Show Us Your Cottage~Roses, Teacups, and Scarecrows

Last week, I discovered a new “party” over at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/?  It is
Show Off Your Cottage Monday” brought to us by our lovely hostess, Cielo.  Well, since I have a “tea cottage”, and I love everything and anything to do with cottage, I couldn’t wait to join in this week.  Please find your prettiest rosy teacup, fill it with your favorite blend, sit yourself right down, and take a few moments to smell the roses!  Then click on over to visit Cielo for more cottage inspiration!

I’m also joining our very sweet friend, Kim at http://shabbypinkandpre­tty.­blogspot.­com , as she brings us “ Tea Things Tuesday”.  There are some beautiful tea things waiting for you over at Kim’s, and more teacup lovers are sharing in the fun by participating, so be sure to visit them for a delightful tea party!

I can’t imagine a cottage without several teacups, and this is my newest addition,  purchased only 2 days ago at my favorite antique store..  You won’t believe what I paid for her…$6.00!  Yes, can you believe it?  Would you like to know why?  I was told that there is a teensy weensy chip just under the foot of the teacup…chip?  Where?  I don’t see any chip! Someone’s poor eyesight made a very good bargain for me!  It is now one of my favorites, with the dainty pink and dark yellow roses that are very similar to the roses at the bottom.

I can’t tell you  how much I enjoy sipping tea from a beautiful china teacup.  Since I was a little girl, my eyes have delighted at the sight of the floral patterns in colors of the rainbow, the curves of the handles, the scalloped edges of the saucer, trimmed in gold leaf paint.  When I’ve finished cleaning and putting things away, I reward myself with a moment or two of quiet bliss with a cup of tea.  Whether rain or shine, it soothes my nerves, and makes me feel as though I’ve just begun my day anew.  And if I’m fortunate to have a rose or two in bloom, all the better. 

 

To welcome you as you walk toward the house  is this cute little scarecrow…now tell me, does he look scary to you?  Of course not.  Every cottage also needs a scarecrow, and I think he’s the cutest little guy!

Oh, I guess he was a little scary after all…a few of the blooms on my petunia plant have up and died!  Shhhhh…don’t tell anyone else…maybe they won’t notice.

 

Here’s his little friend, hanging on the side of the front door.  Love that crooked smile!  I thought about using him to sweep the cobwebs from the windows on either side of the door, but I just couldn’t get him dirty, now could I?  Ooops, looks like he’s scary, too…look at  those dead and dying stems on the geranium plant!

I'm afraid this is the extent of my autumn decorating, at least so far. 

We had our first rain of the season a couple of weeks ago, and just as it ended, I tried to capture the raindrops kissing the roses…I hope you can at least a little…

it was warm and sultry, giving the roses such a romantic air about them.

     

This beautiful lavender tea rose seems to be too lanky, but I’m not sure why…she gets plenty of sun and water…perhaps I should sing to her…I’ve heard that helps plants grow.  On second thought, my singing might not be the answer I’m looking for!

Looking out from the front porch.  First sign of fall is the yellowing of this birch tree’s leaves.

The day before the rain was due to come, I went out and cut several bouquets of roses and brought them in…here are two of my favorites…sorry, I don’t remember the name of either of them…one might be a double-delight, but not sure.

Isn’t this color just gorgeous?  A peachy tangerine on the inside, bordered with a beautiful “hot” pink!

The picture below is untouched…I have no idea how it turned out this way…sort of  transparent, as if you can almost see through it  The vase holding these two beauties belonged to my mother…I received very few of her things when she passed, but I did manage to get two of these bud vases, and another one a little larger…I don’t think they are that old, but they were hers, and that’s what matters…I love them.

Oh, what a delicious PINK!

As you can see, my kitchen table needs refinishing, but I’m waiting until the last grandchild grows out of carving pictures in the wood!

I am so glad you dropped by my cottage and I hope you enjoyed my roses …they are my favorite part of having a cottage style home. .. its a delight to have the color and fragrance fill my the yard and house all summer long, and well into autumn.

Don’t forget to visit Cielo on Monday and Kim on Tuesday…I know you are going to enjoy all the other cottage and tea things …so many beautiful rooms, gardens, heirlooms, or just things are loved for what they do for the owner…enjoy your adventure, and be sure to come back next week for more peeks inside my tea cottage home!

God bless everyone…God bless and protect our wonderful troops, so dedicated to their country, their flag, and OUR freedom, keep them safe, and bring them home soon. God bless their families, and bring peace to their hearts.

Mary