Heirloom China Tea Set

We have enjoyed a beautiful spring. I love the delicate scent of wisteria and thought the purple color of the flowers would accent this lovely vintage tea set with violets. Yes, I was blessed to receive the teapot and sugar and creamer along with the china that I posted about here.   I'm glad you joined me today. Relax, imagine listening to the birdsong, smelling the intoxicating scent of the wisteria, the warm of the spring sunshine on your shoulders, sipping tea out of delicate china cups and savoring the taste of  delicious cupcakes.

Upon close observation the teapot, plates and cups and saucers are different patterns but they look lovely together. The plates and some cups and saucers are Embassy Ware Bone China, Fondeville, England and some of the cups and saucers are Radfords Bone China, England and Adderley Bone China also English.

Let me share a little history that I know about the china. Google says it was made in the 1940's and 1950's. My husband's Aunt Joyce from Houston, Texas, received this china from her aunt who lived in New York City. She used it for years and now has graciously given it to us. It must have been fun for Aunt Verna to collect this china in the 40's and 50's.  

I absolutely adore the shape of the teapot. It is Victorian Violets from England's Countryside made in England by Hammersly. The gold gilding is so pretty and the delicate sprays of violets make my heart sing.
Wonderful memories of picking wild violets in the woods come to my mind and warm my heart when I think about describing this sweet pattern.

The shape of the creamer and sugar are equally beautiful. The plates have a pretty scalloped and ribbed design with gold trim.

Can you imagine the taste of this decadent cupcake?

And sipping a great cup of tea that just tastes better out of a china teacup?

I was so pleased my bridal wreath was blooming to be a backdrop in the garden for a spring tea party. The pound cake cupcakes came from a little shop near my home and I have to be careful to limit my stops there. 

I love tea parties and a tea set passed down to three generations is quite special. Feeling blessed to share about it today.

Have a wonderful week.

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Dessert in the Garden

I received the nicest surprise in the mail recently from Rita @Panoply. 

This lovely vintage tablecloth and napkins as well as the nostalgic milk glass cake plate were part of her purge that she offered to bloggers. 

I love vintage things and enjoy knowing their history. Rita said the cake stand came from the estate of a widow that was downsizing and her kids called her the black widow because she outlived four husbands.

I was thrilled to receive these wonderful items that she acquired at estate sales. She and her sisters have a booth at their local antique mall  in Charleston,West Virginia. If I ever get to West Virginia I plan to visit Rita and their shop.

I also received a Fiesta vase that I will use in another post. Rita thought I might enjoy this tablecloth in my garden when the hydrangeas bloom and I certainly will. However, I told her I could not wait that long to use it. Fortunately, my bridal wreath was blooming and provided a nice backdrop to show off my new cake stand and tablecloth.

My mother had a cake stand like this which explains my nostalgia about a milk glass cake plate.  My sister has it so I am very happy to have one of my own now. I told Rita I was going to make a homemade coconut cake and photograph the cake plate.  I have been craving a coconut cake but by the time I could make a cake my bridal wreath probably would not be as pretty. So, I bought one and was pleasantly surprised how good it was.

Using  fresh hydrangea leaves under the cake is something I learned from Ina Garten years ago. I also use them under Brie or other cheeses for appetizers.

 I wish Rita and I could enjoy a piece of coconut cake and a glass of iced tea together. Maybe one day that will happen. Thank you so much Rita, for your generosity and friendship. Enclosed in the package was the nicest handwritten note which is so rare these days.

Have a beautiful week.