A New Meakin Tea Set and Dresden Dishes

Last week I received another e-mail from Tea by Three tea room that more dishware had been put out for sale, so I couldn't resist looking!  Since I'm a blue and white china lover, a three piece J & G Meakin English Ironstone tea set in the Blue Nordic pattern immediately caught my eye.  For the price of only $12 it came home with me.

Sitting close by was a set of Imperial Blue Dresden dinnerware [service for 8] made by Homer Laughlin China Co.  Cheryl, Tea by Three owner, had purchased it for one of her Titanic teas since blue and white dishes were used in the 2nd Class Dining Room.  Knowing I have a weakness for blue and white dishes, she persuaded me to buy the set for $30.

While the tea set and dinnerware patterns aren't identical, they're a very close match.

I told myself I was maxed out on dishware, until I recently visited The Tablescaper blog. Oh my goodness! My china and glassware collection doesn't even come close to hers, so I don't feel too guilty about this newest acquisition. ;-) But storage is always an issue.  My hubby has built me two large china cabinets in addition to the Temple Stuart china cabinet we purchased, but there's never enough space for everything, so totes are relegated to the basement.  I have a new project in mind that I'm going to present to my hubby... I'll keep you posted!

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Today I'm joining Artful Affirmations for Teacup Tuesday

 Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday
and Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Memories of a Milestone

I sometimes deviate from the subject of tea when special occasions occur in my family. Today is one of those times since my my granddaughter, Brianna, had her Senior Prom, Baccalaureate Service, and High School Commencement last week. Today's post is in honor of her milestone.  She will turn 18 on June 29th, and I'm reminded again how quickly time passes!  

[Brianna Nicole 1 year old]

My hubby and I were at Brianna's house last Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock to take prom pictures before she and her date went to another house for group photos.

~ Brianna and her escort, Jake ~

A kiss from her dad.  He's wearing a shirt from the university she'll be attending this fall, Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.

~ Bri and her Mom, Sharon ~

~ Proud Nana and Papa ~

 ~ Bri and her girlfriends ~

~ Some of the Couples ~

 Bri and Jake opted for comfortable footware! ;-) 

 Getting on the Limo Bus to head to Heritage Gardens for more pictures.

 Below is Heritage Gardens.  There were prom gowns in every color and style imaginable.

We left Heritage Gardens to go to an Awards Ceremony at Powell Middle School for granddaughter, Brooke, Brianna's younger sister.  It was an event-filled afternoon and evening.

Brooke's certificate for all A Honor Roll and Outstanding Citizenship.

Thursday night was Brianna's Baccalaureate Service, and I blogged about it in yesterday's Sunday Reflection. 

Commencement was Sunday morning, June 1st, 11:00 a.m. at Ultimate Soccer Arena.

There were 438 students in Romeo High School's 2014 graduating class.

Waiting for Commencement to begin.

[L-R:  Me; Bri's other grandparents, Larry & Sheena; Brooke; & Sharon]

Brianna walking up the platform steps to receive her diploma. 

~ Tossing Mortar Boards ~

~ The Happy Graduate ~

~ The Family ~

[Brooke, Sharon, Brianna, and Steve]

~ Family BBQ at Bri's house after commencement. ~

[Jerry, Brianna, and Me]

Congratulations, Brianna!  We love you, and are so proud of you. We wish you God's blessings as you begin the next chapter of your life! 

I couldn't resist including the picture below of her playing with her Madeline doll and tea set that I got her for her sixth birthday, and she still has it.

Giveaway Winner...

The winner of the cookbook and teacup earrings is Joy Moore.  If you'll send me your mailing address I'll get them in the mail to you.  Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Sunday Reflection...

My high school graduating class didn't have a Baccalaureate Service, and neither did any of children's, so I attended my first Baccalaureate Service this past Thursday, for my granddaughter, Brianna.  

The sermon to the high school graduates was about Change, and the verse printed in the program was Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

The minister reminded the teens they were ending one phase of their life, and beginning a very new and different one.  Attitudes, choices and decisions will determine their happiness and success. He challenged them to commit their lives to God and seek His guidance in all things, and quoted the words God gave Moses for Joshua: "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified... for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6  

The graduates were given the blessing in Psalm 20:4 "May He give you the desire of your heart, and make all your plans succeed."

Graduating seniors aren't the only ones who experience change. We all experience it. Someone has said, "Change is the only thing in life that doesn't change!"  I don't know what changes are ahead, but I'm glad I know the One who is omniscient and does know. The same promise He gave to Joshua applies to every believer, regardless of age or circumstance in life.  

May God bless your week!

Tea-themed Napkin Rings and History

I love using napkin rings, and have many kinds.  I don't remember seeing any napkin ring collections shared on blogs, so I decided to share my tea themed sets. If you use them I'd love to know about your collection.

There are eight porcelain blue and white teapot rings in this set.

And eight brass teapot rings.

Below are Pfaltzgraff Stoneware Cloverhill Teapot Napkin Rings.  I was gifted with four, and recently got eight more on E-bay.

The following napkin rings are sets of four, and were all given to me as gifts.  I'm looking for more of the silver teapot rings pictured directly below.  If anyone knows of an online source please let me know.  These were clearanced at a Mikasa outlet, and are no longer on their website.

The place card holders go nicely with the rings above.

The rings below are pewter-like.

These are the only porcelain teacup napkin rings in my collection.

Now for their history:  They're actually a throw-back to the good old days when families ate their meals together, and used cloth napkins at ever meal and at tea time. Because there usually weren't enough cloth napkins between wash days [due to larger family sizes, and no automatic washing machines] there weren't enough freshly laundered napkins for all the meals, so the napkin ring became a sanitary device to save each person's napkin for several usings.  Are you thinking ew?  ;-) 

Napkin rings were highly favored by by Victorians who adored the "table fancies" for keeping their napkins separated.  Each family member had his or her own special napkin ring to prevent mix-ups, and at the end of each meal the napkins were rolled, ringed and laid aside until the next use.  Some napkin rings were engraved with a name or initial, and sometimes given for a christening, wedding, or anniversary gift. Others were embellished with attached objects - a father's might have the figurine of a soldier, hunter, hat or boots, while the mother's might have a bird, goddess or flower.  Children's napkin rings were embellished with cherubs, cupids, or a favorite pet.

Victorians, however, can't take credit for their invention, because they first appeared in France in 1800, and their popularity spread to all the countries in the western world.  Most were made of silver or silver plate, but others were made in bone, wood, pearl, porcelain, glass and other materials.  In the 20th century Bakelite and other newer materials were used.

Today, fortunately, they're only used for tablescape embellishments.  The ring and napkin can be placed on the dinner plate, above the plate, or to the left side of the plate.  Once the napkin is removed, the ring is usually placed above the dinner plate.

The Movie "Belle"

Memorial Day my hubby and I went to see a matinee showing of the movie Belle.  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.  

[Internet Photo]

For Anglophiles, the true story takes place in England, and the movie is filmed there.  For tea lovers there's plenty of tea drinking.  For costumers there's lots beautiful 18th century gowns.

[Internet Photo]

For those who like romance, it's a love story. 

[Internet Photo]

For artists, the movie script was inspired by a 1779 painting that hung in England's Kenwood House until 1922, and now hangs in Scotland's Scone Palace.  The portrait, commissioned by William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, was painted by an unknown artist.  It was one of the first portraits to portray a black subject on an equal eye-line with a white aristocrat.

[Internet Photo]

For history buffs, it's a British historical drama.

For Downton Abbey fans, Penelope Wilton [who plays Isobel Crawley], plays the role of Lady Mary Murray.  

[Internet Photo]

It stars Gubu Mbatha-Raw as Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay; Sam Reid as John Davinier [the vicar's son], and Tom Wilkinson as William Murray 1st Earl of Mansfield.

Misan Sagay is the writer.  The little known facts about Dido Elizabeth Belle gave her 'writer artistic license' to frame the young woman's story within the historical context of a slave-centered economy. 

Synopsis from the movie's website:  The film is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay.  Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield and his wife, Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from the traditions of noble social standing.  While her cousin Elizabeth chases suitors for marriage, Belle is left on the sidelines wondering if she will ever find love.  After meeting an idealistic young vicar's son bent on changing society, he and Belle help shape Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England [Zong Case triumph].

600th Post and a Giveaway!

Today marks my 600th post since I began blogging on January 24, 2012.  Just for fun I hastily categorized the topics I've written about: 

• Teas and Tea Reviews
• Tea Equipage [Tea Chests, Caddies, Tables, Curate Stands, etc.]
• Tea Education
• Tea Parties and Theme Teas
• Michigan and Out-of-State Tea Rooms
• Hotel Afternoon Teas 
• 2012-2014 Movies that Include Tea 
• TV Series With Tea 
• Recipes suitable for Tea Time
• Tea Travels 
• Michigan Destinations/Places
• Holidays 
• Celebrated People and Tea
• Family and Special Occasions
• Devotions and Sunday Reflections
• Tea Clothing/Fashions
• Tea Jewelry
• Department Stores and Tea
• China/Dishware for Tea Time [Transferware, Depression Glass, etc.]
• Teacups/Teapots/Trivets
• Silver Tea Equipage
• Antique Stores/Malls and their Teawares
• Tea-themed Figurines
• Tea-themed Stationery and Cards [Birthday and Christmas]
• Tablescapes
• Tea Books and Magazines
• Tea Towels
• Tea-themed Lighting
• Blogging Friends 
• Historical Events 
• Giveaways 

Sometimes I wonder what's left to write about, but something always surfaces. Having my own blog has given me the deepest gratitude and respect for bloggers who have been blogging for years.  Only a blogger knows the level of commitment and time required, and the gratification it provides.

A heartfelt thanks to all my followers and readers.

So here's my 600th post giveaway - a hard-cover, spiral bound cookbook with a year of theme teas and recipes to go with the themes, and a pair of Avon gold tone teacup pierced earrings. 

The giveaway is open to all my blog followers and faithful readers residing in the U.S. and Canada. Simply leave a comment between today and Sunday that you would like to participate in the giveaway, and I'll announce the winner on Monday morning, June 2nd. Good Luck!