teatime Tuesday
Kathy-  http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
 A Return to Loveliness
Tea On Tuesday
Bernideen’s ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Tea In The Garden Tuesday
Kim - http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
Wow us Wednesday
Deb - http://lavendercottagegarden.blogspot.ca
Cottage Style Linky PartyBecky http://www.timewashed.com/
Blissful Whites Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.ca/
Cottage Garden Party
Jann- http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday
Cindy - http://romantichome.blogspot.ca/
Show and Tell Friday
Claudia - http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/
A Favourite Thing
Beverley ~ http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ 
Pink Saturday 
http://maleviksrosentradgard.blogspot.ca/
Saturday Show Off
 

 

 



22 comments:

  1. A stunning table! I love those cups and saucers, and the way the cloth flows over the table...so romantic!

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  2. I wish I could join you, Karen! Your tea is so lovely and what precious teapot and teacups! Your whole setting is so pretty, a perfect way to spend a summer day.
    Nancy

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  3. What a beautiful spot for a cup of tea in your beautiful garden. Love the cups and the beautiful saucers. You dessert looked yummy as well. Hope you have a great week.

    Michelle. thebashfulnest.blogspot.com

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  4. Your setting is beautiful from the lace cloth and lovely china to the perfect blossoms! The day is perfect for sharing too! Thank You!
    from our Garden Gate Rabbit Park!

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  5. I see you are back at the Castle for tea and what a lovely one it is with all those pretty violet china pieces. I love your setting and table. The vase is lovely and your yummy food! Just beautiful!

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  6. Hello Karen,
    What a pretty outdoor tea! It is very romantic with that lovely lace covering, and your beautiful violet china collection. I love your mum's tea cups! They are absolutely gorgeous! The shape is fab, the coloring too, as well as those lovely violets.
    I did not know any of what you shared about pansies! Wow!
    Have a lovely day,
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  7. Gorgeous! I love the setting. The lace tablecloth is so elegant! I love violets and pansies! Your china is wonderful. I treasure my pieces from my "tea Granny" although as she was English we called her a "tea Nana". Lovely photos! We are having lovely weather at the moment, aren't we??? Thanks so much for sharing and linking with Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  8. What a romantic tea in the garden, Karen! Love the lace! I love your mother's teapot and the teacup too is just darling! The c/s from your sister are sweet and look wonderful with the other pieces. I love china with sentiments attached to them! There is something about violets, isn't there? My hubby likes his orange pekoe tea too. Lovely setting and thank you for coming to tea.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  9. What a lovely garden and table setting for your tea! Such a sweet teapot from your mother. Violets are so pretty on china. I love the little creamer and sugar. Happy Tuesday, Michelle

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  10. What a truly exquisite garden tea.

    How I wish I were sitting with you there.

    Just lovely!

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  11. Love your violet and pansy tea. Your tea wares are very very pretty!

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  12. Hi Karen: Just wanted to let you know I have 8 china cabinets. That is for the ones I keep in the house, some I take out only for holidays, I have them in bins. I know I have a problem. :) Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

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  13. Ciao Karen!Che dolce questo tea alla violetta!Io adoro la violetta e uso anche il profumo Il tuo giardino è bellissimo,così le tue porcellane!Baci,Rosetta

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  14. Karen,
    What a charming post!! I love the purple tea cups!! I just bought some clear purple glassware dinner plates at the grocery store for $1.00 each!!!!!
    Thanks so much for your encouraging words as i continue my weight loss journey!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  15. Me again. I forgot to ask you if you could tell me where you got your wrought iron chairs and table. I LOVE them!!I have added you to my blog rolls but I can't find where i can follow you on Google friend connect???

    Hugs,
    Deb

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    Replies
    1. Hi Debbie,
      I have had those wrought iron chairs for many years (probably 20 years). They have a matching table and I cannot remember where I found them but they were new when I bought them. I have seen a plastic version at Rite-Aid a couple of years ago. I am sorry I haven't seen them lately at any stores.

      I also love the dollar store and thrift store finds. I will search for some mauve/purple dishes there now.

      I am just learning how to blog and set things up and hopefully I will be able to figure out how to add Google Friend Connect. I have just been blogging since April 2013 and have followed you for a long time. It is so nice to finally meet you. Take care,
      Karen

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  16. Karen, so romantic, love seeing the details of each piece too.
    Joy

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  17. Just lovely....what a heavenly setting. Also, didn't know that pansies were so beneficial- learned something new today! The berries and cream look so very yummy! Lovely tea party! Catherine (new follower)

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  18. Hi Karen, looks like I left Vancouver just when the lovely weather is happening. But it's alright because here in Oxfordshire the sun is shining and it's lovely and warm as well. I miss being so close to the ocean but I have the river five fields away, so that's not too bad. Love you little violet tea set. Violets are one of my daughter's favourites and do you know I don't own a single violet cup? I'll have to be on the lookout. Anyway, I sort of lost Tuesday because I flew thru the Vancouver Monday into the British Tuesday, so hope to share next week. Hugs for now. (Hope the sunshine lasts)

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  19. Hi Karen. You have created a very lovely and beauty spot for tea time. I love it all. Especially those delicate tea cups. So so pretty.

    Fondly,

    Janet

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  20. Hi Karen, what a lovely tea in the garden. I adore violets and the treasures pieces you have are wonderful! I just had to pull a lot of my Pansies today. They ususally last all summer here because we are close to the mountains. This year it's been extra warm and they just looked sick. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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