Razzle-Dazzle-Basil-Garden

This is a section of the "funky garden", the garden room with the bathtub, and the tea pot tree and the wringer washer. This year the pots, pans, and milk boxes were all planted with a large variety of Basil plants: purple basil, mammoth leaf, cinnamon basil, lemon flavored basil, dwarf basil, lime basil and others. I like it. Nancy calls it the "yard sale". But I notice she uses the basil none-the-less.

Altered Art by TreasureMaker Marj.

This Baker's Shrine, approx. 8 inches across, 11 inches high and 3 inches wide is hand made with 1950 original bakers molds and a loaf pan. The pastry chef is cast white metal. Under and near the Baker you'll find old food coloring bottles, a whisk, a Hershey's spoon and one old can of the Mace/ spice and more....He has some cool girly photos behind him for good luck and a removable strand of rosary beads. This original piece of altered art was designed and crafted by our sister Marj of Rosemary Remembrances in Jim Thorpe and is available for purchase here on Etsy. Marj describes herself as a self-proclaimed pack-rat who loves to take reclaimed, recycled new and old objects and transform them into artful pieces.

Fairy Gardens

Earlier this spring we had a workshop where everyone planted their own fairy garden in a rustic trough. The class was for children and mom's working together and the creative results are always so exciting to see! After planting the garden they could decorate it with picket fences, arbors, stone garden paths, swimming pools and whatever other clever ideas they came up with. All fairy-sized of course.
We used a miniature thyme appropriately named "Elfin Thyme" which the fairies love to nap upon, a miniature Lavender called "Thumbelina", a dwarf grey leafed sage which is used to make bedding and blankets plus the grey foliage reflects the moonlight for those all night parties!
We topped off the whole project with lots and lots and a wee bit more glitter. Nothing attracts the wee folk more than sparkles! Finally, ask the fairies to enter your garden
and ~*believe*~ that it will happen.

Tea Time for the Fairies perhaps

In miniature, just the perfect size for a Fairy Tea Party don't you think? This Swarovski lead crystal tea set (retired) was a gift many years ago from a Rosemary House customer. It enjoys a permanent spot on display in the tea room, with sweet remembrances of a friendship past.

Do you have plans in September?

Our Fairy Festival website has been updated with the Schedule of Events for the September festival this year. Held the first weekend after Labor Day, September 12 - 13, the fairies have been spotted frolicking about the garden in anticipation of the festivities. For details, times and performers, please visit here. Fun for all ages!

A Children's Tea

Our children's tea typically features kid friendly food. We begin with baby carrots and a dipping sauce followed by a beautiful plate of fresh fruit with marshmallow cream. The sandwiches today included egg salad triangles and bologna and cheese teapots. We also serve a miniature three tiered tray with the favorites ~ peanut butter bites, jelly triangles and peanut butter and jelly squares. The little heart sandwiches were popular (simply buttered bread cut with a cutter and sprinkled with assorted colored sugars - thanks Marilyn from Heart's Delight for sharing this kid favorite). Scones of course, and a rose decorated cupcake completed the menu. There was a choice of pink lemonade or a pot of tea from our extensive tea list.

The young lads and ladies enjoyed a delightful afternoon with moms and grandmas today.

Children's Tea Sets

A few of my children's tea sets have been moved to center stage for our Please Read to Me Tea tomorrow. This delightful afternoon includes child friendly tea party food, a grown up sandwich or two, some pink lemonade and/or tea for the kids and the moms.
The miniature tea sets will be placed on the tables as centerpieces within easy reach of little hands to play tea party.


This tea set, Made in Japan, is on permanent display in the tea room, and marks the beginning of my interest in tea. A gift from my Aunt, many many years ago, it was my first tea set. Dolls, bears, and imaginary friends sipped hot water from these cups as we pretended to savor the special delights of afternoon tea. Complete with a casserole dish, salt and pepper shakers, and another serving bowl, it's not your ordinary tea set. Chips and cracks commemorate the joy and pleasure of many hours of enjoyment from this simple gift.

Collections!

What do you do with all those little magnets that accumulate over the years? My tea themed magnet collection is extensive ~ and they are tucked here and there! Since the tea room also serves dinner, we do occasionally offer coffee with the meals. This collection of tea related magnets decorates the front of the coffee machine. When he was younger, Cedar enjoyed moving them around, redesigning the placement of the magnets; even taking a few to put on the fridge in his home!
This quiet collection of magnets hides on the side of the fridge, in the kitchen. That's Mom in the teacup, always present, looking over my shoulder as I work in the kitchen.
And this collection is attached to the inside of the medicine cabinet in the tea room powder room, filling up an otherwise empty cabinet door. Really, I don't need any more tea related magnets; but, why is it that I feel the need to buy one when I see it?

Happy Fourth of July!

Celebrating Red, White, and BLUE!

A glimpse of the blue in our lives!

Celebrating Red, WHITE, and Blue

Finding white this holiday weekend with Marilyn at Delights of the Heart and friends. White in the garden has its own hue when you compare it to
say, pristine white
or simply elegant white, wouldn't you say?

Celebrating RED, White & Blue

Honoring America's Independence Day

with a glimpse of the colors associated with our country.

Joining Marilyn, LaTeaDah, and other friends in blogland

as the celebration of colors splashes across the Internet.

Featuring RED today, White tomorrow, and Blue on Friday...

join us as we begin the holiday festivities!