Monday, June 24, 2013

A Romantic Garden Party



Romantic Tea Party in the Cottage Garden
 
Welcome  Dear Ladies,
 
Please have a seat at the table and join me for a romantic tea party in the Cottage Garden.

 


Today the sky is gray and there are light sprinkles of summer rain but to help cheer our mood, let's enjoy a cottage garden party together.
 


This is one of my favourite Royal Albert patterns.  It is called  "American Beauty".  


It was once my mother's and my sweet sister and I divided  the dinner set and I have been very  fortunate to find many other pieces in my treasure hunting travels.



 
 

 I thought we could share some dainty luncheon egg sandwiches. I have also made one of my favourite pink squares - Butterscotch Square.  The recipe is at the bottom below.
Have you ever tried Nanaimo Bar?  A tasty vanilla custard centre is surrounded by chocolate....   Mmmm....
 
 
If you would rather not have sweets, how about some tasty and juicy raspberries or grapes?
 
 
 
 
 


 

 
 
The white roses are from the cottage's front garden.  We just discovered them last weekend when hubby was cutting some shrubs.  I was delighted!
The pale pink roses are from the cottage's back garden.
 

 
 
 
I recently ordered my ruffled tablecloth (really a king-sized bedskirt) from Overstock.com and the ruffled chair covers  from Ticking & Toile (French inspired home linens) -  available on e-bay.
 


 
 
 
As I play with my pretties, in the distance you can see some happy golfers playing too!
 




 

Butterscotch Square
 
Melt in saucepan
1/2 c. butter
Stir till dissolved
2 c. brown sugar
Cool slightly and beat in
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
Sift then measure
1 c. flour
Resift with 2 tsp. baking powder
Mix together
Add 1 c. chopped walnuts


Pour into greased 9X9 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden.
(When cool add pale pink icing.)

Enjoy! 
 
 

 




Thank you so very much dear friends for joining me for a romantic garden party at the cottage! Hopefully the sun will be shining next time you visit!

On Tuesday I am joining Terri and Martha for a very special tea time: "My Garden Tea"! 

Thank you for hosting, Terri!
It was such fun!!!
 
Hope to see you at Bernideen's "Tea in the Garden" and also at Ruth's  "Tuesday Cuppa Tea"  too!

This week I will also be joining:
 
Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday

Teatime Tuesday
Kathy-  http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
 A Return to Loveliness
Tea On Tuesday
Bernideen’s ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Tea In The Garden Tuesday
Kim - http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
Wow us Wednesday
Becky http://www.timewashed.com/
Blissful Whites Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.ca/
Cottage Garden Party
Jann- http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday
Cindy - http://romantichome.blogspot.ca/
Show and Tell Friday
Claudia - http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/
A Favourite Thing
Beverley ~ http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ 
Pink Saturday 
http://maleviksrosentradgard.blogspot.ca/
Saturday Show Off
 


 

Have a Wonderful Week!

Karen 





 








42 comments:

  1. Sono entrata in una bellissima favola!Adoro prendere il thé con una tavola,così bella e romantica,in questo giardino meravigliosamente verde!Tutto è bello come piace a me!Sono sicura che anche se non parliamo la stessa lingua riusciremmo a capirci perchè amiamo le stesse cose romantiche!Baci,Rosetta

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  2. Oh this was truly delightful and ever so beautiful! Thank your for the wonderful tea time - I had a lovely visit :)

    Hugs!

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  3. Hi Karen,
    What a gorgeous tea party! You have a beautiful property; love the big old tree with the pond behind it. My son and his family lived in Port Coquitlam and they are in the midst of moving to Pitt Meadows.
    I adore American Beauty and I am keeping my eye out for a set. I have half a set, meaning I bought a set at an antique shop and when I got home with it, discovered only the saucer was the real deal but happily the cup matches very well. :)
    My mom used to make Nanaimo Bars and yes, they are delish! Your teascape is lovely and I would be so happy to join you for tea at your table. Thanks for joining me for tea and have a lovely day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  4. OH SO ROMANTIC AND BEAUTIFUL TEA PARTY!! I love romantic and roses and this is just beautiful. Take care, Darlene

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  5. Beautiful tea in your cottage garden. Love the pink glass and your American Beauty china -- how nice that you and your sister have shared this lovely pattern. I don't think you can beat roses and tea! Happy Tea Day!

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  6. Gorgeous! What a lovely setting...and what is prettier than RA American Rose! Gorgeous. Glad you ad strawberries too! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  7. How wonderful it would be if we could all gather at this beautiful party. It is lovely, Karen.

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  8. Your tea party setting is lovely. A large enough area to invite a few friends and I love all the white frills and lace. Nanaimo bars were always made at Christmas and now they seem to turn up at events as a favourite square.

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  9. Hello Karen,
    Your garden tea is totally romantic! Your RA American Rose china is gorgeous. I love that pattern too. It looks amazing on your ruffled tablecloth. Your chairs look wonderful! I love how it all looks together. The chandelier is fab! I have been working on one too, but it is not finished yet.
    I do love Nanaimo bars. I have never made them myself before though. Yours look delicious along with your other treats.
    I am delighted for you too, at your surprise rose bush! Yay for you! They are gorgeous too!
    Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful tea time with us all!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  10. Hi Karen: Your tea is just perfect! I love how beautiful everything looks. I want to be there. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Blessings, Martha

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  11. Hi Karen,
    What a beautiful outdoor tea! So many beautiful things to look at! I love the ruffled table covering, it sets off your lovely tea items so well. Thank you for sharing your yummy sweet recipe, I can't wait to try it.
    Nancy

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  12. Hi Karen, your tea party is like a dream. I love everything you did, the table cloth and chandelier, just lovely. Simply gorgeous.
    xxx
    Marlene

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  13. Thanks Karen for inviting us to your gorgeous cottage tea party, it is quite romantic! Love all the lace and that wicker chair. Perfect setting for this, the pond and tree are so peaceful looking and pretty. I will have to try your butterscotch squares, they look delicious! Have a great week! Gina

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  14. Oh my - this is wonderful - I have one cup and saucer so I know the pattern and your settings are lovely, not to mention the glorious teapot. I am so glad you shared at Tea In The Garden!!! I love your blog and posts.

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  15. Holy smokes Karen, this is just so lovely! Everything looks absolutely perfect. I love your imagination with that table cloth. I hope the rain held off for your tea and thank you so much for the recipe; I think I'll try it. By the way, heading home form Calgary yesterday, someone was having a promotion for visiting Nanaimo at the departures lounge in the airport and handing out little nanaimo squares. They are such a wonderful treat, aren't they? Hope you have a lovely rest of the week. Hugs :)

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  16. SUch a fun Party Karen!
    Thanks for inviting us!
    beautiful china, gorgeous table scape and lovely food! what a great luncheon!
    So pretty....and such a great view!
    Hearts,
    Betsy

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  17. What a beautiful setting--I enjoyed your post so much. Thanks for sharing what that beautiful tablecloth is ( I have the same one! ) and also I love those chair covers. The dishes are gorgeous and I adore that chandelier. Where did you get the chandelier? Such a pretty one! Trying to find how to follow you other than by e-mail---how can I get you on my reading list?

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  18. What a lovely tea setting ! I think everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy tea outside in a lovely setting and your tea-time would be such a wonderful & inspiring place to have tea.

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  19. What a stunning table and gorgeous backdrop for it...If I were there I could spend hours sipping tea and making conversation...

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  20. I abolutely love this romantic table setting-it is just beautiful!!!!

    Carolyn

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  21. Just stunning! Love the garden tea you have set up. It is really beautiful! I will feature it tomorrow on HSH! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  22. Hello Karen. Thanks for visiting and commenting. Very pretty tea party here. Amazing tablecloth. Looks like a lovely garden too with the lake.

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  23. It is all so delightful!
    Thanks for the idea for using a dust ruffle. Now I know why I bought that second one at the garage sale last week when I only have the one bed... :)

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  24. Wow!
    Fabulous outdoors tea table setting, thanks for hosting :-)
    Hugs from Italy
    Flora

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  25. I really enjoyed your garden party. What a beautiful setting for it. I happened on a box of china cups and saucers in the attic the other day and one of them was this pattern. I think I'll hang on to it. It really is pretty. You are fortunate to have so many pieces of it. Have a great weekend! Pamela (visiting from Share Your Cup)

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  26. Oh my gosh Karen, this is breathtaking! Not only is the table gorgeous with all of your beautiful dishes, but that view! I will be greedy and want sweets and fruit both. lol! I love anything butterscotch and will be making these for sure. Wonderful to have such special dishes. I just bought a ruffled tablecloth, but I must check out those chair covers. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  27. Your tea party is simply beautiful. Your pictures seem almost life like, I could actually reach in the picture and be right there.

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  28. This has to be the most elegant and beautiful outdoor tea party setting I have ever seen and that includes any major motion picture... You are a very talented lady! The china is so dainty and PINK! Love the idea of using the bed skirt ruffle. Such a imagination... fit for a Queen's tea.

    Happy PS!

    Valrie

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  29. Very romantic. Lovely photos..
    I've been ruffle crazy lately! I have been layering ruffles or adding ruffles to everything.
    My daughter is getting married next year and I was thinking of using them in a similar way.
    Thank you for sharing!
    Happy Pink Saturday!
    Elizabeth

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  30. What a beautiful setting you have created! Simply lovely.

    My mother had that same china pattern - we grew up with it being used for special occasions.

    Thanks so much for joining in this week.

    xo
    Claudia

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  31. What a feminine and romantic spot you created for tea. I am sure it was a fun and delightful gathering for you girls. That china is one of my favorite patterns. So much attention to detail. Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you also for hour sweet visit. Your lovely words are appreciated. The tea cup is not psragon but I will get back to you with the pattern. I hope you can come back to visit.

    Janet

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  32. Oh my GOLLY!!!

    How on earth did I miss this incredible post?

    That is one of the most beautiful garden outdoor teas I have ever beheld. You worked your tail off for such loveliness, oh I ADORE every single detail, big and small.

    Very very well done. It's breathtaking!

    I bet those golfers wished they were sitting for tea instead of chasing golf balls all around the course, haha.

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  33. Hi Karen, just hopping back to let you know that I will be featuring you at Share Your Cup this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  34. Karen, thank you for adding a touch of romance to Shabbilicious Friday this week. I will be featuring this post at tomorrow's party.

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  35. It's all so beautiful! I love the china and really love the pink stemware. I so want to get some, haven't found the right ones yet. Take care - Dawn

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  36. What a peaceful, lovely setting! I would have LOVED to be there!

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  37. Gorgeous garden party! Wish I was there to enjoy it. :)

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  38. what a truly beautiful, and if I may add "romantic" setting - the park and your table. Your gorgeous rose tea sets looks even prettier with the white, pretty table cloth and the chairs. Everything is so fancy and dreamy. Like all the other girls, it would be my honor to have been in that tea party. Sooooooo pretty! :-)

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