Just For the Fun of It!

I don't  drink alcohol, so why I was attracted to Baileys Yum cups [which advertises Baileys Irish whiskey and cream liqueur] is beyond me!   But several years ago when I saw the boy and girl cups, I thought they were fun and cute, and bought the pair.

 

 

Recently while browsing in an antique store I came across the matching sugar and creamer.  The set was inexpensively priced [as were the cups I acquired], but I passed on getting it.  Later on, it occurred to me if there were cups and a sugar and creamer then there must be a teapot.  I went online and discovered there is.   A teapot went in an  E-bay auction Monday night for $53 plus shipping.  He's cute, but my wallet didn't think that cute!  ;-)  There are also cookie jars.

 

[Internet Photo]

 

The Yum products were made in limited editions in the 1990's so they're collectible, but not antique.

 

I returned to the antique store a few days later and the sugar and creamer were still there so I bought them. 

 

 

 

Have you ever purchased something just for the fun of it?

 

 

 

'Tis the Season for a Halloween Tea!

It's been many years since I was in high school, but I still keep in touch with some of the "girls"  I graduated with.   I live about 30 miles north of our hometown, while they've all  remained local, so it's a little drive for them to come to my house.  In spite of the miles, however, I've had the privilege of having them in my home on more than one occasion.  Today's post is a Halloween Tea luncheon I hosted for them.    When everyone's present there's nine in our circle of friends, but there were five at the Halloween Tea.

 

 

I used my orange tablecloth and black spiderweb lace topper, along with my harvest china for the tablescape.   I still had their senior pictures after  all these years,  so I inserted them into small pewter pumpkin placecard holders - much more fun than a namecard.

 

 

The menu:

 

Savory smoked salmon cheese cake served with assorted crackers, on a pumpkin platter.

 

 

Creamy pumpkin soup with a teapot crouton served in pumpkin bowls.   Cold apple cider and Harney & Son's Cranberry Autumn flavored black hot tea were the beverages.

 

 

Main entree was a grilled chicken, Michigan cherry salad.

 

 

It was accompanied by broccoli cheese muffins.  The recipe for the muffins calls for a Jiffy corn muffin mix.  Jiffy is located in Chelsea, Mi where my son recently moved.  I'm  looking forward to touring their factory.

 

Broccoli Cheese Muffins

1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 [10 1/2 oz.] pkg. frozen chopped broccoli

1 green pepper, finely chopped

1 medium onion, finely chopped

4 oz. grated Cheddar cheese

3 eggs

3/4 stick butter, melted.

 

Thaw broccoli in microwave [and drain if water is added] and set aside.

Melt butter in skillet and saute green pepper and onion until tender, but not browned.

Mix all ingredients together well and spoon into paper lined muffin cups.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until done.
 

 

Dessert was individual chocolate pumpkin Bundt cakes.

 

 

A fun afternoon!

 

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Today I'm linking to Bernideen's Tea Time blog for "Friends Sharing Tea"

 

Wedgwood Blue Jasperware

On September 27th I wrote a post about Visiting the Wedgwood China Factory.  In that post I mentioned that the only blue Jasperware I owned was a miniature teapot Christmas tree ornament.

 

I receive weekly E-mail notifications of Estate Sales in my area, but seldom  go to any.  Last Wednesday [10/17] was different, however.  When I looked through the photographs of items being sold at one of the sales I noticed some Wedgwood Blue Jasperware.   My hubby and I left home before the sale was  scheduled to start, and found 35 people in line ahead of us.  Our admittance tickets were #36 and #37.   #1 - #25 were the first to go in, so we patiently impatiently waited our turn!  ;-)

 

When we entered, I spotted the Jasperware sitting on an end table in the living room.  Would it be within a price range I could afford or was willing to pay?   I quickly walked over to it, and checked the price tag which read $65.   I couldn't believe my eyes!   I inspected it carefully, and aside from some dust, it was in mint condition.  I happily proceeded to the checkout table to make it mine!  This is what I purchased:

 

 Teapot

 

 

Sugar and Creamer

 

 

Two Teacups - Interestingly, the inside of one teacup is glazed and the other isn't.

 

 

Complete Set

 

 

All the pieces are marked Wedgwood, Made in England.   But where there's genuine, there'll always be imitation!  As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?  Below is my imitation Jasperware dresser set that I've had for  so long  I don't even remember where I purchased it.

 

 

 

And since we're  in the master bedroom, have a look around.  The secretary desk in the corner was rescued from my in-laws basement many years ago.  The drop-leaf lid was disassembled, and hardware was missing.  My hubby ordered new hardware, repaired it, and  antiqued it a wood tone, which it remained for several years until it was given its new color  when the bedroom was redecorated.  It holds my stationery, greeting cards and gift wrap supplies.  The teapot on the bed tray is a recent purchase from Marshalls.

 

 

Below is a close-up photo of a sampler that hangs over our bed.   Our daughter lovingly stitched it for our 25th Wedding Anniversary.

 

 

And below is a Precious Moments counted cross stitch she did for our 20th Anniversary.

 

 

I love the color blue, and find it so calming and restful.   The Jasperware tea set won't reside in the bedroom permanently, but it provided the right color palette for photographing to share with you.

 

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Today I'm linking to Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

and

Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea

 

 

 



2010 Christmas Tea Tablescapes

In 2010, one of the church members offered to convert half of his business warehouse into a Ministry Center for church offices and a large area for mid-week activities, etc.  When renovations were finished, it was nice enough for hosting our Third Annual Ladies' Christmas Tea there. 

 

In regards to a question that was asked during this series of posts, here's an update on our building project.  In 2009 we purchased 23 acres of property, which are paid-in-full.  We will be having our first activity on the property Nov. 3rd - a hayride, bonfire, and harvest party [we're praying Mother Nature cooperates!].   We have architect drawings for phase one of our church building, which will be presented to the congregation soon. 

 

12 ladies volunteered to set 13 tables for 2010's Christmas Tea.   I like "before and after photos" to show the full effect of a room's transformation.   The first photo is setting up the tables before the ladies arrived to begin working on their tablescapes.  I rented white floor length  tablecloths, chair covers and sashes for additional beauty and ambiance.

 

 

An amazing transformation!

 

View of the room from the opposite direction.

There was a tie for the 1st place table - "Deer Crossing" - by a lady in her 80's!  Isn't that impressive?  I hope I'm still decorating tables when I'm in my 80's!

 

 

 "Mardi Gras" - 1st Place Tie

 

 

 

"Pink Passion"

 

 

 

"Reason for the Season"  Table 1

 

 

 

"Reason for the Season" Table 2 

[Same lady did both tables because she invited 15 guests.]

 

 

 

"Angels We Have Heard on High"

 

 

"A Cup of Christmas Tea"

 

 

 

"Christmas Fantasy"

 

 

 

"Lanterns"

 

 

 

"Jesus is the Light of the World" 

 

"Joy to the World"

"Visions of Sugarplums"

"Winter Wonderland"

 

 

Catered Buffet Table

 

 

Vocalist/Entertainment

 

Kelly reading Tom Hegg's "A Cup of Christmas Tea"

 

 

Ladies Enjoying the Program

 

 

 Tea Basket Winner [Drawing]

 

 

A few Silent Auction display tables

 

 

 

 

This concludes my series on Christmas Tea Tablescapes.  I hope you've enjoyed it!