Vacation tea

June 22, 2014

As some of you know, we stayed in a beautiful rented condo on Lake Michigan this past week. It was a great week of walks on the beach, golf, sunburns, movie watching, and lots of talking and laughing. And one day, when it rained all day, a visit to a four-story antique store in Traverse City. 

The guys were happy to sit next door in a pub with the World Cup on, and we spent a lovely couple hours wandering around beautiful china, linens, books, lamps, furniture . . . there were so many delightful things I will surely have to go back next time I'm up north.

Look at the beautiful teacup I found . . . 



This says it's the Bridal Rose pattern by MZ Austria, I think. If that faded word at the bottom there is Austria, then this was made sometime between 1884 and 1909. I love china, but don't know a lot about it other than what I've looked up online, so I could be wrong. But isn't it fun to think I might be drinking out of a cup that someone in a real Downton Abbey-type setting might have used? Or later, sipped from while sitting next to a radio listening to Winston Churchill giving his "never give up" speech during World War II? So many histories could be assigned to this little cup!

I love wandering about antique shops and wondering about history and the lives of people who used or made the objects I pick up and admire. For instance, who sat and crocheted this lovely tablecloth?


I got this beauty to put on my kitchen table in between use. It is in perfect condition. I only knit and crochet a little, so I'm no expert, but this looks like it took a long time to make. It would take me forever. I'm going to have to make up a little story for myself about the woman who sat and worked hours and hours on this. What a treasure.


We also went to a little tea store in the town of Glen Arbor. They had this sign posted on the table with their black teas. Just in case you need convincing.


They had a wonderful selection of teas and spices. The owner was very knowledgeable, and made some Ceylon tea for us to taste. This spiced sugar smells and tastes delicious.


I'm looking forward to trying this Manitou Masala Chai tea. The tea must be named after the islands just off the coast here. South Manitou Island is visible from our condo, and there's a North Manitou Island as well, with ferry service to both. 


The teapot in the back was in one of the cupboards in the condo's fully equipped kitchen, a nice surprise.

We also found the Leelanau Coffee Brewing Company and got some delicious coffee. Check out the old-school dunesmobile on the front of the package. This area is famous for the huge Sleeping Bear Dunes.



Thanks for sharing a "vacation tea" with me. Check out these parties I'm linking with . . . 

37 comments

  1. Your teacup is an absolute treasure, Deborah! Sounds like you had a fantastic vacation!

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  2. Hi Deborah, I love your new tea cup and all the other goodies you picked up too. It sounds like you had a nice time away. Wishing you a wonderful week.
    Julie

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  3. Dearest Deborah,
    Yes, you sure got an antique Austrian piece of china with this lovely cup and saucer. This looks very similar to my Rosenthal demitasse teaup. It could very well have been used different. Austria being the country for mocha and strong coffee instead (glass of water served on the side...).
    But you put it into a lovely story with the crocheted lace table cloth; indeed numerous hours of concentration went into that piece!
    You're lucky to find such treasure and I too love tea, only coffee in the morning for breakfast for me.
    You might want to check out my post about: {Difference Between Coffee & Tea Cups}
    Hugs and happy summer!
    Mariette

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  4. Hi Deborah,

    Your vacation tea was definitely something to write home about for its beautiful surroundings, savvy shopping and enjoying a cup of new flavours, all found on location. I JUST wrote an email to a very sweet friend of mine who picked up a cutwork tablecloth with button holes around the edge and we were wondering what it could have been buttoned to! Any idea? I, too, always run off into a dreamy story about previous owners of my rescued treasures, that are filled with such intrigue.

    Thanks for sharing all the loveliness. Happy first week of summer!

    Poppy

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  5. Oh, Deborah I love your new tea cup! I collect Austrian and Bavarian teacups and yours is a true beauty!

    Your crocheted tablecloth is GORGEOUS, such workmanship went into making that, can you even imagine??

    What a nice vacay you had - love your new wares, such a pretty area to spend time. Lucky lady!

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  6. What a lovely vacation you had. The cup you found is very pretty. The crocheted tablecloth is a real work of art. Hard to imagine the time it must have taken to complete!

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  7. Sounds like a lovely time!! Your teacup is exquisite. I think tea (or coffee) tastes so much better in a pretty cup!
    Mary Alice

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  8. Hi Deborah, what a lovely vacation tea. Your new found teacup treasure is beautiful. I love tea or coffee in a pretty cup too. Just seems to taste so much better and makes one feel special.
    The crocheted table cloth is gorgeous. I have several like this and love them too. The work involved from talented hands is stunning.
    Sounds like the perfect vacation.
    Hugs

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  9. Deborah what a great vacation.. Shopping in a three leven antique store while the guys are happily somewhere else sounds wonderful. My hubby can take it for a while but tires of the "looking" soon.. Whoever opened the pub nearby must have been thinking of the men...lol I too, wonder about the items I purchase...who used them..how? why? That is why I love repurchasing..there is always a story.. The cup is beautifu;...and the beautiful matters....:) I so want to go to Lake Michigan simply because of your trip..sounds wonderful.. Thanks for taking us with you.. Blessings and have a great day!

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  10. My husband says every antique store needs a tire store next door...but he would have said a pub with a TV for the World Cup this year...he's been glued to the set! Wonderful tablecloth! Isn't it nice that tea is so good for us??? Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  11. The new flavor tea find sounds delicious!

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  12. Hi Deborah,
    Your vacation sounds like it was wonderful and you found a beautiful teacup! I have a Bridal Rose too. So delicate! I never take sugar in my tea but that spiced sugar sure looks like fun. Love the tablecloth and what a lovely find! I love anything crocheted. Thank you for coming to tea and have a beautiful day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  13. What a lovely vacation you had. And you were able to being some so many lovely treats. I like the idea of the spiced sugar you bought. And you are right about that table cloth. I crochet a bit but have never gotten beyond making scarves out of yarn which go pretty fast. That tablecloth would have been a labor of love!

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  14. I loved seeing the beauty in your pictures. The teacup is a treasure. The tablecloth would have taken hours upon hours. I was trying to see the title of the book. It's so beautiful. I drink a lot of tea so I should be quite healthy! ~Pamela

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  15. Your new teacup is so dainty and pretty, Deborah. It looks like you found a lot of goodies, especially that wonderful crocheted table covering.

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  16. Oh my, what a lovely tea cup! The pink roses and gold make it look so dainty and elegant :)

    And that crocheted table cloth - wow, what a beauty! I can't even imagine the hours that were spent on it.

    Sounds like you had a wonderful time away, dear friend. Have a great week! Hugs to you!

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  17. Lovely treasures...beautiful ring shaped handle on your lovely tea cup. Oh you found a truly exquisite crocheted table topper. I can not imagine the work involved in creating such a piece.

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  18. What interesting teas and great memories. I love the crochet tablecloth.....as well as the cup and saucer.
    In the late fall through early spring I call my blog party "Friends Sharing Tea" but in the late spring till fall again I call it "Tea In The Garden" because that is where it goes! So glad you shared and glad for your great vacation!

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  19. A four-story antique shop?! How did you make it out with only a tablecloth and a teacup?! I think both of these purchases are beautiful, and they seem to go together don't you think? The tablecloth looks like something that would've been made for a hope chest, but then never used because it was only "for good". The teacup is so sweet and dainty. I like to think about who made things and who used them too. Have a great week :) Wendy x

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  20. Love the pattern and the shape, perfect for a cappuccino too. ;) The spiced sugar sounds divine.
    Glad you're enjoying your vacation. It was great visiting today.
    xoxo's

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  21. Very nice teacup you found and a beautiful table cloth. I love to poke around in antique shops, and if I find something that catches my eye, all the better.

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  22. Lovely photos today - the tea cup is so charming and so is that beautiful table cloth. I, too, like to think of the people who once loved and used these beautiful things of old. A sweet link to the past. It sounds like you had a wonderful time on your vacation. It sounds perfect to me.. xo karen

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  23. What a beautiful teacup and that crochet tablecloth is lovely. That antique store sounds like loads of fun--four stories! Wow--it's like a dream :). It sounds like you had a terrific and relaxing vacation. Masala Chai and spiced sugar sound like a terrific match.

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  24. Love your tea cup and the crochet tablecloth. I just think they are so beautiful. Sounds like your vacation was wonderful. Blessings, Martha

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  25. Deborah, oh I can just smell the wonderful aroma! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. So nice to get away! Love your sweet tea cup! So happy that you will be sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  26. Sounds like such a wonderful vacation, Deborah--restful and fun. Love both your newest tea cup and the lovely tablecloth, sweet mementos of your special time.
    Blessings,
    Diana

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  27. Sounds like a wonderful weekend and oh MY that tablecloth...what a treasure of hand-work ! :)

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  28. Your vacation tea sounds and looks lovely! That spiced sugar looks YUMMO! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  29. Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of my favorite places. Any Traverse City cherries?

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  30. LOVE that sweet tablecloth and the tea cup too!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  31. a beautiful vacation! and what FuN treats to discover - I have a set of Bridal Rose china & love it right along with you =) shall we raise a cup together? Cheers!

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    1. checked my archives to find the Bridal Rose post - will have to take some daylight photos to get brighter colours, but thought you'd enjoy imagining the dinner parties that might have been served throughout the years... :) thanks for sharing your Joys with us ! HPS =)

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    2. can't see a link colour, but you can click on the 'Bridal Rose' and go straight to the post if you're interested -

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  32. Sweet spiced sugar...yummy...now I'm craving a cup of tea:)

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