Tea and lemonade on the deck

July 6, 2014

We had the best weather over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Perfect for watching fireworks, going to the parade, and sitting outside enjoying a cup of tea and homemade lemonade.


A cup of organic Darjeeling and some homemade lemonade on ice, leaning back on some comfy pillows with conversation and a good book. Ah, summertime . . . 


I got the recipe for the lemonade from Allrecipes.com. Easy-peasy. 

Homemade Lemonade

8 cups water
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

Start by making a simple syrup with 1 cup of water and 1 3/4 cup sugar. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved, cool. Put in refrigerator. Squeeze lemons to get 1 1/2 cups lemon juice. Remove seeds but not pulp. Add lemon juice and 7 cups of water to syrup.


I love the simple, old-fashioned look of canning jars and striped paper straws.


My daughter and I went to Ulta over the weekend to get a few things. She showed me this Rimmel eyeshadow quad named "Afternoon Tea." I almost got it just for the name! (Hers is pictured here.) I almost never wear eye shadow, and ended up giving her my Naked 2 palette, pictured here -- pricey, and I figured she'd get much more use out it. I have an old Clinique eye shadow palette, and I mean old. It needs to be pitched. So I got this Physician's Formula classic nude palette. Isn't it pretty? Maybe I'll even use it.


Love this pretty pink Colclough teacup.


And this Shelley teacup with the pale green handle. Love the fluted edges on the Shelley cups. The teapot was my great-aunt's.


The linen napkins are very old heirlooms; the spoons were my mother-in-law's, in the Rambler Rose pattern. It's so satisfying, don't you think, to use beautiful, old things?

*****



I want to welcome my new followers; and thank you all for reading and commenting on my blog. It's been one of the biggest surprises and pleasures of blogging, meeting so many kind, creative, and lovely new friends. As Anne says, "Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world" (Anne of Green Gables). Thank you, my lovelies.


33 comments

  1. Your setting is beautiful outdoors sweet friend, wish I could join you for a spell! I love your pretty dishes and of course, the lemonade. Thanks for the recipe. Hope you had a terrific 4th. weekend celeb.
    FABBY

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  2. My dear Deborah, everything is so lovely and inviting! The lemonade sounds quite refreshing - I will have to try your recipe. And your tea cups are stunning!

    Thank you for sharing a bit of beauty, my friend. Enjoy your week!

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  3. What gorgeous pictures these are Deborah. Your teacups are so pretty and description makes me feel I am there having a cup of your wonderful lemonade! I love Anne of Green Gables too. I am new to blogging and yes, it is heart warming to meet so many kindred spirits! Have a very happy week, Alison xx

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  4. Dearest Deborah,
    Oh this 4th of July weekend went by without any rain which so far is unusual for us here in middle Georgia!
    You created a very nice and cozy setting for sipping and having a lovely conversation. That's what beautiful cups and pretty spoons with lovely linens are made for. To underline happiness in our daily life!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  5. I am new to this, but I love the pictures and the tea cups.

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  6. This looks absolutely dreamy. Delicate china. Lovely doily. Flowers. Deckchairs. An excellent example of your personal philosophy.

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  7. You've created the perfect spot for tea and conversation Deborah, wish I could join you in person. I was admiring the linens,and yes I use my pretties all the time - changing them up on a rotation basis.
    I'm also pinning your lemonade recipe - any idea how many lemons would be required for the 1 1/2 cups?

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  8. A beautiful post today, Deborah. Wishing you a wonderful week.

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  9. Ahhhh...that's the mood that this post creates.

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  10. Hi Deborah, what a lovely setting for tea and lemonade on your deck. Love your teacups and the lemonade recipe sounds so delicious. Love the pretty eye shadows in the neutral tones. That's the palette I usually wear. I too use my linens and pretty things. Life's too short not to enjoy the beauty in special treasures.
    Love the green leafy pillow.
    Have a blessed day!
    XO

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  11. What a cozy spot for tea Deborah. So full of charm and pretty details. I would love to join you some afternoon. I love that eye palettes. Great colors for everyday use. I hope you use your new shadows this time. I am sure your daughter is loving the Naked Palette from Urban Decay. It is on my list of beauty must haves. Did you like the colors and pigments on the palette?? Was it worth the price??

    I hope you had a great fourth of July.

    Janet

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  12. Very pretty. I could sit and sip tea all afternoon in your gorgeous spot! I've finally just cleared out my makeup drawer. Some of the things were positively ancient :-O.
    Happy Monday!
    xoJennifer

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  13. Lovely! I love the canning jar glasses, and of course the Shelley Dainty teacup. The pattern is...no surprise..called Wine Grape! Lovely location as well. Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  14. Lovely tea today. And who doesn't love a Shelley Teacup.

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  15. What a lovely spot for tea and lemonade! I like using mason jars too for so many things. Your teacups are lovely and the recipe for lemonade sounds like a good one; very refreshing. Thank you for sharing and joining me for tea today. Your great-aunt's teapot is a nice one. The plain white will go well with everything.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  16. Such a beautiful setting, Deborah, relaxing on the porch with some good beverages. I think I need to do that more :) I've sold a few Shelley tea cups over the years; they are so delicate and lovely to behold. Such craftsmanship! You are blessed to own some and in perfect condition, too.
    Blessings,
    Diana

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  17. Hi Deborah, how lovely your tea and lemonade look out on your deck! I love the tea pot and tea cups too! Thanks for sharing the recipe for lemonade! I love homemade lemonade! The eyeshadow from Physicans Formula is so pretty and similar to the Naked Palette! How lucky your daughter is! Have a nice afternoon.
    Julie

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  18. I love your setting for your tea and lemonade on your pretty deck, Deborah. The teacups are both so gorgeous and I love using canning jars, too...fun!

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  19. What a lovely tea setting! It looks so relaxing, Deborah. I am glad you enjoyed a nice weather. Thank you so much for praying for my granddaughter, Rea....Christine

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  20. Your tea setting looks so relaxing and pretty! Those teacups are both really nice, especially the Shelley dainty cup from your great-aunt. The canning jar lemonade is so fun too!

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  21. Happy Tea Cup Tuesday! I am going to have to go look at that eye shadow.

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  22. Hi Deborah,
    I do agree with you blogging has been such a heart-warming experience meeting all of the wonderful fellow bloggers. I am so pleased to get to know you too! Your tea time on the deck is so lovely and your teacups and teapot are very special. Thank you for visiting me and leaving such kind words! Hope your week is happy! Karen

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  23. Your pictures are so fresh and summery! What a lovely setting. Your tea things are so beautiful. And of course I love seeing your lovely white linen!

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  24. You have a lovely blog! I can't remember how I came across it, but so glad I did.
    Have a lovely day!
    Laurie
    I love using my pretty things everyday too, not just for special occasions.

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  25. Hi Deborah,

    You've created the perfect spot for teatime, surrounded by such potted pretties, comfy and colouful seating, and cool and refreshing homemade lemonade! Your garden, in the background, looks very fresh and lush. Enjoying such a setting in the early morning would be my favourite time to sit here, as the day begins, and the sun stops by for company.

    Have a wonderful week!

    Poppy

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  26. i bought limes yesterday to make some fresh limeade.....now all I need are some wonderful glasses like yours and the straws are so cute!

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  27. Such a delightful relaxed teatime .. thankyou! needed that =)

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  28. I love home made lemonade. I make it now and again and the grands think it is a great treat ! We are having a get together here on Sunday and I think I shall make some...thanks for the reminder! :)

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  29. What a lovely setting and lemonade taste the best on a very hot day. You have a lovely seating are there. The makeup was fun because of the name Afternoon Tea.

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  30. What a lovely summertime setting! Your teacups are beautiful, and it's always a summer treat to sip an icy beverage from a mason jar. Cool straws too!

    I'm not much of an eye shadow wearer, either. I do love browsing around Ulta, though. I'm always on the prowl for a great new shade of lipstick.

    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Patti

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  31. What a cozy spot! Nothing says summer like homemade lemonade. So why haven't I made any yet this summer? lol! Pinning. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  32. Beautiful teacups calm the heart, don't they? They calm mine. I had some fabulous lemonade recently. The lady massacred some lemons in a blender and then squashed them in a sieve, and then used a simple syrup as you do. Very yummy! I also don't wear eye shadow or much makeup at all except lipstick. I must have lipstick :) I bet your daughter was happy to get that nice set!

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  33. A truly beautiful setting, with some delightful cups and saucers. Looking forward to following your adventures.

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