A Summer's Tea on the Veranda...a Revisit

Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

Wow...we are having such beautiful, warm weather here in
 Colorful Colorado!  I'm wondering if we are going to "skip" right
 through spring...right into summer.  Hehe!

I have been wanting to spend time outside since the temps
 have been so nice.  Earlier in the week, I shared a post about my
 little blue cottage veranda.  It's such a nice place to just sit and enjoy my
 morning cup of coffee...and maybe read the latest copy of
 Romantic Homes.

  Today I thought I would revisit a tea that I hosted out on the
 veranda a couple of years ago.  I hope that you enjoy!
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~A Summer's Tea on the Veranda~
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Here we are now...out on my little blue cottage veranda.
It is mid-morning....the perfect time for a cup of tea!
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 Ohhh...and the sunshine feels soooo good this morning!
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A Tea Time Vignette...
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Hmmm...just any ol' tea won't do! I really wanted to set a pretty
 tea table since I was celebrating my birthday!

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I decided to use my cloche with a few teacups stacked under
 it, a couple pretty pearl candleholders, and a glass figurine of a
 lovely lady in blue for the tea table centerpiece!
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I am soooo enjoying my new cottage blue table!
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 Isn't it just the prettiest shade of blue that you've ever seen?
 Honey and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary in June...this
 table was an anniversary gift to ourselves!
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A Pretty Teapot...
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I found this beautiful teapot at TJ Maxx a few months ago...it
 was only $9.99! I just love the beautiful embossed roses on the side
 of the teapot...so delicate looking!
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*The teapot is sitting on one of my lacy, metal charger plates. The
 pretty little pink and lavender roses that are sitting around the teapot are
 actually soap flake petals! I found them at the Dollar Tree...a box of nine roses
 for just $1! Ohhh...they smell sooo good!!! I have used these pretty roses in
 several of my vignettes but they are just fabulous to float in a bath!
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My Birthday Teacup...
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This pretty teacup was a birthday present to myself! Hehe!
 I found it on ebay and just had to have it! I love the gorgeous gold
 scrolly pattern and all the pretty soft, pastel colored flowers!
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"Queen Anne"
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The manufacturer's mark says "Queen Anne" Fine Bone China...England.
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Vintage Table Linens...
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*I layered two round crochet doilies on top of the table...one
 white and one off-white doily.
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*A Tea Napkin, A Vintage Handkerchief, and a Teapot Napkin Ring
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*I also layered the tea napkins. I used a white cotton napkin
 with lace edging from the Shabby Chic line at Targets and a pretty
 vintage handkerchief. This beautiful handkerchief belonged to my dear
 sweet Grandma! I just love the soft pastel colors and the scalloped
 edge...sooo pretty! A silver teapot napkin ring holds the napkins!
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*A Silver Basket & More Napkins...
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*Another vintage handkerchief from my Grandma!
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I found this pretty silver basket at the GW...it was only $.50.
 It works perfectly for holding my tea napkins and the shape of it
 reminds me of a teapot! Just perfect for this tea table!
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*A Lovely Lady in Blue...
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I found this glass figurine of the lovely lady in blue at the
 Dollar Tree...I thought she was so pretty! She's dressed for
 a tea party...you know!
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*Pearl Candleholders and a Cloche...
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*Ohhh...I do love my pearl candleholders!
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 I found these fabulous candleholders at Hobby Lobby last
 year...I sure have gotten alot of use out of them! I love all the pretty
 white pearls and the pearlized white glass mosaic...they
 really are exquisite!
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*This tall glass cloche was a gift from my sweet friend Gloria!
 It is sitting upon a glass pedestal plate...adding a little height to the
 tea table centerpiece. I stacked a few more of my birthday teacups under
 the cloche! Altogether, I bought four teacups and saucers...
Happy Birthday to me! Hehe!
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*My "Artsy" Photos...
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I thought these two photos turned out pretty! My veranda
 is on the east side of the house...when the sun is overhead...we have
 a very nice afternoon shade. The shade on the veranda caused
 the...nearly black...background in the photos!
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This was a completely "natural" effect...I didn't touch up either photo!
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I think the pretty pink and lavender soap flake roses look
 beautiful against the white teapot in the photo above! And...in the
 photo below...I just adore the lighting! All that vibrant color of my birthday
 teacup against the white teapot and pearl candleholders...really pretty!
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PS...The photo at the very beginning of my post was achieved
 using Photo Bucket's photo effect...color sketch.
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Well my friends, I hope you enjoyed your afternoon tea out
 on my veranda!  I'm so happy that you joined me!
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I am joining these fabulous parties today...
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Tablescape Thursday...hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.
Home Sweet Home...hosted by Sherry over at The Charm of Home.
Feathered Nest Friday...hosted by Courtney over at French Country Cottage.
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Thank you, dear ladies...for hosting these fabulous parties for us!
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Well my friends...I 'm so happy that you stopped by for a visit 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 Wishes!
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Green Apples & Lace...A Spring Table

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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Today I thought I would share a tablescape that I created last year.

  The fresh, crisp color palette of this table is perfect for the spring season.

  It is one of my favorites...I hope that you enjoy it as well!

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~Green Apples & Lace~

A Spring Table

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Here we are in my french country dining room.

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As you can see, my dining room is done in shades of red,

 olive green, and gold. This color theme tends to be a bit dark...but

 I think the white dining table/chairs and buffet help keep the room light.

 I love how the crisp white looks against the deeper, rich colors! I found
 my old chippy, french farm table several years ago at the antique
 flea market. I just love it!

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~Green Apples & Lace~

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I wanted to create a tablescape using a "fresh" color palette for the spring season.

Fresh, crisp white and bright apple green...

fit the ticket perfectly for a spring luncheon table set for four.

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Colorful...crisp...and fresh!

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I really do like how the crisp white and bright apple green look against

 the red dining room walls...don't you?

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In fact, it was the spring decor of my dining room buffet

 that inspired this fresh, springtime table today.

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Here is a peek at the buffet...

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Lot's of cool, crisp white...with a few splashes of apple green!

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I collect white ironstone pitchers and decided to display a few of them in the

 vignette for my spring buffet.

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I also love cloches...can you tell?  Two of my favorite cloches can be seen here!

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On the left-hand side of the buffet...

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An olive green transferware pitcher filled with teaspoons is showcased

 under a tall cloche. I elevated the cloche on a glass pedestal plate to give it a

 little more "presence". I also placed an apple green colored leaf plate under the

 small ironstone pitcher...to bring a "splash" of that pretty green to this side

 of the vignette.

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On the right-hand side of the buffet...

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Green apples!

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 Green apples under glass!

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 I love how they look...so fresh...and so springy! I think that this

 is the largest cloche that I own. It stands a stately 13" in height and is a

 whopping 10" in diameter. I'm sure that I could stack an entire dozen of

 green apples easily...under this big girl! Hehe!

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~Green Apples & Lace~

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~Green Apples & Lace~

The Centerpiece

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A white ironstone pitcher filled with white and green hydrangeas

 is the star attraction in this "Green Apples and Lace" table centerpiece.

 The beautiful spring bouquet is sitting atop a large green "leaf shaped"

 serving platter. It's a nice sized platter...measuring about 18" in length...it

 actually could double for a serving tray. A trio of bright green apples

 are scattered about on the leaf platter.

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Four crystal candleholders with apple green tapers join the mix...two

 on either side of the leaf platter. And...a cloche...with a single green apple...

adds another beautiful aspect to this spring table centerpiece.

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~Green Apples & Lace~

New Dishes

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"Meredith" (white lace) by American Living

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...and...

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"Green Leaf" by Cindy Crawford Style

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Both sets of dishes are new and making their "debut" on this table today.

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*"Green Apples & Lace"

The Place Setting

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"Cluny Lace" metal charger plate.

"Green Leaf" dinner plate.

"Meredith" (white lace) dinner plate.

"Green Leaf" salad/dessert plate.

"Green Leaf" bowl.

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"Meredith" (white lace) teacup and saucer.

Iced tea stemware

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"Brahms" Oneida flatware.

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White cut-work embroidered napkins.

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*"Green Leaf" soup bowl.

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I love this set of dishes...they really are the most beautiful apple green color!

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*"Green Leaf" salad/dessert plate.

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"Meredith" (white lace) dinner plate.

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I love, love, LOVE the detailing on these pretty dishes. The beautiful

 ruffled edges...the embossed pattern of flowers with ribbons and bows

...ahhh...such sweetness!!!

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It was love at first sight! When I seen this set of beautiful, white lace

 dishes at JC Penneys...I had to have them. They were clearanced at Penney's

 online outlet store. I purchased a five piece place setting...service for eight...

for just $56! The "dish angels" were smiling down on me that day!

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"Green Leaf" dinner plate.

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*A fresh...cool...crisp...and colorful place setting for a spring table!

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The "Meredith" (white lace) teacup and saucer.

Iced tea stems...compliments of Dollar Tree.

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*My "artsy" photo.

The sun was waning when I took this photo. I love the soft light and shadows!

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*And...Voila...there you have it!

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A ~Green Apples & Lace~ spring tablescape!

 I hope that you enjoyed, my friends!

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I am joining these fabulous parties...

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WOW party...hosted by Kim over at Savvy Southern Style.

Tablescape Thursday...hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Home Sweet Home party...hosted by Sherry over at The Charm of Home.

Feathered Nest Friday...hosted by Courtney over at French Country Cottage.

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Thank you, ladies...for hosting these wonderful parties for us!

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Well dear friends...I'm so happy that you stopped 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!

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~Romancing the Heart~...a Valentine's Day Place Setting

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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Ahhh...Valentine's Day...the special day that we spend a little time
 "romancing the heart"! Are you ready? Do you have plans for that
 beloved valentine in your life?
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Three Valentine Place Settings...

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1st Place Setting..."Be Still My Heart"

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I have been having so much fun playing dishes! Hehe! Last week I
 experimented with a few place settings that would make a pretty Valentine's
 Day table. I shared the first place setting...called "Be Still My Heart"...a few
 days ago. If you would like to see more of that table...just click HERE.
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2nd Place Setting..."Romancing the Heart"

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Today I wanted to share the second Valentine's Day place setting.
 I decided to call it..."Romancing the Heart"! Hmmm...I'm not sure why
 I name all the tablescapes that I create...but I do! Hehe! I hope that you enjoy!
Stay tuned for my Valentine's Day place setting #3.
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~Romancing the Heart~
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Here we are, once again, in my french country dining room.
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As I mentioned earlier, this is the second Valentine's Day place setting
in a series of three different tables that I created. From the first place setting...to
 this second setting...a few things have remained the same, however there have
 also been a few changes made.

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For table number two, I am using a set of dishes that were manufactured
 by Sakura...made exclusively for Hallmark...called Rose Mist.
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I also made a few changes to the table centerpiece!
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"Romancing the Heart" is sporting a white and silver color theme...
a pretty shade of light green and soft pink have been brought into the
 mix with the "Rose Mist" dinnerware. I am really enjoying all the silver. I
 do hope that you haven't grown sick of seeing it by now! I use alot of silver
 during the Christmas holidays and end up leaving some of it out for my
 winter decor.
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"Romancing the Heart" Table Centerpiece...
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Table Centerpiece...

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I have added a white lacy table runner to this table centerpiece. The same
 silver tray from the first place setting is still being used, however I have added
 a few new items...

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A white ironstone pitcher filled with white tulips is the star attraction.
A small white ironstone pitcher containing teaspoons.

Three silver candlesticks with chunky white tapers.

A sweet cast iron cherub.

and a decorative french looking silver ornament.
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Several pieces from my mercury glass collection can also be seen in
 the centerpiece: tall goblet shaped candleholders, decorative finials, and
 decorative jeweled orbs.
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Two cast iron fleur de lis finals set at either end of the centerpiece as well.
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A sweet cherub to romance the heart.
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"Romancing the Heart" Place Setting...
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Layers of shimmering silver...sparkling white...with touches of
 pale greens and soft pinks!
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I really am loving this color combination for a Valentine's Day tablescape!
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The Place Setting...

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A silver charger plate with an ornate rose rim.

"Rose Mist" dinner plate.

A white dinner plate with a "silver ring" border.

"Rose Mist" salad/dessert plate.

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A hand blown, mercury glass heart with swirly, twirly white organza ribbon!
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 "Rose Mist" salad/dessert plate.
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I just love the pretty green and pink plaid on the rims of the salad/dessert
 plates! The plaid gives this set a "cottage or shabby chic" feel!

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Oooh...and just look at that beautiful pink rose!!!
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"Rose Mist" dinner plate.
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This gorgeous pink rose that trails down the side of the dinner plate almost
 looks like a watercolor painting! Various shades of pink...along with a few splashes
 of pale yellow...make up this pretty bloom! This really is a beautiful set of dishes.
 They are sooo much prettier in person!
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"Rose Mist"
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"Rose Mist" teacup.

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I have such a sweet story about these pretty teacups. I purchased this set
 of "Rose Mist" dishes about 15 years ago. The set had dinner plates, salad/dessert
 plates, and bowls, however...there were no cups and saucers! I just thought that they
 didn't make teacups for this set.
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Then...lo and behold...a few months ago I was looking through a few photos
 on my friend's blog, Mary Ellen from Mary's Meanderings. Mary has a booth at
 her local antique shop...and it's full of sooo many beautiful things! As I was looking through
 the photos of her booth...I spotted a set of four teacups and saucers that I thought might look
 nice with the "Rose Mist" dishes! I never dreamed that this set of teacups were actually
 from the same "Rose Mist" dinnerware pattern! I did my little "happy dance" for sure!
 Sweet Mary sent the teacups and saucers to me...and I'm just tickled pink to have
 them! Thank you again, sweet friend! I feel like I have a complete set of this
 dinnerware now!
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Don't you just adore that tiny pink rosebud on the inside of the teacup?
 Ahhh...sooo sweet!
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 Stemware with winter scenes...
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On this end of the table...you will see the pretty pink dinner napkin that I
 chose to use with this place setting...and a stack of the "Rose Mist" plates and bowl.
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I added a few "pretties" to the bowl! A second mercury glass heart,
 a cluster of white pearl berries, and a few of my treasures from the sea!
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I have to tell you...blog friends are the very, very best!!! The starfish and
 shells were a gift from sweet M^.^ over at Tales from an OC Cottage! Just
 look at that pretty...glittery...soft pink starfish and...there is a silver glittered starfish
 too! Look close...there are also pink and silver glittered shells as well! Sweet M^.^
sent me a gift box full of pretties...for no reason at all...except that she is just
 sweet like that!!! Thank you again, sweet friend!!!
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"Romancing the Heart"
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The last few photos are all about romancing the heart!
 I hope that you enjoy!
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(my favorite photo)
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 Every heart needs a little romance!

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Happy Valentine's Day, sweet friends!
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I am joining these lovely parties...
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Tablescape Thursday...hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.
Feathered Nest Friday...hosted by Courtney over at French Country Cottage.
Home Sweet Home party...hosted by Sherry over at The Charm of Home.
Potpourri Friday...hosted by Honey over at "2805".

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Thank you, ladies...for hosting these fabulous parties for us!

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Well my friends...I'm sooo glad that you stopped in for a visit today!
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Today's post was a revisit from Valentine's Day 2011.  I am still trying
 to settle in since returning from my trip to Texas.  Once again, I would like
 to thank all of you who have kept me and my family in your prayers.  My Dad,
 who was diagnosed with lung cancer over the Christmas holidays, went home
 to be with the Lord on January 31st.  I'm so thankful that his suffering is
 over and that he is resting safely in the arms of Jesus now.    
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  Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here...
I would love to visit with you!

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Happy Valentine's Day!
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