A Fabulous Sale

When I retired from my church office job in 2004, Cheryl Nix, owner of Tea by Three tea room asked if I'd like to come and help her.  Her tea room was 'by reservation only' and she hosted many wonderful theme teas.  She closed her business in 2014, and had a large liquidation sale which I attended, and blogged about my purchases.   

A week ago I received notification that Cheryl was having another sale.  The opening day was last Saturday, but I couldn't attend because I was giving my Queen Elizabeth II presentation that day. I remembered she had a Beatrix Potter teapot that wasn't in her first sale, so I e-mailed her asking if it would be in this sale. It was for sale, and she held it. I stopped by after church last Sunday, before heading to my presentation at the assisted living facility.

Many things sold on Saturday.  Part of me was bummed that I missed out, and another part was glad because I really don't need more 'stuff'. But her 'stuff' is beautiful and everything was reasonably priced.

Below is the Beatrix Potter items that I purchased.  There are four more books and two small stuffed animals that aren't pictured.  The entire lot was $45.  I haven't done a Beatrix Potter presentation yet, but I'd like to in the future.

The teapot is manufactured by Sadler for Frederick Warne, 2004 - to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Peter Rabbit.   The mug is also a commemorative bone china piece by Queen's.

The two Peter Rabbit plates are by Wedgwood.

There was a set of four red tartan plaid plates for $6, so those came home with me too. They'll go perfectly with my Sandy Clough Christmas set.  They're made by Horchow.

This week I received another e-mail from Cheryl stating the sale was extended to Thursday and Friday with a lot of new items added.

When I was there last Sunday I saw a set of Royal Albert's Petit Point china [service for four] with square luncheon plate, teacup and saucer, and demitasse cup and saucer for $38. I didn't purchase it, but it lingered in my mind.  When I told my hubby about it he said he'd buy it for me for Mother's Day if it was still there.  Fortunately it was.  It's backstamped made in England.  We went back yesterday and got it.

And, of course, I bought other items too.  I love the cream and gold Sadler teapot pictured below, with it's very unique shape.  It was reasonably priced at $20.

Two teacups and saucers also came home with me.   At $10 each I couldn't resist.  The first is called Golden Rose by Royal Chelsea, and the second is Emerald Isle by Royal Albert in the Ancestral Series.

I left behind red and blue transferware sets, Old Country Roses china, and so much more.  I could easily have brought everything home with me because I loved it all, but discipline prevailed!  

My Favorite Things...

Autumn always turns my thoughts towards things I'm grateful for.  God has blessed me beyond measure with many blessings coming to mind, but today I share three ...

 

~ Family and the Joy of Grandchildren ~
 

I have a husband,  three children and their spouses, and eight  grandchildren who I love dearly.  

My daughter-in-law just recently gave me these photos of my three youngest grandchildren.  Elizabeth, who we call Ellie [3 months],  her older sister, Isabella [7 years], and brother, Landon [who will be 4 years old next month].  

 

 

Below is one of my grandchildren in the upper age bracket - Marissa, age seventeen, and a senior in high school.  This is one of her senior pictures that she had taken over the weekend.

 

 

~ Wonderful Friends ~

 

My doorbell rang yesterday afternoon with a beautiful floral delivery. What a thoughtful surprise from a very caring friend!

 

 

~ The Pleasures of Tea ~

 

God has given me so many things to enjoy, and tea is one of them [along with beautiful china!  ;-)] 

 

 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above...".

James 1:17

 

*  *  *

  

Today I'm joining Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea

 Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

and Bernideen's Tea Time Blog for Friends Sharing Tea

 

 

 





The Titanic Prepares to Sail...

My online Titanic Newsletter  stated April 1st, 1912 was the date originally planned for Titanic's much awaited sea trials.  However, due to the high winds around Belfast, which would have made sailing her down the narrow channel of the River Lagan hazardous,  the trials were postponed until April 2nd.   There was still plenty to do inside the vessel so the time was certainly not wasted. 

When Tuesday, April 2nd dawned, the weather was clear enough to undertake the trials and crowds gathered on the banks of the river to witness Titanic's grand passage.  Shortly before 6:00 a.m., the tugs guided the Titanic from her berth into open water.  After a morning of manouvering tests, at 2:00 p.m. the Titanic was set on a straight course out into the Irish Sea.  At about 8:00 p.m. the Titanic departed for Southampton.  After an uneventful 600 mile voyage she took her place in Berth 44 from where she would soon depart on her  maiden voyage.

Titanic countdown... a mere 13 days remaining until her foundering. 

April 2, 1912 R.M.S. Titanic sea trial photo

On April 6, 1912 they began loading cargo onto the ship.  437 casks of tea [800 lbs.] was on the cargo list.

Royal Crown Derby is reissuing the china pattern used in the à la carte Restaurant [which Titanic passengers referred to as the "Ritz"], in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of its sinking.   In the style of Louis XVI, it features a delicate gold encrusted border with printed ornaments of Chaplet and Festoons finished in tints of green.

Royal Crown Derby 1911 Pattern Book

A teacup close-up.  Isn't it beautiful?  It can be yours for  £ 102 or $174.99 U.S.!

[Obtainable in the U.S. at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN or Branson, MO]

The Titanic Store has more affordable replica china from first, second, and third class [but not nearly as pretty].

Harney & Sons Fine Teas  have  a commemorative RMS Titanic Tea Blend to honor the 100th Anniversary of those who perished when the Titanic sank.  It is a tea blend created by John Harney which reflects the quality of tea that was served on the Titanic.

Chinese Keemun was one of the last teas the British still consumed in 1912.  [They had mostly switched to black teas from Assam, India, and Ceylon.]  Also,  Formosa Oolong, which was popularized in both the UK and the US by an enterprising Brit, so this blend would have been recognizable to tea lovers 100 years ago.

A tribute to the tragedy and heroism of "A Night to Remember." 

 A portion of the sales of RMS Titanic Tea will go to The Ocean Conservancy, the dedicated organization committed to preserving one of the earth's most valuable resources, our oceans.

Another commemorative tea, also blended by Harney & Sons, can be purchased at the Molly Brown House.

 Tomorrow's post will be about a special Titanic event.