Welcome friends, I am so happy you are here for an afternoon in the garden sipping tea!
“This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30 (ESV)
Our garden table is my favorite spot in spring, summer, and autumn to share tea and tablescapes! Our weather has been a bit strange this spring…the nights have been unusually cool and the daytime temps have been below normal. Last Friday morning we had a low of 45 degrees. Not only cooler temperatures, but also a drought. With our unusual weather, the garden is not as far along for this time of year. Hopefully it will catch up!
It is the May edition of Tea on Tuesdays! Mary and I welcome back our friend and fellow tea enthusiast, Sarah from Hyacinths For the Soul, as our special guest. You will find the links for Mary’s and Sarah’s teatimes at the bottom of this post.
When setting a table, I look for inspiration in dishware , linens, or a memory to share! This vintage tablecloth was my inspiration for our teatime. A friend discovered this exquisite cloth and matching napkins at an estate sale in Atlanta a few years ago. Most likely this cloth and napkins were used by ladies that played bridge back in the day. Do any of you play bridge?
I paired Grace’s Teaware white ‘Daisy and Bird’ teapot with pink teacups/saucers in the same pattern.
I am serving a most delicious tea, Harney & Sons French Macaron, a gift from Mary. It is a white tea flavored with notes of almond, vanilla, and lavender. It is perfect to serve alongside its namesake.
Waiting on flowers from my garden to bloom meant a trip to the grocery store where I found some sweet carnations that fit beautifully in tea cups!
American Atelier ‘Baroque’ dinner and salad plates frame Grace Teaware ‘Petite Rose’ dessert plates. Napkins are ‘Eden’ by April Cornell. I love mixing patterns, colors, and textures as opposed to matching!
The ‘Daisy and Bird’ tiered tray is serving up chicken salad (a personal favorite of mine) in yogurt jars alongside pita crackers. My sweet and thoughtful husband and son prepared a delicious Mother’s Day lunch!. But, my guys do not bake. Italian Cream cupcakes with cream cheese icing from the bakery were served with plenty left over for teatime!
Carnations are one of the most underrated flowers! They have a long vase life and are known for their ruffled, fringe-petaled blooms and spicy, clove-like fragrance.
The dappled sunlight through the trees creates magic in the garden!
I have long been a fan of macarons. I even took a class several years ago to learn the art of making this French confection with its crisp shell and chewy interior. Since RM doesn’t care for them, I never attempted making them. Publix Grocery has frozen ones that I keep for myself and they are a good stand-in for fresh!
Some of the best macarons that I have ever tasted were in Budapest. Butch and I took a Viking River Cruise for our 50th anniversary in September of 2023. We had a private guide in Budapest that took us to a fabulous cafe that we enjoyed so much that we returned the next day on our own. Of course, I had macarons. She also introduced us to Chez Dodo which specializes in macarons. I kept the box that traveled home with us, but the contents vanished quickly!
It was exciting to observe the artists of Chez Dodo at work, creating their delicate and delicious artisan macarons. For more of our Budapest experience, click here!
A picture perfect spring day…sunshine, light breezes, cobalt skies, and 75 degrees!
I agree with C.S. Lewis, “You can’t get a cup of tea large enough, or a book long enough to suit me.”
You have a special invitation to join Mary and Sarah for their teatimes.
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Sarah ~ Hyacinths For The Soul
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,
Life and Linda
Good Morning Pam! I’m so glad you enjoyed the Harney & Sons French Macaron tea…I hoped it would be right up your alley with its sweet, dessert-like flavor! Your spring garden tea is absolutely beautiful. The tablecloth is so cheerful and perfect for the season, and I especially love the pretty carnations tucked into the teacups…such a charming and creative touch! You always have a way of making every tea feel warm, welcoming, and effortlessly elegant. The whole setting looks like a peaceful garden retreat and a lovely way to spend a spring morning. As always it’s a treat to join you for Tea on Tuesdays! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!🌸🫖💕
Thank you Mary for your sweet comments! I think I will have a cup of French Macaron tea now! 🩷☕️
Your chintz is perfect with that lovely tablecloth! Which reminds me, I need to transition my chintz out for the warm months!
I love macarons too and a few (quite a few now!) years ago, my friend Kate and I spent a day learning to make them. It was a great day, they turned out well — and that’s not happening again! Some of the store ones are just as good and a whole lot easier!
Jeanie, thanks so much. I agree, macarons are labor intensive. Enjoy the rest of May and upcoming time at the lake!
So pretty, Pam! The table is so delightful, and I so enjoy finding your little treasure boxes. Loving everything to do with birds, I did swoon over your teapot and teacups. What yummy treats you share and for me, a clever new way to serve chicken salad! C.S. Lewis is such a favorite of mine, how lovely reading your quote this morning. I did play bridge with a favorite group of ladies!! There are so few of us now, but on occasion we play together and have fun with all the delicious treats that accompany a bridge game! Mary’s thoughtful tea is so perfect for your tea this morning…birds of a feather…
Thank you Pam for such a delightful tea this morning.
Thank you Sue for your sweet comments. C.S. Lewis is also a favorite of mine. I was hoping someone would comment that had played bridge. I never played and none of my friends played. It seemed like a difficult game to learn.
Enjoy your week!
Good Morning Pam. Your table is so pretty. The birds on your teapot and cups are so sweet. The macarons look so yummy. Enjoy your lovely tea table. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris!
Good Morning Pam. How lovely it is to sit outside in your gardens this morning. I especially love your tablecloth with your chintz. The sweet birds on your teacups and teapot look perfectly at home in your garden setting. The tea sounds heavenly! How kind of Mary to send it to you. And you do know how I love seeing your trinket boxes. Placing carnations in the teacups was such a marvelous idea! I may steal that creative idea. Thank you! I also like how you served chicken salad in the glass yogurt cups. Darling! Thanks for inviting us for tea. Happy Tuesday!
PS Sweet Man and his sister know how to play bridge and always play when they get together.
Thank you Nancy! I am so glad you joined me for a cuppa. I am now buying the trinket boxes for my granddaughters. They love them! Did you learn to play bridge?
No I did not learn how to play bridge. But that’s okay.
Yes, it is ok 🥰
Pam, sheer delight! The lavender linens make a beautiful statement, and the tiered tray of treats has me wishing I could swoop right in and join you. Chicken salad in the little yogurt cups made me smile. I save my yogurt cups and use them for all kinds of things. Can you get La Fermiére yogurt? It comes in small glazed crocks. The yogurt is delicious, and the crocks are so special I can’t toss them. I use them for all kinds of things, and often donate some to the thrift store. I can send you some!
Love being in your garden. It is so lush and inviting! Thank you for inviting to join this month. It’s always an honor.
Thank you Sarah, I would love for you to sweep right in! I checked on the yogurt and it is available at Target. We don’t have a Target here, but there is one not far away and I will definitely purchase some. Thank you for your kind offer! Our garden is way behind this year because of the drought and cool nights, hopefully it will rebound! I love having you as a guest on TOT!
How wonderful to open my phone to see your tempting tea table in 75 degree weather. It’s 36 here and it’s been raining! Praise the Lord! Your table is outstanding and the teacups are beautiful and they match the box with macrons you brought back from Budapest. We loved the Viking River trip we took in 2013 from Basel Switzerland to Amsterdam. The gift of the tablecloth looks like it has been preserved just for your table today. Beautiful Pam.
Thank you, Alice. The weather is definitely not spring-like in your area! As always, I love reading your comments 🩷
What a delightful tea time Pam…I would sit at your table and savor the eye candy as well as the treats and be perfectly content. I am sipping green tea as I write this…it is another of my ‘vices’…a good cuppa always calms and refreshes me for the day ahead. Your linens are so beautiful and I adore carnations…mainly for their longevity and fullness. (all colors). I raised dianthus at one time…. smaller, but just as pretty. Thanks for sharing your tea time and now I am off to have lunch with some dear friends. Hugs my friend.🥰🦋🙏🏻🌸
Thank you Kari. I wish I could have all of the sweet ladies from blog land join me for tea one day! Carnations are so easy and lovely! Enjoy your time with friends! 🩷
Good morning, Pam, and thank you for such a beautiful teatime! Oh how I’d love to sit at your pretty table and enjoy a cup of that macaron tea and partake of your tiered tray. How you mix and match is such a delight to me. The more patterns the merrier it is to enjoy all the beauty and especially on that pretty estate sale tablecloth. Grace’s Teaware has some of the most beautiful pieces, don’t they? I have never attempted at making macarons but I bought some frozen ones at Trader Joe’s last week. Thank you for another beautiful teatime in your garden.
Thank you Kitty. It would be a special treat for you to join me Kitty. Macarons are labor intensive and you need lower humidity! Enjoy your week, my friend!
Pam, Your tea table is gorgeous! I think the vintage tablecloth is my all time favorite! You have many beautiful linens, but the color and design of it just makes me smile! Your Grace’s teaware is perfect for spring. I really love the pattern! It’s nice to have the tiered server, teacups and teapot. Enjoy your day. I’m making chicken salad for supper. As hot as is outside, we’ll need a cold supper. Clara ❤️
Your AC napkins match your tablecloth perfectly! Love the combination! Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara ❤️
Clara, you are so sweet. Chicken salad is an excellent choice for supper on our hot days in the South❤️
Pam, your tea time table is absolutely gorgeous. What a blessing it is to sit and partake at such a lovely situated place. It’s perfect. I enjoyed all the details. Thank you for taking us along with you on this special tea time post.
Thanks so much, Michele. I am happy that you for joined me!
Pam, your table is so pretty and delicate – perfect for tea in the garden! The linens are lovely and I love it when tablecloths and napkins coordinate but don’t necessarily match. The Grace’s Teaware Daisy and Bird pattern is beautiful and the carnations look wonderful in the teacups. I hope you enjoy you enjoy all the treats, especially the macarons. For some reason, they are hard to find here. Happy Tea on Tuesdays!
Thank you Kim for your sweet comments. I appreciate all of your visits, my friend!
Pam, a beautiful table for tea in the garden. I have those bird plates and cups. They are so darling. Love the lavender linens. The chicken salad looks so cute in the jars. Who doesn’t love macarons? How fabulous the carnations look in the teacup. A special teatime in your gorgeous gardens.
Thank you Linda for your sweet comments. Happy Wednesday!
Good morning dear Pam, what a beautiful table for a spring day! The tea sounds delicious. Wonder if it would make a good iced tea? Oh to be in Budapest again! Things have been crazy here (I will catch you up later) and I keep thinking this is not how retirement is supposed to be! So this morning I made myself go out on the deck with my devotional and a big cup of coffee and just sit quietly. This is the day the Lord has made. I think it needs to be my morning ritual! The hummingbirds were at the feeders, 2 geese trailing a bevy of goslings glided across the pond, turtles swimming and of course, the peacocks screeching (tell Butcher I’m observing nature from the comfort of my chair!). Hoping the much needed and promised rain is moving in. Have a glorious day, my friend!!
Hello Roxanne! I will try the tea iced and let you know. Yes, let’s catch up soon. I start each day with coffee. Bible, and prayer. It definitely starts my day better. I will tell Butch. We are hoping for rain, we desperately need it. Take care, my friend!
Pam, your garden tablescapes are always a treat for the eyes. We’re having some pretty wonky weather here in Wisconsin too. Temps are on a daily roller-coaster ride, but I think I’m finally past having to cover delicate things at night. I’m praying you get some refreshing rains.
Cindy, thank you for your sweet comments. We are thankful that we received rain yesterday afternoon and last night with hopes for more. Happy gardening!
Such beauty and inspiration!!! Wonderful tablecloth with pretty napkins,perfect! Stunning Tea set too. Adorable flowers! Those macarons and cupcakes look delicious. The gorgeous little boxes caught my eye.
Thank you for this great Tea time, I would love to be there!
You are so sweet Maristella. It would be a pleasure to have you join me!
Right there with you Pam! Books, tea – add some chocolates, and I’m in heaven! Your table is so lovely with your beautiful linens, and it’s always beautiful in your garden. How sweet of Mary to send you the tea. It sounds delicious. I’m just about ready to replenish my tea drawer – I’ll have to add this to the shopping list. Thanks as always for the inspiration and a moment of peacefulness in my day!
Thank you for your sweet comments, Barbara. Yes, add the tea to your shopping list!
Oh Pam, this is such a lovely tea table setting! Your Daisy and Bird tea set is so perfect with the garden setting. The tablecloth is also just perfect for the china and the color is what I will call luscious! The food looks delicious and I will borrow your idea of chicken salad in jars, love that. I have enjoyed our spring cooler temps this year since I could be outside and work more in the garden. Like you, we need rain and sounds like we may make it up this weekend. Happy Memorial Day weekend Pam and Butch……..
Thank you, Emily for your lovely comments. We received rain yesterday afternoon and last night. Hoping we have more. The cooler temps have been wonderful! Happy Memorial Day weekend, my friend!
Pam, you have described and set a perfect spring teatime! Love the cloth your friend snagged at the estate sale, and the napkins you paired with it. Our garden has lagged in the same way your has this spring Yesterday it was 93° here and today it’s 63° and drizzling. I love spring, so I am happy it’s taking its time getting to summer. Your tiered serving tray is set perfectly by use of those little yogurt cups on bottom and sweets on top. How fun to watch the demo of the macarons being made. The tea Mary sent you is perfect.
Enjoy this spring while it’s still here. Happy teatime!
Thanks so much, Rita. My friend was in the antique business for many years. She has since retired and her husband is not well. We received an inch of rain last night and are hoping for more. Butch has been watering every day, trying to keep everything alive. Happy weekend, my friend!
Such a pretty setting Pam! I can just picture sharing a delightful cuppa with you there in your garden! And that tea blend sounds so intriguing.
I agree with C.S. Lewis too! My husband calls my mug a ‘bucket of tea’ when he’s making me a cuppa, lol!
Blessings, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer. It would be a blessing if we could share tea. Yes, tea and books on a cloudy afternoon would be perfect!
Blessings,
Pam
Inspiration and beauty for a delightful teatime!
Thank you, Mary!
Oh, my! I absolutely love your beautiful tablecloth and the way you incorporated so many shades of pink and purple! I could just stare at it all for hours. What a neat way to serve chicken salad! I just love the little glasses. Such a blessing to visit with you tonight!