You know, you just never know where you will find a special addition to a collection! This one was made by a company called Franz, and is an official Disney item: the "Alice in Wonderland" teapot and cup and saucer sets. (As if you couldn't tell by the decoration!) This is a real treasure. The minute I saw this it was love at first sight. Is there someone somewhere who wasn't completely charmed by Alice's adventures? I don't think I have met them. There is the butterfly who was first introduced to Alice as the caterpillar sitting on his mushroom. So much of the beautiful garden from the movie is represented; from the leaves and scrollwork on the spout and handles, to the bread-and-butterflies on the teacups. And Alice, herself, as she was in the garden. The spoon, which comes with every cup and saucer set (of which only 500 sets were made), is the grand-dame of the garden, The Red Rose. The bowl of the spoon is made up as a cluster of her leaves. Such a charming set can only hold a wonderful English tea; maybe an English Breakfast or even PG Tips.

PG Tips is a very aromatic black tea that I first tasted in England. It may be an everyday tea to the English, but I found it to be almost the epitome of a good black tea. I looked everywhere for it when I got home and found it one day when I was shopping to replenish some of my herbal teas at the local natural foods store. Now that I know where to find it, I can have it as often as I like. There is no bitterness to this tea at all; it is mellow and smooth light or strong. In fact, we had it just this morning and savored every drop. You have to try this tea.

By the way, I never did find out if Disney had a creamer and sugar bowl made for this teapot, and it is now a discontinued set. Sigh!

So I told you that I was going to show more of my collection. This is an Asian-style set that I purchased from Pier 1 actually. I have somewhat of a weakness for blue and white china. This paisley design is rather unusual for the Asian-style shape, I think, but I could be wrong. I just really liked the set. At any rate, it's really a nice set to have with oolong tea. Or jasmine or green tea.

Anyway, it's time to start having the Sunday morning tea times. Once school starts, my friend, Rose, is back in the area and we try to get together on the weekends for testing different teas. We have already been through a delightful and inexpensive green tea with citrus flavors. And then we enjoyed a delicious peppermint tea this weekend; brewed strong to which we added milk and sugar. This is one I always used to make on cold winter nights or whenever anyone in the family was feeling a bit under the weather. It is a very comforting tea and I am never without a good quality peppermint tea for very long. Try it whenever you feel low in spirits or in health. It is one that I feel should be in the pantry of anyone who loves a good cuppa.

Some time ago I wrote in my blog that I had been visiting in Idaho with my family and that my dad's health was failing. One week after I had returned home to North Carolina my sister called and told me that Dad had passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was one week shy of his 90th birthday.

It is always hard to say goodbye to a loved one, but he was so tired and he was ready to go. He hung on until he was able to see all his children and grandchildren one last time and he was content. We are very thankful for all the wonderful memories we have of him and that we had him with us for so long. He is now resting in the arms of the Savior and we are also thankful for that.

We love you, Daddy, and will miss you.