My Birthday Surprise

My daughter caught me completely by surprise when she hosted a birthday surprise party for me.

She understands that I am an Anglophile and ran with that theme. When I entered the room, everyone did Queen Elizabeth's wave. I of course waved back!

The Queen was in attendance!

Of course there was a pianist! He played God Save the Queen as I walked in! I was overwhelmed!!

The guests all wore hats or fascinators!

The lovely lady in red organized the party...then four days later she gave birth to my second granddaughter...Whitney. It was an exciting time!

She certainly paid attention to detail. Each guest took home a tea tin.

The guests all had a chance to mingle with the Queen.

Even the birthday cake continued the theme!

I was truly surprised and truly grateful!!

Happy Birthday!

Wouldn't you love to receive a lovely postcard like this for your birthday and be invited to a magnificent tearoom? 

I was happy to find this old postcard of this special
place. I love the message especially the use of the word
"saucy".
 I wonder what Polly was up to...

I love Bunnykins and have several pieces I collected for my
four children over the years but I never saw one that showed tea
being served. Just found this on Ebay. I think this little
Lady Bunny is bringing tea for her friend's birthday.

Here they are enjoying tea and chat while the "kids" play.

Happy Birthday wishes to everyone's favorite lady,
Shirley Temple. 
She brought so much joy to the world.

I have warm memories of watching her movies with my
mother who loved her too. Generations have. Now my
granddaughters can enjoy her too.

Found this teapot in my search. 
Her image graced many items
over the years.

I am lucky enough to have one of these.

Happy 85th Birthday, Shirley.
You are as beautiful as always.

Another special lady had a birthday this week too on April 21st.
She is 87 years young.

Here she is with dollies, mummy and daddy
having their tea.

Happy Birthday dear Queenie

If they came to tea, I would be all ready with my new tea set.

Royal Grafton

I love the colors and the flowers.
 I am ready for someone to have a birthday tea. 
Shirley? Elizabeth?
 I know another lady who is soon to have a birthday...

Happy Almost Birthday to Lady B.
Isn't she fascinating there on the left?

Our Thoughts and Prayers

Dame Ruthie and I are keeping the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings in our hearts and prayers. We can't find the proper words to convey our deep sadness. America the beautiful must once again find a way to heal. We are so sorry for this tragedy.

Tea Caddies

I didn't think I collected tea caddies and tins until I looked around and there they were! This ceramic tea caddy is part of a larger collection of sugar and spices containers. Dame Ruthie and I always love a good yard sale!

This is from Fortnum & Mason commemorating the Queens Jubilee.

As you can see, this is from Kensington Palace.

I brought this back from London years ago. Right now it holds matches for my candles.

This is the tea blended by Harney and Sons for the royal wedding. It has rosebuds blended in.

A beautiful Harrod's tin.

Doesn't she look lovely? A Diamond Jubilee tin.

Ahh! Another royal wedding tea tin.

One more royal wedding tin.

Here's a little tea caddie (get the pun?) from St. Andrew's Scotland. It will always remind me of what a beautiful town it is.

How is this for cute? My daughter gave it to me!

I hope you enjoyed my collection. Now what else do I collect and didn't know it? Stay tuned!

April Flowers...

From the tea calendar-here we are in a new month.
As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers".
I remember learning it in school as a young child.
It was the promise of new things, new growth and
new exciting things in nature to come.

Pretty flowers.
In nature, all colors seem to compliment
each other.

This Easter, we had no family around so we went to an
antique fair-(or as my husband would deem it-someone else's
junk). He was a good sport and patiently walked around with me.
I found this cute Brambly Hedge Royal Doulton figure,
Mrs. Apple.
 If you have never seen the books this figure is based on,
 I  urge to as the illustrations are so detailed and darling.

I love her hat and her bustle. 

I also found three wonderful pinky cups
from one seller. Couldn't choose just one.

Really love the roses on this one.
Old fashioned roses-never out of fashion.

Ribbons are another romantic design that never
goes out of style.
Both of these cups are Colcough.

The is the third cup up close-another sweet one.

It is an Ansley,
one of Lady B's favorite makers.

This was a nice surprise. I have a favorite
designer, Johnny Was, who makes such pretty
things with the most gorgeous and interesting
silk patterns. I was excited to find this tag
on the last tunic I bought. Spoke right to me.

As promised, here is the winner
of our giveaway.
Congratulations to
Martha of Martha's Favorites.
Happy April everyone!
                                      Dame Ruthie