For years I’ve kept a “Dinner Party Diary” where I write about special parties ~ for the memories ~ it’s part diary, part scrapbook. And this MUSICA is for you, also for the memories . . . we can only imagine how many kisses there’ve been with this music playing in the background! (Just click on it and come right back, it will play while you read.)
♥ ♥ ♥
I started keeping track of parties in this book in 1993, but not every party I’ve ever given is here . . . it’s a tiny book and probably has only twenty parties. I only do them when I remember, or I’m in the mood, or the party is so good that I have to do it! Our Sunday Breakfast Party went right into the book: I remembered, I was in the mood, and it was good!
♥ ♥ ♥
Our 9th Anniversary is in this book too . . . that one was an afternoon tea party and we hired a piano player to play The Glory of Love, and all the other old songs we love. I always write down the names of guests, the menu, the dishes, and the weather. (And sometimes what we wore, and sometimes poems people say at the table.)
And here we are, getting ready for our 25th Anniversary Party. Starting with putting a clean tablecloth on the dining table; Girl Kitty had grown fond of the old one and wasn’t letting go of it so easily.
And then the flowers . . . it was supposed to be a combination Valentine’s & Anniversary party, but with the gorgeous weather, it turned out to be an impromptu celebration of Spring! We even had the door open! Birds were singing. It was gorgeous.
You can’t celebrate spring around here without daffodils! They are the cheeriest things!
A little pink for the coffee table.
Happy singing bird vases, a heart teapot, a matelassé bedspread for the tablecloth ~ and what breakfast party is complete without chocolate kisses?
Love? Romance? Hearts and flowers? Old music, best dearest friends . . . and delicious food. And everything pretty in pink!
I made the place cards; luckily Joe has a cork fetish and never throws them away, so I thought, what says celebration and happy memories more than a popped champagne cork . . . ? ♥
I tucked the cards into the wires on the back.
We needed a centerpiece. Joe and I took the QEII on what we called “our test run,” to see if we liked it, in 1997 from New York to Bermuda. Sailing on the QEII was something we talked about the first time we met — not necessarily doing it together (it was too soon for that at the time) but something we both wanted individually! So, of course we saved this little bottle of port we found waiting, when we finally did go, in our stateroom, and now it’s part of the glory of, the story of, love. ♥
Almost there, need napkins! Need food!
Jack helps by bouncing off the walls and aerating the chair backs with claw holes. Thank you Jack!
Yes, actual food will be served. I do adore setting the table, but I know that our guests are going to expect food, not just dishes and flowers! Here, Joe’s making crepes the day before, for the Cheese Blintzes we’re serving.
There they are, the blintzes; the lemon, basil, and ricotta-cheese filling is all rolled inside…. we covered the pan and put it in the fridge; the next morning we browned them in the frying pan before serving with delicious jams, applesauce and sour cream. The recipes for all of this will be in my new Breakfast Book!
Did the MUSICA go away? Noooo. Say it ain’t so. Can’t have that. ♥
Is there anything better than plain, old-fashioned, ice-cold, juicy-pink grapefruit on a spring morning? No, and I do what my mom taught me; I cut around each segment for easy eating.
Mmmmm, crisp-edged, crunchy Blueberry Corn Cakes and hot maple syrup! Gotta have it!
Homemade Applesauce made with Granny Smith’s, so fresh and appley! Yummy with Corn Cakes, delicious with pork sausages, perfect with Cheese Blintzes.
My Applesauce is full of apple bits with a little tooth to them, not the smoothed out stuff you get in the market . . . we served it cold. I put some roasted cranberries (left over from the cranberry marmalade I made for the blintzes) in the middle as decoration.
We had bacon, sausage, sliced steak and buttermilk biscuits too . . . the platters warmed on top of the stove. The southern style breakfast at Tara, with Scarlet O’Hara’s family, I read about in Gone with the Wind, was my inspiration for this . . . believe it or not we didn’t touch the decadence they managed to come up with! But we tried!
Margot and Tom weren’t able to make it 🙁 , they’re on their way to New Orleans 🙂 , but before they left, they stopped by with Margot’s gorgeous bouquet of Valentine roses ~ which were still beautiful; she thought we might like to have them at the party.
She was so right! I recut them and put them in a shorter vase and here they are, a little more Valentine love DNA, gracing the granola-yogurt-and fresh-fruit buffet we set up on the sideboard. Thank you Margot! (BTW, that sideboard was here when we bought the house; Mrs Bowditch (a previous owner) told me it was here when she bought the house in 1949; maybe it’s been here since the beginning, 1859, when the house was built and the Smith family moved in! I would like it to talk!)
Man Food.
And there it is in all its glory; we turned on the music and toasted to love and each other with icy tangerine juice and bloody Mary’s; we had tea, coffee, and everything you see on these plates! We talked about local island news while the birds sang outside the 
window; what’s been in our papers, what the ferry boat is up to these days, the weather (of course), how far up the daffodils have come, the blooming snowdrops, our gardens, Facebook, Twitter, movies, spring vacations; and we ate, and ate. I didn’t do a dessert (although I was tempted to make baked stuffed apples in a cream bath!) — but did we actually need anything more? No. We did not. Then everyone kissed good bye and went home; we washed the dishes, read the paper, and took a nap, then we went to the movies and saw the new silent movie called The Artist. And THAT was Sunday, pretty good huh? Love morning parties!
And for your patience for reading through this, not to mention WILLARD, who has spring fever just like me, and is going out to play all day today and tomorrow; you have a reward . . . I have something I’m really excited about . . . a giveaway I think you will love. Ready? OK, it’s these ~
Two Johnson Brothers, Rose Chintz Teacups! Yes! With saucers! “Sing Ho for the Life of a Bear!” My own set actually has twenty cups-and-saucers, many more than I will ever need! So I am giving away two of them! They come with invisible magic as they were right there on Sunday, at the party of love. (But, of course, just like the sideboard, they won’t talk!) All you have to do to be entered is to leave a comment; “Vanna” will draw a name in about three days . . . want to make sure you all get a chance to enter to get a little springtime pink in your life. ♥
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY GIRLFRIENDS! Sing HO!
You truly make every part of every day…Magic!
Such a beautiful party! And I have just the perfect girlfriend to share these teacups with if I win!
Ohhhhh! I’ve always been so drawn by the Rose Chintz pattern…BUT I have soooooooo many dishes already that I can’t, I just can’t, start another pattern (cuz I never-ever get rid of anything!)…but I COULD do two cups and saucers! One for me and one for my sweet daughter or my sister, or my cousin, or a friend to use when we have a tea-for-two party =-) What a sweet give-away! And what a lovely, lovely party you had! Fun, fun! PS: your kitties are so SWEET! =-)
Sorry for the typo. I meant Thank you for being you!
Thanks for sharing all the details of your party….table setting, floral arrangements, food preparations, and your journaling. Hopefully I can take what I learn from your blog and apply it to my own life. I don’t know a great deal about entertaining but I sure would like to learn. Thanks again! L.
It’s all in your heart . . . this is how easy it is: Think about the five senses: does it look good, feel good, sound good, taste good and smell good? Throw in the 5th sense, imagination, and all your homemaking endeavors will be wonderful!
What a lovely party Susan, the table looks like it should be in the magazine “Victoria”. It looked so inviting and the food so yummy! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day so I can’t wait for the breakfast book, I’m hoping it comes out soon. I’m glad you had a beautiful day for your party, a little taste of spring, and as you know that can change in an instant in New England so these mild days are a gift this time of year. I’m excited about the little teacups, I have actually started collecting this pattern, trying to pick up pieces here and there. I love pink!!!! Thanks for a peek into your lovely day!
What a wonderful breakfast party:) Love the dishes! I am so excited for the new breakfast book to come out! Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful outings, parties, recipes, etc etc etc.
Looks like the perfect “Love” party! I almost feel like I am there! Can I be your best friend?! Thanks for sharing AND Happy Anniversary to you and Joe!
This is BFF Central!
Than You Susan. I love Your blog. I love your breakfast.
Kochana Susan.
Jesteś moją inspiracją. Bardzo podobają mi się Twoje rysunki i muszę Ci powiedzieć, że też troszkę zaczęłąm rysować. Próbowałam w Polsce kupić Twoją książkę ale nie udało mi się. Może poproszę męża kuznkę, aby mi przysłała. Uwielbiam Twoje zdjęcia i wszystkie garnki, patelnie, naczynia i filiżanki. Bardzo podobają mi się miedziane rondle i patelnie wiszące nad oknem.
Dajesz mi wiarę i nadzieję.
Ja też prowadzę dziennik do którego wpisują nam się goście, a dzieci rysują jakiś obraz. Uwielbiam to później czytać i oglądać.
Masz fantastyczne pomysły. Piękna porcelanowa zastawa i piękne filiżanki.
Często chcę coś napisać ale bariera językowa jest trudna.
Mam nadzieję, że translator pomorze. Translator Help!
Pozdrawiam serdecznie!
Iza
It’s Polish and Isa said
Dear Susan.
You are my inspiration. I love the your drawings and I must tell you that a little bit, I started to draw. Poland tried to buy your book but I could not. Can I ask my husband kuznkę that sent me. I love your pictures and all the pots, pans, dishes and cups. I love the copper pots and pans hanging over the window.
You give me faith and hope.
I also keep a log of which we are part of the guests, and the children draw a picture. I love to read and watch later.
You have fantastic ideas. Beautiful, beautiful porcelain cup.
I often want something to write but the language barrier is difficult.
I hope the translator Pomerania. Translator Help!
Best regards!
Iza
What a spectacular pink table. I think I will attempt to decorate each month with a color scheme in mind. Next month is green, yellow for April 9 ( yellow rain slickers, daffodils, forsythia), etc. Next February I will go for the pink. Thank you for the inspirations.
What a lovely party – it inspires me!
When my husband and I got married in 1976, we registered for Johnson Brothers Fruit Sampler, which is no longer made. Since that time, over the years I’ve collected other Johnson Brothers dishes, including some like yours, as I love the designs and quality.
What a beautiful celebration you had. Wish I could have been there to indulge in that wonderful food!
Beautiful pictures and teacups.
After your tutorial on “comments” I can finally put my name in the pot . Would love to have tea with your beautiful chinz cups anytime…..
Judy
Happy you’re here Judy!
Susan, what a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary and Valentine’s Day. It’s very special to share your anniversary with a special date…our anniversary is March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day and we have also been married 25 years. Congratulations…M.E. Dugosh
Same to you!
Hi Susan!
Did you know your sheep look a lot like the sheep in “The Little Prince”–that is what they reminded me of anyway. Just had to share; looks like you had a wonderful party!!!
Ha ha, no I didn’t, will have to look.
Beautiful teacups and a beautiful party! Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely party. I wish I could have been there! Your descriptions and pictures are so beautiful, it almost makes me feel like I am there. You have such great ideas and then to capture them in a Party Book is a fabulous way to keep your memories.
Congrats Susan & Joe on 25 years together! Thanks for sharing your special day. I have just 1 teacup of the Rose Chintz pattern, but the handle broke, so would love to win these 2!
I love every detail of this post. What a delight to read and see your pics! What I wish to attend a brunch like that! In the pic of the flowers in vases next to a cutting board there is a little birdie something in the background. I believe it is in your kitchen. I would love to see what that is!
Your blog is a touch of loveliness in my day! Thank you!
I would love to have your tea cups come live in my house. Pink has been my favorite color all of my 53 years.
Sandy – In Plano, TX
What a beautiful table, what a blessing in your life to have such good friends!!
Lovely post – and just the thing for spring! Hope the cups come to live at my home.
I just love your chintz dishes! So pretty, I am so in the modfor SPRING!! Thank you for sharing your lovely anniversary! It’s my 25th anniversary with my wonderful husband David, Oct. 10, 1987.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
What a treat it would be to win these! I have been admiring yours for a long time. I bid on some on Ebay but lost out in the end because the last day to bid was a Sunday and we had company from out of town. I didn’t want to be rude so I just took my chances…and lost. Oh well, the hunt for some more will be fun. Your table looks so beautiful with them all – makes me want them even more when I see how lovely they look.
Sue in FL.
Wow what a feast! I always get overwhelmed with making large volumes of food and keeping it all warm. My mother was a great dinner party thrower, but I haven’t been brave enough for more than a couple of couples. Happy Anniversary and may God bless you with a life time of love!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for sharing your romantical (Paula Deen’s word) brunch with us Branch Babes. I am hosting book club this week and think I will pull out some books to decorate the table just like you did.
When will your breakfast book be out? I’m gonna need several copies!!
Jerri
San Juan Capistrano, CA
This fall! I’ll be sure to let you know when I know the date!
You are definitely a girl after my own heart; when in doubt, host a party. Most of the fun is in the planning and preparation, isn’t it! I would love to sip tea, coffee, or even something stronger out of those delightfully dainty cups as they whisper the secrets of times past for only me to hear.
Whoever they go to, it’s the fun in the giving! Thank you!
Susan, I’ve been keeping a “party diary” since Christmas Day, 1994!! I didn’t know anyone else did that. I like to write what we had for food, who was there, and whether or not the menu was yummy! . . .would I serve it again?? The more I read about you the more I think we may be long lost sisters or better yet “kindred spirits”.
No doubt about it!
This blog made me so hungry! LOL. All the food looks so good, and the table looks awesome! Love all the dishes and cups, and the books in the middle as a center piece. Very creative! Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
Oh what a dose of loveliness in today’s post. My beloved husband and I celebrate our 9th anniversary this coming May. On our honeymoon we went to the Gryffon tea room in Savannah, GA., and we went to the English Rose tearoom in Chattanooga TN around our 7th anniversary. I think it’s time for another tea….
Hi Susan!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful celebration of love breakfast! Best wishes for many more celebrations of love in your lifetime!
I was in an antique store last week and almost bought a cup like those beautiful, pink, Rose Chintz teacups. I didn’t get it and have regretted not buying it. A few months ago I purchased a Johnson Bros. Merry Christmas punch bowl and cups. I know it sounds silly, but they “feel” great along with looking great too. I would love for Vanna to draw my name.
They do feel great, I know what you mean, substantial, but still delicate.
Oh my goodness! That breakfast looks scrumptious. Every detail is simply gracious. Inspiration! I look forward to your breakfast cookbook. Love the tea cups too.
It must be a teacup kind of week. I just packed up some to send to my daughter’s new house and am trying to decide which of mine should go on the shelf her’s “lived” while she was here. I’m trying a variety of arrangements…fun!
Susan,
Your food looked delicious and the table was beautiful. I love the bird vases and the books you used too. Your post made me cry because I miss my husband so much but it looks like it was a lovely party. I love how you have made a month long celebration of your anniversary. I cant think of a better reason to have a party. Congratulations again on your 25 year love story.
Michelle
I hope he’s just away and not gone xoxo
Sadly, he passed away at the end of December. We were together 33 years, so I know how special your 25th is to you.
So very sorry Michelle. xoxo terrible. not fair.
thank you.
I really enjoyed your anniversary/valentine/spring breakfast party! Thank you for sharing the details–I felt like I was actually there. Everything was a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy.
You have the best and most generous giveaways! Your party looked so fun….the table setting was beautiful!
I try to give things away that I would want! I’m glad you like them, makes me feel good!
Anything worth doing is worth doing well and beautifully- and you have done both! Your table was absolutely love-ly! and the food! Well, I adore your recipes so I can only imagine the bliss that was eaten.
I used to give little parties like that once-upon-a-time. Just seeing yours makes me long to be able to again . . . someday!
I collect pretty china- it makes my heart swoon- and I can’t imagine how exciting it would be to add those pretty cups to my shelves. They would get used of course- all pretty things should, and do in my house. I am known by my friends for ‘real’ tea, in ‘real’ teacups. Such a simple thing, but it delights people non the less. 🙂
Yes, makes it taste so much better.
What a perfectly lovely party. You made me want to go back and read “Gone With the Wind” again. Margaret Mitchell did talk about food alot and those over the top meals they prepared. I’m planning a brunch in a few weeks and you gave me lots of ideas. Love the teacups and saucers.
Hi Sue,
I bought these same dishes many years ago when my kids were small and I used only melamine and Corelle! A few years aog, I thought “What am I waiting for?” And I started using them as my everyday dishes. I sometimes forget how pretty they are, then I see your beautiful photos or a friend comes over and says “I love your dishes?” Then I remember how smart and LUCKY I am! We all deserve this kind of “pretty” around us everyday! Loved your story – I want to be at that table listening in too!
XXOO,
Sue
We use ours every day too — it just has to be good for your psyche to have such happy dishes to put your cereal in!
Oh My! I am wiping the maple syrup off my face after relishing your most adequate review of your Party. Happy Anniversary to you & Joe. What a spread, such luscious food, yummy pancakes, blintzes, homemade applesauce and so much more. Johnson Bros dishes, flowers. Beautifully done. BRAVO! I am certain everyone was delighted. Breakfast / brunch is my favorite meal, anytime! So much fun creating all the food within that category. Thank you for sharing. Love the idea of recording your parties in a sweet book also. So refreshing to see food, fun and friendship celebrated in such a classy, bright and colorful environment. You do it right and we all appreciate it and you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Wendy!
How lovely and romantic even with all your guests. I especially love what you did for your centerpiece and place card holders! So clever! Thanks for sharing your special day.
Thanks for sharing it with us!
Every post I read, I think, “This is the best blog post ever.”
You are the best! I love setting tables and love the whole idea of a breakfast party. Fantastic! When I was younger I used to go to my friends house for fresh blueberry muffins in the morning before school sometimes – it always was fun and made the day brighter!
No pictures or video of Jack outside?? Was he on a leash? I have to know!
This party is making me salivate for your next book!
The teacups are so lovely. Happy Anniversary to you and Joe!
He was on a leash!!! A cat on a leash just seems ridiculous to me. No pictures because we were both too busy worrying and fawning to hold a camera!
What a lovely party! Everything looked fantastic – including the yummy food.
Hi Susan. We are finally planning our move to New York. If all goes as planned…we will celebrate July 4th there with our 2 children. You have been my inspiration for years. Like you… my husband and I are both born and raised in southern Ca and are picking up and moving east to start a new life. Your website is beautiful. I’ll keep you posted as things progress. Can’t wait to be living the 4 seasons on the East Coast!
Oh Boy, you’re coming home! How happy I am for you! To the City, or where? Be prepared for heat and mosquitoes in July . . . bring a teeny tiny air conditioner with you! 🙂
I just got home from our quilt guild’s first ever tea party. Everyone brought their own favorite tea cup and saucer, we had finger foods of all descriptions and over 30 different kinds of tea. One hundred and fifteen happy voices enjoying each other’s company. Great day! And I would love to add your beautiful cup and saucers to my Mom’s and Grandmother’s collections in my dining room. Thanks for the chance and thanks, too, for the wonderful pictures of your celebration. Happy Anniversary!
A hundred and fifteen at a tea party? I’m jealous! What fun to see what cup everyone brought! Did everyone bring food to share too?
Yes, many of the ladies volunteered to bring ” finger foods”. I made cherry scones. We had cucumber sandwiches, pimiento cheese sandwiches, shortbreads, mints, chocolate truffles, cookies tinted in pastel colors, etc, etc. We had 14 tables with centerpieces provided by table hostesses, so all the tables were different and , yes, all of the teacups were, too! A fun, fun, day!!
And quilters too, it sounds wonderful!
Tea tastes so much better when it’s served in a cup and saucer. My favourite( I’m English, pardon my spelling!) belonged to my Granny, it’s Spode, some of the pieces in my collection are over 100 years old! And always remember to use boiling water! It makes all the difference! With love!
I know, one of my favourite (I did that for you so you feel at home :-)) sounds is when the cup is set down in the saucer!
Chink chink!!
Having three sons and being married to a (picture a chest-pushed-out, fists on hips pose here) “Manly man”, there is precious little pink in my house except for lovely little pockets I have created. Would love to add these delicate but strong cups to the sweetness of an area.
here’s to you, joe, and 25 years!! couldn’t think of a better toast… than tea in a beautiful rose chintz teacup… to a couple of very special people!! hmmmmm… wonder if vanna knows how to get to hawaii? ho’omaika’i e susan a me joe! (congratulations to susan and joe!)
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on 25 years! Your celebration looked enchanting =) I especially loved the part about how your cats “participated” =) Wishing you many more happy years together!
Your party makes me, as Scarlett would say, “pea GREEN with envy.” 🙂
Gorgeous table setting.
Sarah
Thank you for sharing your celebration. Next best thing to sitting at your beautiful table.
I simply cannot wait for your new book, “Pancakes” to be published. Your breakfast party looked absolutely dreamy.
What a fabulous party. I love your centrepiece – great idea using the books. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I would love to be the recipient of the beautiful cups. Susan, you delight me in so many ways. What a lovely anniversary celebration – the table so beautiful and such wonderful menu items. You inspire me and I’m going to start my spring cleaning soon – even if it is still cold here in Indiana!
Lovely party! I have always wanted to have a brunch with cheese blintzes. You inspire me.
Susan, I thoroughly loved seeing the party photos. Made my mouth water! And I surely want my name in the drawing for the cups and saucers. But, I’m truly happy to have your name in my email feeder, saying I have mail! Hummm, I just saw a hawk fly overhead…..hope it doesn’t get any of my birds!!
Blessings and love,
Jane Alexander
What a beautiful breakfast party! I love the sideboard that appears to come with the house. What a lovely little story within a story. Also loved today’s Musica — it’s always great, but today was a special favorite. Jimmy Durante is one of my all time favorite people (there’s quite a few, I must admit), and that song is one I love and can sing and play on guitar! The flowers are wonderful. Reminds me I need some flowers. Also, thanks so much for the placecards from champagne corks. I, too, like Joe am a cork saver. I have a whole huge drawer full of wine corks. I like the artwork on them. One of these days I think I’m going to make a giant winebottle wall sculpture out of them, then I can hang that on the wall and be reminded of many happy occasions. And hope you folks enjoyed The Artist — personally I loved it. As always, Susan, thanks for the memories…sharing yours. And really looking forward to your breakfast book. Your blog is such a joy!
What a yummy looking breakfast! My husband’s dream is to have his own restaurant that only serves breakfast…his favorite meal to cook. Maybe someday, when we retire…thanks for sharing your special event with us girlfriends!
Such a good idea. Close after breakfast and go have a real life too!
Thank you for sharing The Glory of…The Story of….Love !
What fun for you to celebrate and to share the Joy with “everyone”….
” a Joy shared is a Joy Doubled”…
(i would just love to have that on some stationary someday) !
God Bless you for your creative ways of Blessing So Many others,
(myself included)
🙂
Rejoicing with you,
linda
:-)!
I’m game for the tea cups. You know, I was thinking of your post about issues with the website. i used to not subscribe because I liked visiting your blog every morning. it was a ritual. then I subscribed and rec’d the blog in my email. and had relatively few problems viewing or linking. Here’s what I missed – the sound of the little bird tweeting across the page when i got to your blog. The ease to go right into your online store. the inability to post a comment. Today, I read the whole email post. Then I just went to your blog, which I likey better. hugs!
Yay! I agree, more here than in the email!
Nothing says love like Rose Chintz. The beautiful flowers and all of the pink on the table just make me want to smile. Happy 25th and may each new anniversary be more fun than the last!
Hi Susan,
Your weekend sounds delightful.
Spring is popping up here in Oregon as well. I can’t wait till it is in full swing…
I love those tea cups, they would go perfectly with my Spring Tea Party my daughter and I are having at the end of next month.
OOO La-La, a breakfast cook book…
I’m sure everything in it will be GLORIOUS, can’t wait!
Happy Anniversary! I love the cups and will be celebrating 40 years of marriage this July. They would be great. Love your pictures:)
Loved the pictures and the very pretty table. My B’day is coming up in April, maybe I will host a birthday breakfast party with all my girlfriends. Loved the cups too.
Nice to give a gift on your own Birthday!
You make me want to have a party! Thanks for telling us the story.
Good, that was my secret plan. 🙂
Loved sharing your party! I once wished that you would “hurry up and write more books!” Now that you have your blog, it is like getting a new book each time…it makes me happy. Don’t get me wrong, please keep working on that breakfast book! Looking forward to it, too.
PS Thanks for the info on Lowely’s name. I have always wondered how she got it, and now I know!
Good! I had to ask her too, such a different name!
Happy 25th Susan and Joe. It was a beautiful party. A wonderful memorie for the future…. Wishing you many, many more.
I love dishes and I live in envy of you.Thanks for sharing you extras.
What lovely cups those are. And the enjoyment of getting ready for a tea party as well as almost smelling that kitchen aroma right here in the computer. Thanks for sharing!
I love dishes and I live in envy of you.Thanks for sharing your extras.
I am in the process of moving into a darling cottage (Dutch doors and all) and would love to serve tea to my English neighbor, in those beautiful cups, after I am settled in!
Oooo, Dutch doors! Happy new house!
Dutch doors!!! I would LOVE dutch doors!!!!!
Susan,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful breakfast party! Everything looks so delicious! Hope Vanna picks my name. It would be awesome to have such treasures! Happy Fat Tuesday! 🙂
I’ve been a follower of yours from the beginning, Susan — and I LOVE reading your blog. I started keeping a similar party diary a few years ago when we moved into our new home — one of the reasons being we didn’t want to serve the same things twice in a row to our guests. I guess that’s an old lady thing!
Young ladies do it too, for the memories! I wrote about my dinner party diary in my Girlfriend’s Book . . .
oooohhhh, everything looked so yummy! The teacups are beautiful…I even dared to look up the pattern! My hubby and I love roses. When we lived in our ‘forever’ home in Northern CA, we had a beautiful garden (with plenty of deer fencing!) that was surrounded by roses…a new rose bush for every anniversary. We have had to move several times since that home, but we still buy a new rose for our anniversary (# 28 coming up on St. Patrick’s Day!) Someday, when I have my little English cottage, whether on this side of heaven or on the other, I will have roses, everywhere!
Thank you for being so generous w/ your china collection! I had a teacup collection once of my grandma’s. Many were from Germany and had such intricate detail! On one of our moves, the whole box of them was destroyed…but I am collecting again for my girls (got 3 beautiful daughters, along w/ 3 handsome sons…do I sound like a proud mama?!)
Have a blessed day!
Yes you do! ♥
Thanks for sharing your lovely breakfast celebration. I love hosting a breakfast party. Your blog is truly an inspiration.
I’d love to receive the cups. Pink and green are my favorite colors, so they would blend nicely with my decor.
Jan
It sounds like you had a wonderful party on sunday, so full of magic and love. You parties look wonderful. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of them. 🙂 Those cups and saucers are absolutely beautiful!
Gee, we could sure use some spring here-winter has kinda finally arrived with gray days and spitting snow showers. On the bright side, if this is as bad as it is going to get, I can deal with it for another month or so if we get an occasionally sunny day for encouragement!
I feel like a tea party! And those two beautiful cups are invited!
They would love to be there!
Ooooooo. Look at that lovely table and delicious food. What a perfect day for you two! Great food, friends and fun. And a movie to boot. Cheers!
One year I did a Christmas morning breakfast. It was fun. I love Johnson brothers
I did one at 7 am when we had a little shack out at the beach . . . it was for Joe’s birthday and not all of the guests were as thrilled with that 7 am time as I was! But I loved early morning at the water and wanted them all to see it!
What a lovely table you set. We celebrated our 32nd anniversary on the 16th! Who gets married in February??? Sure to last! Those kitties are on my table too!!!
You’re a daily inspiration. Thank you, thank you!
So lovely a breakfast party celebration. My husband and I are also celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this year in May – Spring! Your blog, ideas, and pictures are so inspiring. Wanted to enter the giveaway for the teacups and saucers. Maybe they’ll be on my breakfast table for our 25th. Happy Anniversary.
Oh how I love brunch! Isn’t it fun to show off all of your pretty dishes and your amazing eats, for lack of a better word!? I have just begun to replace my formal “matching” sets of dishes with formal “mismatched” sets of dishes. How wonderfully these two cups and saucers will fit in! I love having old “used” things, and as you said, wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could talk!
I’m sure your friends took away terrific memories just like the ones you recorded in your book. We have a guest book of sorts that we have everyone sign when we have a party. It’s so fun to look back at the what people have said over the years. Especially the little ones, to see how they’ve grown from what they write year to year. 🙂
Must be a wonderful book!
What a beautiful table! Happy Anniversary to you and Joe!
I want breakfast like that!! Beautiful!!!
You are so inspiring. I love the food, the dishes, the flowers – just everything!
I how I want to be there! The table reminds me that the New Dawn rose will bloom again in the not too distant future, and good friends will gather under it to enjoy that first warm spring day that is soon to arrive! I may be able to shake off winter soon after all! THANKS!
New Dawn, mmmmm, yes!
these are so pretty! if i won them, i’d give one to my mom, who collects antique teacups, and one to my BFF, who loves transferware, and roses! ❤ happy anniversary! ❤
That is so thoughtful! I hope you win!
What an amazing party you gave! Beautiful, charming, slightly old-fashioned. Just lovely. Thanks for the smiles.
You are so inspiring and I loved your breakfast party ideas and I love the cups. They would go perfect in my red toile dining room with my Johnson Brothers Old British Castles dishes.
I have the Johnson Bros. Old Britain Castles dishes, also, in pink and white, as well as their Friendly Village ones. I have to admit sometimes that I’m a “dishaholic” but I love setting a pretty table and love eating and drinking off nice china…There aren’t a lot of things one can change but changing tableclothes and dishes really can create a change! 🙂
Love the teacups, love the breakfast party! <3
Everything that you do is simply EXQUISITE! I love it all! Thank you for sharing. xoxox Miriam
Thanks so much for sharing all about your party. The decorations, table setting, and food were all beautiful. You helped the wheels in my head to start turning and planning for a brunch I’ll be having soon! And your teacups look like they make the tea taste better….
Oh, it’s Rose Chintz! The same pattern my mother started for me in high school (back many years ago)…I don’t think it was too popular in the 70’s but I still adore this set and would love two more tea cups! Happy Anniversay from one Susan to another.
I love it! Such a wonderful celebration! You make me smile every day!
What a lovely breakfast party! If my hubby ever stops working on Saturday mornings, we will have to try that. Your food and table look wonderful. And oh — the chance to win some of your teacups! — so generous. I shamelessly hope that I win.
Thank you for sharing your party with us. What a sumptuous, glorious, beautiful feast it was. Everything looked wonderful. I studied and studied the pictures of the table setting looking for ideas that I could “borrow.” I’ve never thought of using books as part of a centerpiece and I loved the look. What a great idea.
You are so talented and so generous and you make our days brighter. Love you, Susan Branch!
You’re a doll Susan, thank you!
My mom and I have a tea party every time I visit. She and I drink tea from mugs but I love the tea cups! Happy anniversary and happy spring!
What a wonderful way to spend your Anniversary, Good food and good friends! And a beautiful table. Love dishes and I too enjoy setting and planning the table, love the journal idea. Happy Anniversary!
Beautiful table and the food looks scrumptious! I would love to be able to do that someday. Good friends and great food make for a special time. It is gloomy and gray here in Cincy as I write you. Now I feel all sunny inside. Thanks so much for sharing!