My mother had an affinity for spring flowers. She was an avid gardener and had an English style garden. She worked in it every day, rain or shine! Since she was a kindergarten teacher, she spent her days with small children who were always active and busy. Coming home and spending time weeding or cultivating in her garden was a stress reliever for mom. She loved her daily hour or two of garden therapy. It was rare when she missed a day working in her plants.
Her love for flowers spilled over into her inside life as well. Flowers were a theme seen in her hand embroidery, quilting, sewing, watercolor, and tea service. She was especially fond of violets, pansies, and the color purple.
This could be observed in her collection of violets teacups, teapots, and tea accessories. She enjoyed antiquing with friends. Generally, anything with violets on it took her breath away! I remember one time she took several pieces of her beautiful "Old Country Roses" china into an antique shop so she could trade for something she loved even more: violets. I remember that I gasped when I realized she'd done that!
I keep the violets teacups and teapots in a little blue cabinet. Sometimes they are organized with the teacups hanging on hooks; the saucers arranged like soldiers along the sides and back of the cabinet wall. And sometimes I keep them in a cosy shabby chic tangle, which is how I am enjoying them now. Stacked, tiered, and looking like they could tumble at any moment, they delight my sense of casual style.
A few pieces, like this little teapot, were collected by me. Mom's enthusiasm was contagious and sometimes we would visit thrift shops and antique stores together, looking for things that struck our fancy. Often, they were violet themed items. Although this teapot is covered with purple pansies, they are in the viola family and we always considered them as melding together with violets in loveliness.
Milk with your tea? Isn't this a sweet little pitcher?
And so is this one, although it is not as "fine" as the other one. No gold here!
This violets teapot shows violets in relief. It is full-size and quite stunning, but not at all my favorite.
It always amazes me how each violet themed teacup seems to go with one another. I suppose it is the common theme, or maybe the common color. Whatever it is, I'm waiting eagerly for the spring violets to bloom in my "tea garden" so I can have a "violets tea party". How I wish mother could come. She would enjoy that.
Lastly, is a violets teapot that was given to me by a friend. It is a treasure. The base serves as a genteel teacup while the top portion holds the tea. It makes a lovely "tea party for one". Speaking of which, I think I shall go create one now.
Think spring!