Happy Tuesday dear friends. I am always thankful that you have chosen to join me here!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
Psalm 91:1-2
Today is a spring prelude in the Sunshine Cottage!
Blooming trees and shrubs begin to dot our Appalachian Foothills during the month of February…forsythia, Japanese quince, Japanese Magnolia (tulip tree), and more. Bulbs begin to push up from the winter ground as spring begins to arrive in the Deep South.
It is Tea On Tuesdays and Mary and I are excited to welcome a special guest today. Shannon, from Belle Bleu Interiors is sharing tea from her beautiful sitting room. Shannon is so sweet and talented and a joy to have as a blogging friend. You will find the links for Mary and Shannon at the bottom of this post.
I am serving up a favorite tea, Earl Grey, with comforting flavors of vanilla and cream to lighten the citrus notes of a traditional Earl Grey. With its soft warm flavors, this is a great tea to start off your day. I am often asked about the butterfly teapot, also a favorite of mine. It came from Pier 1 several years ago. I miss their store where I could always find something lovely for the table.
I was totally undecided about this post until last Thursday when my two precious granddaughters arrived carrying yellow daffodils. They love flowers and love to pick them…hopefully they will love gardening. The happy flowers were picked from their yard which is a part of the old farm place. They were probably planted at least fifty years ago. The daffodils became my inspiration for tea!
“Then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.”
~William Wordsworth
Blue and yellow are a favorite combination that always makes me smile! The cobalt cloth that features bees has been in my linen stack for years. Bees are a definite prelude to spring. We have already spotted a few of them around the garden!
I must share a bit of my everyday living. As a blogger, I always try to share pretty photos and encouraging sentiments. But as we all know, life is not perfect. Now as I tell you about a few issues, please know that they are first world issues, certainly not third ones. My camera had shown some signs of sickness prior to our recent trip to Montana. It became sicker while we were there and died. Upon returning from the trip, our son gave us advice on purchasing a new camera. We ordered, and it arrived in two days, just in time for me to photograph our teatime. There was only one problem, the photographer (me) didn’t have a clue how to use it. I am challenged technically. I called our son and he came to give me a quick lesson. He talks in technical terms that I do not understand. He left and I thought I could at least get a few photos. Hours later, I called it quits. I realized I must go with what I had, even though I knew they could be better.
My IPad had also been showing signs of sickness, and yes, you guessed correctly, it died on the same day as the camera. I use my IPad to edit photos. Once again, first world problems only. I asked my patient and sweet RM to remind me of this as I complained. He did, and I made it through my little meltdown and managed to finish this post! More practice with my new camera is certainly in my plans!
Johnson Brothers “willow” was purchased a couple of years after we were married, so I am sure it would be considered vintage. The salad plates with the wide yellow band and narrow cobalt band are called “spring prelude” by Paula Deen. I love these plates as an accent to “blue willow”. I found these at Tuesday Morning many years ago!
Teatime was kept simple with banana walnut muffins that were the perfect accompaniment for a cup of Earl Grey. After the photos, I did indulge in one (or maybe a couple) and a cup of Earl Grey. The sun was shining, but it was a cold and windy Saturday. Our temps this week go up into the low 80’s. Definitely a prelude to spring!
I have mentioned our upcoming 50th wedding anniversary several times. This Thursday, February 23rd is THE BIG DAY! Our son and daughter-in-love will be hosting a dinner in their home. It will be an intimate time of vow renewals and special music with family and friends. Hopefully, in the future we may share some photos with you all. Our plan was to celebrate the entire month of February, which we seem to be doing…but I decided we would celebrate this entire year. My RM has more exciting things planned.
The cottage garden is showing signs of spring with bulbs popping up in the raised beds!
A pretty tulip needlepoint pillow is a definite prelude to spring!
Be sure to click Mary’s and Shannon’s links for beautiful tea settings and inspiration!
Mary ~ Home Is Where The Boat Is
Shannon ~ Belle Bleu Interiors
As always, thank you for your visit and your gracious comments! Wishing you a joy-filled day and 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! Your tea in the Sunshine Cottage is definitely a prelude to spring! I love the fresh-picked daffodils from your grands, sunlight streaming on your table, bees buzzing on your tablecloth and blue and yellow palette! I have always admired your pretty butterfly teapot! I was searching for napkins and napkin rings yesterday for a table and so miss Pier 1… sniff. Your photos are lovely, I would have never known you were struggling with your camera or editing. Isn’t it uncanny how everything seems to bite the dust at the same time? 🙂 Congratulations again on your milestone anniversary and wishing a wonderful anniversary celebration dinner! It’s unseasonably warm here this week for February. I always hold my breath when it’s so warm this early as Mother Nature is fickle and March weather is so unpredictable. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the Lady Banks and Spirea won’t get frost nipped like it did last year. As always, it’s a treat to share tea with you. Happy Tuesday. ♥
Thank you, Mary. I am also concerned about the frost nipping blooms. Have a wonderful week ♥️
Happy Celebrations! I know every day together is an appreciated gift to you. xo
Thank you, Ruthie!
I love your prelude to spring! The colors, the flowers, and the details of the teapot, tablecloth and tulip needlepoint are all such welcome signs of spring! I love that you two are planning to celebrate all year long. Enjoy every day of it!
Thank you, Rita! We hope to travel a lot this year. We have missed it.
Good Morning Pam… the daffodils made me smile along with your teapot. Your table set for tea is such a delightful sight as it’s all about Spring! Oh how we love Spring!
I am so sorry for your camera situation along with your iPad. Yikes! But soon you will be enjoying two new toys!
Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary! Enjoy your celebration!
Happy Tuesday!
You are always so sweet, my friend. Thank you!
I would have never known you had camera problems. Your pictures are lovely and the beautiful daffodils a breath of fresh air! The lovely verse from William Wordsmith is perfect!
The dappled light and pretty dishes and daffodil bouquet does give a beautiful prelude to spring. Your unique teapot is a pretty highlight. Tea and banana walnut muffins sound very good right now.
I feel your pain learning a new camera and new iPad. It is hard to start over. I have been there.
Thanks so much, Bonnie. I am trying to learn the camera. I don’t handle change easily!
I know that first world problem of having a great camera die. Mine died at the end of photographing my brother in law’s wedding and reception! I had to take the last few with my phone, which I had just gotten, and didn’t know how to use! But, we soldier on when the day is special and cannot be restaged. I hope you like your new camera, you seem to be doing quite well!
At least your camera survived most of the wedding. Thank you, Carole.
Good morning, Pam! Your photographs are gorgeous, and I never would have known you were having difficulties with the new camera. I understand your pain as I struggle with all things related to technology. Your tea setting in Sunshine Cottage has me dreaming of spring. The blue and yellow color palette is so pretty and cheery. Daffodils make the perfect centerpiece. I always love seeing that sweet butterfly teapot, and Earl Grey is my favorite tea. Banana muffins make a delicious accompaniment. Thanks again for inviting me to join Mary and you for tea. Have a wonderful day, dear friend!
You are a sweetheart, Shannon ♥️
Good morning Pam! The daffodils and beautiful teapot are such happy harbingers of spring. I understand your technical issues…whenever I ask my hubby (PhD in computer science) a computer question, I tell him I need an answer in 25 words or less! We had a two-fer breakdown this week also…both vehicles’ check engine lights came on. But as you said, these are very small problems. Many many heartfelt wishes for Thursday, my darling friend.
Thank you, Roxanne. I just need simple instructions, never need to know how it works. Hope your vehicles are ok ♥️
Happy 50th Anniversary to both of you. Hope you enjoy all the celebrations. Thank you for sharing all photos and Spring is on the way,
Thanks so much, Della ♥️
Pam, Your Sunshine Cottage tea table is indeed a prelude to Spring with the daffodils and beautiful colors. Your teapot is gorgeous! It’s a favorite. Your muffins look tasty and the pillow is so cute. New technology is great, but always challenging it seems. Hopefully you can document your 50th anniversary year with it and enjoy the memories you’ll be making. I think celebrating for the entire year is a fabulous idea! After all, it will only happen once in a lifetime! Congratulations to you both! Clara❤️
Your comments are always so encouraging, Clara ♥️
Your tea table is always so inviting. I love Daffodils. I think they are my favorite. They were everywhere where I grew up in Kentucky but you don’t see them where I live now in Florida. Daffodils in a cobalt blue vase, gorgeous! Since I cannot find fresh ones I use faux in my cobalt blue vase.
All the tea tables were gorgeous this week.
Thank you, Nancy for your sweet visit. Faux works when live are unavailable.
I LOVE your tulip pillow! Can you tell me where you got it? I’m hoping it might still be available.
Hi Katie, thank you. The pillow was bought locally at a specialty shop years ago. I am so sorry.
I was afraid of that. It is so beautiful! Enjoy it. Happy Anniversary!
Thank you!
The pictures are stunning dear Pam. Happy week to you sweet lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thanks, Cindy!
I just love the butterfly teapot, dear. I wish I could have one just like it, but know that probably isn’t possible. Butterflies are special to me because they always remind me of a beloved person who died a couple of years ago. Thanks for this blog.
Thank you so much for your visit. I love butterflies and especially when the monarchs pass through here every October!
You had me at the Blue & white china & Earl Grey Tea Pam! Ah first world problems, so frustrating!
I’m sure your anniversary will be an amazing time together & I love the idea of celebrating it throughout the year too! Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you for your heartfelt wishes, Jennifer!
Loved your post with the blue and yellow. So cheery. Seeing the daffodils was especially nice, as we have snow on the ground, plus it is snowing right now and is suppose to for the next couple of days. It will be awhile before we see anything green or yellow outside.
Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary. Celebrating the whole year is splendid idea, for such a milestone. Thank you Elaine
Thank you so much, Elaine.
Aw, so sweet that the little ones brought you daffodils! And so nice to think about the kind hands that planted them all those years ago. It’s so neat that your loved ones share your land. What a happy, secure way for your grandchildren to grow up! You are such a blessed family!
Thank you, Cheryl. Undeserved blessings.
Pam, I love this post, since I love blue and yellow. The daffodils are such a sign of Spring, although Alabama may have skipped Spring this week by going right to Summer with 80 degree weather. Mike and I are so looking forward to your and Butch’s 50th anniversary celebration. Such a testimony to love, family, and commitment. Lots of love to you and all of the family.
Thank you my friend. Looking forward to seeing you and Mike!
Stunning pictures. Such happiness and beauty… Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary! Blessings.
Thank you so much, Maristella.
Good Morning Pam. Your pictures are beautiful always. I take pics with my iPhone because they say the camera in these are so great. It does take great pics it is when I transfer them to edit them that I have the issue with mine. I love your sweet tea pot and daffodils. Up here in Illinois there is no signs of spring yet. So jealous you are seeing beauty already. Have a good week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris. I know many bloggers are using Iphones for photos. Yours always look great!
A beautiful setting in your precious Sunshine Cottage. The butterfly teapot is stunning. I do miss Pier1 as well. You can’t go wrong with blue and yellow, they speak spring to me. The daffodils picked by your grands are so pretty. The little Bundt cakes are darling and I can imagine tasty with a cup of Earl Grey tea. So sorry about your camera and iPad dying. It does happen and then we have to learn the new gadgets. Happy early 50th anniversary.
Thanks so much, Linda.
Pam, I’m all for a prelude to spring. Mother Nature is so confused here in Austin, giving us 32 degrees one day and less than 24 hours later its 83. Our plants don’t know what to think, but trees are in bud. Your Sunshine Cottage teatime is so inviting. I love the touch of daffodils.
Sorry about the electronics! Have a wonderful 50th Anniversary!
Our weather is unseasonably warm. Thanks so much, Sarah!
Hi Pam;
Your dinner plates are beautiful.
. Blue and yellow are one of my favorite combinations. Love those daffodils. Marilyn noticed a few Crocus’ popping there heads up.
Happy 50th Anniversary. Happiness and Blessings
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Thanks so much to each one of you!
I love your post, although I do not think spring will ever come, we had snow this morning and temperatures for tonight will be -6. I want spring!
Thank you, Nonie. Stay warm!
When I see my favorite yellow and blue, it reminds me of two things — Monet’s dining room and Ukraine. My favorite colors and your table shows both to their best!
I also love blue and yellow. Thank you, Jeanie!
Such a bright and happy post. With the coming of spring the world is beginning to be filled with color.
Thank you, Linda!
Your table is SO beautiful Pam! And your photography skills made up for any camera wonkiness – the photos are lovely! Happy Anniversary to you both. You’re such a wonderful and inspiring couple. Lots of love your way and thank you for such beauty!
Thanks so much, Barbara for your heartwarming comments ♥️
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…but when it does fail, be ready for the updated technology struggle. Take pride in your phone pictures..who would know? they are just great. Sorry about the double whammy..but you will be a pro in no time… I’m echoing the love of your
blue/yellow combination settings, with child-gifted daffodils that ring out Springtime.
You could really retire on what the butterfly teapot would garner if offered in auction to your fans… rare and universally desirable. Top it all off with the Earl Grey, the delicious bundtelettes and the flower promises held in the cottage garden, and Spring is official at that beautiful corner of your creating. A blessed Anniversary to you and your Beloved.
Thank you, dear one. Our anniversary was very special with a lovely celebration with family and friends♥️
Pam, your table is beautiful and your pictures are perfect! Sorry your old one died but you are doing a fabulous job with the new one! The blue and yellow color scheme is so pretty and the daffodils are gorgeous. The teapot is just stunning – don’t’ we all miss Pier 1 terribly? Happy, happy Anniversary on your big day today and I hope you have a marvelous evening celebration with family and friends!
Our anniversary was so very special. Thank you sweet Kim!
Navy and yellow at the Sunshine Cottage. Love it! You’ve brought springtime to us all, friend. Speaking of friends, a dear one brought me a bunch of daffodils last week. They were glorious, full of love and life and hope. And when combined with red tulips my husband had given me, the colors joined together were stunning.
All creation sings His praises! Happy weekend to you, dear Pam.
Thank so much, Linda. Daffodils and red tulips sound charming! Happy Weekend!