We'll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet

For this last tea party of the year, I have a bit of mood music:

This version of Auld Lang Syne sounds of sad yet hopeful reflections as we "take a cup of kindness yet" and look back on the year as the last few days of 2014 pass by.  My cup of memories I've placed under my silver tree--a winter wonderland to bring to mind what is to come, but filled with ornaments as reminders of years past. 

Here is a better look at the tea service, which was a Christmas gift from my parents:

The creamer really drew me in--I love the wavy top!  I haven't seen anything like it before.

As you can see, the set has lots of gold embellishment as well as multi-colored flowers.  I purchased the tea trio earlier this year and was really excited to see the whole set while I was at the Biltmore in November.

This set is based on a Vanderbilt tea service dating to 1888--pieces from the original set are on display in the house as well as in the museum on the  Biltmore grounds.  The Biltmore offers a reproduction of the set for sale in its gift shops.

(the original set)

(I saved this beverage napkin with the Vanderbilt insignia on it from the trip)



I can just imagine the "real" cups being used by ladies in beautiful dresses at the turn of the century, with candlelight reflecting off the cup--one last warm brew before the end of the year.



Here are a couple of other pictures of the decorations that are also in my loft (the same room as the winter wonderland tree).

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

~Robert Burns, Auld Lang Syne

I'm joining these tea parties this week:

Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/

Bernideen's Friends Sharing Tea





I downloaded a free watercolor app to my Kindle (arto.free if you are interested) after seeing the beautiful pictures posted on Tea With Friends (although she used a different app, I went with this one because I have a Kindle and it was free).  I think it turned out really cool!