The Office

Recently, I decluttered my office desk and brought in some of my tea pretties to enhance my workspace decor.

This 2-cup teapot was a gift from my mom. The "Keep Calm and Drink Tea" message reminds me to keep my negative emotions in check during stressful times at work.

I love this mismatched white and gold teacup and saucer. I bought the orphan teacup for only a quarter at a garage sale a few years ago and found the saucer last summer at a local thrift store. 

A few weeks ago, I accidentally broke the handle off. Whoops! I reattached it using super glue, but I didn't know if the repaired handle can be trusted to support a full cup of hot tea...so now this Paragon teacup functions as a teabag holder.

My other teawares were also repurposed to store stationery supplies and odds and ends.

 This stackable silver teapot was from a church rummage sale a few years ago.

This Murchie's tea tin was a thrift store find. 

This cute mug has a crack on its left side and now serves as a pen holder.

Last Wednesday, my co-workers and I welcomed the first day of fall with another social tea!

 I brought in my retro teacups by JAJ Pyrex. This pattern is called " Autumn Glory".

Of course, we drank pumpkin teas!

I look forward to trying more pumpkin-flavoured teas this season!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Tea Cup Tuesday
Mosaic Monday

Baby Love

Back in August, I hosted a baby shower for a close friend who's due to have her first baby at the end of this month. The mom-to-be is a bibliophile so the baby shower had a book theme!

It was fun acquiring children's classic and contemporary books for the baby's starter library. It's never too early to instill a love reading!

The stairs and coffee table's book decor.

The gender of the baby will be a surprise to all!

The Appetizers

Top: The Stinky Cheese Man and crackers

 Bottom: The Rainbow Fish crackers (Thank you to Michele from The Nest at Finch Rest for inspiring the use of the clear teapot!)

The Luncheon

Top: Tony's Bread (middle); A is for Salad (right)

 Special shout-out to my mom who cooked the delicious dishes:  

Strega Nona's Vermicelli Noodles (bottom left); Pigs' Pork in Pineapple Sauce (bottom middle); Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Chicken's with Mushrooms (bottom right)

The Sweets

Left: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Platter

 Right: Each Peach Pear Plum's Peaches in Light Syrup (top); The Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Tray (middle); Franklin the Turtle Chocolates (bottom)

The Curious George Belgian Chocolate Chip Banana Cake by La Rocca Cakes.

 Of course, I had to infuse some tea elements into the baby shower!

 

The mom-to-be gifted me this cute elephant teapot years ago.

"Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea: 'One table-spoonful to be taken at bedtime'."

 

 The sign on the bathroom door.

The shower favours.

I look forward to sharing my favourite children's books (The Velveteen Rabbit and The Paper Bag Princess are my all-time faves!) with my friend's little one!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
 Mosaic Monday

Reign

On September 9th, I attended the Dundas Museum and Archives' pop-up exhibit, "Duty and Destiny," which celebrated the historic occasion of Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning British monarch.

  "A Canadian Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

A remarkable legacy of royal artefacts"

 Left: A George VI Coronation Chair (May 12, 1937)

Right: Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Stool (June 2, 1953)

This bone china cup and saucer were part of the personal service of Queen Victoria 

(Minton, circa 1851).

This porcelain cup and saucer were part of the service from "Edward Prince" Ranch, Alberta (circa 1919) which was owned by the Prince of Wales during 1919-1962.

  

The guests sang "God Save the Queen". Everyone knew the lyrics except for me so I lip synced!

Afterwards, we took a group photo that will be sent to the Queen. Had I known that I would be part of a photo that the Queen may (or may not) see, I would have dressed in fancier attire!

Cake time!

To my disappointment, tea was not served with the delicious cake.

The Canadian 50-cent coins given to the guests as a commemorative keepsake.

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Tea Cup Tuesday
Mosaic Monday

Old School

On the eve of the new academic year, I'm sharing images of my Royal Grafton teacup at McMaster University.

 I took advantage of the quiet summer hiatus to tour and photograph my teacup on the University grounds.

Archways around campus.

The best place to escape the campus' hustling and bustling for a tea moment is Divinity College's tranquil gardens.

Left: The interior of the teacup is decorated with pink roses.

Right: The Royal Grafton backstamp.

Senator William McMaster, the founder of McMaster University, enjoys a cup of tea. 

Could the Senator have imagined that 125 years after he founded McMaster University, his institution of higher education will have over 26,000 full-time students starting their classes tomorrow?

In addition to the new school year, September also brings Stephanie from The Enchanting Rose's long awaited fall tea cup and mug exchange! Please click here for more info on how to sign up for all the fun!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Tea Cup Tuesday
Mosaic Monday