A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Flow Blue Teacup Trio and Royal Christening

Hello and welcome to our post 4th of July edition of Tuesday Cuppa Tea.  Below are the fireworks last night in Seattle from our local newspaper. Gorgeous!




It is HOT here on the drought stricken west coast...record breaking 95 today in Seattle...mid 80s here in Sequim, lowest snow year in recorded history in the Olympic Mountains behind us all the way into Alaska...and wildfires in Washington state and British Columbia meaning  smoky Women's FIFA World Cup just being played as I type in Vancouver, BC.



As it is post 4th, I had baked some shortbread cookies for tea a few days ago, topped them with icing and sprinkles and here are the last with one of my collection of teacups...actually a teacup trio...from my grandmother, Emma Bridgewater...see the left sidebar for a photo...given to me when I was 16.






The flow blue teacup trio is by Bishop & Stonier, Ltd. Staffordshire, England under the trade name of Bisto...a contraction of the manufacturer's names....the company existed from 1891 to 1930...




The mark includes the winged snakes and sword of Powell, Bishop & Stonier that preceded Bisto, and the British Registry pattern number testifies that the pattern was registered in 1898.  The pattern number is 9234, but I have been unable to locate the actual pattern name, if it ever had one, as this manufacturer didn't always give names to their patterns. But I LOVE flow blue, and the molded feel is so satisfying, and the floral design so pretty!




The shortbread recipe was from this Le Cordon Bleu cookbook I picked up in the UK on one visit...called Home Collection...Biscuits...which, of course, is cookies to Yanks! But I made the recipe not in a large round but rolled it and used one of my smaller set of nested biscuit cutters for round, small biscuits...er, cookies.   I will post the recipe later in the week, because we have a christening to attend! And it's to be followed by a tea party!!!




Today was the christening of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, second child of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and baby sister of Prince George.



The christening was at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, where Princess Diana was baptized in 1961, on the grounds of the royal estate of Sandringham, close the the couple's home at Amner Hall in the village adjacent to the Sandringham estate where the Royal family always spends Christmas and is said to be Queen Elizabeth's favorite place for a rest. The christening had the grandparents and 6 god parents, although Prince Harry was in Africa and so couldn't attend.



The solid gold christening font and ewer from the royal collection were on hand, and above is the 5 pound silver commemorative coin minted to mark the occasion.




The traditional royal family christening gown was in use again....



And then the extended royal family went back to Sandringham for a christening tea party which included slices from a tier of William and Catherine's wedding cake, andchristening family photos by Mario Testino like this one he took at Prince George's christening with Queen Elizabeth and the next 3 in line for the throne.  Notice George is in the same christening gown...


All these photos are from the BBC.  Lovely occasion.

So there you have it! Was intending to post about something else, but my honey's infection has returned, we lost a dear friend unexpectedly and the heat sort of changed our plans. Ah well...that's life!

Below is the list of some of the blog parties I will be part of and there is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your comments, and can find you to visit!




16 comments:

  1. A lovely post! I so enjoyed all the pretty photos of your pretty tea cups - the Royal Family pics were a bonus!! Shorbread is my husband's favorite 'biscuit!' A friend in Scotland recently sent us a package and we rationed them out to make them last longer! I may try to make some myself soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gorgeous teacup trio! You don't see too many teacups in that color-dark navy blue. Looks very regal. I've enjoyed seeing all of the photos of the Christening. How fun to be a fly on the wall at the tea party. Wonder how the wedding cake tasted
    Hope your husband feels better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good morning, Ruth! Your blue flow trio is so stunning and such a treasure from your grandma. Your cookies look delicious and I'm sure you'll find more teatime treats from that cookbook. Thanks for the pics on the darling royal family. Hope your hubby feels better soon. You must be getting our drought that we've had for the past years and we are getting the rain. Thanks for hosting your lovely party.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ruth, your Flow Blue is lovely and the shortbread looks delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures of the Royal family. I hope your hubby is feeling better soon. I'm sorry for your loss too. Yes, that is life, with both its joys and sorrows but we give thanks for it because we know God is in control. Take care, my friend, and thank you for hosting.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sure loved seeing the Christening pics - what a lovely family. Duchess Catherine gets more beautiful every day - what class and style. I bet her daughter is the same - so neat they have at least one of each. God bless the Royal Family!

    Your navy blue teacup is STUNNING - how perfect for this past weekend with its red, white and blue! (Even the royals had the right idea, hee hee.)

    Thank you for hosting - so nice to be able to join in on the fun for a change.

    Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Ruth,
    Oh that blue and white china is gorgeous! So perfect for July 4th (or anytime). The wee baby is very pretty and how I love her elegant gown. Happy Tea Day Sweet Friend and thank you for hosting! Karen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your cup and saucer are very special and more so because of it's provenance. I have been seeing reports about the weather in your area....somewhat unusual!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm very sorry to for the loss of your friend. I hope that your husband is feeling better.

    Your flow blue teacup is very elegant!

    Thank you for sharing photos of the Royal Christening. Did you see the Telegraph's video of the Christening highlights?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your flow blue teacup is beautiful! Isn't that little Charlotte the sweetest! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your flow blue teacup is so beautiful! My aunt has alot of flow blue china and when I visit her I, m always drawn to it. You don't see much of it except in antique stores! Praying your hubby is better soon and so sorry for the loss of your friend.
    Thank you for hosting!
    Blessings....Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank You for sharing the christening... such Royal excitement... Your blue flow teaset is absolutely spectacular and perfect for the celebration...I love it's elegant shape. Please do enjoy your day...Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  12. I enjoy reading your post about the Royal Family. It is quite interesting.
    I am very sorry for your loss and I pray that you find strength and hope by virtue of your faith in God and his promises.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hope your Hubby feels better and is strengthened. The cup and saucer are really beautiful and all your UK information are fun. Hope you have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ruth, so sorry for the loss of your friend. And that your husband is not well. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos with us. I admit I'm a bit of a royal watcher. And I can't resist photos of tea-related things ever!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely photos! Hope you get some relief from the heat soon! My daughter and I will be visiting England in September and I'm hoping to find a Charlotte souvenir or two!

    Blessings,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...