Happy Tuesday sweet friends. I hope your week is off to a great start!
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalm 34:8
“Tea should be taken in solitude.”
~C. S. Lewis
I invite you to grab a cuppa and join me for Tea on Tuesdays. Mary and I are excited to welcome our friend and fellow Monday Morning Bloomer, Lidy from French Garden House as our special guest. She doesn’t need an introduction, as most of you have already discovered her amazing talents and impeccable taste! You will find the links for lovely teatime with Mary and Lidy at the bottom of this post.
Tea is a simple pleasure whether shared with a friend or in solitude as the the Lewis quote suggested. I decided that my tea should be taken quietly as the demands of activities had overtaken my week.
A favorite April Cornell breakfast square, “La Vie en Rose”, was the inspiration for my teatime and the title of today’s post. The 54 x 54 inch table square was added to my AC linen collection last year along with two pillow covers. The rose strewn table square is still available on their website. As an April Cornell brand ambassador, last spring I selected the large round cloth “forget me not” in pink. It makes a beautiful underpinning for the rose breakfast square.
Lady Grey was served in a rose patterned “Grace Teaware” cup and saucer. Lady Grey tea is very similar to Earl Grey, but with a few important differences. The main difference between the two is that Lady Grey also contains lemon peel and orange peel which gives it a softer, more subtle citrusy flavor. Both are bergamot-flavored black tea blends. While Earl Grey originated in the 19th century, Lady Grey was created in the 1990’s.
“Tea! Bless ordinary everyday afternoon tea!”
~Agatha Christie
After setting the tea table, it suddenly became dark with thunder and lightning in the distance. Checking the radar on my phone it verified that rain was definitely headed my way. Fortunately, I finished photos just in time!
You might ask what is the meaning of the French phrase, La Vie en Rose. It is translated “life in pink”, and essentially means seeing life through rose-colored glasses. Living with an attitude or outlook of positivity, seeing the beauty in the everyday. I think of it as seeing the glass half-full rather than half-empty. The song was famously recorded by the French singer, Edith Piaf, and was released as a single in 1947. The song became very popular in the US in 1950, when seven versions reached the Billboard charts. It was recorded by artists like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and Louis Armstrong.
“Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.”
~Unknown
Roses were the ideal flower to accent the tablecloth and were plentiful last week with Mother’s Day on Sunday. The red roses were placed in a vintage pitcher that I often use for small bouquets.
I am much more apt to go for the sweet as opposed to the savory! While grocery shopping, I stopped by their bakery and picked up mini lemon poppy seed muffins, biscotti, and Napoleons, a classic French pastry. The flaky puff pastry consists of three layers. The top layer is covered in powdered sugar or glazed with icing in alternating white and brown stripes. A creamy vanilla pastry cream is the filling. I remember our last time in Paris finding a lovely French patisserie with display cases of the most gorgeous pastries! I chose several but I remember the Napoleon was pure decadence! Always on hand at our house are one bite chocolate treats such as the Godiva chocolate lava cake truffle.
With warm temperatures and rain, our garden is finally coming to life. A few later than normal frosty nights in April had really slowed down the spring awakening!
The “Eileen’s Reserve” teapot seemed perfect with the table square and cup and saucer. Placing it on a small cake plate with a sprinkling of rose petals elevated its presence!
The hummingbird plate is one a set of four different “spring garden” plates that were offered by Williams Sonoma several years ago. Hummingbird sightings have become more prevalent over the last few days!
Be sure to visit my very creative and talented friends below. You will be glad that you did!
Mary~Home Is Where the Boat Is
Lidy~French Garden House
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Good Morning Pam, I adore your April Cornell topper and linen layers for your La Vie en Rose Tea! Your Grace Teaware rose teacup pairs beautifully with your topper and pillow. I’d love to join for cup of Lady Grey tea, along with a Napoleon in your garden. A friend just gave me the same teapot for my birthday which I’m looking forward to using soon. I love how you elevated the teapot a pedestal with rose petals. Your hummingbird plate is so pretty too. I just filled up my hummingbird feeders this weekend and I’m anxiously awaiting their return. It’s always a treat to join you for tea! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. ♥
Thanks so much, Mary. Enjoy your week 💛
Pam, Your rose themed tea table is beautiful. AC has such pretty linens and you have a lovely collection. We’ve been having pop up showers due to the heat too. April was indeed cooler but the May heat is quickly making up for it. Your hummingbird plate is the perfect Spring representation. Your elevated tea pot is so pretty. The roses are gorgeous. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
You are always so sweet to comment, Clara. Thank you ♥️
Beautiful, Pam! I love the AC textile layering, and the teapot on pedestal with rose petals is outstanding. When we visited Canada, there was a street performer singing La Vie en Rose at the Old Quebec center. It was such a perfect scene outside the Frontenac and near the St Lawrence River!
I’ve enjoyed the unusually cool.spring, as it’s allowed me to get a lot of work done in my landscape, and germinating new grass!
Thank you, Rita. I have always wanted to visit Quebec. Did you stay at the Frontenac!
Yes, Pam, we did. Wonderful!
Good morning Pam! What a beautiful setting, it made me actually smell roses in my mind. I have never tried Lady Grey tea but will be adding it to my list. Your A.C. topper is gorgeous, and I love how you elevated the tea pot. The incredible patisseries of Paris will always be one of my lasting memories. We are already getting warnings for severe weather here today; hope you have a beautiful day in store!
Thank you, Roxanne. I know you would enjoy Lady Grey. I hope the bad weather didn’t come your way!
Over the top beauty Pam. The AC linens really are my favorite and what a great ambassador you are. I love the outdoor setting. Everything is so lush and green. You definitely bring LaVie en Rose to your every day living. Have a wonderful week.
You are always so sweet to comment, Dianne. Thank you 💕
Must try Lady Grey tea but I have always chosen Earl Grey.. the grands most assuredly would have enjoyed your tea table and I’m sure your instruction on all of the graces involved. Godiva chocolate lava cake sounds exquisite. Where do you find it? I have a friend that’s in need of chocolate, lots of chocolate! There’s a lovely shop on Pearl Street in Boulder called Peppercorn that I visit when I need a lift from the daily problems encountered. It carries every kind of tea and many tasty bites to serve along side of the pot of tea. La Vie en Rose (life in Pink) speaks to my heart. Those red roses are breath taking!
I always love your comments, Alice. Peppercorn sounds like a lovely shop that I would enjoy. Wishing you a beautiful week 💕
Good morning Pam. Your table is gorgeous. I love April Cornwell too. She has the prettiest patterns and colors. Have a great day.
As always, you are so sweet to comment, Kris 💕
Good Morning dear Pam! Oh, the layers of April Cornell are stunning and add such elegance to your tea, for one.
Your teapot surrounded by rose petals adds a feeling of being in France. Then add the delicious tea to your adorable teacup, such perfection.
I’ll be by for a Napolean. It’s been a while since I had one.
Enjoy your Tuesday, and hug those littles from me.
Nancy, you are so sweet to always comment. Come by anytime for tea 💕
Good morning Pam! Your La Vie en Rose tea for one couldn’t be more delightful! Right away I thought of my Mom, she loved Edith Piaf, I grew up listening to her songs. The tablecloths look spectacular! Your tea pot and cup look so beautiful with the tablecloths and pillow. I love Lady Grey tea, and Napoleons used to be my very favorite pastry as a little girl. I love how your teapot is presented on a pedestal with rose petals. Your tea for one is a reminder to fill our days with beauty, beauty fills all our hearts with gratefulness for what our God wants for us. It’s always a treat to join you for tea! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. ♥ Xo Lidy
Thank you, Lidy. What a sweet memory of your mom that she loved Edith Piaf. It was a treat to share a cuppa with you 💕
What a beautiful table setting, Pam. And those linens are just wonderful with the tea cups and serving things and of course your beautiful flowers!
Thanks so much, Jeanie!
Tea for One or Two sounds lovely to me. Everything is so very pretty. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you, Cindy 💕
What a wonderful way to spoil yourself Pam, with an afternoon tea table set in your garden! The April Cornell rose breakfast square and pillows are beautiful and look so pretty paired the the forget-me-not pink cloth. The teapot does look special perched on the pedestal on a bed of rose petals~ everything looks so pretty! After spending 3 hours this morning enduring the dreaded annual trip to the GYN I came home a fixed myself a little fancy lunch as a treat 🙂 Glad you got your photos before the rains came~ yesterday around 5 the bottom fell out and we had torrential rain for several hours! Thank you for the beautiful eye candy and lovely quotes!
Jenna
Jenna, you are always so sweet to comment. You deserved a fancy lunch after that dreadful annual visit. We were in B’ham today and it came a storm on us. Drove home and it was completely dry. Have a wonderful week 💕
I so wish I could share a cup of tea with you, dear friend! And pastries too, of course. Lovely.
I wish we lived close enough to enjoy teatime 💕
Oh, Pam this is a breathtaking and beautiful tablescape!! The teas and special treats look very yummy and thanks for sharing your memories of our beloved Paris, France!
Thank you, Mary for your sweet comments!
A beautiful setting Pam & those roses are my absolute favorite color of rose of all time!
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer 💕
O My! What a wonder Tea Post!! LOVE the linens and pillow that you used…Beautiful design on the fabric!! Everything is just so charming!! Thanks for sharing! I hope you are having a great week!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie, thank you for your sweet comments. I hope you are having a great week!
SO lovely Pam! Your tablecloths are gorgeous, and that tea cup!! Having such a beautiful quiet place for your tea for one must be one of the joys of your life! Thanks for sharing it with us – I’m inspired as always!
Barbara you are a sweetheart! Thank you, my friend!
Pam Thank you for inviting us into your special tea party. The pink variety of colors are just breath taking. Your table is set with such love and beauty.
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Sweet ladies, I am so happy that you joined me for tea! Thanks for coming!
Pam, this is such a beautiful tea setting! I loved reading the history of Lady Grey tea. I had no idea that it was invented in 1990. Your AC linens are gorgeous! You know I adore pink. I have enjoyed my visit for tea this morning. Happy Thursday, dear friend!
my sister and i were out at a lovely tearoom and spied a beautiful young woman, sitting contentedly with her lunch and a book, all by herself. and we thought, ‘wouldn’t that be lovely …’
Yes, it is lovely! Thank you, Linda.
Pam, your entire tea setting is gorgeous! The teacup and AC linens are so pretty. You know I adore pink! How I would love to have one of those delicious sweet treats this morning with my tea. I enjoyed reading about the history of Lady Grey tea. I had no idea it wasn’t around until 1990. Happy Thursday, dear friend!
Thank you, Shannon. I wish you and I could share a cuppa together!
Pam, your la vie en rose tea table is so pretty! I love your AC table linens and your choice of the table topper is beautiful. Its perfect for the lovely tea cup and teapot. And those roses… gorgeous! I loved reading about the history of Lady Grey tea and the meaning of la vie en rose – there is a Canadian chain store here by that name. I hope you had a wonderful cuppa with some of those mouthwatering treats. Happy Thursday dear lady!
Thanks so much, Kim for your sweet visits. Happy Weekend!
Pam. Your tea for one is so lovely, a perfect La Vie en Rose . I love the AC linens and the pillow.The topper looks so pretty layered. Your Grace teaware rose cup is so pretty and looks lovely with the roses. The elevated teapot looks beautiful surrounded by rose petals. A real treat to enjoy a cuppa in your garden with a sweet pastry.
Thanks so much, Linda! Happy weekend!
Love all of your tea settings. Your tables and dishes are so elegantly displayed with all your beautiful fabrics.
Thank you, Linda!
This was such a lovely post! The red roses in the white pitcher were just stunning. And I love how you captured the shadow reflected in the tea! Your photography skills are as amazing as your skill to set such lovely tables. May the Lord continually bless you and your family!
Thank you, Cheryl. Wishing you a joy-filled Wednesday!