Blossom Time

May 5, 2014

Our rhododendron blossoms are swelling and ready to burst forth in all their fuchsia glory. The magnolia tree has a dozen or more pink tulip-shaped flowers on it. There are buds on the lilac bush and on the azaleas.



 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land . . .  Songs 2:11-12

I've never actually known what "the voice of the turtle" is, or sounds like, but don't you imagine it would be something quite magical?

After the worst winter on record, the spring blossoms seem magical; they are balm to our souls here in Michigan. Our doorwall is open, and though it is still a little cool, the sunshine and breeze is glorious, and seeing the bright goldfinches back at the feeder is such a happy thing.

In honor of the occasion, I borrowed my daughter's Royal Albert Blossom Time china, and set a little tea table for a friend and me yesterday. We often discuss books or just sit and read together when she is here for a visit. The treats are rather light today, as we have already indulged quite a bit this weekend, including eating Derby Pie, in honor of the Kentucky Derby Saturday.  I've never had it; it's like a chocolate chip cookie in a pie!

Cooling on the stove, and ready for a dollop of fresh whipped cream . . . 
My friend is from northern Michigan, and it was snowing up there while we were enjoying our tea.





These little bunny graham cookies by Annie's are a perfect little snack for a spring tea.


These little almond thins were nice, too.


As I said, light on the snacks today, what with the Derby Pie and this last night . . . Shrimp scampi and fish and chips. We shared. And watched the race. Six hours of coverage for a two-minute race. I liked seeing the hats.



Back to the tea table. A good book or two and a pad of paper to jot down any ideas or notes are welcome at a tea between old friends, a tea that can go on companionably for a few hours. 


The poetry book is here so I can brush up on some Keats before we watch Bright Star, a movie about his life. I'm afraid it will be sad; he died at age 25. He wrote such beautiful poetry.




I hope you're enjoying "blossom time" wherever you are, my friends.

Linking with . . . 


29 comments

  1. The Blossom Time china is perfect for a spring tea and the light snacks are quite adequate. I made a Derby Pie (although by another name) a few weeks ago and it was decadent. The get together with a friend over tea and books sounds delightful.

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  2. How lovely. Is the other book open on your table a journal? It's beautiful, too! Enjoy your day! Hugs, Diane

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  3. Your tea set and treats look lovely!
    Sharing time with a dear friend over tea is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. I am planning a wee trip away to meet up with a dear friend and although it is over a week away I am already getting excited about seeing her again!

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  4. Deborah, your Derby Pie looks interesting. I've never had it before. We watched the Derby too. I love hats so the program was fun to watch. LOVE your Blossom Time china. I have only the one plate but hope to find a teacup one day. I have been reading The Dean's Watch and enjoying it. I had ordered it through the book store. I would like to read The Scent of Water too someday. Thank you for sharing and joining me for tea. Have a beautiful day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. Hi Deborah I too went to a fun Kentucky Deby party Saturday and watched the race and ate too much! Lol! It's so much fun and nice to catch up with friends. I love the tea and the china so pretty! Have a wonderful week and thanks so much for stopping by today! :0)
    Julie

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  6. What beautiful pieces of Blossomtime China! I just love your Derby Pie as well as I have never seen one. We all would love to try that!

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  7. I have seen but never owned this pattern. It is beautiful!

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  8. Blossom time is so pretty! Your Derby pie looks delicious--I wouldn't mind a piece of that :).

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  9. This is such a beautiful post: the special tea with a friend, the poetry, the china etcetera. Inspiring. I think to do these things for my daughter and friends, but I forget to do it for myself and friends...xoxo

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  10. I can't think of a nice way to spend an afternoon than with tea and a friend. I have one tea cup in the Blossom pattern - so lovely at this time of year.

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  11. What a beautiful post - I can't think of anything nicer than sitting with a friend over tea! To have such lovely china to enjoy the treats just makes it so very special! xo Karen

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  12. I love all the beauty you've assembled here, Deborah. The fact that you've used it in real life makes it even more special. Yes, spring blossoms do seem magical after this past winter. I hope your garden has survived - I had several casualties that the warmer weather has revealed - several plants needed to be cut to their base in the hopes of new growth.

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  13. The table you set for tea with your friend is exquisite! I see why you could sit for hours enjoying good treats, good reading, and great conversation.
    Mary Alice

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  14. A beautiful post----a joy to read and look at. Thank you for sharing such a special moment in time. Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  15. Hello Deborah, I love love love Blossom Time! Ever time I see this china I swoon! Lucky daughter!
    Your tea time table looks so lovely I pinned it : )
    Your Derby pie looks scrumptious! Yum! and all your other delicious looking food. I am sure you had a great time with your friend. How wonderful she could visit you and get away from the snow! I have heard how rough the winter was in Michigan this past year. I hope spring and summer are better for you all.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  16. You set a truly lovely table...the dishes are beautiful. I'd love to sit down to tea with you and feel almost as if I have. I am leaving chuckling about a turtle's song... A turtle dove does indeed sound lovely, if one enjoys the sound of coos. Have a beautiful day, Deborah!

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    1. haha now I feel really silly, a turtle dove makes sense. but, still, singing turtles would be awesome, right? :)

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  17. Beautiful table! :) I am enjoying my goldfinches as well right now! :) You made me curious...I was thinking perhaps a turtledove, depending on the Bible translation so I went and looked it up in my new king james and it says turtledove. Now after leaving here I am off to google turtle dove to see if it is similar to our doves over here ! :)

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  18. Oh dang it, Deborah, I have too many dishes already, but I see I'm going to have to seek out some Blossom Time now too! They are just too gorgeous!!! You set a lovely tea table, I just want to dig right in. Thanks so much for sharing this at History & Home this week, take care - Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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  19. The Blossom Time china is so pretty! I love the cream & sugar on the tray, and the gold tea spoons! It's extra special to have a beautiful tea set (even a borrowed one!). I just bought some seeds to encourage some more goldfinches into the yard. I just have to keep the squirrels from scarfing back more than their fair share ;) You and your friend seem to have had a really nice visit together. Wendy x

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  20. Hi Deborah,
    What beautiful china! So perfect for spring time! Your tea is so beautiful, just wish I could join you! We both live in Michigan, but I live way up in the northern part. We still have snow in places and it's been cold here, in the 40's. No blossoms yet!
    Hugs, Nancy

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  21. Deborah, Your tea is gorgeous! I love the trivet you have set your teapot up on. That looks good like that and your china is beautiful!
    Sherry

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  22. Hi Deborah,
    I am glad to hear spring is arriving for you! What gorgeous china to welcome it! How lucky to have a tea friend to share a movie (it sounded so good I'll add it to my watch list). The bunny grams are adorable:-)
    I wonder what the turtles sound like... I agree it would be magical...
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  23. Beautiful table setting Deborah--sounds like a lovely afternoon with a friend--tea, treats, and good books. Can't beat that :)

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  24. Oh sweet Deborah, this setting is gorgeous! Your sweets and treats look yummy and your dishes are stunning!
    What a lovely and fun afternoon you had with a friend, nothing better than that!
    I want to thank you so very much for the beautiful teacup and saucer giveaway, plus the lovely vintage tray linen...it came beautifully packaged in such a lovely Little box and your sweet and generous note in a pretty card...everything just like you would do! Even my husband thanks your kindness, he said to tell you! I will post a table tomorrow for Mother's Day and I will share my giveaway so you can see it right on my table!
    Love,
    FABBY

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  25. Darling setting....love the monogrammed napkin! So glad Fabby mentioned your blog in her post.

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  26. The Blossom Time china is absolutely stunning! Love it! I had seen it on another blog and was captivated by it then. I look forward to seeing your mangolias and rhododendrons, Deborah.

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  27. Hi Deborah,
    I am visiting from Sandi's Rose Chintz Cottage. Your daughter's "Blossom Time" china caught my eye! You will see why on my blog post "Pink Trees and Cherry Tea". I have been inspired by this pattern for many reasons...I really enjoyed sharing tea with you today! Everything looks so yummy! :-)
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  28. Hello Deborah, Your daughter's set is exquisite setting a lovely tea with your delicious chocolate chip pie and cookies! I am delighted that you shared with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

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