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Monday, May 16, 2011

"Lily of the Valley" Sheltonian

Today I would like to share with you my Convallaria majalis also known as Lily-of-the-Valley.  In early spring days these woodland plants send up quill-like shoots emerging from a scaly sheath.  The flower stalks, quite bare of leaves itself and bearing at its summit a number of buds, become the purest white, and as they open turn downwards, the flowerings hanging like a pearl of fairy bells.  Each bell with its six small scallops are so sweetly fragrant.

This bouquet was picked from my garden and I have added a few fern sprigs for texture.

I think it is time for a cup of tea.  Please come in and join me!  I have Green tea with lemon brewing today.

Beautiful Lily-of-the-Valley blooms on this fine English bone china by Sheltonian of Staffordshire, England.  These flowers are scattered amidst broad Lily-of-the-Valley leaves both inside and out on this dainty footed cup which is trimmed in 24K gold.



A lovely cheesecake with fresh strawberries and whip cream are ready to be enjoyed on this matching 8” dessert plate.

Would you like to indulge in a piece?

A peek at the bottom of the tea bag holder.

The frosted glass hurricane creates a warm soft glow.

The Lily-of-the-Valley flower represents purity, chastity, and humility. There's a legend that this flower sprouted from Eve's tears as she and Adam were forced from the Garden of Eden. It also represents the return of happiness.

Thank you for visiting me.  I’m linking this week with the following ladies:

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Tea Time Tuesday @ Lady Katherine’s Tea Parlor
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Cottage Flora Thursday @ Fishtail Cottage
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Friday Pretties @ I Love Pretty Little Things
Friday Favorites @ Simply Sweet Home
Photo Feature Friday @ A Rosy Note
 
Resources:
Teacup, Saucer & Plate:  Sheltonian “Lily-of-the-Valley”
Tea Bag Holder:  Sheltonian "Lily-of-the-Valley"
Lace Linen:  Heritage Lace “Prelude”
Centerpiece:  Frosted Glass Votive Holder
Lily-of-the-Valley:  Fresh from my garden

37 comments:

  1. Judith @ Lavender CottageMay 16, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Hi Donna
    Nice to join you for tea this week and you bet I'll have a piece of the cheesecake, just a small one please.
    Your china is beautiful and I know the fragrance of lily-of-the-valley well. There is a pink form I'd love to get but I'm sure it would be as rampant as the white. Oh well, one must take the good with the bad.
    Judith

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  2. Connie B.May 16, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    I love the china and how it matches the lily of the valley plant. Cheesecake is looking good, too. Very pretty.

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  3. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageMay 16, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Hi Donna,
    Your Lily-of-the-Valley is gorgeous! Such a sweet fragrance! I love those little bell- shaped blossoms and they are May's flower of the month too. Very pretty china pieces and the cheesecake looks yum! Thank you for joining me for tea. Hope you have a lovely day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  4. BethMay 16, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Donna, Gorgeous china, love how you paired it with the lily of the valley flowers. It looks pretty! I would love a piece of your delicious cheesecake with a cup of tea. Nicely done.
    Blessings, Beth

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  5. Martha's FavoritesMay 16, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Hi Donna: I love your tea cup and the matching flowers. I have always wanted to grow them, but have had no luck. I want to invite to to join Tea Cup Tuesday as well, the ladies would love to see your tea cup. Blessings, Martha

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  6. KarinsArtScrapMay 17, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    hmmmmmmmmm yummie donna it looks delicious.
    beautiful teacup, great design. very elegant.

    greetings karin

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  7. Johanna GehrleinMay 17, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Hello Donna,
    this is a wonderful post. I didn't knew the Sheltonian china before, very interesting. This lily-of-thevalley design is much nicer than the one from Royal Albert and that is amazing nice! I really love to see the elegant shape and I can imagine the heavy scent of the flowers. And the scent of your yummy cheesecake. Thank you for having me for tea.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  8. BookieMay 17, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Delightful cup and saucer in shades of spring!

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  9. KarenMay 17, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Oh Donna, I love lily-of-the-valley. Yours are so much more advanced than ours here. Our flowers are just beginning to pop up. I love their scent and it's my birthday month flower! You're table setting is just lovely, and that cheesecake looks so delicious! I would love it with coffee though, as I just can't get into tea. Thanks for sharing pics of your beautiful china.

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  10. BookieMay 17, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Such a sweet cup and saucer in shades of spring!

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  11. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeMay 17, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Such a lovely and inviting setting and the cake looks fabulous. Beautiful florals and the teacup is stunning. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  12. ~Chris~May 17, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    What a lovely bouquet and I love your Tea Set. The Cake looks soooo yummy. Wouldn't mind indulging in a piece!

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  13. TerriMay 17, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Hello Donna, I am so glad you joined in Martha and my's Tea Cup Tuesday! I am happy to come and meet you and see your beautiful tea post! The tea cup is so pretty. The shape of the cup is generous and the loop handle is my favorite for comfort. I absolutely love Lilly Of The Valley flowers and yours are beautiful.
    Thank you so much for sharing with us today.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  14. Bella's Rose CottageMay 18, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    Hi Donna,
    Your Lily of the Valley is beautiful and adding the fern was a very nice touch:-) Your matching teacup is beautiful:-)
    Thanks for sharing tea:-) I am your newest follower:-)
    Oh and the birds nest below is amazing, lucky you, what a treat!
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  15. Polished MoxieMay 18, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    Lovely post. Your tea setting is very inviting and the coordinating fresh flowers completes a pretty picture. A cup of green tea sounds good right now...especially with the raw, wet weather we are having.

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  16. yvetteMay 18, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    Oh the Lily-of-the-valley is such a delicate flower and I love its pearl drop flowers...your teacup matches superbly and too is lovely!Who could say no to joining in and having a little sweety with tea!

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  17. Noor NahdiMay 18, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Should I send you my postal address to receive that yummy cheesecake :) TFS, sweetheart...

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  18. UnknownMay 18, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Love the lilly of the valley and on the C&S to so pretty

    love Dawn xx

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  19. DiannMay 18, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    I love lily of the valley. My mom;s house is surrounded by it and I have a nice patch of it as well. Your teacup and saucer are just goreous!

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  20. Melynda@Scratch Made Food!May 19, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Your lily of the valley flowers are stunning, thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Mid-Atlantic MarthaMay 19, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Love your pretty Lily of the valley. Sweet flower and your table captures it well.

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  22. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalMay 19, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    What a sweet arrangement. I love the addition of the fern. I have never grown lily of the valley but it looks like such a delicate flower. The tea cup is really lovely also.

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  23. AnonymousMay 19, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Hi Donna! First, thanks for stopping by my Blog and posting a sweet comment!! Lily of the valley is such a beautiful flower and your teacup is gorgeous. I'd love to sit for a cup and cheese cake, looks so yummy!!
    Jannet

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  24. ArabellaMay 19, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    What a beautiful post! My lily of the valleys just started blooming yesterday ~ so sweet & lovely. I'll take some tea and cheesecake, pretty please! :O)

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  25. UnknownMay 20, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    a beautiful tea party and beautiful photographs to capture

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  26. I Love Pretty Little ThingsMay 20, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Oh! Those Lily of the Valley are so Pretty! I can just smell them by looking at theses picture. Flowers, tea, cheesecake and gorgeous china...Perfect!
    Thank you for sharing these with all of us at Friday Pretties!
    Joyce

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  27. deb dutyMay 20, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    The flowers are so pretty and what a nice tea party. Beautiful photos!

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  28. AmarieMay 20, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Everything looks so beautiful! Especially the lovely teacup!

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  29. Miss MerryMay 20, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Those lily of the valley dishes are so pretty. And the treat looks delicious. What a lovely and restful tea party. I would love to join you!

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  30. LindaMay 20, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    Gorgeous!!
    Have a great weekend!

    Glad to be following you now!!

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  31. Vintage HomeMay 20, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    My LOV is almost out!..Thanks for inspiring me to show it off inside !

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  32. AnonymousMay 20, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Many beautiful things your have here.

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  33. Tea in TexasMay 20, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    This the prettiest tea cup and saucer I have seen in Lily of the Valley. I enjoyed seeing the teapot teabag holder in the same pattern. The cheesecake is so tempting and a cup of tea is the perfect drink to add. A very lovely post.

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  34. Fishtail CottageMay 20, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    Thanks so much for linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday's - love your tea cup & the lilly of the valley flowers, i'll bet they smell lovely! xoox, tracie

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  35. TriciaMay 21, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Oh I love lily of the valley! They smell so good. And that cheesecake looks so yummy too. Thanks for sharing your post at Photo Feature Friday :)

    ~tricia

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  36. MarigeneMay 21, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Love lily of the valley, such dainty little flowers.

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  37. galeMay 30, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    I love lily of the valley! Really pretty setting too.

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Thank you for taking the time to visit me. Your sweet comment just makes my day! ~ Donna ~