Hello sweet friends! I hope your week is off to a great start! Officially, spring will begin this Thursday, March 20th!
“The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”
Song of Solomon 2:12 (ESV)
We pray for many in central Alabama where a number of devastating tornadoes touched down Saturday. There was loss of life, numerous injuries, and many have lost their homes, their possessions, and in some cases their livelihood. Our area in NE Alabama did not experience a tornado, but according to reports, over 50 of the state’s 67 counties received damage.
Welcome to the Sunshine Cottage and the March edition of Tea on Tuesdays!
Mary and I are welcoming back Nancy, from Two Trails One Road. She writes a lovely blog as she shares her two homes, one in Arizona and her childhood home in Pennsylvania. You will find the teatime links for Mary and Nancy at the bottom of this post.
Recently, a sweet reader wrote this comment and I loved her description!
“I love the way the light rays come through and envelopes your teatime tablescape! It’s like the angels are blowing swirling kisses upon your tea party!”
~Linda Hovgard
I am celebrating the arrival of spring this coming Thursday with tea in the Sunshine Cottage. There are no dancing shadows in the morning light, that magic happens around noon. I photographed at both times.
My inspiration for this teatime is the beautiful new linens from April Cornell. April is marking her 50th anniversary with many returning Heritage Prints from the archives. Eden is one of the beautiful patterns that has returned. It is a soft purple paradise where butterflies float, roses bloom, and soft sage leaves levitate. As an April Cornell Brand Ambassador, I am gifted new linens each season. I have been a collector of AC linens for many years. Her floral patterns resonate with my love for the English Country style of decorating.
I am serving my favorite tea, Earl Grey. This particular tea, Earl Grey Crème from The Spice & Tea Exchange, offers the comforting flavors of vanilla and cream to lighten the citrus notes of traditional Earl Grey. Grace Teaware cup and saucer is appropriately named ‘spring flowers’.
You may notice the mixing of floral patterns…teapot, salad plate, teacup, and the linens. I agree with the late Charles Faudree, it isn’t about the match but the mix!
Vintage ’Rose Chintz’ salad plate by Johnson Brothers and Eileen’s Reserve teapot offer floral patterns while a creamy American Atelier ‘Baroque’ dinner plate gives rest to the eye from all of the pattern.
The squirrel population seems to explode in spring! Yes, they are cute, but they chew on my picnic table and other things. A friend had one to chew the wiring in their car. This small squirrel box doesn’t chew up anything, he just adds jewelry to the table!
A small mossy rabbit hopped into my shopping cart recently at TJ Maxx.
When the time was perfect for the light and shadows, I grabbed my camera once again!
“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?”
~Neltje Blanchan
One of the best grocery store cookies that I have ever tasted…Hershey Kisses, coconut, and pecans. Unfortunately, I threw away the container and a few days later when returning to the store, they were all gone. I purchased the Oreo brownies for RM, Oreos are his favorite. Phyllo shells were filled with delicious chicken salad.
A lily pad teapot from Anthropologie contains blooms from our Japanese magnolia and twigs with tiny blooms from our winter honeysuckle. Both the magnolia and the honeysuckle have a subtle but lovely fragrance! In case you missed my ‘Teapot Catalog’, you can view it here.
“It seems that I awakened one morning and suddenly all the trees were wearing their vibrant shade of spring green!”
~Pam Richardson
And now, enjoy lovely teatimes with Mary and Nancy by clicking on the links below.
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Nancy ~ Two Trails One Road
I am always grateful 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,
Life and Linda
Good morning Pam, I love pattern play and mix of florals on your table! Johnson Brothers ‘Rose Chintz’ is a favorite pattern and April Cornell ‘Eden’ provides a beautiful foundation and pairing with your teapot and Japanese magnolia blooms. Your treats look delicious, my hubby is an Oreo fan too. I love Linda’s quote about the light on your table and agree about those cute but destructive squirrels! We have 4 oak trees on our property along with a giant hickory tree and there are squirrels everywhere…they’ve nested in our crawl space after chewing through the porch access, destroyed one of our all-weather wicker chairs and we caught a stowaway on our boat that chewed through the wiring harness…$$$ I’m so relieved to know you didn’t have any damage from the tornadoes and storms that passed through over the weekend. Thoughts and prayers for those that lost their homes and loved ones. 🙏 As always it’s a treat to join you for tea. ☕ I hope you’re enjoying some beautiful spring weather this week. 🌸💗
Thank you, Mary. The squirrels can cost a lot of money! Love our teatime!
Good Morning Pam. So happy to hear you did not have damage from those storms and tornadoes that moved through. Your table is beautiful. Have a beautiful week. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much, Kris for your sweet comments!
Good Morning Pam,
What a lovely tea time you have set for us today in your charming Sunshine Cottage. I do enjoy how you mix patterns so beautifully. The mix of china with the AC tablecloth is exquisite. I feel as though I am at a French Cafe.
The magnolia blooms Butch picked for you are such a sweet Spring touch. The fragrance must be a delight.
I love Linda’s quote! How beautifully said of your dappled sunlight that dances in your Sunshine Cottage.
I am so happy to u are safe from the storms. Prayers for all who lost homes and family.
It was a pleasure to join you for Tea on Tuesdays. I thank you for the invitation once again, dear friend.
Happy Spring! 🌸
Thank you, Nancy. You are always so gracious and kind. I love having you as our guest!
Just love your shadow pictures!! I am a big fan and user of April Cornell too. Happy Anniversary to her. How lucky are you to be an ambassador. You always show off her linens beautifully. All of the mix of your pretty china is delightful. I love a mix rather than a match too.
Thank you, Ruth. AC has some beautiful linens this spring and Wishing you a lovely spring!
I love everything about your beautiful spring table! May I ask where you got that charming little squirrel box? 🐿️
Thank you, Donna. Many years ago I began a collection of small jeweled trinket boxes. I found them in many different places and ordered some from catalogs that came regularly in the mail, way before there was online shopping. I am so sorry I can’t tell you where it was found. You might try Amazon and find a similar one. Happy week to you!
Oh my goodness, I feel like I’m sitting in a darling English teatime, Pam, with your mixing of the pretty patterns. Being an AC Ambassador must be so exciting! Your centerpiece in your teapot is so stunning with that vibrant pink and the green color. Yes, I’d love a treat before I head out and a cup of your favorite tea. I must look for that brand as you’re the one who got me started on re-trying Earl Grey teas. Happy Spring!
P. S. The quote from the reader about the angels swirling was so perfect for the dappled light.
Kitty, thank you for your sweet comments! Happy Spring!
My favorite combination of colors, pink and green, are found in the flower arrangement and lily pad teapot. Soon and very soon I will see the Spring Green that I love so much. The plants I’ve kept over winter in the house know that Spring has arrived. They are all standing very straight and the cyclamen have many blooms. Are you excited that AC is bringing back some of her much loved tablecloths. I am and hoping for a favorite that I didn’t order in time the first go round.
Thank you, Alice. I know you are looking forward to Spring in Colorado! Hopefully AC will bring back your favorite!
What a welcome spring gets in your garden! It’s just beautiful.
Thank you, Leslie Anne!
This tea party is so enchanting! The AC tablecloth with the beautiful fragrant Japanese Magnolias in your green Lily pad teapot…be still my heart❣ A vanilla, cream and citrus Earl Grey tea sounds divine, especially served in a sweet teacup of spring flowers. I love the bird and the background color. Everthing looks delicious and served in your special way of lovely matching. Sigh…what a delightful tea party💜
I was much relieved to learn you all were ok in this latest weather. Prayer and care for those brave people in those hard hit counties. I hope you are continuing to recover well and getting stronger, your beautiful blog suggests so.
Thank you Pam
Sue, your comments warm my heart! I am so glad you enjoyed the tea party, if only I could have my sweet readers in person for tea 💜 Thank you for your prayers for our fellow Alabamians. I finally recovered from the pneumonia. Happy Spring, Sue!
Pam, your table is the epitome of springtime tea! I love the dishes and of course your tablecloths. And those cookies look to die for!
Jeanie, thank you for your lovely comments! The cookies were fabulous!
Pam you have presented yet another beautiful tea table. AC linens are perfect and I love the mix of colors and textures. The dappled sunlight certainly doesn’t hurt as it makes your table magical. Your treats look so good and I wish I could taste the coconut/chocolate one…looks so yummy. I’m so glad to hear you didn’t have any damage from the tornadoes and storms that passed through the Midwest and Southeast. Prayers for those that lost their homes and loved ones. 🙏 Have a Blessed and glorious week.
Thank you, Kari. I must admit setting a tea table is one of my favorites. I wish I could have all my blogging friends join me! Thank you for your prayers! Happy Spring!
Your eye for mixing is magical!
Thank you, Sandra for your sweet comment!
You do all proud, Ambassador of Spring’s lovely array. This tea setting is exquisite on so many levels… The soft green teapot showered with the pink magnolia blossoms sets the stage of beauty for the setting that surrounds it.
From the AC covering to the floral porcelain to the gathering of bunnies…
Tea with Pam is incomparable…. by the way, don’t make our mouths
water with the description of that Hershey chocolate, coconut pecan delight
without ultimately letting us know its label and source…thank you very much.
Thank you, Mary for you heartwarming comments. I will find that cookie info if they restock it. It was fabulous! Happy Spring, dear one!
Such a lovely and charming space to enjoy a cup of tea. Those linens are divine, and I love your tea set too. Welcome Spring!
Thanks so much, Carole! Happy Spring!
Oh Pam, that is such a luscious color in your AC tablecloth! I love it!! And the sunlight dappled across the table is beautiful. Those cookies sound divine, and it would very dangerous to have them in my kitchen! Today has been absolutely beautiful, and things seemed to have turned green overnight (maybe it was leprechauns?)
Thanks so much, Roxanne! I do love the tablecloth’s color. I could have eaten every one of the cookies by myself! Happy Spring, dear one!
Pam, your tea setting is the perfect spring welcome. The mix of all of the floral patterns of your dishes is so beautiful. I agree with Mr. Faudree and you! It is all about the mix and not the match. The April Cornell tablecloth is so pretty. Your magnolia tulips are lovely in the green teapot. The cookies, brownies, and phyllo filled with chicken salad all look so delicious. I have so enjoyed my visit for tea today! Have a wonderful week, sweet friend!
Thank you, Shannon! I know you and I both love the mix. Happy Spring, dear one!
Pam, your spring table is gorgeous. Love the chosen AC table lines. They are so colorful and a beautiful nod to spring. The Japanese Magnolias are so pretty. They look lovely in your Lily Pad teapot. Loving the shadows flowing across the table. The treats look so delicious.happy spring.
Thanks so much, Linda. Happy Spring!
Pam, That AC tablecloth is gorgeous! I love the beautiful colors! I now see why Butch had to cut a few tulip magnolias as the color is exactly the same as the tablecloth! Your tea table is lovely. You paired my favorite spring colors and the result is stunning! The cookies sound like a derivative of Laura Bush’s cowboy cookie recipe. They have chocolate, coconut and nuts (if they don’t have the nuts, I always add them! 🤣). They are delicious. You can Google the recipe. I always put the oats in a chopper to make them a little less noticeable. I always use half semi sweet and half milk chocolate chips when making the cookies as my husband prefers milk chocolate over semi sweet; but you need some semi sweet to blend flavors with the coconut and nuts. I also use the old Neiman Marcus chocolate chip recipe and add coconut to it. Both the cowboy cookie and the Neiman Marcus cookies have similar ingredients. I enjoyed seeing your beautiful table, but now tomorrow, I must make cookies! 🤣 Clara❤️
Clara, your comments warm my heart. I will check out the cowboy cookie recipe. I have a friend who makes the Neiman Marcus cookies often and they are delicious. I hope you all are enjoying the cookies that you made❤️
Gorgeous colorway for your spring tea service, Pam! wonderful selection from AC. I love the tea service combination of your cuo/saucer and plate stack. The sunlight streaming makes for beautiful photos. Pass the finger foods, any and all!
Thanks so much, Rita. Happy Spring!
A delightful Spring tablescape & setting Pam! I particularly like the sound of that Earl Grey Tea blend, it sounds delicious.
Blessings sweet friend,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer! I think you would love the Earl Grey blend.
Blessings sweet friend,
Pam
What adorable Tea time… Makes me smile! Such beauty and inspiration… I love those gorgeous Rose Chintz JB dishes. The tablecloth is stunning too. Hugs and blessings dear friend!
Thank you, sweet friend! I hope you are doing well!
Oh, that tablecloth! It is just gorgeous! And the green bunny add such a beautiful contrast! I love the light shining in through the window, too. I have a board on Pinterest where I pin photos with light coming in through the window. For some reason, they always remind me of Mom. I don’t know what it is and can’t pinpoint an exact memory, but it happens every time. It’s funny how certain things can bring back such a flood of memories. God bless you and your family, dear Pam!