A Crooked Teacup

Last April, I rescued some vintage bone china teacups from my office's swap fair.

 

 

One of the teacups was Royal Albert's Old Country Roses design.

When I arrived home, I realized that the teacup was crooked!

 

But the flawed teacup is still functional and will be enjoyed at tea time!

A Belated Birthday Present

A few weeks ago, I met up with a childhood friend who I hadn't seen in years. She missed my birthday party in January 2020 because of a snowstorm (one of the hazards of having a January birthday), and then the pandemic and life happened...

When finally got together last month, she brought my 2020 birthday gift, which I had totally forgotten about! Even though my friend and I hadn't seen each other in years, we picked up right where we left off!

 

 

I was delighted to receive this beautiful vintage bone china teacup.

 

 

This dainty teacup is part of Royal Albert's "Summertime Series".

 

 

October tea empties

What I have already restocked:
1) Dessert by Deb's Orange Ginger Shortbread rooibos
2) Stash's Decaf Pumpkin Spice black tea

A Royal Albert OCR teapot ornament

This week I'm sharing another treasure that I found at a church rummage sale recently.

 

 

This Royal Albert Old Country Roses teapot ornament was only $5!

 

 

I can't wait to hang this beauty on my tea-themed Christmas tree this year!

A Royal Albert Teacup

 Let's kick off April with a pretty pink floral teacup!

 

I found this vintage Royal Albert bone china teacup at a church rummage sale a few years ago.

 

 

I love teacups that are decorated inside!

 

 

The back design

Church rummage sales season is just around the corner...I look forward to hunting for more teacups!

A pink truck and pink teacup

In October, the Mississauga Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund sell Pink Truck Tour gear (t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, quarter-zip sweaters, hoodies, and baseball caps) to raise funds for the Trillium Health Partners’ Cancer Program. The Pink Truck Tour has raised more than $1,000,000 since 2014!

 

 

I was more than happy to buy a hoodie and contribute to their 10-year anniversary goal of raising $100,000 this year!

 

 

A pink teacup in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

 

This Royal Albert Lady Carlyle teacup belongs to my mom who was influenced to get it by her teacup-loving daughter!

An Impromptu Tea Party

 Last weekend, I had an impromptu tea party at my parents' place.

My mom purchased these pretty Royal Albert Lady Carlyle teacups and saucers several years ago.

The teapot is by Royal Oak China and was gifted to her by a family friend.

We enjoyed Dessert by Deb's delicious Pink Velvet Strawberry Charlotte Cake green tea. I've never actually had a Charlotte Cake before, but I enjoyed the green tea's fruity flavour!

Our  tea time treat was a mocha roll.

Life is short! 

Use the fine china!

Royal Teas for the Coronation

 Did you get up early last Saturday to watch King Charles' coronation?

 Of course, I had tea to celebrate this historic occasion. 

 

Saturday Morning Coronation Tea

Buckingham Palace's Strawberry and Vanilla Cake black tea was served in my Thames Riverside London teapot and sipped from my Paragon teacup.

A delicious banana chocolate chip scone accompanied my cup of tea.

 

Sunday Afternoon Coronation Tea

Monarch Tea Co's Tangerine Dream herbal tea in my Royal Albert teacup. My tea time treat was a berry and white chocolate scone.

 

My next royal tea will celebrate a new era:

💜💜💜 July 7, 2023 💜💜💜

Cottonwood Mansion's Heritage Tea Blend

I've been on the hunt for a creamy lavender tea that is NOT a Lavender Earl Grey. So I was excited when I found out that one of my favourite tea companies, Monarch Tea Co., created Cottonwood Mansion's very own tea blend.

 

"The Cottonwood Heritage Blend is a vanilla cream black tea with lavender buds and rose petals, and is inspired by Victorian tea blends." (Source)

 

 Sipping the tea in my Royal Albert Lavender Rose teacup.

It was a delicious creamy tea with light floral notes.

 

 Photo Credit: Jessi McConnell / Cottonwood Mansion Museum

The Cottonwood Mansion Museum is a country estate that was built in 1860-70 and converted into a "living museum that encourages the public to experience the heritage of the Victorian era". 

Cottonwood Mansion offers special events such as the Classic Car Show (love the purple car!!!), Farmer's Market, Craft & Tractor Show, and afternoon tea. The Mansion and green space can be rented for wedding and private events.

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I wished that I lived closer so that I could join one of their charming afternoon tea events!

 

Church Garage Sale Haul #3

The final church garage sale didn't disappoint with the tea-related treasures. 

I couldn't resist getting three (3) teacups for only $2 each.

 

Teacup #1: The August teacup from the Royal Albert Flower of the Month series

 

Teacup #2: "K" from Paragon's Flower Festival series

 

Teacup #3:I loved the seafoam green colour. 

The backstamp looks new, but I can't read the pottery's name. Can you make it out?

 

Tea cozy #1: The blue embroidery is so pretty!

 

Tea cozy #2: Time for Tea!

 

This vase gave Murano glass (from Italy) vibes. But my online research says it's likely a vintage vase (circa 1970s?) from Japan...

 

This plastic tray is perfect for outdoor tea times.

 

I got this basket...

...to display my teacups!

 

Church Garage Sale Haul #2: More Teacups!

The second church garage sale I went to last month was selling teacups and saucers for only 25 cents each! I was tempted to buy ALL the teacups, but I restrained myself and only brought 4 teacups home with me.

 

 

Teacup #1 is by Hammersley and decorated with dainty rosebuds. It's smaller than the average teacup.

 

 

Teacup #2 is also made in England, but doesn't have the pottery's stamp.

 

 

Teacup #3 is by Queen Anne and is perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

 

 

Teacup #4 is a mismatched violets set of a Colcough teacup and a Royal Albert saucer.

 

When I arrived home, I discovered that I had a Colcough saucer with violets! The teacup is older than the saucer, but I think they make the perfect match!

First haul of garage sale season!

I went to this season's first church garage sale with low expectations...and ended up scoring a great haul!

How  cute is this Easter-themed decorative dish?

Love the vibrant colours of this knitted tea cozy. A tea friend said it looks like cotton candy!

I was thrilled to get my hands on this pretty pair of Lenox Butterfly Meadow Monarch mugs.

I also couldn't leave behind two orphaned teacups...

Orphan Teacup #1 was Fine Bone China England

I enjoy playing matchmaker to my cups and saucers and found the perfect saucer (Paragon's Spring Melody) in my collection for the teacup. Alas, in my excitement, I accidentally banged the teacup when I washed it, which resulted in a huge crack. Whoops! So maybe I'll repurpose it as garden decor.

Orphan Teacup #2 is by Royal Kent.

This teacup was matched with a Royal Albert Serena saucer from my collection.

The Easter dish, tea cozy, 2 mugs, and 2 teacups cost me a grand total of seven (7) dollars!

A Thrifty Teapot

Me: I'm going to stop buying teapots.

Narrator: She's not going to stop buying teapots.

 

My eagle eyes spotted this beauty sitting on the top shelf at a thrift store...

 

...and was shocked by the price tag: $5.99 CAD

 

Reason for the low price: the lid had a hairline fracture

But this didn't bother me since it didn't affect the function of the teapot.

 

I was delighted to give Royal Albert's "Lady Angela" a good home!

Birthday teas

Last week, I turned another year older.

I'm grateful for all the birthday messages, texts, calls, and cards from family and friends. These tea-themed cards are so me!

 

My birthday week kicked off with a virtual Mad Hatter Tea Party with my 5-year-old godson. The Itty Bitty Prettys Tea Party Surprise was my present!

In my Royal Albert January teacup: Geek+Tea's Butterbeer black tea.

Birthday week teas that I enjoyed:

Left: Tealise's Organic Birthday Tea was a tasty tropical black blend (mango and passionfruit).

Right: Harney & Son's Celebration was a delicious fruity black tea with some subtle floral notes.

 

I also drank these yummy cake- and pie-inspired teas during the week:

1) Dessert by Deb's Chocolate Orange Biscuit Cake black and rooibos tea

2) Dessert by Deb's Coconut Pie Chai black tea

3) Tea Amo's Chocolate Perfection Pie Hojicha (roasted green tea)

4) Clearview Tea's Gingerbread Pear Cake green tea