Late For the Party

~ tea pot and, below, matching dish ~

Those boys from Wind in the Willows are back in the USA, enduring a Colorado snow storm and resting up at PomPom's before heading to Northern Ireland and Fraise Lachrymose. The tea party was yesterday but I had some unexpected emergencies happen and am just now putting up my post. The boys were supposed to visit Thistle Cove Farm but last year wasn't a good year for me and it was mutually decided for them to go, instead, to Australia. I wish I could have gone with them! 

One of my tea sets is rather "springy" with cats, rabbits, baskets and eggs all done up in festive colors. It's a trifle loud but, in the spirit of things, I thought the boys wouldn't mind.

~ hand thrown and Homestead one cuppa's ~

These two tea pots are for one, perhaps half cup again, tea. The pot on the left was thrown by an art student at VCU, my alma mater, back in the 1980's; it's been with me a long while. The teapot on the right, has an H for Homestead. Dave bought it for me when we visited the Homestead for Christmas one year and one of my very favorite places are the Jefferson Springs, named for Thomas Jefferson. There are several springs feeding the bath houses and a delight any time of the year. Good memories...

This glass teapot also has a glass insert into which a flower bud, below, is placed. As the hot water is poured into the pot and over the flower, the bud releases both flavor and fragrance as it steeps in the hot water. It's a delight for all the senses. 

 This tea bud is Guilded Lotus from Primula Tea. 

The last tea set is my absolute favorite! I bought it at an antique shop in 1980 or '81 and have loved it well all these years. It's Thistle (of course-smile) by the A. W. Buchan Co. who has been making this pattern since 1867 in Crieff, Scotland. This page is of Thistle pottery sold here in the states, I think...drool and more information here. This year, Scotland Week is 3-10 April and misses my birthday by one measly day. I suppose I'll just have to plan a trip to Scotland, the year it includes my birthday, you think? smile For incredible photos of the Hebrides, click here.

So, Ratty, Mole and Toad, I hope you've enjoyed your world wide adventure; it's been fun watching as you've traveled the globe.  Pom has a list, here, of all the tea party gals; be sure and visit and leave a comment.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Albert Einstein ~

Today's Miracles ~ blog land tea party ~ wonderful fun ~ beautiful tea sets ~ tea flower buds ~ thistles...yes, thistles! ~