Hello and welcome to The Tea and Roses Blog Hop! I am honored to be hosting this hop and to have eleven talented blogging friends joining in the fun! If you are coming over from Pam’s beautiful blog, Everyday Living, or if you just happened to stop by today, welcome! This week is full of excitement, starting today with the tea party hop, a $75 Amazon Gift Card giveaway and a Spring Tea Party link up coming up this weekend. You can find all the details at the end of this post. For now, let’s get this tea party started!
It’s tea time! I have a very special guest joining me for tea, Heir Ludwig Van Beethoven! When I decided to set up a tea party in the music room, I thought it would be very rude not to invite him, especially since I am having the party in his territory! If you would like to join me in enjoying a little of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 20 in G 0p. 49 during this special tea party, simply press play on the audio file below to listen as you read.
For this special tea party I moved the drop leaf table from the kitchen breakfast nook into the music room. Our home is an eclectic mix of styles, but the music room is where I keep my most shabby chic, Victorian, and brocante antiques and vintage treasures. With all the windows and so much natural light, I thought it would be a perfect spot for a tea party. I had never considered using a small dining table in the music room, but I really like it!
At first Beethoven didn’t seemed too thrilled about the tea party, but when he saw that a light brunch of fresh, organic strawberries dusted with raw, organic coconut sugar and French herb roasted potatoes was on the menu, he “changed his tune,” (or at least I imagined he did!)
*A random bit of music history: Beethoven loved potatoes!
In honor of my special guest I used antique sheet music as place mats, and also for Beethoven’s amusement and perusal. Beethoven’s deafness is a well known fact, but most people cannot comprehend that he could still perfectly “hear” music in his head just by looking at sheet music, or composing it himself. What a genius!
Because Beethoven was known to have outrageous mood swings, I figured a low sugar dessert might be better than anything that might spike his blood pressure or sugar levels, especially after having starchy potatoes. I am also on a very limited diet, but strawberries topped with a little organic coconut sugar are a delicious and nutritious alternative to petit fours or cookies at a tea party. The beautiful lidded floral porcelain trinket box from Victorian Trading Co. adds a touch of vintage sweetness to the table when filled with just a little extra coconut sugar for the strawberries.
Roasted red potatoes sauteed in olive oil, garlic, and onions and seasoned with herbes de Provence are one of my favorite brunch choices. A tasty decaf, organic rose leaf herbal tea accompanies the potatoes nicely.
I am so glad that Beethoven is joining me today. I have felt for quite some time that it was time for us to reconnect. Even though I see Beethoven daily in the music room (staring at me unnervingly me as I give my piano students lessons on HIS music), it has been a while since he and I really spent any quality time together.
You see, several years ago I had to take a break from our lifelong musical relationship. During my college years, I was forced to sing, play, analyze, memorize, theorize and any other kind of “ize” classical music to the point that sadly, I just didn’t want to listen to it anymore!
Lately I have been missing my old solace and friend, “classical music,” so this hop was the perfect time for a classical tea for Beethoven and me! Even when I was teaching music full time, I rarely found the time to just sit and listen and savor the melodious masterpieces. The Tea and Roses Blog Hop however inspired me to do just that. Today I am sipping some delicious rose herbal tea and enjoying some of Beethoven’s music as I visit all of the other beautiful blogs on the tour.
I was a little late pulling this post together and things didn’t turn out exactly how I imagined, but I am so glad they didn’t! I had planned to cover the table with an ivory vintage lace tablecloth, but I could not find one anywhere that I liked or that would fit. Since time was running out, (with less than 24 hours to go) I made a DIY no sew vintage-style tablecloth with pom pom trim at the last minute and I just love it!
I found this beautiful vintage looking material at Jo-Ann Fabric yesterday and there was just barely enough left on the ream to cover the top of my table. I decided to add some adorable pink pom-pom trim to give it more length and extra vintage charm, and it turned out even better than I expected.
The tablcloth could not be more perfect for a vintage style tea and roses tea party!
This impromptu tablecloth was a quick “no-sew” project, and now I know how easily and inexpensively I can whip up a tablecloth for any special occasion using clearance fabric, cute trim, and hot glue!
I am a vintage dishes hoarder, but I didn’t realize until planning for this tea party that I don’t really have many matching sets. I like to mix and match pieces, and I never pass up vintage dishes with rose patterns when I am out junkin’. For the hop I simply gathered up several pieces from my stash and they just all harmoniously blended together on the table cloth to form a very vintage-style tea and roses tablescape.
My gorgeous gold flatware was my one big splurge for the tea and roses blog hop… (shh…it’s only $3.99 plastic utensils from the party section at Home Goods!)
As I was setting the table I realized I didn’t have any cloth napkins that would really be springy, so I ended up cutting an old celery green dish towel in half and simply folding up each half like a napkin. I really love having just a touch a green on the table!
Of course a “tea and roses” themed tea party wouldn’t be be complete without some pretty roses! When I started working on this post I had a bouquet of mixed flowers and pink roses, but I didn’t come up with a table cloth in time to set up and photograph my tablescape before they started fading.
When I ran to Jo-Ann Fabric at the last minute to get the material for my tablecloth, I also stopped by Aldi on the way home and found these gorgeous roses for super cheap!
This is the first post where I have used used my brand new, “real blogger” camera for some of the pictures I have shared here today. I haven’t really had a chance to learn how to use it yet, but I really love how this picture turned out highlighting all the details of the beautiful roses.
I wanted to add some roses to brighten up the piano too, so I just picked up a little faux bouquet of bright miniature roses when I was at Joann Fabric and put them in an small ironstone pitcher on a stack of antique music books.
It wouldn’t be a classical tea party without some classical reading material too! In addition to listening to classical music again, I recently rediscovered my love of reading. I have been picking up lovely editions of classic novels for my collection and I plan to read several this summer.
The fragrance of a bouquet of fresh roses, the beautiful sounds of classical music playing softly, and getting lost in a good book is my cup of tea!
I have really enjoyed myself today sharing this time with Beethoven and all of you! I can only hope my special guest had a nice time…(but you just never know with Beethoven!) I guess he just isn’t as excited about tea and roses as I am!
Speaking of tea and roses, I am ready to check out Stacey’s “Texas Tea” party at Poofing The Pillows! I know it will be amazing along with all of the other beautiful blogs on this tea party tour. After entering the $75 Amazon gift card giveaway at the end of this post, be sure to head right on over to Stacey’s blog and then Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson to finish today’s tours. The hop continues tomorrow as well, and I can’t wait! You can find links to all the blogs on the schedule below and you can always catch up on any hop posts in case you missed them.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
| The Painted Hinge | My Thrift Store Addiction | Everyday Living |
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
| Katherine’s Corner | Lora Bloomquist | White Arrows Home |
The fun doesn’t stop at the end of the hop! Please join us for a fun Spring Tea Party Link-Up on Saturday and Sunday!
And now is your chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift card! The giveaway starts today, May 22nd, and ends May 27th at the conclusion of the link party. The winner will be announced Tuesday, May, 29th! Good luck!
I hope you have enjoyed spending some time with Beethoven and me for a classical tea party today! Thanks for visiting, come back again soon!
Linking up: Metapmorphasis Monday Inspiration Monday Amaze Me Monday Tuesdays At Our Home Reader Tip Tuesday The Scoop Inspire Me Tuesday Celebrate Your Story Share Your Style Home Sweet Home Funtastic Friday Feathered Nest Friday Create, Bake, Grow, Gather Design Enthusiasm Wonderful Wednesday Share Your Cup Vintage Charm Wow Us Wednesdays Tuesdays At Our Home
51 Comments
This is just beautiful, Amber! It’s all so perfectly fitting for your olden home. The tablecloth was the perfect touch and so worth the last minute effort. 🙂
Thanks so much for organizing this fun gathering.
May 22, 2018 at 7:06 amAmber, what an absolutely charming theme for a tea party! Your table and decor is so lovely and my favorite is your handmade tablecloth! Thanks again for hosting and organizing. Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
May 22, 2018 at 7:36 amBravo Amber, take a bow! I am completely smitten with your new tablecloth and using sheet music as placemats is beyond brilliant. I’ve borrowed one of your gorgeous images to use on social media. Have a musically delightful day!
May 22, 2018 at 9:02 amAmber, your whole tea setup is just gorgeous! That tablecloth is so pretty – it was definitely worth the extra effort! And I would have never known your flatware was plastic! Thank you so much for inviting me to be part of the tea and roses blog hop!
May 22, 2018 at 9:07 amI think you should tape a big smile on Beethoven, because I’m sure he’s loving your beautiful party! Thanks, Amber, for coordinating this lovely hop! Such a lovely collection of inspiration!
May 22, 2018 at 9:53 amAmber, this is gorgeous! I am so jealous of that gorgeous tablecloth!! The pom poms are the perfect touch. Everything is just delightful, and I learned so much more about Beethoven. Potatoes, who knew? 🙂
May 22, 2018 at 10:23 amhugs,
Jann
Amber, thank you so much for organizing this lovely blog hop! As a fellow musician, I absolutely love having tea with Beethoven, even though he isn’t as excited as we are. We will give him a pass since he was a musical genius. The tablecloth could not be more perfect with its pom pom trim. Sometimes last minute is better! I need to go through all my old music and use it in a unique way! Your tea table is stunning! Blessings~
May 22, 2018 at 11:48 amAmber, you did such a beautiful job putting your Tea and Roses post together. Lovely and fun, too! It must have been difficult for poor Beethoven being hearing impaired, but, honestly, tell him for me that he should lighten up. Especially when invited to a lovely tea party featuring his beautiful music and all! Come on, Ludwig, have a little fun!
May 22, 2018 at 3:07 pmHehe I will pass along your message Naomi! He isn’t always grumpy, he did play along and dress up as a pirate for Halloween! You can see him in a fun video of my Halloween home tour in my sidebar! Thanks for visiting, come back again soon!
May 22, 2018 at 9:11 pmTea with Beethoven how lovely, what a wonderful and creative post my friend. The tablecloth is brilliant and your china is so pretty. Thank you for including me in your Tea and Roses blog hop. I look forward to sharing my post tomorrow xox
May 22, 2018 at 3:55 pmHi Amber! What a fun post!! Beethoven does look a little grumpy but maybe he justs looks that way. 😉 I saw him eyeing the potatoes… I’m sure when your back was turned that he swooped in and ate them all! So excited for you!!! Love all your new photographs! Isn’t it amazing what a new camera and a new lens can do?! Thank you for the invitation to come to tea! Wish I’d remembered and come over on the weekend ~ several posts would have worked. <3
Enjoying running around and reading. p.s. Pinned a ton of photos from your post to my Lovely China, Tomes to Read, At Table and other boards on Pinterest for your readers and mine!
May 22, 2018 at 4:44 pmHugs,
Barb 🙂
You are a girl after my own heart! I love this post! I have tea & treats each week.
You’re most welcome to join me in a cup of inspiration!
May 22, 2018 at 8:58 pmJennifer
Thanks for the music. We just go back into town and I didn’t bother to put on any music before I sat down. It is perfect reading music.
Your tablecloth is perfect for your little tea with Ludwig.
Thanks so much for inviting me to join in.
May 22, 2018 at 9:07 pmI just loved your tour! I love how your write and hearing your voice and humor come through! I loved the sheet music placemats and how gorgeous your tablecloth turned out! Bravo Beethoven & Amber!
May 23, 2018 at 12:54 amOh, this is just my cup of tea! First of all, before I forget, for throwing together your tablecloth in an instant — wow! It might have been my favorite part of the table, so pretty and cheerful! We’re big classical fans in our house (well, Rick more than me — he actually plays it and is off to classical camp next week!) so I loved the theme and it was all so very pretty! Jane Austen is always a plus too! I felt so very at home here! Lovely in every way.
May 23, 2018 at 7:32 amThank you so much Jeanie! I was so happy with how the tablecloth turned out, I am going to make a different one for summer too.
May 26, 2018 at 10:20 pmHow fun to attend a classical camp!
I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Beethoven makes appearances in my post for all the holidays. There is a video on my sidebar from Halloween you might really like too. Thanks for stopping by, please visit again soon!
Gorgeous china and stunning roses!!!Hugs!
May 23, 2018 at 9:03 amSuch a beautiful post! I’m all about tea, and I love classical music as well! What I would do with the gift card is buy some books my husband has had on his wish list for a while now.
May 23, 2018 at 9:46 amYour tea room is so fabulous. I really enjoyed listening to Beethoven’s piece during tea too! On a side note, one time I was in Germany and stumbled into a big open air concert in a large square and they were playing Beethoven’s 9th symphony and it was a magical moment! Any who, I enjoyed “having tea” with you!
May 23, 2018 at 1:30 pmHow beautiful this looks.. Love it.. I would use the gift card on food.
May 23, 2018 at 3:40 pmHi Jenny, thanks so much for stopping by and entering the giveaway. Best of luck!
May 26, 2018 at 10:17 pmBeautiful, tea party. Your venue was the perfect spot. I can hear music in my mind. Thanks for hosting this fun hop. The gift card is most generous. I’d use it to buy books on beautiful interiors, my passion.
May 23, 2018 at 7:21 pmWhat a fun party! I hope Mr B was in a better mood after he enjoyed the party. Maybe his sugars were low! lol
May 23, 2018 at 7:41 pmYour new camera really does take great pics (…or maybe its just that a great photographer is using it!) 😉
Thanks for sharing your teatime!
Thank you so much for stopping by, I am glad you enjoyed the post and the pictures. I hope you will visit again soon!
May 26, 2018 at 10:17 pmAmber, thanks for sharing your charming tea party at Vintage Charm! I’m loving the blog hop and looking forward to the Tea Party this weekend 😉
May 23, 2018 at 8:03 pmLove this post!!! Such beautiful pictures! Fingers crossed that I win the amazon gift card! I would buy something for my house…I don’t know what exactly, but there is ALWAYS something on amazon that I want!
May 24, 2018 at 1:44 amHave a lovely evening!!!
~Emily @ LeCultivateur.com
Hi Emily, I am so happy you enjoyed my tea party with Beethoven! Best of luck on the gift card giveaway!
May 26, 2018 at 10:16 pmAmber,
May 24, 2018 at 6:59 amWhat a beautiful teascape!! You have so many pretty pieces and I love the fabric of the tablecloth! The Beethoven theme was delightful!! Thanks for participating in this Blog Hop!! Looking forward to the link party!!
This was a delightful visit! I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the beautiful things you used: the china, tablecloth and even the flatware (who would ever guess at their price?). It may be my imagination, but I believe that in the last photo, I saw a hint of a smile on Herr Beethoven’s lips…
May 24, 2018 at 2:51 pmNew sneakers!
May 24, 2018 at 9:44 pmThat is always a good way to spend a gift card!
May 26, 2018 at 10:09 pmI really enjoyed this post! Back in the dark ages, I used to be a music teacher too! I gave a bust of Beethoven to my parents, it sits on their piano. I have Bach, and a couple of others.
For the students, I used to collect dolls and figurines from different countries, that “play” musical instruments. After I stopped teaching, I kept the collection, and took it along whenever we moved. I added a Scottish bagpiping doll last year!
Great idea to use the sheet music as placemats! Love the whole thing.
Regards Cath
May 25, 2018 at 9:03 amOh I am so glad you enjoyed the post! I love those little dolls too. I am Scottish by ancestry and marriage, so my favorite is the bagpiper dolls. I have a couple of them…I should do another blog post about them. You reminded me and inspired me!
May 26, 2018 at 10:06 pmThanks so much for stopping by! I hope you will return again soon!
This is a stunning tablescape for tea dear friend. You have amazing things to dress a gorgeous table, like your tablecloth, all your dishes, flowers and Bethoven.
May 26, 2018 at 12:13 pmEnjoy your weekend.
Fabby
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Please stop by again soon!
May 26, 2018 at 9:57 pmAmber, this was just great. The music, your guest of honor and how you honored him (and us, with his life details!), your cloths, dishes, flowers……all so very Amber and so well done.
May 26, 2018 at 6:33 pmHave a great weekend.
Thank you Rita I am so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!
May 26, 2018 at 9:56 pmThis is so beautiful. You were so clever. That tablecloth is beautiful.
oxoxo
May 27, 2018 at 6:39 pmThank you friend, I always hope you find something you love in my posts, thanks for all your help!
May 29, 2018 at 9:54 pmEverything was just beautiful; I fully expected Beethoven to have a slight smile instead of that frown in his last picture. I, too, love old dishes with pink roses and have a lovely hoard, I mean collection, started! I’ve never made a tablecloth with 1) pom poms, 2) hot glue. What a great solution in a pinch; I loved that print. The amount of effort you put into your tea party gave us all a wonderful treat!
May 27, 2018 at 8:39 pmHi Kathy! I am so happy you enjoyed the post. I had never made a no-sew tablecloth but now that I have seen how easy it is I already have some ideas for some other summer tablecloths using some pretty fabric and trim, and some pillows too! Thanks for stopping by!
May 29, 2018 at 9:53 pmWhat a lovely idea. Its a nice way to enjoy a wonderful musician whose music effected generations of people. Thank you for sharing.
May 28, 2018 at 12:52 pmThank you so much Lee! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Please visit again soon!
May 29, 2018 at 9:49 pmBeautiful Pictures. I would most likely buy food and toys for my cats.
May 28, 2018 at 4:17 pmThank you Lisa!
May 29, 2018 at 9:48 pmWhat a charming tea party – I can’t think of a more satisfying dessert than strawberries in season. Thanks for sharing with Party in Your PJs!
May 29, 2018 at 12:22 pmThank you Lynda! I hope you have a wonderful week!
May 29, 2018 at 9:43 pmAmber your tea party is beautiful! I love the tablecloth you created. Your new camera is making everything look wonderful. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.
May 29, 2018 at 8:49 pmThank you so much Sherry! I am so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week!
May 29, 2018 at 9:41 pmSo many lovely details! Poor old Beethoven, why do you think he looks so angry…or sad? I got a chuckle out of your nod to his mood swings so opting for low sugar options. The pom pom fringe is the perfect addition to your tablecloth!
June 23, 2018 at 10:09 pmSuch a cute and witty setting, i really enjoyed reading this and love all your rose dishes, plastic goldware{what a surprise} and everything else, thanks.
May 29, 2019 at 4:48 pm