Time Was Antiques Family Blog

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Valentine's Day, Emma Hearts

2012-02-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I am joining several blog parties on this special day including Tuesday Cuppa Tea with Antiques And Teacups and Valentine's Day Tea with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage. There is a list of others at the end of the post. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

I shared the milk free Spritz cookies a few blog posts ago and we are finishing the last today with tea. In case you missed the recipe, just click on the photo to go to the blog post with the recipe.

From the archives of Time Was Antiques, here is my favorite Valentine's Day tea mugs by Emma Bridgewater, England. The pattern of the top is Hearts and the bottom is Love & Kisses. I love her designs, and always visit...and buy...when we visit the UK and they are gone! I always say I'll save one, then forget, and then kick myself! I am especially fond of Emma Bridgewater because that was my grandmother's name!

I hope your Valnetine's Day is a wonderful feast of love! Here are 2 special Valentine's Day poems...one new and one an old favorite...about love.

Compatible Valentine On Valentine’s Day, I think about
The people who are dear,
How much they add to life’s delight
Whenever they are near.You’ve always been a total joy,
Such pleasant company,
I very much appreciate
Our compatibility!By Joanna Fuchs

How Do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being an ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the Breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barret Browning

I would also like to remind you to visit Antiques And Teacups to enter their drawing for an Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee mug. Just click on the photo.

Have a great Valentine's Day vising the wonderful blog parties!

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
TuesdayCuppa Tea

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Angela http://teawithfriends.blogspot.com/

Tea WithFriends

Miss Kathy http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com

http://www.attitudeivlife.blogspot.com/p/afternoon-tea.html Afternoon Tea

Letters Surface About Wallis Simpson And King Edward VIII

2012-02-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share this video from CBS news that is tied to Madonna's new movie WE for Wallis and Edward, King Edward VIII and divorcee Wallis Simpson, whom he abdicated the throne of England to marry. The videa includes info about a new book with exerpts of letters the author recently found by Wallis to her ex husband. I found it very interesting and wanted to pass it on.

If Edward had not abdicared to marry Wallis, King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth would not have been king and therefore no Prince William in the lineup down the road. England also may well have caved to Hitler, as Edward was a know Nazi sympathizer.

As Noel Coward said "There should be a statue of Wallis Simpson in every English village for saving the nation in time of war".

The video below starts with a commercial of course....sigh....

Dudson Jasperware Cheese Dome And Pitcher, Antique Valentines

2012-02-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hi there! I hope your weekend is going well. I am stoked because it's almost Valentine's Day, our anniversary and I had a great conversation with a customer who is a Dudson jasperware collector. Most people have heard of jasperware, but automatically think of Wedgwood when they do. But...other companies made it as well.

Jasperware is a matte finish stoneware that usually has a contrasting color applied decoration, often referred to as sprigged. The colors are varied from black to white and everything in between. Here is a typical piece of Wedgwood jasperware.

Other companies have made jasperware over it's 200 year history but are not as famous as Wedgwood. These include Adams,Copeland, Castleton and Dudson. I really like them all. But I recently had 2 pieces of Dudson jasperware that I sold to a Dudson collector. She has been collecting for 25 years and we had a great phone discussion about jasperware, Dudson and England. Dudson manufactured jasperware down through the 1960s. But the best made were the older Victorian pieces. Here are the pitcher and cheese dish or cheese dome the collector purchased. Note the lovely work on the applied design. Just as nice as Wedgwood.

the Jasperware category at Time Was Antiques is here: JASPWEWARE

And this is really the fun part...and doesn't always happen. The collector sent me photos of how the items she purchased fit in with her current collection.

Can you spot the pitcher and cheese dome on the shelf above the bottom shelf? A lovely collection and I loved seeing where my items will be living. So nice to send them off to a loving home!

Have a great weekend and enjoy Valentine's Day. You might want to visit Sandi on Monday for her Valentine's Day Tea.

And also join Antiques And Teacups on Tuesday for Tuesday Cuppa Tea:

Where there is a great drawing coming up:

Happy Valentine's Day!

Queen Elizabeth Photo - First As Queen, Never Seen

2012-02-09T16:52:00.000-08:00

I had to post this! This was the first photo taken after the Princess Elizabeth became queen at 25 after her father, King George VI's death in 1952. The sitting was commissioned by the queen from photographer Kenneth Clayton, a BBC photographer. He has just released some of the photo shoot in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Wonderful photos and a letter from the Queen.
The article in The Mail Online can be seen at this link.

Revealed for the first time in 60 years: First pictures of Elizabeth as Queen unveiled among family portraits taken after the death of her father King George

Happy 200th Birthday Charles Dickens, Teacup Thursday, Win Trip To Downton Abbey

2012-02-07T20:01:00.000-08:00

Today, Feb. 7th is the 200th anniversary of Charles Dicken's birth, and has been a day of celebration all over the world. I am late posting about this because of the Queen's Ascension Day yesterday which took precedence! I am joining Teacup Thursday with Miss Spenser and Vintage Thingie Thursday with Coloradolady as well.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla participated in a service at Westminster Abbey in London, England today honouring one of the most famous novelists of all time. A wreath was laid on the novelist's tomb in Poets' Corner. rince Charles and Camilla then visited the Dicken's House Museum in London.

As part of the commemorative day, Dicken's novels are being read allowed in public places in nations all over the world, plays are staged and many TV reruns of plays are in progress or will be over the next few months. Many leading actors from Dicken's productions were at the Abbey for the service.

So I have chosen a Rosina, England teacup that was made in the 1950s to be sold at The Old Curiosity Shop in London, famed for the novel of the same name by Dickens.

I have had all sorts of pieces in the pattern. I just love it. And this is not the only Dicken's china there is:

A Lancaster & Sandland, England cheese dish from the 1920-1930s with Oliver Twist saying Oliver Twist Asks For More.

A Sam Weller character jug from The Pickwick Papers by SylvaCeramics.

A Lancaster dish from the 1930s in purple luster that says Sairey Gamp Entertains Betsy Prig from Martin Chuzzlewitt.

Another rendering of Sairey Gamp from Martin Chuzzlewitt by New Hall pottery also from the 1930s.

And Mr. Pecksniff from Martin Chuzzlewitt also by New Hall in the 1930s. All of these and more are available at Time Was Antiques. Just click on the photos.

Charles Dickens had a dramatic effect not only as a writer but as a crusader for improved conditions in England, and laterally of the world. His depictions of poverty, child labor, child crime, the workhouse and the social ills of his time were a voice for change and improvement. He lives on as a writer of incredible depth, humor and pathos...the supreme storyteller...and as a man ahead of his time in working for those who were often preyed upon in English society.

Happy Birthday Sir!

And for Downton Abbey fans...PBS has just announced the Masterpiece Classic Sweepstakes. Win a trip a personal VIP tour of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey and afternoon tea wth Lady Caenarvon! The trip is Sept. 17-22, 2012! Airfare, transfers, Hotels stays...the lot! Also Leeds Castle. To enter daily, here is the link:

PBS Masterpiece Classic Sweepstakes Downton Abbey

Ascension Day Message From Queen Elizabeth II, Tuesday Cuppa Tea

2012-02-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

There were gun salutes in London and Edinburgh to mark the 60th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II today.

Queen Elizabeth gave a statement of thanks to her well wishers on Feb. 6th, her Ascension Day.

Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.

In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.

I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.

I send my sincere good wishes to you all.

ELIZABETH R.

Taken from The British Monarchy website

And a special Diamond Jubilee website has been launched with information on the special activities for the Diamond Jubilee Year...or rather half year, because of the Olympics in London and enviorons in July.

Diamond Jubilee website

Among the tributes, Prince Charles is spearheading a program of planting forests and protecting others in several areas of Britain called Jubilee Woods.

Prince William also launched the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge to protect and add to playing fields in the UK.

Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge

I haven't forgotten it's Tuesday...time for Tuesday Cuppa Tea with Antiques And Teacups.

This is an ironstone coronation mug from Johnson Brothers, England. The design was one of those from a group of approved designs for the coronation so you will see it by other makers as well. I think it is a very attractive design with great colorful graphics! Available at Time Was Antiques.

I am joining the other tea related blog parties. Have a great day and God Save the Queen!

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
TuesdayCuppa Tea

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Angela http://teawithfriends.blogspot.com/

Tea WithFriends

Miss Kathy http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com

http://www.attitudeivlife.blogspot.com/p/afternoon-tea.html Afternoon Tea

Queen Elizabeth Attends Service To Mark Her Ascending To Throne 60 Years Ago

2012-02-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

85 year old Queen Elizabeth II braved 20 degree weather and snow to attend a local 45 minute church service near Sandringham House in Norfolk today for prayer to begin her Diamond Jubilee, or 60th year on the throne. Her father George VI died there at Sandringham in 1952 on February 6th. The Queen and royal family even managed a 15 minute walk about receiving flowers and good wishes from the brave souls who were there in the record cold weather for England.

The Queen's Jubilee Year symbol or emblem was chosen from 35,000 entries in a contest sponsored by the Jubilee Trust and Blue Peter, an English children's program. The winner was Katherine Dewar of Chester. There is a neat video about the contest, winning design and Katherine at the following link:

Queen's Diamond Jubilee emblem revealed

Among other Diamond Jubilee doings, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall launched a contest among school children in a competition to prepare a dish for the Queen in honour of her Diamond Jubilee. The competition is called Cook For The Queen and here is a video about the competition below:

Feb. 6th Begins Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee

2012-02-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 6th begins the 60th Diamond Jubilee year of the ascension to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II. On Feb. 6th 1952 her father King George VI succumbed to pneumonia after battling lung cancer for several year at Sandringham House, Nofolk make Princess Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth II, although the coronation would not be held until 1953. Lots of preparations needing to be made.

Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya with Prince Philip representing the ailing king. Both my family and my husband's family have always felt that the pneumonia was the result of having gone to the airport to see the Princess Elizabeth off on her journey but refused to wear the hat Queen Elizabeth his wife, the Queen Mum, had urged him to wear on a cold and rainy day. The new queen hurried home.

The Diamond Jubilee having been reached, puts Queen Elizabeth II into the special category of longest reigning monarch along with Queen Victoria who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

I had planned to start my coverage of the Jubilee Year tomorrow, by the Times Online had a marvelous article that I wanted to share with you. The following photos are from the article and are depictions of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

I remember hearing much about the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Vicotoria from my grandmother, Emma Bridgewater nee Rice pictured below:

My grandmother was 16 and living in Leicester. She had recently had scarlet fever so could take only a small part in the festivities. She watched the preparations from her window as the neighbors hauled tables and chairs into the streets for the block or neighbourhood parties that were occuring all over England. All the houses were decorated with bunting and flags and it was a festive time.

In the town square the mayor was having a huge celebratory bonfire and roasted oxen prepared and farmers had brought in potatoes by the sack full to roast in the coals, something that was a normal thing for Guy Fawkes' Day bonfires. When the evening arrived, my grandmother was not well enough to attend the bonfire and ox roast but was taken in the family carriage, wrapped in blankets and shawls with a foot warmer box filled with hot coals to at least watch the firework display. She said it was one of her most vivid memories. People sang, cried and cheered and toasted Queen Victoria. A wonderful occasion!

I will be sharing frequently about various plans for the Diamond Jubilee in the days ahead.

The Jubilee Year of 2012 is actually been truncated to a Jubilee Half Yrae because of the Olympic Summer Games being hosted in London beginning in July 2012. Considering the health of Prince Philip, that's probably a good thing. And the Queen herself is 85. As our families always say..."Our Liz...she's brilliant!"

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Moorland Heart Mug, Heart Necklaces, Heart Cookies

2012-01-30T22:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday! Time to join Tuesday Cuppa Tea and the other wonderful tea related blogs. Because Valentinr's Day is fast approaching I have a heart theme.

This is a neat ironstone mug from Moorland Potteries in Staffordshire, England, a contemporary English potter. The mug was made in 1988 and I love the stenciled heart design. So simple but cute!

And what about heart necklaces?

Perhaps a 14kt gold one with 8 diamonds?

Or perhaps a vintage Wedgwood jasperware and sterling silver necklace featuring the cherub Eros? Lots to think of....You can see more of these items and more at Time Was Antiques by clicking on the photos.

Or maybe just a heart cookie...Cardamom Spritz with pistachios from Stylish Cuisine?

Cardamom Spritz Cookies
Recipe by Mary Ellen Rae, printed in the Los Angeles Times

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg yolks
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 cup sparkling decorative sugar
1/4 cup chopped pistachio nuts

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and beat for one minute. Add the vanilla extract and egg yolks and beat an additional minute.

Sift together the flour and salt. Spoon the flour mixture into the butter mixture and add the cardamom. Beat on low speed, then increase to medium and mix until the batter is combined.

Spoon the dough into a cookie press and press out onto ungreased baking sheets. In a small bowl, combine the sparkling sugar and the pistachio nuts, then sprinkle some on each cookie.

Bake just until the edges of the cookies start to turn a pale golden color, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet immediately and cool on a wire rack. The cookies will firm up as they cool. When they are completely cool, store in an airtight container. They may be kept frozen up to two months.

Yield: ~ 5 dozen cookies

Hearts are definitely the thing! Enjoy visiting the tea related blogs I am joining below3 and have a great day!

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
TuesdayCuppa Tea

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Angela http://teawithfriends.blogspot.com/

Tea WithFriends

Miss Kathy http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com

http://www.attitudeivlife.blogspot.com/p/afternoon-tea.html Afternoon Tea

Pink Saturday, Pink Teapot, Cath Kidston Book

2012-01-27T17:14:00.000-08:00

Hello! It's Pink Saturday with How Sweet The Sound again. What a fun blog party!

Today I have a pink teapot in a pattern called Summerfield from Royal Patrician who closed in 2009. It was a great quality English made pottery, and is definitely missed! And the teapot is...pink!

The teapot is quite large and I like it's traditional shape, like the brown betty teapots that speak of home and hearth and everything homey...or if you're a Brit...homely!

To see the teapot at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

They other day at a local flea market I chanced on a hardback book by noted designed Cath Kidston called Vintage Style - Creating A Complete Look For Your Home from 1999.

I have shopped at Cath's stores in the UK and have a Cath Kidston designed Google Chrome homepage. Even her end papers in the book are so Cath Kidston!

The book has both text and lots of gorgeous color photos of her own house.

I loved this closet with different comforters, blankets and covers. I tried to choose pages with pink!

Have a great Pink Saturday and enjoy your weekend!

Teacup Thursday, Scottish Themes For Burns Night

2012-01-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

January 25th, or around that date, is celebrated in many parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate the birthday of Robert Burns, the famous poet. So I am joining Teacup Thursday with Miss Spenser and Vintage Thingie Thursday with Coloradolady with that in mind.

This Shelley China, England teacup has a thistle theme...perfect for drinking a cup of tea in honor of the Scottish post. The cup and saucer is in the Cambrodge shape and was made between 1955 and when the pottery closed in 1966. I love the thistle pattern!

And here is a hand made vintage plaid tea cozy to go with it...albeit in a clashing red...with a white heather and purple thistles scottish motif:

Burns Night is celebrated with Scottish themed dinners, recitations, toasts. A wee dram is expected to be raised in his honor! Neeps and tatties for sure...who knows...haggis, anyone? And why not a Burns theme tea party?

A famous Robert Burns quote can also apply to the tea table:

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
-Robert Burns

To see more of the Shelley teacup or tea cozy at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Wedgwood Austen Family China

2012-01-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

Today is Tuesday Cuppa Tea which I am joining hosted by Antiques And Teacups.

I am also joining the blog parties below and especially Sandi for her Tea Time Tuesday 2nd birthday blog party! Happy birthday Sandi!

I want to share a Wedgwood Moss Rose Queen's Ware teacup today which I chose because of the roses and a Wedgwood/Jane Austen connection.

The set dates to the 1940s, but Moss Rose is one of the oldest recorded china patterns...dating back to the 17th century. I love the ribbed Edme shape of this version...so tactile! You can see more of the teacup at Time Was Antiques by clicking on the photos.

Sandi's blog is Rose Chintz Cottage so that is my reason for choosing this teacup for today.

But there was a Jane Austen link as well. As I was looking for a tea quote, I came across an account in the book Tea With Jane Austen by Kim Wilson of Jane Austen accompanying her brother Edward Austen Knight (Edward was adopted by a wealthy relative and so added Knight to the Austen family name) and niece to Wedgwood to choose china. The pattern was a small lozenge in purple between gold lines and the Knight family crest was to be added.

photo from Sotheby's

With a little research, I found out the the dinner set had been on display for years at the Chawton, England Jane Austen's House Museum.
The sad part from my researches is that the china was sold at auction by Sotheby's in Dec. 2010 because of financial reasons by a member of the Knight family. I was unable to find what it sold for but the pre sale estimate was for 50,000 to 70,000 pounds. I hope someone bought the set and gave it back to a museum!

I am joining the following tea related blog parties whom I hope you will visit:

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
TuesdayCuppa Tea

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Angela http://teawithfriends.blogspot.com/

Tea WithFriends

Miss Kathy http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com

http://www.attitudeivlife.blogspot.com/p/afternoon-tea.html Afternoon Tea

Secrets Of The Manor House on PBS tonight

2012-01-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

For you fans of Downton Abbey who like a more documentary, scholarly approach to what living in an English Edwardian stately home was like, PBS airs Secrets Of The Manor House tonight on PBS. On our PBS it is at 7pm just prior to last week's episode which is aired just before tonight's episode. It looks very interesting.

The Edwardian era, named for the time Edward VII was king after the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 and stretching to the crowning of George V in 1910 is an era that is fascinating for it being so transitional on so many levels in English society, affecting the home, economy, government and individual right. I love the insights.
Here is a preview video from the PBS site:

Watch Secrets of the Manor House - Preview on PBS. See more from Secrets of the Manor House.

Pink Saturday, Pink Rose Ceramic Horse Brass

2012-01-20T20:04:00.000-08:00

I am joining the Pink Saturday blog party hosted by Beverly of How sweet the Sound. I have a pink rose patter, ceramic center English horse brass to share.

I thought I would share this, because it's something we sell a lot of, but not many people know what they are. Horse brasses are brass ornaments that were...and still are...used to decorate the harnesses of draft horses as well as identify the owner. Horse brasses were developed sometime in the 15th century as good luck charms or amulets of protection and developed over the years into decorative items for harnessing. They were made for all manner of occasions from royalty to clubs, organizations, guilds or trade unions, travel souvenirs and you name it!

They were morphrd into decorative items in the early part of the 20th century and became popular to hang in pubs and in homes around the fireplace as a look back to the Victorian era when they were wildly popular as there were so many horses in harness. They were reproduced in several areas of England until the 1970s and now you can find tourist brasses that are made in China. But they are easy to spot when you know what to look for.

This is a more traditional horse brass from 1898 commemorating the famous English jockey Fred Archer. Fred Archer was the greatest jockey of the 19th century by winning the Derby 5 times but killed himself in 1886 and became a bit of a legend.

The rose design ceramic center horse brass was made in the 1960s as a decorative item and is very pretty. I have actually seen some used on horses in the UK, but they are usually only hung on the wall.

A fun Englsh collectible. To see more horse brasses at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

Monarchy On YouTube Diamond Jubilee Videos of Reign Queen Elizabeth II

2012-01-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

No surprise I'm a royalist....

Queen Elizabeth II has released a compilation of YouTube videos showing various events and visits during her soon to be 60 year reaig, I thought you might like to visit and see some of them. There are some fabulous ones...I just spent about an hour going through them....Here is the link:

Royal Channel on YouTube Jubilee video playlist

Cheers!

2012-01-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday Cuppa Tea and the other great tea related blog parties below.! I am joining...a bit late today. Life happens!

I chose this pretty Shelley China, England turquoise cup because of the snowflake theme in the center. January always speaks to me of snow and cold. This year has been a very dry one for us in the Pacific Northwest so far. It was supposed to be another La Nina which means wet and cold but hasn't been anything like the long, cold, wet winter we had last year to date.

Back to the teacup...which is in the Lincoln shape and was made between 1963 and 1966 when the pottery closed. I love the elegance and the pretty gold decoration!
To see more on the teacup and other Shelley China items at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

Ever wonder what the British Royal Family receives when they visit other countries? The goft lists for 2011 were released by the press office today and I thought you might like to see them. They are quite fun.

Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall :

1) PORTUGAL, SPAIN & MOROCCO (28th March - 6th April 2011)
Gifts Received by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
2) KUWAIT, QATAR, SOUTH AFRICA & TANZANIA (31st October - 10th
November 2011)
Gifts Received by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall

Gifts

I see the received a camel saddle...don't think they will have much use in London for that...Highgrove either, for that matter!

Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge:

1) New Zealand and Australia (17th - 21st March 2011)
Gifts received by HRH The Duke of Cambridge
2) Canada and the USA (30th June - 10th July 2011)
Gifts received by TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Gifts

Lots of hats!!!!

Have a wonderful day and enjoy visiting the other Tuesday tea realted blogs!

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
TuesdayCuppa Tea

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

LadyKatherine~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Teatime Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Ruth ~ http://timewasantiquesfamily.blogspot.com

TuesdayCuppa Tea

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Angela http://teawithfriends.blogspot.com/

Tea WithFriends

TuesdayAfternoon Tea http://attitudeivlife.blogspot.com/

Miss Kathy http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com

Jane Austen and Downton Abbey. A great night of TV

2012-01-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

What a fabulous night of TV last night! It rarely happens in our neck of the woods and on our modest TV package...basic + Fox Soccer channel!!! But we have a PBS...struggling at the moment, but there.

First we had Jan Austen's Persuasion with Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones which is a very good shortened version of the book. I actually like Amanda Root's Anne Elliott a bit better, and the longer version has more of my favorite book moments, but a good Jane Austen at any length is a treasure!

Then we had Miss Austen Regrets...taken from many of Jane Austen's letters to her sister Cassandra and niece Fanny. The dramatization tries to establish the factors leading to her characterizations and story lines. The movie starts Olivia Williams who was Miss Fairfax in a PBS Emma and Hugh Bonneville from Lost In Austen and currently Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey.

Then we had the 2 hour opening episode of Downton Abbey. We so enjoyed being back to that great series! Although a bit more difficult to get through because of the warfare scenes, it was as absorbing as season 1. I was also so pleased that PBS US finally got smart and credited the American public for the ability to enjoy full length period drama. We in the USA got only 1/2 of season 1, as the PBS pundits thought the USA would be unable to follow or be interested in the concept of entailed inheritance and so sold the USA drastically trimmed versions. I was furious! But this season is the full length. Huzzah!!!!!

Roll on Sunday evening!

Happy Birthday To Kate, Duchess Of Cambridge

2012-01-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

I know the title isn't correct, but...

Jan. 9, 2012 if Catherine Windsor, nee Middleton's 30th birthday.

Happy Birthday Kate!

The photo above was apparently taken at Sandgringham during Christmas on the way to church but I couldn't find the attribution. The Duchess of Cambridge has announced several charities she will be a patron of including the Girl Scouts, a charity for drug addicts and early education.

2012 will be a busy year, as it combines the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II as well as the London Olympics. A full year indeed!

And in reference to my earlier post about a real and not fictional murder at Sandringham House, discovered while the royal family was in residence for Christmas, the body has been identified as a 17 year old that has been listed as missing. My heart goes out to her family.

Pink Saturday Wedgwood With Wedgwood News

2012-01-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

I am joining Pink Saturday with Beverley at How Sweet The Sound...late today, as life has intervened with a technology problems. I got a new data phone, had to wait for my phone number to get ported, and then kept waiting for the phone to kick in...to no avail. Finally, after 1 hour on the phone with techs, they told me I had to get get a new SIM card, mine was defective. Oh joy...and that meant another 2 hours at Costco...so the time I was going to do the blog post...poof!

Psalm 31:15a says My Times Are in His hands! So...

I am sure you are all familiar with Wedgwood, England jasperware, but for Pink Saturday...taa daa...pink jasper! Jasperware has always been a favorite. I was broken hearted when Wedgwood moved production in 1992 to Indonesia, and more saddened when it went into bankruptcy as part of Waterford Wedgwood. But the Museum in Barlaston, a district of Stoke-on-Trent with the fabulous Wedgwood collection would continue to be open.

But fast forward to 2010, hard economic times, and a group sued the company to get money for the failed pension scheme from 2009. A judge ruled in early 2011 that the museum and contents would have to be auctioned off piece by piece to replace the failed pension scheme. And while I appreciate and sympathize with those who had their pensions ended, the thought of that wonderful place being closed or the items being dispersed and never possible be available for people to see was devastating. But...

Enter a hero on Christmas Eve! A Birmingham, England millionaire, John Caudwell, has agreed to buy the museum and contents and keep it together and open. Birmingham is where my husband and my family are from and we couldn't be happier. Whenever we are in England and are up by the family we take the 2 hour drive to Stoke and Barlaston and spend part of the day at the museum. The collection is fabulous, there are workmen there who demonstrate the process and the tea room is fab!

John Caudwell said "Selling the off the collection would be a tragedy" and we certainly agree! Thank you John, for saving a National treasure!

To read the article in the Telegraph Online click here:
Wedgwood saved

To see Wedgwood jasperware at Time Was Antiques, click on the pink Jasperware plate photos.

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Mug, Real murder at Sandringham

2012-01-02T16:43:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the first tea party Tuesday for 2012! I am joining Antiques And Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea and other great tea related blogs at the bottom of the post.

I chose a coronation mug from the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II today as my teacup...great for a big mug of builder's tea...if you like it steeped like my honey! This was a design used by many different potteries. You may not know that all designs have to be approved by the Crown before they can be used on memorabilia. The same approved designs then can be chosen by several different potteries, so you will often see the same design by several makers. The British Pottery Manufacturers Federation was the equivalent of a co op that sometimes had the individual potter's name as well as the federation, and sometimes not. For more info on the mug at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

On December 26th, I wrote about a village cozy mystery I read at Christmas featuring a housemaid in the employ of Queen Elizabeth II solving her second murder by assisting the Queen at Sandringham House. The book is entitled Murder At Sandringham House. I reported it here: Dec. 26th blog post:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Hello Teapot, Cornishware Teacup, Christmas At Sandringham

Well...I was shocked today to learn there has been a real murder victim discovered at Sandringham House. Here is a link to the article in the Telegraph Online

Now I just wonder if there's a Canadian housemaid on the scene.....To be continued....

Have a great time visiting the other tea related blogs below:

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Pam~ http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday
Wanda Lee~ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/
Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

LadyKatherine~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Teatime Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Happy New Year 2012! London Fireworks from Big Ben And the London Eye

2012-01-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all from Time Was Antiques! May this be a year of love, joy, health and prosperity for all!

Here is a video of the fireworks last night from the London Eye and Big Ben which was pretty spectacular from the Telegraph. Have a wonderful day today!

And a Happy New Year to you!

2011-12-31T09:34:00.000-08:00

And a Happy New Year to you! We always take time tonight to pray for God's blessing for the coming year and thank Him for His grace through the ending year.

In England and other areas of the UK, especially in Scotland where Hogmanay is celebrated as the New Year's tradition, First Footing plays an important part. The First Footer refers to the first person who crosses the threshhold after midnight and "seals yer fate" for the coming year. The First Footer should be a tall, dark and handsome man with a "dainty foot" and come with certain things:

photo from http://www.keblawben.com/wordpress/

Until the First Footer came in the front door after midnight, no one should enter or leave. The First Footer would knock, be asked to enter and do so with gifts in his pockets which have regional variations. The usual in my family's tradition was bread or sometimes salt, coal, coins and matches. In Scotland the bread is shortbread and also included...what else? Whiskey! The First Footer then backs out of the door...so he won't take his good luck with him. Then the door (and the party) is free for all!

The coal means your hearth won't grow cold, your bread is enough food, the coins insure prosperity and the matches, light.

First Footers who met the criteria, were in great demand and could make good money going from house to house by appointment.

So who will be first through your door??? I know who will be forst in our home, as He will never have left! A Happy New Year to you all and may 2012 be a year of health, prosperity, peace and happiness in our home and in yours!
Cheers!

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Hello Teapot, Cornishware Teacup, Christmas At Sandringham

2011-12-26T18:56:00.000-08:00

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed your Boxing Day. We watched all of the season 1 episodes of Downton Abbey on PBS last night back to back and are looking forward to season 2. A bit disappointed as the UK saw a Christmas special from the cast...but not here in the colonies!

My teacup for Tuesday Cuppa Tea with Antiques And Teacups is a T G Green blue and white Cornishware cup and saucer that was made in the 1980s. Cornishware has been an English kitchen staple for years. This particular design was by Judith Onions and is a bit of a different shape from the traditional cylinder. Kinda different! I love Cornishware!

And staying on the blue theme, this is such a cute teapot! Price Kensington, more famous for their Cottageware, made this funny little teapot in the 1970s. I think it's really funny! I love the hands and nose with the bug eyes peeking over the teapot rim! To see more of the teapot or teacup at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

I have taken a bit of time off the last few days when all the holiday prep and shipping of purchases slowed down to read a bit. There are several books with holiday themes I reread...some of which I have talked about in previous posts. This is one that seems to be in the must read swasonal pile:

I love so called Village Cosy mysteries, and if you do but haven't read this series by a Canadian from Prince Edward Island, CC Benison...(maybe that's Sandi of Rose Chintz in disguise???) you might want to find them. The heroine is a Canadian housemaid at Buckingham Palace who stumbles on...sometimes quite literally...a murder and with the help of Queen Elizabeth II, they solve the mystery.

Death At Sandringham House, where the Royal family always spends the Christmas holidays in Norfolk is the setting for this one and involves the Queen solving, with the help of housemaid Jane Bee, the murder of an actress in a local pantomime dresser up as her majesty...with the addition of the Duchess Of Windsor's missing tiara on her Hermes scarf. The fun of these mysteries is they are all set at one or the other of the royal palaces. Having been to the ones in question, the descriptions are dead on...of the public rooms at least, the only ones I have toured...including Buck House during the Queen's absence in summer. They are also very funny books.

I was especially interested in Sandringham House this year because of the heart problems of Prince Philip which caused him to have to miss the festivities. It was also Kate's first Christmas with Prince William at Sandgringham with the royal family, and she looked wonderful!

photo Mailonline.com

Have a wonderful time visiting the tea related blogs, some of which are listed below. If you missed my Boxing Day blog post with a Boxing Day Hunt video of with the Queen's annual message, they can be found in the 2 older posts below.

Cheers!

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Wanda Lee~  http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday
Pam~  http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday
Wanda Lee~  http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/
Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

LadyKatherine~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Teatime Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Happy Boxing Day!

2011-12-26T08:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Boxing Day! For those who aren't familiar with the British term, Boxing Day has no pugilistic connotations but refers to the weekday followingChristmas Day when the alms or "poor" offering boxes were opened and distributed to the needy.

Boxing Day gift giving began in the middle ages but was revived by Queen Victoria. After all the feasting of Christmas, the leftovers were distributed to the poor as well as monetary gifts. It was also a time to give gifts to the employees of the great houses and for the tradesmen that had served through the year. Gifts were given to postmen, delivery people, purveyors and shop keepers as well as any employees in your home or estate.

Boxing Day also includes lots of other opportunites that are more active...from after Christmas sales to fox hunting, which is a famous activity for Boxing Day. I found a great video of a 2007 fox hunt on You Tube which I have added at the end of the post.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your boxing Day. If you didn't see it, scroll down to the last post for the wonderful Christmas message from Queen Elizabeth II video I posted on my last post.
Cheers!

Four Shires Bloodhounds Boxing Day Meet 2007

The Queen's Annual Christmas message

2011-12-25T09:51:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you all! Here is the annual Christmas message for 2011 given by Queen Elizabeth II from Sandringham in Norfolk. I cried. Her annual messages are always special but this is really outstanding. Please watch:

Thursday Teacups And Tea Things, Angels And Vintage Santa

2011-12-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Thursday Teacups And Tea Things! The last before Christmas Sigh...It has certainly come quickly! I am also joining Vintage Thingie Thursday with Coloradolady and Teacup Thursday with Miss Spenser.

My teacup is actually a mug! A vintage Santa mug...thumbs up for hot chocolate, as far as I'm concerned! The mug is from 1979 and I think it is so cute! It is such a jolly old elf...Just the way I've always pictured Santa. But the way Santa is hoisting a mug, and the mug says Cheers! I have a feeling he's tippling something a bit more potent than hot chocolate. The other evening we were at a friend's party with eggnog...made of eggnog ice cream, whipping cream, milk, freshly grated nutmeg and a choice of a kick or not. It was the BEST eggnog I have ever tasted...even without the kick. Absolutely addictive...not to mention highly caloric!

Another vintage item is this Hammersley bell from 1971 with the curest metallic gold angels. I think it is so cute...and has a sweet, heavenly sound as well. The words inside the bell say:

When you mee ring,

I'll sweetly sing

And also on the vintage angel theme, heres a vintage English tea towel we found in Gloucester a couple of years ago:

The tea towel was originally made in 1980 as a fund raiser for a charity. I think it is so cute and so representative of the 1980s. Around the towel are words from the Christmas carol Deck The Halls. To see more of the mug or tea towel at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

And a last little mushroom church from my mantle decorations. I love them! It's hard to believe they are really made from fungus, but....

Have a wonderful day with the other blog parties and a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, London Ritz Book Of Christmas, Dunoon Santa Mug

2011-12-19T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to a Tuesday Cuppa Tea which I am joining with Antiques And Teacups.

The top of the china cabinet is decorated with a swag I did a few years ago and is adorned with a German Dresden paper star angel announcing the birth of Jesus.

But Santa, or Father Christmas is coming soon. I pulled out anothe Dunoon mugs from the Season't Greetings series by Richard Partis that features the jolly old elf himself!

Pretty cute, isn't it? And isn't he jolly! What a long list! For more info on the mug at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.

The perfect mug for a cup of seasonal teas. Here are 2 of our favorite Celestial Seasons this year. I favor the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride and my Honey likes the Gingerbread Spice best!

I can sit with a cup of tea while going through some of my seasonal books. One of my favorites is The Ritz Book Of Christmas which I picked up at the Ritz Hotel when we were there one year during the Christmas season and stopped for afternoon tea in the Palm Court. The book has Christmas lore and traditions, history of the Ritz and it's tea tradition and some marvelous recipes. I am sharing a simple one I like for Fruit And Nut Clusters.

Fruit And Nut Clusters

"Red and green are the classic Christmas colours and the decoration od red and green glace cherries on these delicious little chocolates carries on the theme. They look enchanting in individual gold or silver sweet cases, if you can get hold of them, but failing that, pack them into a gold or silver box tied up with red and green ribbon."

The recipe has both metric and cup measures, but I give only the cup measures here.

4 squares semi sweet chocolate, broken into small pieces

1 tbs light honey

3/4 cup mixed dried fruit

1/2 cup chopped nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts

red and green glace cherries for decoration

Place the chocolate and the honey in a bowl, then either stand this over a pan of hot water until the chocolate has melted, or put into a microwave on low power for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the fruit and nuts until they are well coated with chocolate. Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto waxed paper or parchment. Press a small piece of glace cherry into the top of each piece and leave in a cool place until set.

Have a wonderful day visiting the other blog parties. And have a cuppa tea with a friend!

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday
Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Lady Katherine~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Teatime Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

Thursday Teacups And Tea Things, Poinsettia Pitcher, Rocking Horse Teacup

2011-12-15T05:50:00.000-08:00

A a wonderful Thursday morning in the week before Christmas! It's Thursday Teacup And Tea Things! I am also joining Vintage Thingie Thursday with Coloradolady and Teacup Thursday with Miss Spenser.

I think the design of this little cup and saucer is so cute! Like a Swedish wooden horse turned into a folk art rocking horse for Christmas. The design isn't English but I really like it! The teacup was made in the late 1980s.

To go with it, I have this cool 1960s ceramic pitcher with a molded poinsettia design. Talk about making a statement! It is so bright and cheery...not to say eye popping as far as the color contrast is!

At one time I had a whole set including salt & pepper, cream and sugar etc. That was a vintage Christmas table! To see more info about the teacup or pitcher at Time Was Antiques click on the photos.

And here are a couple of ornaments from my tree, made from dough from the 1980s. We used to visit Ashland, Oregon, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for the plays. There was the Lithia craft market on Calle Guanajuato along Ashland Creek where I got these from an artisan. I have treasured them since! These were made from a walnut shell with a little critter having a snooze inside. I have some magnets on the fridge as well, and that year guess what everyone got for Christmas???!!!

Well, I hope you are getting ready for the holiday. We attended a Christmas party yesterday and have another this evening. Busy, busy, busy! But what a wonderful time of the year! Take some time to visit the other great blog parties!

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Gingerbread Christmas Tea Dunoon and Miss Read

2011-12-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

Happy sunny Dec. 12th! Hooray! We love the sun...we don't see it too terribly much in December here so it is wonderful!

I am joining Tuesday Cuppa Tea with Antiques And Teacups, Gingerbread Christmas Tea with Plumed Pen and the other tea related blogs at the bottom of the post.

I have another Christmas design tea mug by Dunoon to share today. This one I found at an estate auction. The mug is long discontinued and dates to 1990. It is stoneware and was made in Scotland, not England. But I love the nostalgic Christmas design.

I mentioned in a post a few days ago that Miss Read, a favorite author, had done only 2 Christmas volumes...and then I remembered...No Holly For Miss Quinn.

The story surrounds a career woman planning to paint her home instead of celebrating Christmas coming to the rescue of a beloved and overworked brother who's wife is ill. Miss Quinn comes to look after their children and learns some lessons about giving and loving. It is a lovely book with the usual wonderful illustrations by. J. Goodall that we have come to love.

The book has even influenced a pianist to write and record a song. This is from Enya in her album Shepherd's Moon :

And, lastly a Christmas cross stitch from the 1970s...one of the first Christmas pieces I did.

Please join the other blog parties and enjoy the holidays!

Ruth ~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday
Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Lady Katherine~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Teatime Tuesday

Sandi ~ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday