Monday, July 18, 2016

Garden Decor

I've never had much of a green thumb so I enjoy seeing other bloggers' beautiful gardens. Some of the creative gardeners have even inspired me to incorporate some of my teawares in my outdoor decor.

 This old teapot and teacup were repurposed into a garden feature in my back yard.

Hanging teacups in my front garden.

Another spot of tea in my front garden.

Birdhouses in my front garden
Bernideen's love of birdhouses has rubbed off on me!
The "Bed and Breakfast", red and green birdhouses were recent yard sale finds.

I found the birdhouse with the lasercut design at the dollar store and painted it purple.

Does your garden feature whimsical ornaments?

Edited to add:

Let's celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birth with a cup of chamomile tea!


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Monday, July 11, 2016

Sadler & Green Gables

Like many of you, I'm trying to restrict the acquisition of teawares. But I just couldn't resist this beauty when I spotted it at the local thrift store this past weekend.

Sadler is one of my favourite English teapot makers.
 This gorgeous teapot was in excellent condition and only cost me $6!

I love the bright colours and bird design.

I also rescued this orphaned teacup featuring Green Gables--the home of our favourite spunky dreamer, Anne Shirley. Visiting Green Gables is definitely on my bucket list!

This Anne of Green Gables teacup was part of Regency's Heritage Collection.

The thrift store was having a "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" promotion for housewares so this cute teabag holder was free!

Have you found any treasures this summer?


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Monday, July 4, 2016

Random June teas

A few weeks ago at work, we celebrated the official arrival of summer with yet another tea social!

We sipped David's Tea's Raspberry Cream Pie Rooibos and Tetley Tea's Cinnamon Spice Herbal Tea from my Sadler basketweave pattern mugs.

My co-workers brought delicious (but healthy!) treats: kale salad, cheese and crackers, spinach dip, fruit, raspberry shortbread cookies and carrot cake.

When I heard about Starbucks' secret menu purple drink, I knew that I had to try it! 
I asked the barista for a passion fruit iced tea with soy milk and blackberries (you can also add vanilla syrup, but I preferred my drink unsweetened.). Very refreshing!

I tried to recreate the purple drink at home using honeybush vanilla herbal tea, coconut milk, and blackberries. It tasted good, but I didn't get the same purple hue. Secret menu drink fail!

On June 30th, I took advantage of "Free Tea Day" at David's Tea and tried out their new grape freeze green tea as an iced tea--another way to stay cool during these hot, summer days!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday long weekend!



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Monday, June 27, 2016

The Carnegie Gallery's Secret Gardens 2016 Tour

Several weeks ago, I went on The Carnegie Gallery's Secret Gardens Tour--an annual fundraising event to support their ongoing activities--and visited 8 of the 10 gardens on the tour. My photos don't do the gorgeous gardens' justice but I thought I'd share the charming features that caught my eye.

The Gallery's Complimentary Tea Room offered visitors light refreshments.

Garden #1
This award-winning garden had a cute "cottage" (perfect for tea time!), a (decorative?) well, a small bridge over a stream, and bonsaied trees.

Garden #2
This garden had 2 ponds and a terraced landscape.

Garden #3
This was the most colourful garden of the tour.

Garden #4
The front garden features a Koi pond.

Garden #4
The back garden offered a fantastic view of the Valley!

Garden #5
My favourite feature of this cottage garden is the unique sculpture of the owners' grandson in his snowsuit.

As I walking to the next garden, I spotted this deer wandering around...hope the poor thing made its way home safely!

Garden #6
The Rock Garden at the Dundas Driving Park is maintained by volunteers.

Garden #7
This is the minimalist architectural garden's front (left) and back (right) yards.

Garden #7
This wooden structure was added to the original home.

Garden #8
Love the turquoise bicycle garden ornament in this garden!

I got to chat with the gracious hosts and learned that they've been working on their gardens for years (Rome wasn't built in a day!) and the majority did the gardening on their own. Seeing these beautiful gardens have inspired me to step up my gardening game!


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Monday, June 20, 2016

Blind Melon

Back in April, I visited The Dutch Shop in Grimsby which boasted an impressive selection of teas by Dutch companies.

I brought home this box of Fairtrade teas by Spar, a Dutch retail chain, which contained an assortment of Ceylon teas flavoured with 4 "orange fruits": mango, melon, orange, or tropical fruit. 

 I liked how the box had photos of the tea pickers in Sri Lanka!

By the time I got around to writing this post, the only flavour left for a photo op was the Melon tea.

The Melon tea was a refreshing, sweet tea and turned out to be my favourite of the bunch!

What's your favourite fruity tea this summer?



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Monday, June 13, 2016

Opera House Tea Room

I've always been partial to tea rooms located in Victorian houses and enjoyed a visit to the Opera House Tea Room in Lynden, Ontario in 2010.

Isn't the sweet gingerbread trim charming?

 
The tea room was located in the yellow extension.
I wished that I had photographed the musical themed menu and captured more images of the interior.

The afternoon tea was served on a tiered plate and a pretty bone china teacup.
The owner's daughter is a professional singer who performed special concerts on certain days. Unfortunately, I didn't catch one of her singing performances.

A few years after my visit, the owners retired and sold the Opera House. 
I was glad that I had the opportunity to visit this unique tea room before it closed down. 


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Monday, June 6, 2016

Lavender Rose & African Violets

Many of the teacups in my collection were gifted by generous acquaintances and friends. Last summer, I was thrilled to receive a teacup that had been on my wish list for years...

Lavender Rose by Royal Albert!
This beauty was gifted to me by a work acquaintance who was downsizing her china collection.

The Royal Albert backstamp circa 1960s (Made in England).

Last month, I purchased this super cute dress tea towel from a local seamstress who custom made them in purple and pink.

Both are being used as hand towels in the bathrooms!

I was also delighted that my African violets have rebloomed (despite my lackadaisical green thumb). YEAH!!!
 
Now if I can just get my orchid to flower again...


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