5/18/2011

Lilacs and Tea...



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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a marvelous day!
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I'd love for you to join me for a little refreshment....
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Just taking a little time out of the day to relax...
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Ahhh...the scent of freshly cut lilacs...is there anything better?
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Hmmm...maybe sitting down for a cup of tea with the scent of lilacs filling the air? Yes...I'm thinking that it doesn't get any better than this!!!
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Today I have prepared tea in my french country dining room!
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Lilacs...A Tea Table Centerpiece
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A white ironstone pitcher filled with a large bouquet of freshly cut lilacs is elevated upon a pedestal cake plate that I covered with a lacy doily. On either side of the lilac bouquet, you will find a white pillar candle in a candleholder with pretty dangling crystals...they seem to fit perfectly with the lilacs! I have set my new cloche (a gift from my friend Gloria)...on a pretty lacy charger plate...for a little something "pretty" to look at while having tea! A stack of pretty teacups are peeking out at us from under the cloche!
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One white ironstone teacup along with two olive green transferware teacups are stacked so sweetly under the pretty cloche!
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My newest white teapot...elevated on a pretty pedestal cake plate!
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I love the shape of this pretty teapot...and ohhh, just look at the pretty scalloped edge at the top! I found this sweet little teapot at TJ Maxx for just $7.99! The pedestal cake plate with the reticulated edge also came from TJ Maxx. I love that store! Hehe! I wove two ribbons through the edges of the cake plate...a white organza ribbon and a thinner light green ribbon.
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A white ironstone sugar and creamer...I love my ironstone!!!
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Special Handcrafted "Just for Me" Teacups...
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These teacups are very special to me...my mama made them for me many, many years ago! I thought the lavender colored grapes on the cups would look pretty with the bouquet of lilacs! There is a matching bowl as well...you can see it in the bottom right-hand side of the photo (there is a better pic of it down below). I just love the pretty ruffly edges on this bowl!
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Once again I have used one of my "Cluny Lace" charger plates as a tray for the teacups. They are sitting atop a new white linen napkin that has the prettiest little flowers embroidered on it!
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I love the pretty lavender colored grapes and green leaves...and ohhh, those beautiful grapevine handles!!! I also just adore the fluted lines on the feet of the teacups!
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Just a couple photos of the candleholders...I love how the dangling crystals are catching the sunlight! Sooo pretty with the lavender lilacs in the background...don't you think?
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Ahhh...here is the matching bowl to the teacups! Isn't it beautiful?
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New Linens...Floral Vine
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I found these beautiful napkins at Bumble Bee Linens (online). They are actually little guest towels but I am using them for napkins today. I love, love, LOVE the gorgeous floral vine embroidery and elegant drawnwork of these linens!!!
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A close-up photo of the pretty "spring green" colored napkins.
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My sweet Grandma made these beautiful embroidered napkins for me when I was just 17 yrs. old! They are one of my most precious treasures!!! I have had them out in my dining room since I used the "spring green" in my spring and summer decor this year!
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Ahhhh...lilacs!!!
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Well sweet friends...I'm sooo glad that you stayed for a little refreshment...thank you for coming by!!!
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**PS...This post is a reprise...first published in June of 2010.  I thought I would share this with you today.  My lilacs, presently, are just beginning to bloom.  Spring has been unusually cold this year in Colorful Colorado...everything is blooming later than usual.  Hopefully I can share this year's lilacs with you very soon!*
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I am joining these fabulous parties...*
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Thank you, dear ladies...for hosting these fabulous parties for us!*
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Thank you so much for coming by today!  Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here.  I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Spring Wishes!

38 comments:

Sharing with Sherri said...

Chari, What a gorgeous arrangement of lilacs! I never tire of seeing them! You are lucky yours are just starting to bloom now, mine have already faded for the year. It always seems like the time goes by way too quickly while they are in bloom. So nice of you to for let me enjoy yours!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs, Sherri:)

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Just one beautiful table...love those towels that you used for napkins so pretty and delicate looking! Love the lilacs too!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Oh CHari, this is so beautifully elegant! WHAT a treasure you have in the cups and napkins!!!! I have very few pieces from my family. That is a big disappointment to me. I am hoping that the new lilac bush we bought this spring will BLOOM next year and I will be able to do a lilac table as well!!!! XO, Pinky

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

So beautiful Chari! You have such a talent for a lovely, inviting table. The napkins from your grandmother are a true treasure!! That's an inspiring idea for sure, I'll have to remember to do that for my kiddos. Hope you are having a wonderful week!
xoxo, Andrea

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Hi Chari, I swooned over each and every item on this tablescape... I think I can even smell those gorgeous lilacs... here they started blooming last week. Your cloche with those green cups inside are looking simply amazing...you have used lavender and green so creatively. Loved your grandma's embroidered napkins... they are looking so delicate. Oh and I love the way you wove that pretty green ribbon through the cake stand. My favorite are those pretty cups... they go so perfectly with your table setting. Thanks for sharing. Have a lovely evening. It is pouring right now as I type. Ahh it has been such a wet spring this year.~Poppy

http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Chari, what a gorgeous tea you've set for us. Your lilacs are gorgeous. I've got to get a new bush, mine's been gone now a couple of years or so. I miss their beauty and fragrence. What a treasure to have something as special as the napkins made for you. hugs ~lynne~

Gina said...

Dear Chari, Those gorgeous lilacs and that red wall are absolutely stunning. Actually, so is everything else on your table. Love your clos-up photography.
Thank you for your visit to my blog.
Gina

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful arrangement. I love lilacs and their scent. Yours look gorgeous in that wonderful pitcher. The teacups look amazing under the cloche. Great idea to use the hand towels for napkins. The napkins your grandmother made you are treasures, for sure!
Tammy

xinex said...

Your linens, flowers and your china are so beautiful, Chari. You put them together so pretty on the table. Your phtography is also excellent...Christine

Rettabug said...

Oh my Chari....what a gorgeous table you've set for us! Pretty, pretty linens...drool...and those beautiful cups! Oh my again!

You & I both had similar centerpieces & so did Yvonne. We're lucky to have lilacs to cut, aren't we? They don't grow down south & I missed their wonderful smell when we lived there.

Very pretty table, Honey! As always, I enjoy my visits to your beautiful blog.

fondly,
Rett

podso said...

Chari I love lilacs and you have arranged them in such a lovely way with the green accents mixed in with white. You have such a good eye for such prettiness! Hope you're having a great week!

Marlis said...

Chari, your set up is spectacular. I love lilacs and your mugs go so beautifully with them. The pitcher, well let's say I could die for it! Love the lace doilies and the wonderful napkins from your grandmother. what a true treasure. Happy Spring..

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Wow, those cups are gorgeous, Chari! How wonderful that your mother made them. She is so talented to create something so lovely! Your tablescape is absolutely beautiful! I so wish we could grow lilacs here...they are stunning! Thanks for those sweet words about Chip's graduation!
Susan

Sarah said...

Beautiful details, Chari. Your ceramic pieces from you mom are really special. I know you treasure them! Love the lilacs and the wonderful details of this pretty table. ~ Sarah

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Chari, I am sorry I have been MIA lately. Life has been crazy! I am just getting caught up on all my favorite blogs. Your tablescape is gorgeous and I love the lilacs in the beautiful pitcher. The pieces your mom made are lovely and I know you must treasure them. Take care, friend.
Hugs,
Sherry

Aledia said...

Everything is so very pretty and I am drooling over those candlesticks! Love them!

lanakwaustin@att.net said...

SUBLIME! Just gorgeous and springy and fresh and soothing! I LOVE the teacups and matching bowl--made especially for you...that truly is special!!!!
Is it warmer there for you yet?????
Hugs,
Lana

Mary said...

Your lilacs are beautiful!! I wish we could grow them here *sigh*...Gorgeous in your ironstone pitcher and all your lacy white edges & linens!

Picket said...

Girl this is just too pretty for words!!!! I love the lilacs with your beautiful whites and those treasures from you mama and grandmother..ohhhhh hankie moment for sure....loved loved those! You just have to smile looking at this...hope you have a beautiful day sweetie...Picket

Unknown said...

Oh my Chari!!!! Girl you've outdone yourself! What a BEAUTIFUL table!!! Everything looks just lovely. The lilacs, the cups, pitchers....done as only you can do!!

Carolyn said...

Hi Chari,
I love your lilacs and tea! Your new linens are lovely and those green and white teacups too.
I am looking forward to my lilacs in a couple of weeks.

Carolyn

Miss Merry said...

There is nothing better than the smell of lilacs in the spring and yours are gorgeous in that white pitcher. I really enjoyed all the family momentos that help make this tablescape special. So pretty.

Tricia said...

Oh, Chari, what a stunning bouquet of lilacs! I hope that one day I can see (and smell!) some while they're blooming. I guess they just don't grow in this part of Texas. How perfect they are with the sweet cups your mother made for you!

Susie @ Step inside my home said...

Hi Chari,
I bet your dining room smells wonderful! Ahhhh the fresh scent of lilacs. They are like no other! Your teacups look great displayed under your cloche! And I love your use of pedastals to bring height to your gorgeous table! ~Susie

Designs on 47th Street said...

Hi Chari, I can ALWAYS count on stopping by your blog for a dose of inspiration. Oh my...you have done it again. Well unlike you my lilacs are GONE already and I need them for my tablescape that I am working on for tonight! You know my favorite part of this to die for gorgeous setting?? The green toile cups (and white) nestled under the cloche. So unthought of and classy. Can I copy that idea? ;)

Thanks for replaying this one...it is well worth it!

Donna

Anonymous said...

This is gorgeous Chari! Everything is incredible and the lilacs are the icing on the cake.

we three dogs and me said...

I fell in love with the teacups and matching bowl.Lilacs are so pretty and smell so sweet. Love the white pitcher

Marigene said...

Beautiful, Chari...love the green and white. The linens are exquisite. Hope you can enjoy your lilacs, the rain and wind deprived me this year.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh honey pie...this is a gorgeous arrangement you did! I love the lilacs, the green transferware is so pretty! Your sweet towels are so dainty and sweet. You have such treasures from your family, my favorite things! Stunning my dear, I loved this!
Lots of hugs.
FABBY

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Loved seeing this again. I remember how beautiful it was last year -- thanks for sharing it again. I know those cups are so special. Hope your lilacs bloom as lovely this year.

The Charm of Home said...

Chari,
That is a beautiful table. Your lilacs are gorgeous! I love the napkins your Grandma made. That color looks like it is from today. How neat to have them! Thanks for linking them up!
Sherry

Be Colorful Coastal said...

My favorite flower. I can smell them from here.
Pam

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Chari~ I love your gorgeous lilacs! Your table is so pretty- all the whites mixed with the touches of green and the purples... so beautiful! Hope spring comes your way soon!! Ours is late this year too- we had snow again on Monday! Thanks for sharing at my party :)

La Vie Quotidienne said...

How beautiful...I can almost smell the lilics, mine have already finished blooming and I miss them. I love the way that you stacked the teacups under the cloche and used guest towels for napkins ~ very cleaver. So pretty.

Wanda Lee said...

Oh my dearest Chari!

You've outdone yourself once again!

Those Lilacs, the stacked teacups in the cloche, the apple/spring green napkins; the overall, 'spring', teatime vignette is so appealing and utterly fabulous!

I was literally so happy to see that you had joined us, that I 'misted' up for joy and delight upon hearing from you!..,

~(I was out of the office, after last weeks tea's for several days); yet I must say what pure delight it was to have you partake once again with TTTT and also with my 83rd, 'Tuesday Tea For Two'!..,

Your lovely tea post was magical and I loved every exquisite detail!..,Such delightful, creative and artistic fun Chari!

Thanks so very much for joining us!

Our family is well thanks; I trust yours is as well dear friend!

God richly bless you and yours Chari and have a marvelous week!

~(Perhaps you'll get to enjoy some of your fav cherry cheesecake with a nice cuppa sometime soon, amidst your Lilacs and pretty teatable finery Chari).., wink!

Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee
@ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com
and also
@ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

Oh Chari, Your table is "GORGEOUS" and "YES" I can smell that intoxicating fragrance! No it doesn't get any better than that! I LOVE the mugs and bowl your Mom made. What a talented lady she is!
Have a wonderful weekend...
Hugs,
Donna

Cindy said...

Hello dear Chari,
Once again your table is set so beautifully! Your lilacs are luscious! Your teacups and saucers under the cloche is so pretty, what a sweet color of green they are. I adore your grape vine mugs and your linens. They are all lovely, my dear friend!!!
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!
Love and hugs, Cindy

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