Thursday, February 21, 2019

Tea and Chocolate on a Winter's Day

Sleet, high winds and — thunder. What a day! Glad there was nowhere I had to go!


I decided the thing to do was indulge in hot tea and chocolate on a winter's day.

So I set the table with dishes that bring the warm days of summer to mind, 

and silk flowers that echo those on the plates.

Although I certainly use mugs for tea, I think cups and saucers add that certain something to the experience. I find I savor the taste, aroma and warmth when I leisurely drink tea from a cup with its underlying saucer that is so useful for catching drips and sugar crystals. Drinking from a mug lends itself to being done without thought as I read or work.  

Vintage champagne glasses will serve water today. (Or maybe not...!) We inherited these from Greg's mother, who probably served sherbet in them.

I love how the pattern of the dishware flows across the entire surface of the plates and inside the cups. You can see other ways I've used this pattern in Charnwood Hearts and Hearts and Flowers.

Chocolate chip cookies and Godiva 'masterpieces' in the shape of hearts surely won't last long!

To add to the feeling of indulgence, I covered the table with an antique Irish linen cloth, embroidered and crocheted by hand in the early 1900's. You may remember seeing this cloth in Lunch with Violets and Irises.

Lavender napkins pick up the color of some of the blossoms on the plates. The modern linens have pretty crocheted edges, counterpoint to the tablecloth's frame.

I love the movement of the swirls on this French coffee/tea set. The elegant pieces are a very delicate fine china, perfect for a tea party. A silver-plated tray helps the set stand out from the tablecloth.

The tablecloth was made for a smaller table, but I don't mind having the deep wood tones showing.

Draped over the edge of the table, you can see the design of the crocheted edge and hemstitch.


I just heard news reports that the creek near our house has passed its flood stage and will soon be inundating all the paved paths used by pedestrians, dogs and cyclists in the park that meanders alongside it for eight miles or so.

Time for another cup of tea!


Table resources
Plates, cup, saucers | Wedgwood 'Charnwood'
Coffee/tea set | Haviland Limoges, possibly 'Torse White'
Serving plate | New Martinsville 'Prelude'
Stemware | Libbey 'Windswept'




20 comments:

  1. Just adorable!Gorgeous dishes and stunning tablecloth!That teaset is fantastic too.Your table made me swoon,I love it!Hugs!

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    1. Thanks so much for your sweet comments, Maristella! I hope you're having a great weekend. We've got dense fog and rain again!

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  2. Sandra, tea and chocolate sounds perfect for another rainy day! Love your sweet indulgence tablesetting!

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    1. Thank you, Pam! We're having a cold, drizzly day again, so I think I'll have another cup, lol! Have a lovely weekend.

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  3. Beautiful setting and enticing food. Hope that flooding doesn't get too high!

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    1. Thank you! The flooded creek near me crested about 3 feet above the normal level. Fortunately the 3 cities along the creek included both banks as part of the Greenway so there's no damage except to a few park benches and bird watching boardwalks.

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  4. I hope you are staying safe with all of the rain and flooding. Your table is lovely. You have so many beautiful treasures to display and enjoy! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!

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    1. Thanks, Chloe! I think if it rains another day I'll scream. Started having water in the basement, grrrr. First time in 22 years.

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  5. I love all your photos and the details. So, lovely---!

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    1. Thank you, Sandi! I can't claim great photography skills, but I'm getting better. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  6. Sandra,
    I am with you on tea and chocolate. You can't imagine how many times I do that. Just wanted to let you know that you are being featured at TFT. https://eclecticredbarn.blogspot.com/2019/02/thursday-favorite-things_27.html
    Have a great day.
    Hugs,
    Bev

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    1. Bev, I guess we're just not the typical tea and sandwiches type, lol! Thanks so much for featuring me at TFT - I so enjoy that party.

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  7. This is just beautiful, and I would love to sit at that table and have tea and chocolate. I'm featuring this post at Thursday Favorite Things tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you so much, Pam! I love sharing tea -- and especially chocolate! You have a fab blog.

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  8. I rarely so no to tea or chocolates! Love your pretty floral dishes! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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    1. How could anyone? Especially on these gloomy days! Thanks for hosting the party, Cecilia.

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  9. Lovely, Sandra! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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  10. Beautiful teacups and settings. Roses are always a favorite. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty

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