Monday, August 25, 2014

At The Tea Garden



I've been collecting Portmeirion for years.
I pick up a piece here and there -- always on sale.
I have bowls from the botanical and from the garden bird series.
I use them for everything: soup, cereal, fruit, yogurt, pasta.

On my last trip to Tuesday Morning,
 I found these lovely mugs and two bread and butter plates. 



Portmeirion



Portmeirion


I'm going to brew a large pot of Assam making it extra strong.
I'm going to ice it later.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Iced Assam.
It is summer after all!

Maybe I'll have a slice of blueberry bread, too.
*

Garrison Keillor shared poetry by Margaret Hasse in his Writer's Almanac.

I bought EARTH'S APPETITE, a small collection of her poems and they are wonderful.
Here's an example.



AT THE TEA GARDEN

by Margaret Hasse

My friend and I mull over the teas
displayed in square jars
with beveled glass labeled by type.
Each name seems part of a haiku:
"After the Snow Sprouting." "Moon Palace."
"Mist Over the Gorges."
I'm drawn to green teas
with unoxidized leaves that don't wither,
hold their grassy fragrance
like willow under snow in winter.

The proprietor offers real china for the Chinese tea.
Animal bones, fine ground, give whiteness,
translucency and strength
to the porcelain that appears delicate,
resists chipping.
The rim of the cup is warm and thin.

My friend's lips are plush: her lovely
mouth opens to give advice I ask for.
We talk about memory of threshold events,
like a first kiss or a poem published.
She can't remember...

I tell her about my brother-in-law's
chemotherapy—his third bout of cancer.
He wants his family to put a pinch
of his ashes in things he liked:
his banjo, the top drawer of his desk, the garden.

I wouldn't mind becoming part
of a set of bone china that serves tea
in a cozy teahouse smelling of incense,
cinnamon, musk, and carved teak.
I'd like to be brought to a small table,
sit between friends' quiet words,
held in hands so close that breath
on the surface of warm drink
makes mist rise over their faces.
"At the Tea Garden" by Margaret Hasse, from Earth's Appetite. © Nodin Press, 2013. 
Tea Party

Tea Party with Lois by Wilson Henry Irvine, 1920


Wishing YOU well, much joy and a wonderful cup of tea!


I'm joining the following tea parties.
Thank you to the hosts of:















20 comments:

Millie said...

What a nice find at Tuesday morning! I love that store...

Tea in Texas said...

Snap, what a lovely set for tea and cold in the sun is great! I love Portmerion and their lovely patterns and shapes. We went to England and loved the Pottery area but Portmerion was a great place to shop! I like the Mason' s Pink Vista in the painting for I have that pattern. Your comment was so kind and I appreciate it!

Thanks,
Pam

xinex said...

I love the Portmeirion collection but I think I have only seen them in the flower botanical design. These with the birds are so pretty....Christine

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Hi Snap,
I love your mug and matching plate... so pretty with your Calla lilies. I'm having a glass of iced tea right now. It's over a 100 degrees in Dallas today.
The poem was something to think about, especially the part of being made into some fine bone china for tea. Nice thought!
I read your previous post and now I want to try some chicken salad with hatch chilies from Whole Foods. Hmmm...maybe tomorrow!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Portmeirion is a nice pattern and I have a friend that collects it too, always a treat to lunch at her place.
At The Tea Garden is delightful, thanks for sharing.
Enjoy your iced assam!

Anonymous said...

I love that painting. It's so old fashioned and what a lovely garden. xox

Antiques And Teacups said...

Love the artwork and poem! I love Portmerion as well...but don't have any. But I love yours with the bird! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

What a lovely post, Snap! You always inspire me to consider a cup of tea instead of my usual Diet Pepsi. And you make drinking tea sound like such a lovely ritual--which it is, if I just pay attention. :-)

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

What a lovely post, Snap!!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What a gorgeous poem! I like the "pinch of ashes" idea very much.

Martha's Favorites said...

I love that collection of dishes. I want to start one so very badly. I hope I can resist. You make it hard. Love it all. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

Dorothy Borders said...

"I wouldn't mind becoming part
of a set of bone china that serves tea..."

What a lovely thought. I wouldn't mind that either.

Lynne said...

First time I am learning of Portmeirion . . . lovely indeed!

And the verse . . . I loved . . .
I liked the thoughts of ash . . .
in the garden,
tucked in a desk drawer corner . . .
a sprinkle near the tea set . . .

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

I love your Portmeirion with the bird motif, Snap. A sweet collection. The tea painting is lovely too. You always share something interesting with us. Thanks for joining me for tea and enjoy your day.

Blessings,
Sandi

Karen said...

Hi Snap,
Your mug and plate are lovely. The birds are just beautiful on each piece. Thank you for visiting me. Have a wonderful week! Karen

Deborah Montgomery said...

Lovely finds. I've got to get over to Tuesday Morning sometime, people seem to find great stuff there. Interesting and lovely poem.

Janet said...

It's a beautiful mug and plate, and you always do such beautiful photos of everything.

Enjoy your iced tea but don't eat all the blueberry bread...save some for me! You can send it through email, can't you??!

Bernideen said...

Glad you were able to add more to your collection. That is a lovely painting too! Glad you shared at Tea In The Garden.

Mascha said...

What a great find and nice pictures and poem.
I would to have an iced Assam with you and see the things in real... :-)

Carrie said...

That's such a lovely picture to end your post with! Thanks also for sharing that great poem. I hope you have a good weekend!