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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Thursday Tea Things And Talk, Tea Towels

Hello dear blogging friends! Welcome to Thursday Tea Things And Talk. 



I am so glad you have joined me. I have loved tea things since I remember. I have shred before, but I think I got my love of taking tea and tea related things from my Nan...my English grandmother, or Nana, Emma Bridgewater nee Rice. Here photo is there on the right sidebar.  We always had afternoon tea when she was around, and it was then over the teacups that she told me stories of growing up in the late Victorian and Edwardian era in England before she came to live in the USA with her husband George Bridgewater and my mother and aunt. She had lovely stories about the reign of Queen Victoria, various celebrations, customs and activities. Sigh...I think of her often...especially when I have a cup of tea...I still have many she gave me when I was 16 that I treasure.

My tea related item today is....the humble tea towel. I have a huge stack of them in the closet, and rotate them in and out of the kitchen. Tea towels originated as just pieces of absorbent cloth to dry the crocks...dishes...with. But for home making women, a boring strip of cloth, often made out of the remnants of sheets or grain sacks just wasn't nice enough. Tea towels were embellished with embroidery and trimmings, and when the use of printed cloth became popular, prints were used as well. 


Then with the mid Victorian era, something new happened. The Victorians were great travelers and explorers. And whilst souvenirs had always been brought home from the Grand Tour of the continent by the wealthy, the Industrial revolution freed everyday working families to have enough leisure and money to also take trips...albeit shorter and closer to home than the Grand Tour.  They went to Brighton and Blackpool and Inverness, St Ives and Bath. And besides the crested and souvenir china they brought home, they also brought home souvenir tea towels to ad an expensive, portable as well as bright and cheerful souvenir of their day out. The tea towel reminded them of the jaunt each time it was used to dry the tea things. Bliss!



The tradition continues to this day with the only change being the change from linen to cotton. Tea towels have been issued for most major occasions. Below is for the 1981 Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana. 



The tea towel below marks the 100th anniversary in 1978 of Lady Margaret Hall, the first ladies college at Oxford.

Tea towels are also the recorders of social trends and styles. I love this retro design from the 1950s in Poland:



And from the 1950s in the USA when colonial, Early American or Pennsylvania Dutch was such a design trend:



And German housewives were just as houseproud. The Victorian era German women invented the "overtowel". The industrious and resourceful ladies took a towel and embroidered it, and used it for "best" to cover the old dingy and stained eveyday dish cloths and dish towels if company was expected. Here is a late Victorian example. There was some use of overtowels also in the USA Pensylvania Dutch ares of the country as the German immigrants of the 19th century brought the practice with them, which fit in well with the so called red work, or red on white embroidery that was popular in the US. This cloth or overtowel has both cross stitch and a running stitch and a silk embroidered ribbon, which was an expensive, "store bought" embellishment.





Tea towels are still marvelously decorative. A discussion recently on my facebook page revolved around uses for them so they didn't just live in the closet. The suggestions were myriad, from framing them to hanging them on a line strung from the ceiling to utilizing the rungs of an old ladder leaning  or mounted on the wall. A fun thing to think about. All of these are currently available at Antiques And Teacups. Just click on the photos for more info.So...don't underestimate the power of a "cheap and cheerful" decorating accent...the tea towel!

I am joining the blogs below. It's always so much fun to see the wonderful things on the blogs! And please link your tea related post. I would be honored! Have a wonderful weekend, and have a cup of tea with a friend!


Vintage Thingie Thursday
 Mrs. Olson ~  http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday
Cup of English Tea
Pink Saturday





Sunday, January 27, 2013

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Shelley Combo Teacup, Dishing It At Anthropologie

Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! 




I hope you have had a great weekend. It has finally been clear air for us here after a 10 day inversion that kept me indoors with bad air quality alerts. It's the first time in 40 years. Amazing! And it did funny things to the temps too. We never got beyond cloudy and 42 degrees here at sea level while it was in the 50s up at Hurricane Ridge above the layer. It even got into the 60s on Mt. Rainier! Amazing! This was taken at Hurricane Ridge ski area in Olympic National Park during the inversion, while we had clouds and fog.



Today I have a new Shelley that I found recently. This is an unusual combination pattern that Shelley china did periodically. The teacup and saucer has no name and also no number which is the case for only about 15-18% of Shelley teacups. 







The shape is called Lincoln and has a lovely pedestal and gold trim, then the bands of forest green with gold floral overlay. The combo comes in because the cup and saucer centers feature a floral bouquet from the Georgian pattern. Apparently, the artists were allowed a certain amount of leeway to experiment with the various elements used in the designs. There is a whole separate group of Shelley collectors for combination patterns. There are Shelley China collecting societies in the USA, England and Australia with those who collect by pattern, or by shape, by function, combo patterns, miniatures,  favorite colors....you name it! Very fun! This beauty is available at Antiques And Teacups. For more info, click on the photos.

I wanted to share 2 store design photos from Facebook that were unattributed, but I figured them out. These are designs from a Southern California Anthropologie store using odss and ends of china pieces. I think they are so clever!



As a correction...the dress photo is from the Atlanta Anthropologie store and was originally taken by Angela at Tea With Friends, although I found it on Facebook. The peacock is from the LA store. Thanks Angela, I always like to give credit if I can!


Isn't that incredible? I don't like china being used unless it's damaged...so I hope these were.
In our local weekly crafts and organic produce market over Christmas, I saw a young woman selling gorgeous cups and saucer she had turned into birdfeeders, mobiles, bird houses etc, and she had a huge enamel dishpan filled with broken china pieces she was selling by the cup full. She had also taken china pieces and used the pieces to mosaic over bowling balls for yard art. Well and good. BUT, and here was when it got bad!   Being a china person, I noticed Shelleys, Royal Alberts, Coalport, Mintons, Rosina, Royal Chelsea, some really spectacular, valuable and collectible cups and saucers. I calmly asked her, sounding interested, where the teacups came from

"Oh...my grandmother left me her teacups collection that she collected all her life and that her mother collected. I hated them, thought they were ugly and useless so decided to make something pretty and worthwile out of them. Who ever uses teacups nowadays anyway?"

I nearly fainted and left with tears in my eyes. It made me so grateful to all my  blogging friends who appreciate the value of teacups as things of beauty and as standing for a life of beauty, graciousness and loveliness. Thanks you dear friends!!!!



Okay...I'm off my soap box! I really do love the Anthropologie displays. I only wish there were one that isn't 2 1/2 hours away!

I have designed a logo for our Thursday teacup meme, Thursday Tea Things And Talk. I hope you will join me for that as well. And I won't be on a soap box then! LOL!



So thanks for joining me today. I hope you will also visit my facebook page at AntiquesAndTeacups   where I daily share various things about tea as well, many more than I get to share here.  Please visit the blogs listed here, some of the ones I am visiting and I would be honored if you would link  your tea related post to the Tuesday Cuppa Tea Linky. And remember Valentine's Day is fast approaching! Have a wonderful week!




Monday Marketplace
Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday
Trisha~  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/ 
Tea Party Tuesday
Teatime Tuesday
Kathy~  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness
Tea On Tuesday
Miss Kathy ~http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Tea       
Tea On Tuesday
Tea Tuesday
Tea On Tuesday
Poetry In A Pot Of Tea
Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday
What’s It Wednesday                                           
Home On Wednesday
 A Tea Lover     ~http://the-teaist.blogspot.com/
Tea Talk Wednesday

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Thursday Tea Things And Talk, Burns Night, Tartan Tea Items

Hello and welcome to Thursday Tea Things And Talk!



My post today is focused on the tradition of Burns Night, the meals and festivities focused on the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, that are celebrated in various fashions around January 25th, his birthday.


Robert Burns was born in 1759 and lived until only 1796 and is revered as one of the most famous poets of all time, and certainly the most revered Scottish poet and song writer.  He is called one of the founders of the Romantic era and also as a social reformer. His works were both lyrical, romantic and full of social and political plain spoken opinions.  There are huge Scottish clubs and societies all over the world where this is celebrated, and everyone is asked to wear Tartan. An example of an invitation:


The evening will usually start with the singing or saying of what is called the Selkirk Grace:

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Ans sae let the Lord be thankit.



A traditional Burns supper...or party...or tea, has several essential ingredients. Basically those are "neeps and tatties" or turnips and potatoes, a "wee dram" of whiskey....which is where some of the all male celebrations get a bit rowdy, and last but not least, Scotland's national dish...haggis! Haggis is a sheep's intestines stuffed with...okay, you don't want to know. I tried it, and DIDN'T like it! 


Part of the dinner is the Address To The Haggis after it is bagpiped into the room with much ceremony and toasting...

In honor of Burns Night celebrations I have a few tartan tea related items to share, tartan being the first thing that comes to mind when talking of Scotland. Some of these items are available at Antiques And Teacups, and some are from my archive. Just click on the photos and if it is still available, there is more information.







A vintage, hand made padded Tartan tea cozy



A vintage Tartan needlecase or vinigarette case




A vintage Robert Burns tea towel




A Shelley China Crested China Burns Cottage for Kingston-Upon-Thames




A vintage Tartan tea tin

The evening is of course ended with Robert Burns famous song For Auld Lang Syne, preferably to the sound of bagpipes.  Much fun and good food is enjoyed. Sometimes even Burns teas are given, by those not overly fond of the whiskey...that would include me!


I found this great website, http://www.bagpiper-online.co.uk/music.php  where you can listen to bagpipe music. How cool is that!

So Hoots, Mon...or lady...and enjoy Burns Night and have a cup of tea with me! Here is the linky for Thursday Tea Things And Talk for your tea related post. I will love coming to visit! And grab my button if you would like to...I would be honored!

Here are some other Thursday blogs I will be visiting:


Vintage Thingie Thursday
 Mrs. Olson ~  http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday
Cup of English Tea

Pink Saturday








Sunday, January 20, 2013

Tuesdsay Cuppa Tea, Royal Albert Rosebud Swags, Breakfast For Tea

Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!


So many fun things to share this week! First of all, I'll share my teacup choice this week...a Royal Albert Crown China teacup trio. Royal Albert Crown China was, of course the older version and mark of our well known and well loved Royal Albert. 





This lovely hand painted rosebud swag pattern was made at the end of the Edwardian period, about 1910 and you can certainly see the delicate and lovely Edwardian sensibility. I can just see the girls having tea using this china at Downton Abbey. I just love it!  Royal Albert Crown and Royal Albert were made by Thomas Wild & Sons, and the Crown was dropped from the Royal Albert name in the 1930s. A wonderful company. Royal Albert was acquired by Royal Doulton in 1990 and is still being made, though most production was moved to Indonesia in 2002. Sigh...
The teacup trio is available at Antiques And Teacups...just click on the photos for more info.

I wanted to share the WONDERFUL gift I won in a giveaway given by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.



The fabulous gift was 3 packs of gorgeous hand crafted cut work note cards, a beautiful hand made card, the cutest little owl and the most glorious and warm Fair Isle fringed scarf. And it's been in the 40s, so guess what I've been wearing????   Thanks you Stephanie for your generosity and my cozy neck! If you have a chance, please visit Stephanie and her lovely blog. Gorgeous photographs!


This is a bit different for tea, but...when we were visiting our friend Gloria in Richmond just outside of Vancouver BC recently, she took us to her favorite restaurant for a late lunch, which we called our tea for the day. The restaurant is a bit of a landmark in several parts of Canada and is know for fresh foods and original presentation. I managed to actually remember to take a few photos, which I usually don't do.



The placemat is an explanation of Cora's innovative philosophy with lots of different takes on familiar favorites and some original choices. The restaurant is covered with antiques and quirky little vignettes...most of which I DID forget to photograph. Rats! A fun thing, is watching them cook through a glass wall if you have to wait for a table.


We all ordered breakfast items which are served all day although it was about 3 in the afternoon. I guess it's being on holiday...Anyway, above is my husband's Mushroom Benedict with home fries. Notice the fruit tower in the center. The apples were cut like palm trees.


Next is Gloria's fruit plate with cottage cheese and English muffin bread toast/


And finally my 2 poached eggs with bacon, toast and blueberry crepes. Everything was delicious! For more info on Cors's or to find her other restaurants, go to www.chezcora.com. It was FABULOUS and we plan to eat there each time we visit Gloria.


Also...a quick tea report. I recently found a tin of Assam teabags at Ross from a company called Nottingham that I had never heard of. Feeling adventurous, I bought it, and would like to report it was quite nice. A product of Sri Lanka, the tea is a nice black tea that is very enjoyable, so if you see it...try it...you'll like it!

Here are some of the blogs I will be joining, that you will enjoy visiting as well. Then there is the wonderful linky for your tea related posts. It is so fun to visit you all and see your current tea adventures! Have a lovely day, and don't forget to have a cuppa with a friend!

Monday Marketplace
Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday
Trisha~  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/ 
Tea Party Tuesday
Teatime Tuesday
Kathy~  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness
Tea On Tuesday
Miss Kathy ~http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Tea       
Tea On Tuesday
Tea Tuesday
Tea On Tuesday
Poetry In A Pot Of Tea
Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday
What’s It Wednesday                                           
Home On Wednesday
 A Tea Lover     ~http://the-teaist.blogspot.com/
Tea Talk Wednesday