In Search of a Rose

I've always admired Sandi's beautiful rose chintz tea set. This pretty pattern has eluded me for years so I was thrilled when my treasure hunting finally paid off at a church yard sale last May.

The four sets of dinner plates, salad plates, teacups and saucers, 3 bowls and sugar bowl cost me a grand total of $15!

The set had sat in a china cabinet so all the pieces were in mint condition.

The Rose Chintz backstamp with green markings.

The Pan Am Torch travelling through Hamilton where the football (soccer) games were hosted.

Our office tea social was held on July 24th and celebrated the end of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games and International Self-Care Day. 

These cute Ikea mugs were a Christmas gift from a friend.

The herbal infusions and green teas were perfect for the summer weather.

Our tea time treats covered the essential food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains and chocolate.

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Tea Cup Tuesday

Tea on the Lawn of the Billings Estate

During our stay in Ottawa, we visited the Billings Estate Natural Historic Site, the historic home of one of the first settlers in Ottawa--Braddish and Lamira Billings.

After the last generation of the Billings left the 200-year-old house, the estate was converted into a museum where visitors can view the local artefacts and learn how the Billings helped shaped our capital's early history.

Lamira Billings was a well-respected healer who was highly sought for her effective herbal remedies. Naturally, she enjoyed a cup of tea while working at her desk!

The back entrance of the Billings Estate and its beautiful flower gardens.

True confession time: The real reason that we visited the Billings Estate was to partake in the "Tea at the Lawn" service offered during the summer months.

The tea tent was located behind the house and overlooked the beautiful gardens.

Visitors were also welcome to bring their own food and enjoy a picnic on the emerald green lawn.

 

The mismatched cups and saucers.

Of course, I had to try the Billings Blend: "a blend of black tea and rose petals inspired by Lamira's gardens" (from the menu description).

The afternoon service for two. 

The delicious finger sandwiches and scones were so filling that we had no room left for dessert and brought the leftovers home with us.

Enjoying tea on the tranquil grounds of the Billings Estate was definitely the highlight of my Ottawa trip!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Tea Cup Tuesday
Mosaic Monday

Canada's Capital

After our stopover at the Crossroads Tea Room in Perth, we continued to Ottawa.

Peace Tower (left), Entrance Gates (top right), East Block (bottom right)

 Our first stop at our nation's capital was Parliament Hill.

Centre Block

If you're a Canadian resident, you can request the flag that has flown on the Peace Tower...but be prepared for a looooong waiting period: 54 years!

The World of Tea store is also located in downtown Ottawa, a few blocks away from Parliament Hill.

The Asian-style teapots and tea accessories.

I captured so many images on my camera that the store keeper, who granted me permission to take photographs, asked if I was planning to open up my own tea store. I wish!

The next day, we visited The Tea Store at ByWard Market.

I loved the idea of picking and mixing your own teabags (left image).
The Tea Store also had tables for patrons to sit and enjoy their cups of tea (not pictured).

I could have spent hours browsing through the different types and brands of teas!
I was good and limited my purchase to only three teas.

I brought the Sweet Watermelon Oolong home with me because of its heavenly scent.

The Sweet Watermelon Oolong tasted sweet and juicy--the perfect fruity tea to quench your thirst in the summertime!

LANG mug

Tea Time

Instant wisdom brewed here

Just add water

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
  Mosaic Monday

Crossroads

Last month, we stopped for a light meal at the The Crossroads Tearoom on our way to Ottawa.

The Crossroads Tearoom is a Victorian tea room located in the heritage district in the town of Perth (approximately 1 hour away from Ottawa). 

 When you enter the tearoom, you are greeted by this "hostess" dressed in 18th century fashion

 Guests were welcome to try on the dainty hats hanging on the walls.

Some patrons can't resist sitting tickling the ivories on the vintage piano.

 I selected Twinnings' Pomegranate and Raspberry herbal infusion from the tea chest.

The pink hue of my herbal tea matched this pretty black teacup perfectly. The "Alberta Rose" design is part of Royal Albert's Flora series.

The soup of the day was served on another cute teacup.

I wasn't hungry enough for the high tea so I enjoyed the cream tea instead.

 Perth's vintage tearoom is definitely the "crossroads of good taste"!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Tea Cup Tuesday
Mosaic Monday

O Canada!

Niagara Falls is a must-see attraction in Ontario. I've visited Niagara Falls countless times over the years, and never tire of seeing its magnificent cascades.

The Canadian Horseshoe Falls
The Maid of the Mist boat tour taking tourists for a very close and wet view of the Falls.

The American Falls

Photos courtesy of my friend

The gardens across from the Falls.

Photo courtesy of The Secret Garden Restaurant

In the middle of the gardens, you will find The Secret Garden Restaurant.

During my 2011 visit to The Secret Garden Restaurant, we sat outside at one of the patio tables where we had a fantastic view of the Falls while I enjoyed my scones (not pictured) and cup of tea!

At our June tea social at the office, we celebrated Canada Day. I brought in these cute strawberry cups and saucers by Cath Kidston. These "breakfast cups" were fine bone china and larger than your typical teacup.

My colleagues brought food with a Canadian or red and white theme: red velvet cookies, maple cookies, strawberries, red pepper jelly and cream cheese with crackers. Not pictured: cherries, Lindt chocolate.

The Canadian-inspired teas included: Birthday Cake and Red Velvet Cake (top); Blueberry Icewine, Maple green tea, and Maple Earl Grey (bottom).

 At home, I enjoyed a "Canada" cookie with a mug of Blueberry Icewine black tea.

Happy 148th Birthday, Canada!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Tea Cup Tuesday
Mosaic Monday

Bye Bye Birdie

Hello, Summer!

This week, I'm sharing a teacup that I acquired last month. The teacup's pretty blue colour immediately caught my eye at the thrift store.

This is the first teacup in my collection which features an avian design, "Early Bird". With a capacity of 280 mL, the cup is slightly larger than a standard teacup which suits this tea drinker perfectly!

This cute teacup was designed by the Dutch designer, PIP Studio, whose motto is: "Happy Products for Happy People".

This box of infusion de calafate was a souvenir gift from a friend who had visited Patagonia.

During her travels in Argentina and Chile, she sent me a couple of postcards, including this one from Cape Horn--the southernmost tip of South America. 

In the pre-Panama Canal days, Cape Horn was the treacherous trade route travelled by the clipper ships.

The calafate berry is also known as the Magellan Barberry and found throughout Patagonia. You can learn more about the calafate berry here. According to local legend, "He who eats calafate must return."

Photo Source: Internet

Top: Yellow calafate flowers

Bottom: Blue-purple calafate berries

Steeping instructions were not provided so I let the teabag stepped for 5 minutes.

The fruity scent and taste of the calafate berry infusion were very mild, but pleasant. 

Now that I've tasted the calafate berry, I must be destined to visit Patagonia!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea Cup Tuesday

  Tea in the Garden

Mosaic Monday