Summer Tablescapes

Welcome to my hydrangea garden! I feel as if I should reintroduce myself because it has been over a year since I have posted. Life situations can become overwhelming and I think you have all been there at one time. I have had these pictures for over a year but have not had the energy to put a blog post together! I'm thankful to have the desire again to share my love of flowers and table styling. Thank you for your prayers while I have been away.

This lovely vintage tablecloth was purchased in Spain in 1980, by my daughter-in-law's grandmother, "Grammy". She was visiting her son and family stationed in Madrid.  On an outing along the Costa del Sol this endearing tablecloth was found by Grammy and her daughter in law, Johanna.  I can imagine the fun day of shopping and exploring as they purchased this French Country piece. The embroidery and lace patchwork squares are exquisite. Grammy has gone on to be with the Lord now, but her good taste and appreciation of the art of handmade linens lives on.  I enjoyed visiting with her on several occasions and I know she would love seeing her tablecloth being used. 

Heirloom linens like this are so charming and take us back to a different era. I was honored to be asked to photograph these linens by my daughter-in-law's mother, Johanna, and  knew the perfect time would be when my hydrangeas bloomed. I love the different textures and colors in this floral arrangement. Ayesha, Nikko Blue, Endless Summer hydrangeas, and gardenias are placed in a footed sterling compote which holds a special meaning to me because it was a gift on our 25th wedding anniversary by my husband's parents.
Johann Haviland Bavarian teacups were my mother's. A cup of tea and macaroons are always a delight.I'm hoping I can reset these tables with new floral  arrangements when my grandchildren come in September so they can see these family heirloom   cloths. We will be inside because it will be very hot to have tea outside.                     

Hydrangeas have positive meanings. Pink hydrangeas symbolize heartfelt emotions and love, while purple hydrangeas tell someone you'd like to get to know them better. Blue hydrangeas represent forgiveness, understanding and gratitude.  

This tablecloth is a unique cloth, bought in Hong Kong when Johanna's grandfather was stationed in the Philippines in the 1930's or early 1940's. It has a delightful Chinese scene. The napkins are counted cross stitch and the tablecloth has some tiny forbidden stitches. 

Look closely at the intricate counted cross stitch pattern on the napkins. Accenting the linens are Horchow blue and white pottery plates with bamboo cutlery. A chinese pottery blue and white container with  Nikko Blue hydrangeas made a great centerpiece.

The embroidery features elements commonly found in traditional Chinese art and landscapes, such as a pagoda-like structure, mountains, a boat, and stylized trees, consistant with themes in Chinese embroidery.Source- Google.




In all ranks of life the human heart yearns for the beautiful; and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike. Harriet Beecher Stowe
Wishing you a delightful week. Everyday is a beautiful gift from God.

Spring Tea Party

I am happy to be a guest blogger for Tea on Tuesday with Pam@Everydayliving and Mary @Homeiswheretheboatis. Tea on Tuesday takes place on the third Tuesday of each month.At the end of this post you will find images and links to their beautiful posts.

"The spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort, and refinement." Arthur Gray

 My spring garden is bursting with blooms and signs of spring. The air is redolent with the fragrance of Confederate Jasmine and it is a gorgeous spring day. The birdsong is delightful. It is the kind of day you dream of during the dead of winter.Join me for tea, relax and enjoy the beautiful day.

The morning sun is shining on the new growth on the trees and the contrast of shades of green is beautiful. I've gathered some comfortable pillows from my guest room for the chairs.

Join me for tea and some treats from my favorite store, Trader Joe's.

This brass tray borrowed from a friend unifies the tea set and brings out the gold in the china. Lomonosov china is hand decorated and embellished with 22 carat gold. It is made in Russia by the Imperial Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. 

I fell in love with this pattern after my daughter-in-law selected it for her wedding china. My daughter discovered this set at an estate sale recently and I am so glad I have a tea set myself now.

Trader Joe's has a good variety of scones, meringues, macaroons, and cheese straws which are perfect for teatime.

It is so nice to freeze them and pull them out when you need them.

I am passionate about blue and white and I love different patterns and textures. The  Spode Blue Italian Hexagonal vase holding the pink tulips has the iconic Blue Countryside design with an Imari Oriental floral border.  The tablecloth is a toile fabric. The toile fabric is actually a drapery panel I made years ago for my guest room. Sometimes you have to improvise! Toile fabric originated in France and in the late 18th century toile de Jouy was the official choice for clothing and interiors. The pattern depicts a scene usually a landscape that involves figures. 

The chinoiserie ginger jars are from China. Chinoiserie has definitive Chinese patterns like fish, Asian architecture and flowers. I've had these since the 80's. 

Spode's Blue Italian is one of the most important designs in British ceramic history and celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2016.

"APRIL HATH PUT A SPIRIT OF YOUTH IN EVERYTHING."William Shakespeare

It has been fun to share tea from my garden with you.  
Recently, my garden club enjoyed tea together at a local shop called, The Kind Hearted Woman. I thought you would enjoy seeing the delicious food we shared.

Scones with a delicious mock Devonshire Cream and various tea sandwiches were served on tiered trays.

Lemon cakes, cake pops, and pizzelles were delicious! I wish I had all the recipes.

View Mary and Pam's posts below by clicking on the links below the pictures.

Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is

Pam ~ Everyday Living

Thank you, Mary and Pam, for inviting me as a guest blogger today for Tea On Tuesday! I had a great time.

Living Thankfully, ☕️🌸☕️🌸☕️

Celebrating Valentine's Day

Welcome to a  pretend Valentine celebration. It has been a long time since I have posted. There are times you just need a rest and the time to regroup. I've set the table for eight  today to celebrate Valentine's Day. It would make a perfect Galentine table with red and white with gold accents and a little pink. One of these days I am going to have a real Galentine party. The camellias  in my centerpiece all came from my garden and it was a thrill for me to create arrangements from my garden. We had a hard freeze forecast and my bushes were full of blooms and many buds. So I was inspired to cut my blooms and do an arrangement.

I started collecting milk glass  a few years back and it has been fun to collect. My sweet daughter-in-law gave me the compote the large arrangement is in and one of the small vases. Her mother gave me the other one. Would you believe my daughter- in-law was incredibly sweet to bring the pieces she gave me in a suitcase and her mother did the same thing. That was a gift of love!

Mirrored tiles serve as a table runner and assorted hearts are scattered along with votive candleholders on the tiles. 

Candlelight is always a plus that adds ambiance. I'm glad the old etiquette rules about not lighting candles during the daytime has become outdated. I like the reflection the mirrored tile runner adds and it seems I always use it for my Valentine tables.

The pink camellia is named Pink Debutant and the white ones are White by the Gate and  White Alba Plena. The red blooms are Professor Sargent. Fatsia seed pods add an unique texture and was fun to discover in my garden as I cut camellias.  It was very cold when I was cutting and I had to get gloves and bundle up. I don't often get this much energy but knew it would be a shame not to enjoy my flowers indoors too.

The plate stack consists of a gold charger, red dinner plate,cream plates with a wide gold border and lastly a salad plate with a smaller golden border. Ruby red goblets add more festivity with gold flatware and white napkins with a red border. 

The varigated pink and white flower is called La Peppermint. 

"YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO SET ANOTHER GOAL OR DREAM A NEW DREAM." C.S. LEWIS

I was sorry I failed to do a close up of the velvet stuffed heart. There are also two other glass ones with etching that I failed to photograph closely. It seems like I am always fighting the waning light to photograph in a hurry and forget to do close ups of the accessories.

Here is a picture of one of the large hearts used in another Valentine post.

I am looking forward to a real Valentine celebration with my husband next week. I will remove all the plates but two. What are your plans? 

Again, I apologize for my blogging absence. I have had a few health issues.  Wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day. 

Blessings, Bonnie♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Summertime Tea

Join me in the garden today for tea and macaroons. I am happy to be a guest blogger for Tea on Tuesday with Pam@Everyday Living and Mary@ Homeiswheretheboatis. Pam and Mary share teatimes on the third Tuesday of each month.  
  "If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." Frances Hodgson Burnett.

It is cool in my shady garden. You can see the overhead canopy of trees reflecting in the mirror tray.
"God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures." Sir Frances Bacon

The vintage Chintz teapot was a Christmas gift from my kids. It was the neatest surprise.

This small Lenox basket vase holding tulips was a wedding gift, accented by a rose medallion plate, adding many colors.

The teacups were a surprise birthday gift three months later. China dishes make me feel special, and I enjoy using them even for everyday use. I decided I was not saving them for special occasions but would savor tea using them on ordinary days, be thankful for my children's gifts, and remember them.

"Summer afternoon, Summer afternoon; To me, those have always been the two most beautiful words in the 
English language." Henry James

I love how tulips drape naturally, and each flower has so much personality.
 " Friends are like flowers. They fill the world with beauty." Celeste Barnard

Macaroons are always a treat and perfect with a cup of tea savored in the garden. I'm always entertained and amazed by the birds. Sitting in the garden is a beautiful quiet time to reflect and count my blessings. Early mornings are especially pleasant to me.

The riser bought at a local gift shop elevated the teapot, and the gold trim matched the gold accents on the teapot and cups and saucers.

The gold mirrored tray is very versatile. I like it everywhere I use it. It usually resides on my coffee table. I bought it at Home Goods in Dallas, Texas.

The name of the vintage Chintz pattern is called " Summertime." An English Chintz pattern is an all-over, tightly grouped, multi-colored pattern, usually floral. My daughter found the pieces in an Etsy shop. Royal Winton Grimwades is an English brand of ceramics made in Grimwades Limited, a Stoke-on-Trent-based company founded in 1885. 

Take a closer look at the top of the teapot. The top of the lid is shaped like a strawberry. The summertime chintz pattern contains roses, daisies, violets, harebells, and other summer flowers. It was first introduced in 1932 and is still popular today. This teapot was made in the 60s.

The tablecloth is actually a sheet from the 1970s. I wish I had saved more sheets when patterns were so popular.

"Teatime is a chance to slow down, pull back, and appreciate our surroundings."  Letitia Baldridge
I have enjoyed sharing my tea table with you today. Please take the above quote to heart, slow down, and appreciate your surroundings. 🌸 Please join my creative friends below and leave them a comment so they will know you visited. Thank you, Pam and Mary, for inviting me to be your guest blogger today!

Pam~ Everyday Living

Mary~ Home is Where the Boat Is

Happy teatime! I have been deeply saddened by the passing of Phyllis Hoffman DePiano, editor-in-Chief of Hoffman Media which produces, TeaTime magazine, Victoria magazine, and Southern Lady magazine. She was a very talented and inspiring person and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
☕️🌸☕️🌸☕️
Living thankfully,