First of all, you have to understand that I hate to vacuum. I mean I really hate to vacuum. As a reward for finishing that hated task this week, I decided to treat myself to a carrot muffin and a cup of tea.
So I took a moment and set a tole tray with a small Limoges plate from the consignment shop, a linen napkin with lace edging that I bought on a strange antiques-buying expedition, and a thrift store fork.
The tea cup belonged to my mother. Both cup and plate are strewn with pink roses. Sometimes a girl just needs some roses, right? ;)
Oh, and I almost forgot the monogrammed coin silver spoon -- one of my favorites.
I added some Bridal Wreath spirea in a tiny milk glass vase. And so a ten-minute tea break became a moment of grace in a busy day.
Don't you love it when that happens?
I'm linking this post to Susan's Tablescape Thursday and Cindy's Show and Tell Friday. Both Susan and Cindy have the most amazing blogs. Be sure to visit them!
Happy Friday, dear bloggers! :)
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I love setting myself a pretty tea tray like that. Always seems to make you feely happy with life.
ReplyDeleteAlison
empty nesting has benefits, :P
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely...actually even a luxury to be able to take that little extra time to make things special. I am appreciating having more time lately and am enjoying playing with my pretty things too! I have to agree that a girl sometimes just needs roses...your mother's cup is sweet. Thank you for sharing your moment of grace!
ReplyDelete:) Laura
Im loving having free time for just me.Im enjoying each and every bit of it.I can do more things I love around the house like changing things and adding some new.Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteHappy friday!
I also posted today on cleaning. And I think we both have the same idea here. Treat yourself to sweet lovelies like this and the vacuum becomes less of a torture.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, my friend.
Looks wonderful for a break. Have a great day,
ReplyDeleteRobin
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely moment of grace!
Carolyn
Vacuuming IS worthy of a lovely treat like you've arranged here! Love that gorgeous napkin and the delicate china -- very elegant!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful feeling washing over me right now as I read your blog for the day...it's a perfect setting!!
ReplyDeleteI've been a domestic goddess this week ...making new SOUTHWEST CURTAIN TIE-BACKS Stop by for a visit and viewing if you can find time! Have a great weekend.
Hi Mary! Well, I think you treated yourself very well, my Dear! :) What a lovely little tray, cup and plate. The carrot muffin looks good too! You do take the most wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
shelia ;)
This is so lovely Mary. I just breathed a sigh.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful award for such a dreadful job. I hope it tasted as good as it looked. Every minute of the day should be a celebration. Take care:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a special treat and such a beautiful tray. Love the dishes and the muffin looks yummy too. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't want this lovely tea tray as a reward for housework. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteBarb
I think vacuuming warrants reward, too. I hate everything to do with cleaning floors (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming) and, sadly, my dirty floors bear witness.
ReplyDeleteLove your rose tea cup. I have a mini tea cup collection.
ReplyDeleteWhat cute dishes and yummy looking cake! Hope you have a great weekend! ~Andrea
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to treat ourselves once in awhile! Pretty little dessert plate...love tole trays.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you took such a beautiful moment for yourself...Love the dishes...so delicate and pretty! Have a lovely weekend! Karen
ReplyDeleteyes, it is very good to treat ourselves. glad you could find a spot to indulge.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel about vacuuming Mary! I love the dishes on your tray...I love flowers. Next time I vacuum (which will be soon) I'm going to treat myself to something yummy. Thank you for the wonderful idea! Take care. Maura
ReplyDeleteOh I love that you prepared a moment to enjoy! Perfection. (I hate to vacuum, too, most especially with either of the two clunkers now occupying closet space...time for something new!)
ReplyDeleteWe all need to take those moments of grace, but don't do it often enough! Lovley tray.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
Your photographs are wonderful. The lighting is perfect. Is is natural light or did you add some supplemental lighting? How's that syllabus coming for the photography class?
ReplyDeleteHi Mary...Lovely photos. Eva's singing added to the atmosphere. I love Susan and Cindy's blogs, too. Both are super. Yours is, too! Sincerely, Susan
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful Mary! I need to vacuum today too. Perhaps I will reward myself as well. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Wow! Your photos are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your talent! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteKay, this is all natural light, shot in the afternoon in front of an east facing window. I am working on developing an online photography class for bloggers. I'll be posting more information soon! Thank you for asking. :)
I feel exactly the same way about sweeping. I thought I was the only one. I avoid it and leave it for last if I can't get hubby to do it for me. The online photo class sounds great! Peggy from pa
ReplyDeleteI LOVE those moments. I often take time for myself when my house is empty as well. It's a real treat! I had to laugh when I read your profile.. I'm a mother of two as well (ages 21 and 18) .. the 'annoying' comment caught my eye..lol It's just so true. We love them to death, but lets face it, they have their moments!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Lisa
This one was so nice, I shared with facebook!
ReplyDeleteMachelle
What a pretty little reward :)
ReplyDelete*hugs*deb
Hi Mary, From a girl that "loves" to vacuum I loved your post! I am going to have to treat myself to a special moment like you! My family teases me because I'm obsessed with vacuuming. Oh, I just love carrot muffins/cake too. I hope you have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteHugz,
Kim
Perfect! What a nice treat for you.It looks lovely, and was well deserved after that dreaded task!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home
"Grace" is one of my favorite words, and I'm remembering two dear aunties that shared that name.
ReplyDeleteMary, you've captured the light so perfectly on your beautiful treasures! Very nice. I love that you treat yourself after an unsavory chore.
I'm really looking forward to your tutorial on blog photography. xo ~m
These pictures are absolutely beautiful! ♥
ReplyDeleteHaving vacuumed is definitely deserving of this treat...such beautiful images too Mary...the photos are pretty enough to eat:)
ReplyDeleteMary, your lovely 'moment' dignifies the whole keeping house thing...and illustrates how important it is to honor the completed task of running the Hoover around!
ReplyDeleteYup. Love everything about this charming interlude.
ReplyDeleteI love your moment of grace, and the sharing of it is a special thing. DH just passed behind me, and I said, "Look! Here's someone who does exactly what we do! She arranges a tray, then tells which shop and relative all the beautiful things came from."
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautifuls and your grace.
Sipping tea from a proper teacup with saucer is such a lovely indulgence. You should do it every day!
ReplyDeleteNice idea and beautiful china. Looks very charming.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Johanna
How pretty, lovely and oh so tranquil!.., Thanks ever so much for sharing all of this beauty with us, lovely lady!
ReplyDeleteCheers from Wanda Lee @ The Plumed Pen
Beautiful title and just my kind of way to spend a few quiet moments. This is totally lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Mary. Truly restful and beautiful! And you know how I feel about your trays! :) – g
ReplyDelete