A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Tuesday Cuppa Tea Shamrocks And A Giveaway

Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! I still have some Irish things this week, and a giveaway!



First of all...I have to get this off my chest...I will miss Downton Abbey!!!! I have watched since episode 1, and....But, my favorite results of this last episode were:



Lady Edith and Bertie finally getting together...and, as the Marchioness of Hexham, out ranking Mary when going into dinner....That girl deserved a break, especially as she would rather risk everything and tell the truth!



My other favorite thing was Isobel and Lord Merton together, and having happiness despite the machinations of his horrible son and equally horrible fiancee'. Well done. Love that misdiagnosis, and a true diagnosis of happiness for those two. Okay...on to other things!



I had planned to share something else this week, but a serendipitous teacup find and favorite marzipan petit fours changed that....so I just set a simple tea in the sunroom today....using my sparkly copper bits shamrock table cloth again....



The thatched cottage cross stitch I made several years ago, my church birdhouse and a tin of Irish Breakfast tea...more about that later...and a good book.


On the way back from our holiday/family visit/Mexico cruise, we stopped by our favorite Central Market on the way home from the ferry, and found these marzipan covered shamrock petit fours from a favorite Seattle bakery, so they came home with us...how could they not??!  I put them on a Shelley Summer Glory Chintz saucer...the only thing I have in easy reach that was green....



But this was the fun part...while waiting for the ferry, hit a local shop and found this wonderful shamrock chintz teacup by Thomas Forester in their art deco Phoenix line that I just love!




The shamrocks are hand painted over the gold overlay chintz. Too cute! And so seasonal! I just couldn't pass it up!


I had a cup of Harney & Sons Irish Breakfast Tea, but forgot to photo it! Another Irish Breakfast tea I have just about finished is this one from the Port Gamble Tea Room....you can read my blog post about my last visit there by clicking HERE or the tea tin below...



The Port Gamble is nice, but I do like the depth of the Harney & Sons version a bit better....



I had read all the books I had on Kindle during our trip, so got out a favorite book by Jan Karon in the Father Tim series to re-read, because much of it takes place in Ireland, called In The Company Of Others... Have you read it? I love all of the books by Jam Karon! I know you will love it if you haven't read it!



And that brings me to my GIVEAWAY! While looking for In The Company Of Others, I remembered that my friend had gifted me with another in the series, A Common Life, but I already had one...so I would like to send it to a good home! It's the hardback copy, so I will be shipping it US only, I am afraid, via media mail. So...if you are interested, in being part of the drawing, let me know via a comment, and I will use Randompicker.com.  Comments will close on Sunday March 20th, and I will draw on Monday, March 21st.



Lastly...hope you remembered to Spring Forward with your clocks in the US last night! Not my favorite direction, but....Spring officially begins March 20th, and with the gale force winds we have forecast here this afternoon, I am finishing and getting this post scheduled, as there is a power outage and high wind warning up for us until tomorrow morning...hope it's better where you are! Stay warm and have a nice cuppa!


I am joining:

Here is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your comments, and can find you to visit! Thanks so much for joining me for tea!

26 comments:

  1. Dear Ruth:
    What a great fun posting. I love chatting about Downton and I felt the same about Edith and Bertie. I am glad Mary came around in the end as a decent person. I really thought she was a Diva brat before. I also was happy for Isobel. Your cup and saucer are perfect for this week and St. Patrick's Day. Moving day is finally here this week - Thursday. We are so pooped and glad to get on with it!

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  2. Hi Ruth,
    I feel the same about Downton and those characters you mentioned. Your teacup sure is perfect for St. Pat's Day! And your petit fours are so beautiful and look so good to eat! I was hoping that was your giveaway! lol :)
    Have a great week and Happy St. Patrick's Day on Thursday!
    Gina

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  3. I love both of your shamrock teacups and everything Irish. Please enter me to win "A Common Life." Thank you and Happy St Patrick's Day!

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  4. What a lovely post! I think your new teacup is beautiful and I love how it goes with that tablecloth! Please enter me in your drawing. I hope I win! :)

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  5. There is such a void on Sunday nights now without Downton. I also loved the finale and all of the happy endings for the characters.
    Your shamrock petit fours are so cute! Really pretty teacup with the gold chintz along with the shamrocks. I'm not familiar with that pottery. I'll have to check out their other patterns. I'm an avid reader so would love to be entered in the drawing.
    Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  6. What a lovely visit here to your blog! It is in the wee hours of the morning here in Texas. You always have such pretty things to look at in every post! I have not read the book by Jan Karon - the one you are reading now nor A Common Life! How sweet of you to think of doing a giveaway with the extra book!!

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  7. Good morning Ruth,
    and thank you for this wonderful post of yours, I enjoyed it so much !
    I'm also grateful to you for hosting me once more, and please, enter me for win your lovely giveaway !

    Sending love to you while wishing you a most Beautiful and Happy St Patrick's Day ever,

    Daniela at ~ My little old world ~

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  8. What a lovely teacup. I must be on the lookout for more shamrock teacups! I must be the only one in the world that didn't watch Downton Abbey? I just don't watch much television any more. I seem to prefer to read. That is of course why I would love to receive this book you are so generously offering.

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  9. What a beautiful chintz cup! I love all of Jan's books!

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  10. Good morning, Ruth! Yes, wasn't the last episode of DA just the happiest?! Your new teacup is simply stunning, and I can see why you purchased that little beauty. Your petit fours look scrumptious for your delightful tea. I love your pretty cross stitch of the thatched cottage. Please enter me into your lovely giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  11. This is such a delightful post the week of St. Patrick's Day!!! Your teacup is so sweet and goes lovely with your tablecloth :) "May your cup runneth over" with blessings Psalm 23:5

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  12. Hello Ruth,
    I'm glad you had a wonderful trip and also found some goodies to bring home with you. The teacup is darling and the tea sounds lovely. I too enjoy talking about Downton and my tea post this week is my review on the story. I love how it ended but am sorry it has ended. {Remember my linkup is above my tea post.} Have a delightful day and thanks for another interesting post.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  13. What are we going to do without Downton?????!!!!!! Love your new teacup -- great find just in time for St. Patrick's Day. I need a nice strong cup of Irish Breakfast Tea this morning to get me going. The petit fours are making my mouth water. Thanks so much for hosting!

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  14. What a wonderful cruise - and then a little shopping. The teacup is just precious - and I love the tablecloth.

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  15. Hi Ruth,
    Oh what a lucky find in time for St. Patrick's Day! I just Love the Phoenix Shamrock Chintz teacup. Everything is perfect for the season! Thank you for hosting Tuesday Cuppa Tea! Karen

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  16. Embarrassed to admit the time change took me completely by surprise! I showed up an hour too late to perform my hospitality bit at church Sunday morning! Any book by Jan Karon would be a welcome gift to receive; thank you for including me in your drawing.

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  17. Ooooh how lovely! <3 One of my favorite authors...I would la la LOVE to win and read that.
    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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  18. Ruth, your St Patrick's Day tea is delightful! I love your tablecloth and the petit fours! Thank you for hosting this party!

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  19. That is a beautiful teacup & the book sounds wonderful. I am excited. Thank you Ruth. Good luck everyone.

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  20. Love your shamrock chintz teacup! Such happy serendipity that you found it during your travels. I am also suffering from DA withdrawal...but I heard on the radio that a movie is already in the works?!? Thank you for hosting and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  21. So gorgeous! So sad it's over :(

    - Judith

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  22. Like you, I am already missing "Downton Abbey" but looking forward to "Belgravia." Those are the cutest petit fours ever for March! And that teacup ... never seen one like it, and it is absolutely perfect for sipping your Irish Breakfast Tea this month. Enjoy!

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  23. Your petit fours are adorable! Thanks for hosting!

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  24. I would love to win the book! I will miss Downton Abbey so much, I have the last episode still taped and I will be watching it again. By the way Petit fours are my favorite treat.

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  25. I love the Phoenix teacup with the shamrocks scattered around the delicate gold filigree.

    Are you enjoying staying indoors during our stormy weather ? It is perfect for reading and I too have enjoyed most of Jan Karon's books but have not read that one. I now have another book to add to my wish list.

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  26. Lovely post, as always, Ruth! I've not tried Harney and Sons Irish breakfast tea. Must soon. I was thrilled to find this week the one indigenous Irish yeast bread to share with you.

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Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)

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