I Love Tea Cups

I Love Tea Cups

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Blooming Violets

Hi Everyone!
Here in Northern California the weather has been unseasonably warm.
  Last fall, I planted some pale blue pansies under my yellow 'Graham Thomas' and the wild violets are popping up behind the rose bush.  The violets have been blooming in the same area of my garden since 1968.

Violets


 In the language of flowers, purple violets signify "You occupy my thoughts," and violets with their lavender blossoms, mean "Let me love you."
Violets are also known by what may be the longest plant name in the English language~I know!! The violets in my yard just pop up every year.
This three-tiered Lefton China stacking teapot from the 1940's or '50s would be perfect for a Tea in February.  It has a covered sugar dish on top, a milk pitcher in the middle, and a teapot on the bottom; the heat of the tea helps to gently warm the milk.  Delicate wood violets with green leaves are hand painted on a sponged gilt background, and a gold trim outlines the handles and spouts. To top things off, the lid features a finial in the shape of a violet.  George Zoltan Lefton, a Hungarian sportswear manufacturer, came to the U.S. in 1939.  His passion for collecting fine porcelain led him to import giftware from Japan and he founded his own midrange ceramic business in 1941.

"The eyes of spring, so azure
Are peeping from the ground;
They are the darling violets,
That I in nosegays bound."
Henrich Heine, "New Spring," Book of Songs, 1827

Thank you for visiting My Cozy Corner
and
I'm joining
A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
All Things Heart and Home for All Things Inspired

xo
Betty



8 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, those are absolutely beautiful! I would love to have a garden like that. Your stacking teapot is lovely, I've never seen one before.

    I'm in So Cal and we woke up to rain this morning, it's supposed to last through the week so I'm sure you're getting some too!!!

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  2. A beautiful post Betty! I love violets....vintage postcards and tea items with violets especially get my attention. Your tea set is stunning.

    Nothing blooming here and won't be for a while so it was sure enjoyable to see your blooms :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  3. One of my favorite flowers. I love the stacking teapot.

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  4. Those are some sweet blooms and they are a nice escape from our hellish winter here in NJ. Thanks for posting!!

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  5. Hi Betty,
    I love your violets, I can't believe they just pop up. You look like just the person whol can suggest some roses for my new rose garden....I am open for any suggestions. Thanks
    Maryrose

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  6. Super collage with teapot in the middle then violets surrounding it. What a wonderful idea! See you next week.
    Joyce M

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  7. Lovely mosaic. This was a beautiful post.

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I'm so delighted that you have visited my blog...
Thanks for your comments as I enjoy reading them.
Betty

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