Autumn tea ~

A friend stopped by today for tea, cookies and my help researching her Italian ancestors . . . we found her great grandfather's manifest passenger list, he arrived at Ellis Island in 1913 and we also found his WWI draft registration in 1918 . . . she was so excited and I may have got her hooked!  Was a nice peaceful day . . . .

Wild Maine Blueberry Jam ~

My neighbor just returned from, Maine, after visiting family members. . . the same neighbor I was house-sitting for and has the lovely garden, the one I so enjoyed tending too. She brought me a wonderful little gift . . . Wild Main Blueberry Jam and it is sensational! Promptly, I made myself a cup of tea and a slice of toast . . . I think it's the best jam I have ever had with the exception of my mom's homemade blackberry jam, which is my all time favorite.  I love the little jar and the label . . . thank you friend and neighbor, I am very grateful . . . I am hiding this little jar from my family, otherwise, this is the last time I would be able to enjoy it (good thing they have little or no interest in this blog)!

Flowers, Cookies, and Tea ~

My day was centered around medical appointments and visiting my very sick mother-in-law in the hospital. Thankfully, she is recovering fairly well from a very bad bout of Pneumonia.   I  haven't made chocolate chip cookies in ages...we are having some heavy rains this evening, so I thought it would be a perfect time to bake. I ended up eating a bit more than I should have, but the kids really enjoyed them and not to mention how nice  the house smells. 

My table cloth is from Germany. Each time mom would make a trip back "home" she would make sure she brought back different styles of these pretty and unique tablecloths...I have two drawers full of these treasures in my antique dresser, I like to use them as much as I can. 

The vintage vase was a gift from a friend of mine...the flowers are a bit spent but decided to keep them for one more day.

Tea For One ~

The ritual for taking tea, even if for one, is very soothing ~
I am having serious computer issues...my computer has caused me great stress today!
I spent most of my day backing-up all of my  photos and documents, along with the data
in Family Tree Maker, 2011. I decided while some of the big files were transferring, I would treat my-self to "tea for one" (peppermint), and de-stress.

Each item on my tea tray has a very special meaning to me...I have collected "everything tea" since I was in my early twenties. I have recorded my tea collections in my "Tea Time Journal" including photos of the items, who gave them to me and when.  Catching up on my tea journal today, brought a bit of gentleness to my day and some wonderful memories.

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The beautiful tea cup is from my Uncle Helmut Haf (1940~1994), only a month before he passed away in 1994 ~ he also gave me a teapot to match, along with the rose handled tea spoons.  The colors on this set are so vivid and alive, I love this tea cup. On his birthday or date of passing, I will remove this tea cup from it's shelf and brew some peppermint tea and drink to his memory.

The silver tray is from my Oma, she had sent me a set from Germany in the 1970's, along with a tea set that is so dainty and delicate...I will save those for another photo post!

The white Battenburg lace table cloth, is also from my Oma, over the years Oma had sent me many beautiful tablecloths from Germany. The heart-shaped doily and white doily, are from a dear friend, the same friend who gifted me the wonderful Tea Time Journal and the Hydrangea plant I posted here. The Waterford Fountain pen...I bought that as a gift to my-self in the late 1980's.

The photo of mom and the little vase of now dried mini roses that were given to me at her passing, grace my table daily.