Trees And Teas on Tuesday ~ New House Design

In case you have been following the
Tale Of The Giant Oak
and wondering if it can be saved, I have good news.

In brief, there is a large, very old oak tree at the far corner of our property.

You can read my Friday post about its near-death experience here.

The tree in question is right in the middle of this picture, taken
from our dining room. He is the big husky fellow with the wide arching canopy.

Our neighbors believe the tree is dying; it's what their tree surgeon told them and they contracted with him to take it down.

We see no telltale signs of tree distress, but we're not tree mavens. So we hired an arborist to give us an unbiased opinion.

He came today, and gave us good news.

The tree, he said, is very old, but is in good health and is solid.

Now we negotiate with the neighbors. We'll give them a copy of the arborist's report.

We aren't letting this old tree go without trying our best to stay the execution;

we'll call the governor for clemency if we have to. :-)

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Good Things Come In Packages That Are Left on Your Front Porch.
Yes, they do!
Yesterday, the postman brought a box of goodies to That Old House, from
Kathy, who blogs at A Tiny Cottage On Grand.

Because I won Kathy's 100-followers Giveaway!
Join me as I rummage through this box of wonders.
Just be warned -- I'm gonna take a load of pictures.

OK -- dig in!

First out -- two feedsack bags, printed, tied,
and full of lovely tea bags!

Look at the dried rose in the ribbon ties. Beautiful!

Maybe not beautiful, but fun; a spider
and some bat confetti sprinkles, tied in a bag
with what looks for all the world like mummy wrappings!
This girl can wrap!

Twelve beautiful notecards by Tracy Porter.
Gorgeous, and also beautifully presented.

Now what's all this?

A couple of saucers, wrapped in tissue, tied with ribbon.

Methinks this package may be related to the saucers.

Yes! Two cups!

I adore flower-painted tea cups, but especially
when there are flowers on the inside. That is so special.

The pile is getting bigger, and we're not done yet!

Filet crochet lace.
Be still my heart.

There is enough of this handmade filet crochet lace to edge a pillow sham,
or to edge a small curtain in, say, someone's kitchen. Like, mine?

Oh come to Mama!
It's a big gorgeous white ironstone platter!

Seriously, this is a fabulous vintage Homer Laughlin platter.
Isn't white ironstone just so pure and beautiful? It is perfect form and function.

A vintage book!

It's a beauty; soft green and wonderful gilt.
There's nothing like the mystique of old books.

So many things! But don't go yet; we aren't done!

As the old Ginsu knife commercials used to say,
"But wait! There's more!"

Beautiful white napkins, with Battenburg lace trim.
And so charmingly presented, with ribbon and flowers.

A big gorgeous lavender soap from France.

I love lavender soap in our upstairs bath,
and am in need of a new one! Serendipity.

How cute is this little guy?
He's a pear candle.

Wow . . . growing still!

Vintage sheet music, nicely foxed.

A lovely old crystal drop. Love the arrow-y shape.

Wow. I am overwhelmed.
Kathy told me she was gathering things she thought I would like,
but I never expected so many wonderful gifts.
And all wrapped and presented with such care and grace, too.

Did I tell you that the box smelled deliciously of lavender?

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Tell you what -- let's have tea, you and I.

We'll use my new vintage cups, because they are simply beautiful!

Go ahead, choose your tea from amongst the delicious ones Kathy sent in those feedsack bags:

Whoops! Not that one; the raspberry tea is for me.

Oh dear! Mr. Spider is butting in on our tea party.
But it's okay; he seems to be ignoring my raspberry tea,
and instead is heading for one of yours.
I'm good with that.

If you are curious -- and who among us isn't? -- the tea cups and saucers were made by Lamberton, in the USA.
The pattern is "Linda Lee," in the company's Ivory China. They are pre-1952, as that's when the company stopped production.

Interestingly, the part of America where Lamberton China was made was Trenton, New Jersey.
Does that Ivory China color remind you of any other American china maker?
Trenton is also the ancestral home of Lenox China.

So thank you, Kathy! Who knows where these cups and saucers have been in their lifetimes,
but just this week they traveled from your home on Alabama's Gulf Coast, all the way back to New Jersey.
Where they were born.
Go visit Kathy at A Tiny Cottage On Grand; her blog is lovely!

Tuesday Link Parties:
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life hosts Tabletop Tuesday. Click here!