Afternoon Tea - Mother's Day

In Australia,

Mother's Day is celebrated on 

the second Sunday in May.

I was lucky enough to have all my children (residing in Sydney) spend the day with me.

In the afternoon we

visited extended family for lunch-which was quickly followed by afternoon tea.

I was also very lucky to receive a surprise in the mail from our eldest son and our new daughter in law, just in time for Mother's Day.

How did you spend Mother's Day?

When is Mother's Day celebrated in  your country?

Linking to Terri's

Teacup Tuesday

and 

Martha's Favorites

Day 234/366

Teacup Tuesday

This morning, I landed into the day with a big thump.

Holiday over, Mr Honey Pie back at work, Daughter's birthday catered for and celebrated, home alone and finding it difficult to get back into the swing of things.

Mr Honey Pie, when home, always makes me breakfast. 

Porridge, and sometimes an affogato.

I don't particularly like porridge - but I have it because I know it's good for me, clears the arteries of cholesterol, so I believe.

Do you get up in the morning and have the same thing for breakfast everyday?  

No porridge and no coffee for me this morning.

I thought I'd have tea and toast and take the opportunity to show case another of last week's op-shop buys.

Do you remember these from the seventies?

Back then I hated them because they signified belonging to the 'have-nots'.
They were cheap as chips.
They hung out in the kitchenware section of the grocery store as opposed to the dinnerware section of the department store.

The ugly ducklings of china have now become collectable and I've fallen in love with them...especially the teal ones!

Mr Honey Pie and I found these in the Salvation Army Family Store in Casino.

Fifty cents each - an amazing bargain.
As I made myself breakfast, I thought they team up beautifully with the teapot I have from the same era.
The paddle pop sticks teapot stand was made by Second Son in the late seventies.  It was a Mother's Day gift to me.  I can't bear to part with it and as you can see, it's had lots of use.

And, if you're Australian, what would one have spread on toast but...

Vegimite and butter of course!

I have my tea black, no sugar and with a slice of lemon.

How about you?

In 1971, I was a Debutante. 

1972, I was married. 

By the end of the decade, I had three children.

I was one of the lucky women that was able to continue working while pregnant and between the birth of each child.

We moved into our first mortgaged house in 1975 and our second one in 1977.

Life was exciting and I was not afraid of a challenge.

Fashion and decor was fun, innovative and funky.

Times were definitely changing.

Do you remember the seventies?

Here is an advertisement from a newspaper dated September 1971.

Similar cups as the ones above are being advertised for $1.50 for four, including metal tree stand.

A forty eight piece porcelain dinner set can be purchased for under ten dollars.

I read somewhere once, that the most rare and valuable antiques are usually the pieces that were plentiful and inexpensive to begin with.

Generally they are not treasured or cared for properly so become lost, broken and discarded until not many pristine pieces remain.

Do you treasure something that may once have been deemed inexpensive or inferior?

Although these aren't technically teacups, I hope Terri doesn't mind me joining in on her 

Teacup Tuesday Tea!

Day 122/366

Tea Cup Tuesday

It's a girl.

I love the simplicity of this trio. 

A pink splatter underglaze.

Easily co-ordinated I think.

Our talented niece, who is expecting a girl,  baked and decorated the gorgeous cupcakes and mini biscuits for her baby shower.

I picked up this Wade trio at the Glenbrook Rotary Markets.

It's in good condition although the gold edging is a little worn.

I purchased this trio because I liked the colour and condition of the crockery and it was affordable.  

Just in case you're wondering, baby is expected in around three weeks!

Thanks for visiting on Teacup Tuesday.

Don't forget to drop by and say hello to Terri at Artful Affirmations and Martha at 

Martha's Favourites.

I have linked this post to 

Artful Affirmations Teacup Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

I bought myself a new teacup and saucer with side plate yesterday, from a community garage sale page.

I'm hoping it's the first of many.

My understanding is that this cup was made sometime between 1954 to 1973.

Linking to

Teacup Tuesday at 

Artful Affirmations.

Upcycling - Christmas Cards. #2

No Sew Christmas Bunting.

Start off with a wide-ish Christmas card from last year.  About 12cm wide.

Cut front of card away from back.

Mark centre of card front on the back of bottom end. (The top of illustration should be at the widest end of your piece).

Rule a line from this mark to both top corners.

Cut.

Once again rule a line on smaller pieces from  bottom corner of triangle to centre of cut edge.

Cut along this drawn line and you should now have five pieces as shown above.

Form a 'crown' shape with the longest narrowest strips and use staples to hold together.

There are two of these shapes.

One will be a napkin holder, the other a place card.

Punch circle from backs of cards, write names on circles and staple to upturned 'crown' to form a place card.

Repeat the above until the required amount is achieved.

Use the back of the card for notes, shopping lists, etcetera.

To complete the bunting staple the bunting shaped cards to a strip of ribbon. Alternate between the large and small shapes.

Use whatever ribbon you have on hand that might be suitable.

I used gold ribbon left over from last year's gifts for the above bunting.

For my larger bunting I used some cotton tape that I'd purchased from the op-shop with a whole lot of haberdashery.

If you wish add lots of glitter by outline edges with glitter glue.

I've linked to Artful Affirmations

Visit Terri at Artful Affirmations to see 

what others have been making in preparation for Christmas.

Linked to stamping-ground.blogspot.com Whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday

Traditional Afternoon Tea

Three generations treated themselves to a traditional afternoon tea at the 

QVB Tea Rooms.

Full silver service was in use, as was pristine starched white table linen.

We were served tea in Royal Albert 

Country Rose tea cups.

(As was the hot chocolate for the youngest generation - all of four years of age).

Each serving comprised petite fours, cucumber,cheese and dill sandwiches, savouries, pastries and scones with jam and cream, served on a three tier cake stand with matching plates.

All enjoyed in a setting reminiscent of the nineteenth century.

I haven't linked to Terri's Tea Cup Tuesday in a while, but I think this occasion warrants a link.

Thanks Terri for hosting.

Upcycling - Christmas Cards.

I have a confession to make, that is I have kept every greeting card given to me, Mr Honey Pie and my children (while they lived at home) for over forty years!

Then one day I said to myself, enough is enough!

And I allowed myself to cut up the not so expensive Christmas cards and upcycled them.

Never wanting to throw out any of these cards I have remade them into Christmas gift tags to use this Christmas.

(Don't tell anyone, but most of the cards I cut up were my sister's.  She usually throws hers out but she gave them to me.)

Linking to Artful Affirmations. 

Why don't you stop by and say hi to Terri and see what others are doing in way of Christmas preparations.