Monday, February 18, 2013

Winter White Tea

Shortly before the holidays I received an amaryllis bulb, which has been sitting by the window in my sunroom.  A few weeks ago it started to bloom.  The ruffled white blossoms sparkle above the antique white metal cachepot embossed with a gold fleur-de-lis pattern.


Pretty moss covers the soil.


A wonderful blend of gold and white!


It is a friendly reminder that warmer days will soon be ahead.


I'm dreaming of spring as I prepare some tea.

 
Pure white china from Germany by Schumann in the 'White Elegance' pattern.
 
 
Embossed with beautiful scrolls and scalloped edges.
 
 
As they reach for the sky these Grand Trumpets are 15" tall.

 
Greek mythology tells the story of a very sensitive girl called Amaryllis.  One day when she was on a mountainside picking flowers, she met the shepherd Alteo and fell in love on the spot, but Alteo was not interested in girls, he only loved flowers.  He had often said that:  "Only the girl who can bring me a new flower will receive my love."
 
Amaryllis despaired and turned to the Oracle at Delphi for advice.  There she was told to take an arrow from the temple and to wound herself with it in front of Alteo's house, whereby she must declare her love for him.  If necessary she should repeat this action on the subsequent evenings.  Amaryllis did what oracle had told her and when the clock struck midnight on the first evening, she resolutely stabbed her breast and her heart.  It was as if her life was streaming out of her as she stood in front of Alteo's hut calling his name loudly and declaring that their lives were tied together.  Unfortunately her actions had no effect.
 
She repeated the scene the next evening and again the evening after that.  For thirty nights blood dripped before Alteo's door, until a miracle happened.  On the spot where the blood had fallen, there was a large red flower with a wide open calyx.  "Alteo, Alteo, here is the flower," called Amaryllis excitedly.  Alteo saw the fragile girl with the thick and heavy stem in her hands, bearing the unfamiliar bright red flower of love.  The rugged shepherd knelt before her and wept, and as they kissed for the first time, the larks sung high in the air.
 
 
Thank you for sipping tea with me!
 
Today I am joining ...
 
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Blissful Whites Wednesday @ Timewashed

26 comments:

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow the flower looks gorgeous Donna.
and you have decorated the table very beautiful again.

greetings karin

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Morning Donna, What a beautiful Greek story of Amaryllis and Altea.
I have often admired Amaryllis but have never grown one as I thought they were difficult plants to grow. I think I really need to remedy that and buy a bulb to grow.
Thank you for a lovely story.
Best Wishes
Daphne

Pat Hatt said...

Can't go wrong with a friendly reminder that warmer days are ahead.

kathyinozarks said...

good morning Donna, what a beautiful story-I had not heard that before. your amaryllis is beautiful Kathy

Lisa Gordon said...

You amaryllis is gorgeous, Donna, and what a beautiful story this is.

Wishing you a wonderful day ahead!

Beth said...

What a pretty teacup! Love your amaryllis, too. Have a wonderful week!

Beth in NEPA said...

I enjoyed the story of Amaryllis. Thanks for sharing that!

Cheryl said...

Thanks for sharing that wonderful story of Amaryllis. I learned something new today. lol

Your white amaryllis is stunning, as are your photos. Darling teacup too.

I planted three amaryllis bulbs late last fall and they were all done blooming by early January. Next year I think I will try to stagger my planting for lasting blooms.

Have a great week!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Donna, your Amaryllis is gorgeous! I enjoyed the legend too. The white tea things are really lovely as is the teacup! Makes for a stunning tea time. Thank you for sharing with us and coming to tea.

Blessings,
Sandi

Diann said...

Your flower is lovely. And the tea sevice is so pretty as is the sweet teacup set!

must love junk said...

Beautiful flower and china!!
Susan

MiamiKel said...

Gorgeous post today, Donna - always inspiring and beautifully photographed! 0x0x

HELENE said...

Lovely photos, and thanks for sharing the story!
By the way, do you know that after the flowers have gone, you can save the bulb and get it to flower again next year? Many people just throw it away, but I have had amaryllis bulbs that have lasted me 5-6 years. Google for exact instructions, it is not difficult :-)

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

The amaryllis is gorgeous and your white china is beautiful.

CEO Lisa Anne - L.A said...

Dear Donna,
Beautiful story! I love your white Amaryllis and white china. Thanks for sharing.
hugs,
Lisa

Cynthia said...

I learned something I didn't know today, thank you for that and thank you for the tea. I haven't had a chance to thank you things have been crazy around here. I will post soon.

Cynthia

Two Cottages And Tea said...

What a sweet winter tea!The story was so interesting and fun to know. Your teacup is so precious! Happy tea day to you!
Nancy

Bernideen said...

Beautiful Amaryllis and cup and saucer! Thanks for linking this to Friends Sharing Tea!

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

What beautiful photos, and what a great love story about Amaryllis--loved it!

Malinda Tamlyn said...

Donna,
Your Amaryllis is amazing, so beautiful. I have
never heard the story before. Thank you for
spending time and sharing your tea with me.
Linda
Reuzeit Emporium Blog
Reuzeit Emporium

Terry said...

Your story and photos were a fun read this morning. Thanks!

Hugs,

Terry

Antiques And Teacups said...

Just beautiful! I love the clean elegance of the plae palette. The teacup is gorgeous! I love amyrillia, but can't have them in the house. Rats! Thanks for sharing and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Susan said...

I often give am amaryllis bulbs as a Christmas gift, even to professed non-green thumbs. Those friends are truly thrilled when the plants burst into flower.

Terri said...

Hello Donna,
What a lovely tea setting! The white china is very lovely and looks beautiful with your gorgeous pink flowered tea cup (Bavarian?)...
I enjoyed reading about the flower. Great story!
Hugs,
Terri

Rosemary said...

Lovely classic flower, enjoyed the story.

Unknown said...

I loved the story and the flower is exquisite.