Mum's Virtual Tea Party 2013

Oh gosh, visitors are coming by. I need to have everything ready. Now which teapot should we use? The everyday one?

The Deco style one?

The thirties one?

Or the extra large one for group use. We may have many visitors to this tea party so this might be the one?

Now which china should we use? This Triillium is my favourite.

Or what about the Old Rose design?

Our cakes could go on Grandma's old plate or ...

the wooden platter made (whittled) for me by a friend, out of witch elm burr.

I asked for a bowl made out of a gnarled piece of wood and he came up with the goods.

Sandwiches -  standard stuff or something a bit different? I don't want people to leave them because they don't like the filling. 

banana and sugar - nah!

Marmite - nah, too controversial

cucumber - nah, as above

red onion and cream cheese - possibly

egg and cress - old favourite

tomato - perhaps, we've certainly got lots in the greenhouse.

Here, here and here are some variations on the tomato sandwich.

Nearly there, just got my nails to do.

It's a good job we've got help today so let's sit back and relax and visit these blogs for more tea party inspiration. If their post is not up yet do go back later. You won't be disappointed.

Joy - Prepare to be dazzled!

Johnny jumps up - Stay awhile for the entertainment. Plenty to eat aswell plus question to test your skills.

Jane and Chris - Wow, what a spread. There's something for everyone here.

Bad Penny - Don't forget your hat if you visit here.

Pam - Plenty to eat here. I'm getting full now, plus I've scrounged the recipe for Norfolk shortcake. Yeah!

Joanne - All her sarnies have gone but there's still some delectables left. Hurry over and admire the Fall theme.

Feather Duster - I do hope you've made some new friends here in the Virtual World. Happy Birthday for tomorrow.

Jill - drink your wine and view beautiful pictures

Cathy - I'm learning a lot here.

Carol - Oh the cake, hmmm! And there's a recipe to make your own.

Emma and Pam I know you don't have your own blogs but hi there, hope you're both having a wonderful time.

Shiela, I hope your moving is going well and that you've had enough time to pop in to sample all the delights.

Anne - Have you had your cake and a cuppa yet?

Gladys  - Hope you've got your glad-rags on, this is a posh 'do'. How do you eat your chocolate teacake?

Amanda - This is a tea party with a difference. I love variety.

Gram - Thank you so much for arranging tea. Tell Miss Phitt she looks lovely.

I'm so glad you could call by today. Hope you've enjoyed your virtual tea and I really hope you've made some new acquaintances. To all who have visited thank you so much for your participation. My bloggy friends - you're just the greatest!

xx

All set?

... for the tea party tomorrow?

Joy

Frugal in Bucks

Johnny jumps up

Jane and Chris

Bad Penny

Pam

Joanne

Feather Duster

Bonsaimum

Jill

Cathy

Lesley

Anne

Feather Duster

Gladys

Amanda

Have I missed anybody?

Oooooooh! Can't wait. See you there.

xx

8 days to go

Just over a week to go and here's the list so far.

Joy

Frugal in Bucks

Johnny jumps up

Jane and Chris

Bad Penny

Pam

Joanne

Feather Duster

Bonsaimum

Jill

Cathy

Lesley

Anne

Feather Duster

Gladys

Hey, that's 15 participants. Please let me know if I've not got you on the list and I'll add your name. If you are unsure of what to post, below are links to our previous Tea Parties. You will find the posts many and varied. Everyone visits everyone else on Tea Party day and hopefully has a really good time, sampling virtual delights. Click on the Virtual Tea Party label at the side to see how these parties develop. If you've not read the invite please click on the picture above or in the side bar.

2012

2011

I notice that the first party was a Vintage Tea Party -  and that these Tea Parties started with just one comment on a post (from Edith Florence - who has not posted much this year). I hope you are reading this Edith and would like to join in this year if you can, either reading or doing a post for us.

I hope the weather will be fine for us - it's been alternating sun and rain here this week.

The road looked like a river today and the back patio looked like a lake pond!

xx

The list grows ...

... for the Virtual Tea Party Hosts

Joy

Frugal in Bucks

Johnny jumps up

Jane and Chris

Bad Penny

Pam

Joanne

Feather Duster

Bonsaimum

I have a feeling we may have a good time

 :) 

and it's also Feather Duster's birthday the day after so it's a double celebration. I've been sorting through my cake stands and tablecloths and looking up cake recipes to try. I shall cook a batch of scones this afternoon, I think.

(\_/)

(='.'=)

(')_(')

Hey!

/\_/\

    >'.'<   /

 ( ___)/

Whooo!

Any more  - hosts or keyboard pictures?

 xx

             

          

Who, where, when, what for?

Welcome to my new and recent followers and here's an invitation to you and indeed all followers and viewers to join in with our Virtual Tea Party at the end of October. Details can be found by clicking on the Tea Party button to the right of your screen. We already have some contributors for the day with promises of visits from others. No great effort is involved - just treat it as a virtual playtime with the opportunity for others, old and new, to view your blog.

Joy

Frugal in Bucks

Johnny jumps up

Jane and Chris

Hope to see you there, Bloggy Bloggers, with your cake, sandwiches, scones, teapots, china, witty conversation, best clothes, floral decorations and whatever else or whoever else you might like to bring along!

xx

Heritage Tour - 2

There was a lot going on at North Pier during Heritage Open Day as it is also celebrating its 150th anniversary. We toured the pier, watched 2 free performances, one a chat with Charlie Cairoli Jr and one a variety show. The weather for the tour was sunny but on the performance days it was gale force and chucking it down so the turn out was low - such a shame. Here are a few old pics of the pier.

And here is an old projector from when the theatre showed films.

The theatre was larger inside than out - very strange.

We were allowed onto the stage, backstage and ...

and around the dressing rooms which were sumptuously decorated with deco wallpaper, chandeliers, pictures and flowers.

The dressing rooms were like hotel rooms with coffee making facilities and drinks fridges.

Couches and ensuites were in the main dressing rooms.

Mirrors were everywhere so we artistes could check our make-up and clothes.

The even had a sea view!

In the office there was one vital document on show. Two previous theatres went up in flames and the third was saved from burning by one of the artistes - Vince Hill.

Thank you to the bloggers who have signed up for the Tea Party. I've made a simple (can't do difficult) button to display on your blogs if you wish to invite more people to the 'do'.

xx

Welcome to another new follower. My numbers creep up slowly.

Virtual Tea Party Invite

Who is invited?

Anyone who reads this blog, whether they have their own blog or not.

When is it?

It's usually been near the end of October at the weekend so how's about Sunday 27th October. (Please put the date in your diary.) There's plenty of time to prepare a post if you have a blog and wish to join in. 

What do I have to do if I join in?

If you have a blog all you need to do is to prepare a post on something to do with a Tea Party on the day and I will link to your blog. If you haven't got a blog then all you need to do is visit participating blogs and leave a comment. Simple, no sweat.

We've had some great Tea Party hosts and I hope they will consider joining in again. Your post can be long or short, it doesn't matter. Here's a few suggestions.

Show off your favourite - teapot, china, tablecloth, cake stand ...

Take a picture between now and the day of - cake, sandwich, scone, party food, nibbles, drinks ...

Show off some favourite sandwich fillings.

Take a picture of favourite - dress, hat, shoes, gloves, fascinator, brooch, necklace ...

Converse on - weather, holiday, family, hobbies, books read, films seen ...

Take a picture of your garden, bunting, table layout, garden decorations, house decorations ...

If you have more ideas please say.

Dear Bloggy Bloggers,

Just a jingle from me,

How's about a meet

For a special cup of tea?

Tea, buns and cakes

With sarnies for your mam.

Scones with naughty cream

And a smear of strawberry jam.

Bring out your cake stands

Teapots, cloths 'n' that

Polish up your china

Choose your poshest hat

Wear your bestest frock

Bring your closest friend

To chat, laugh and giggle.

This invite to you I send.

Joy, it's just you and me at the moment. See you there!

Heritage Tour - 1

I really enjoyed visiting local places during Heritage Open Days last year and this year I opted for a tour of homes which were built for the 1906 Cottage Exhibition at Cleveleys in the Fylde.

All of the cottages are still standing but other homes have been built in between. Click on the links for more information. The house below was the one that has kept true to the original building.

PS Talking of this year and last year, would anyone like a Virtual Tea Party again this year? Just a yeah or nay will do at the moment. I'll post more detail later if we have a few responses. Look at our other Virtual Tea Parties if you've not joined in before.

PPS Welcome to my new follower.

xx

Thank you to everyone who came to the Virtual Tea Party yesterday.

Hugs and kisses to all!

xx

Mum's Virtual Tea Party

Welcome everybody to Mum's Virtual Tea Party. What a treat we have in store for you. Your favourite bloggers have been busy baking, assembling and titivating to bring you a Tea Party to remember. Please come in and share our hospitality.

Where shall we have our Tea Party? At the Tea Dance?

This is the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens.

Very posh.

A little bit too large for us, I think. We were rattling round like peas in a jam jar that day. There's another bash at Christmas. I'll have to talk a few more friends into going. I think we'll even get a mince pie!

Or should we host the party here?

Intimate surroundings. Now where would you like to sit?

Lovely mis-matched china.

A new conservatory area just opened.

 

Can you see the chandelier? I wonder if I should get one for the greenhouse!

And check out this wonderful cake stand. It must have been owned once by a Miss Havisham!

What tea set shall we have today. Here are a couple which were for sale at the CS. This set of 5 cups and saucers was £2.50. They had the word Gainsborough underneath.

This set was £5 and was Royal Vale with cups, saucers, plates and milk jug and sugar bowl.

And this bowl was so pretty.

I hope they go to good homes.

What do you think of the table decoration? No expense spared here. This work of art took all of 30 seconds to make. Don't you think the word 'shuck' is an excellent word?

Here's my offering for the cakes today. The recipes are from the BeRo recipe book. First of all, scones. I've substituted butter for the lard and margarine and you could add cream with your egg instead of milk to make them richer. Looks like the egg landed on the page, not in the bowl!

Doesn't baking make a mess of the kitchen.

Anyone for a scone? There's more cream and jam here somewhere.

Talking of jam - this is one ingredient in this. These are very more-ish so just have one for the moment until you've sampled everyone else's contribution to the tea party.

I've served your jam cake on my favourite plate.

It's Royal Albert Trillium. You can read more about it here and here.

There was another of these Royal Albert tea sets at the CS. It was called Lavender Rose. How could I resist! Can't show it you today though as I thought I ought to have it as a Christmas present.

Enjoy your stay at the Party. If our contributors don't have their Tea Party post up yet do call back later.

Bad Penny from the Hen House has her linen all ironed ready for this big day.

MummyHen - Whatever you bring to the tea party will be a delight.

Crafty in the Med You'll love these unusual delights served on vintage tableware.

Bonsaimum You are very welcome. I adore your cake, it's a shame to cut into it.

Penny Wise If you like chocolate then stop here awhile.

Liz Yeah! Yeah! Year! Let's hear it for the teapots! We'll certainly need them.

Op Shop Mama Hi, Iris, how are you doing? You lay a beautiful table. Save a cake for me!

Lazy Daisy Jones my most recent follower and great crocheter is joining us today. I wonder if she's crocheted us some cakes? I know she's made a Christmas pudding. Here's my attempt. Ah no! Willow go over right now to view her table!

Can you eat a whole one with your cup of tea?

Carole and mum have made a huge cake for us today. Take a look.

Please read the comments as there may be other bloggers joining in today. I'll try to keep this post up to date.

I do hope you have enjoyed your visit today. It was lovely to have the pleasure of your company.
xx