Reflection Friday ~ Remembering Lauren Bacall

I have a thing for film noir, and Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart never disappoint! If you don't know how to whistle, consider this fine bone china whistle from Cottage Violet's.

R.I.P  Lauren Bacall 1924-2014 You were definitely one of kind!

With fond memories, Theresa

A Little Crochet With Your Tea

Sometimes Monday is just the perfect day to put the kettle on, and get out your favorite teapot.

Get out a pretty little trivet to set the teapot on. I hand crochet ours at Cottage Violet's.

















Choose your loveliest teacup. This Hammersley Clover Trio ranks high on my list. Remember you are treating yourself.
















You must have a coaster to set your teacup on. I love little crocheted heart coasters. They make me very happy.












Now get out your knitting or crochet bag and settle in for a day of pure enjoyment.

 A cup of tea, a ball of yarn, a quiet spot, aaaaahhhh,  that's the thing that dreams are made of....

Having lovely time, wish you were, Theresa

Reflection Friday ~ Life in Wonderland

 

Sadly, March Hare skipped her deportment lessons.

 

 

Having lovely time, wish you were here! Theresa

My Ivy League Pick

We're not talking prestigious schools here! We're talking china. English Ivy fine bone China! Ha....
If you haven't noticed Cottage Violet's loves English china. All sorts of patterns and companies call our name. They say choose me, choose me.
Well, I have chosen. This is my favorite ivy pattern of all time.
It's Colclough's English Ivy Leaf pattern. A lovely leaf pattern on a creamy white background. It is versatile and the best mix n' match pattern I think I've ever seen.
We have 6 trio's available. Mixed with six set's of your own china and that's twelve eye catching tea time favorites.
Here's the eye candy now:

http://www.cottageviolets.com/item_49/Colclough-English-Ivy-Leaf-Trio.htm

Beautiful, wish you were here, Theresa



 

Strawberry Baskets - Wimbledon Tradition

We love Hammersley china here at Cottage Violet's. The beautiful patterns and lovely shapes are some of the finest of traditions from England's china heyday.

Wimbledon is also an English tradition. The lovely grass courts and royal spectators make this one of the finest tennis events every year.

Besides having jolly old England in common, tennis and Hammersley china share another connection. Strawberry baskets! That's right, Strawberry baskets.

Visitors and spectators at Wimbledon eat literally tons of strawberries and cream each year. Now, they are served in punnets (little baskets). But in days gone by when there was a piece of china for every eating event, Strawberry baskets were all the rage..

Strawberry baskets usually consisted of three pieces. A lovely handled basket with a removable creamer on one side, and a removable sugar bowl on the other side. They sported the loveliest patterns of the day.

A Hammersley Morgan's Rose pattern Strawberry Basket

 

There would also be china tennis set's in the same pattern. A tennis set was an eight inch salad plate with a lipped rim to hold a matching teacup. Of course, what would an English event be without a spot of tea.

 

Hammersley Chrysanthemum Pattern available at Cottage Violets

 

So in honor of Wimbledon, Cottage Violet's says "All Hail to the Queen", and let the serving begin.

 

Blessings, Theresa

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day From Cottage Violet's

Dear Friends,
I am taking time out from the vicarage to come and tell you, "Happy Mother's Day".

It's a nice spring day here in Harrington Woods. The violets are in full bloom, and it smells like the English countryside.

Gabby, the girl of all work, lost her dear mother, our housekeeper, two months ago. I am guest posting on her behalf. She is deeply saddened, but holding up rather well after all.

                                                                                                                                So "Happy Mother's Day" to all the mothers and substitute mothers out there.

Hold you mother close and dear. Never take a day for granted. We only have one day at a time to fill with joy and gladness

A few pictures that make me very happy, enjoy;

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day from Cottage Violets,
 Miss Violet Teacake and Friends

Note: Miss Violet Teacake is a fictional character from the website "Cottage Violets" However, my grief at losing my mother two months ago is real. Blessings, Theresa

The Touching Garden

Royal Albert's American Beauty

Have you ever thought how much fine bone china can resemble a garden? First, there is spring, with a lush vista of flower patterns, ivy in the shade, roses in the sun, peonies, iris, and all the colors of the rainbow. Then there is summer, with its bold sunflowers, fruit or vegetable patterns,  and all the bright cheery designs that thrive on sunshine. When autumn shows up the wonderful world of color turns to oranges, deep reds, forest greens to match the changing of the seasons. And last but not least Winter where white reigns supreme, and all the Christmas patterns take center stage.

I think I express myself through the china patterns I choose. I would be hard put to choose one season over another. In spring I favor Royal Albert's American Beauty, Colclough English Ivy Leaf, and Hammersley Victorian Violets. The summer is my time to enjoy Hammersley Cornflower, Royal Albert Tea Rose, and Hammersley Thistle. Autumn brings a new feel with Hammersley Morgan's Rose, Royal Alberts Old Country Roses, and Hammersley Fruits and Nuts. What would the Christmas season be without Hammersley Grandmothers Rose, and again Royal Alberts Old Country Roses because Old Country Roses offers so many Christmas variations.

 English fine bone china is never far from my heart or hands. Simply put, I love English china.I love the cool touch, the smooth feel. Here are some photos of patterns I favor. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. My little shop, Cottage Violets is always open for your viewing pleasure. Please stop by and browse to your hearts content.

Colclough's English Ivy Leaf

Hammersley Victorian Violets

A selection of Hammersley Cornflower

Royal Albert Tea Rose

Hammersley Thistle

"Touch has a memory"

John Keats

In parting, here is a little quote from me

Only when I behold our Lord will I see something more beautiful than English china

Theresa Winter

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

Blessings, Theresa

The Patterns of Our Life

"Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made. "

Robert Browning

I had an epiphany! Fine bone china resembles our love lives. So many patterns, and colors to entice the eye. When new, china is shiny and sparkly awaiting a journey to its first home. Lovingly wrapped it arrives, and we are instructed to "Handle With Care". We are in awe of its numerous shapes and sizes. We lovingly place it within view so that we may keep our eye on it. Sometimes we  lose interest, and the china languishes in the dust. As in any good relationship there are mishaps and miscalls. So it is with china, a little rim chip, a hairline fracture  or two.  Some lives are harder, others are easier.  You will find china that has been meticulously cared for, set on a shelf, wrapped in cotton so to speak. Then there is everyday china, slight scars on its surface from daily use. Character marks that may devalue its worth in the world's eye, but not so with the one who lovingly handles it without regard to the use marks on its surface. I have vowed that I will treat my relationship with my husband as we grow older just like I treat my fine bone china. I will remember that his heart is fragile no matter what the exterior looks like. I wil not discard him if he has "character marks" or wrinkles in his packaging (lol). I will lightly tap his soul and listen to the beautiful ringing sound that tells of his worth to our Saviour. I still love his pattern after 39 years, and will "grow old along with he, for the best is yet to be".

Following you will find several patterns from Miss Violet's Tea Cupboard at "Cottage Violets". If you haven't traveled the violet strewn lane of Harrington Woods lately, click on over to Cottage Violets and find a pattern for your life.

For age is opportunity no less

Than youth itself, though in another dress,

And as the evening twilight fades away

The sky is filled with stars invisible by day

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

So if you think your best days are behind you, look up and see the stars!'

Blessings, Theresa

Nurture ~ The Art of Tender Care

I was thinking of the word "nurture" today. Here is the definition:

Nurture: 1. take care of a young thing - to give tender care and protection to a young child, plant, or animal helping it grow and develop.

2. encourage somebody or something to flourish - to encourage somebody or something to grow, develop, thrive, and be successful.

3. keep feeling - to keep a feeling in the mind for a long time, allowing it to grow or deepen.

I saw a beautiful little bird's nest with baby birds in it on facebook today. It seems that each year the same birds start a nest in the same crook of the tree. In my mind's eye I saw the little mother fussing over the eggs, then fussing over the little birdies, and finally loving them enough (or doing what comes "nature-ally") to kick them out of the nest. I could see those little scrawny necks stretching to the limit for a bit of worm or nourishment. Then little wings stretching out for the first time, sometimes interferring with brother or sister nest mates stretching. Then a tentative hop to the rim of the nest for a peek at the wide world, with a quick jump back to the center in fear of that same wide world. Then a gentle nudge, and oops here we are, airborne hoping we can make it back to the safety of the nest. But wait, something kicks in and we boldly stretch our wings and it happens. We begin to soar, higher and higher, with that giddy feeling of freedom.

As you can see I changed from third person to first person in my narrative. It became so personal to me. I wonder if it's personal for you? Like me, do you desire to soar, to be free, to reinvent, renew, thrive? Well, I firmly believe it's possible. Like the old saying goes: God isn't finished with us yet!

Do you desire to write? Pick up that pen. Paint: swing that brush. Sell china: dust off the cup and saucer! You have a reason for being, don't let fear hold you back. Fear of success is just as big as fear of failure. I'll believe in you, and you believe in me. Let's soar with no fear of flying at all!

Here are pictures of some Hammersley bird china demitasse that inspire me. I hope you like them too.

And last but certainly not least a couple of quotes to keep in mind

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams

H. David Thoreau

God gives every bird his worm, but does not throw it in the nest

P.D. James

        And please remember as you nurture someone else you are touching      God's heart.

       " For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and     do minister." Hebrews 6:10

These are all  African birds from a series by Rowland Ward, Nairobi Kenya, for Hammersley China

Blessings, Theresa

The Fine Art of Tapering Off

My candle burns at both ends, it will not last the night,

But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends, it gives a lovely light

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Who doesn't love candles? They are a beautiful luxury for us. They speak of love and light, and times gone by. We are still mesmerized by the flickering flame. You can look into the flame and see a reflection of times gone by. Candles are ever present in literature and films, used as props or eloquent metaphors. We are saddened when we hear "some one's flame has gone out", and instructed not to "hide our light under a bushel". There are times when every good candles needs to "taper off", so why not use a Hammersly fine bone china Candle Snuff. You will find them at Cottage Violet's .

For a slight change of subject I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. For Christians ,(I fit in that category) Resurrection Day is the most important day of all. The day our Lord laid down his life for us. Here is a little picture of an Easter basket filled with my favorite collection of pinkeeps. They were made by Andie Bee (Andrea Ferguson) of The Brown Bee Designs. She is a little maker girl full of spunk and gypsy longings.Visit her once in awhile for wonderful surprises.

"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of even one small candle"

Robert Alden

Easter Blessings, Theresa

Lovely Autumn: Time for a Sale

Autumn doesn't last long here in the desert valley. The raging heat turns to chilling cold in a nanosecond. The trees who dare to turn their leaves from green to red to gold are often confused. After they make up their minds to give us a glorious flaming show, the santa ana winds come to blow them all about. They land in obscure piles around cars and trash cans. Much to my dismay they often land in the pool along with the thorny spikes from the redwood trees. This is why we often take our decorating indoors. Cornucopias don't jump off the table and whirl themselves about. Charming autumn teacups stay in their saucers and provide us with a much needed "drap of tea" (scottich ancestry, lol).

In honor of this short lived season, Cottage Violets is having a SALE. What a sale it is! From now until Thanksgiving you will receive 30% off your purchase (not including shipping). All you have to do is type "autumn" into the discount code. Gabby and Miss Violet Teacake will be there to package and ship your purchases. Miss Violet Teacake always likes to add a treat or two so make sure you don't miss out.


Miss Violet Teacake, H. Harriett Hatrack, and Gabby will be adding many products during the next two weeks. Be sure to come back often and see what's new.

So settle in with your blankie and laptop. Do some window(s) shopping and make sure you type "autumn" in the discount box for 30% off your purchase.

Here's a little peak at an autumn Hammersley fine bone china cup and saucer.

"No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace,

As I have seen in one Autumnal face."

John Donne

Beautiful Autumn Blessings,

Theresa