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Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day Friends...

The origin of this holiday for the expression of love really isn't romantic at all -- at least not in the traditional sense. Valentine was a Roman Priest at a time when there was an emperor called Claudias who persecuted the church at that particular time. He also had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to them, or their wives or families if they died.

Valentine secretly married them (young people) because of the edict. Valentine was eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against command of Emperor Claudius the second. There are legends surrounding Valentine's actions while in prison. One of the men who was to judge him in line with the Roman law at the time was a man called Asterius, who's daughter was blind. He (Valentine) was supposed to have prayed with and healed the young girl with such astonishing effect that Asterius himself became Christian as a result.
In the year 269 AD, Valentine was sentenced to a three part execution of a beating, stoning, and finally decapitation all because of his stand for Christian marriage. The story goes that the last words he wrote were in a note to Asterius' daughter. He inspired today's romantic missives by signing it, "from your Valentine."
Thank you for joining me for tea today! In celebration of Saint Valentine, I have prepared a heart felt tea of friendship for you. 
Using the heart shaped place mats, for a foundation, I chose a tea set from the Bombay Company ~ pattern Poppy. 

All special celebrations deserve a toast, so we will be toasting with 10 year old Tawny Porto, Royal Oporto produced in Portugal by Villa Nova de Gaia. 

I think the butterfly and poppy are a perfect way to honour both Saint Valentine and friendship. Don't you just love the elegant handle?

A red velvet cupcake with butter cream white and pink frosting, is a perfect complement to the tea and port.

These teacups had me at first sight! The handle! The gold detail on the edge of cup and saucer and once again a gorgeous handle. The saucer is beautifully designed with the butterfly and poppy; did you notice how the saucer comes out a little where the designs are? 

and look the teacup also has a small lip... and the thumb rest is done in gold.

Your place setting awaits your arrival...

Today's tea is from Angelina's in Paris, France.  T Angelina is a combination of  oolong from China,exotic fruits and citrus, mango pieces, petals of marigold and safflower.

There will be many roses about today ... so a little different, a lily (Peruvian lilies, or alstroemeria, represent friendship and devotion) ! I love it's trumpet shape.

Tea is poured ....

WHAT? no cupcake for you ... You're are watching your waist line....

It's a celebration of Saint Valentine, How can you resist this scrumptious delight!!! Red velvet , with creamy butter cream frosting.....

HA! I knew you couldn't let it go without at least one bite....

Happy Saint Valetine Day to you my wonderful friends and readers...










Click the button above to read more on how for the cost of a stamp, a card and a few moments of your time ~  YOU can make a difference to a young girl.







Joining these wonderful hostesses ...
Tea Time Tuesday ~ with Sandi 
Tea Party Tuesday ~ with Trish
Martha's Terri's Tea Time Tuesday
For some wonderful vignette inspirations visit Marty for   Table Top Tuesday

46 comments:

  1. Lovely post, Celia!! Thanks for the reminder of the story behind Valentine's Day!! :)

    Will you be celebrating?

    <3-Cami from First Day of My Life

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  2. Wonderful post! Such a sad tale.. Very pretty tea today - and I'd like one of those cupcakes!

    xx
    leslie

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  3. Happy Valentine's Day!
    Beautiful setting and I love those dishes with the designs that comes out, very unique!
    Blessings,
    ~Wendy

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  4. Thank you for telling the story...I heard it many years ago, but nice to read it again...Your china is beautiful and romantically set. Have a most wonderful Valentine's Day...

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  5. Hi Celia
    I like your Valentine tea table; china, flowers and the yummiest looking cupcake!
    Happy Valentine's Day.
    Judith

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  6. I've never heard that story about Valentine before-thanks for sharing! I love your tea set from Bombay ( I miss them ) I noticed the way the flower comes out on the edge immediately. Very very pretty! Your cupcakes look delicious!

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  7. I never knew the history surrounding Valentine's Day. How horrible that they killed Valentine...boy, I sure would not have wanted to celebrate Valentine's Day back then if they had it.

    Lovely tea service and a yummy looking red velvet cupcake.

    Have a happy St. Valentine's Day.

    Kris

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  8. Dearest Celia,

    That was such delightful reading! Indeed, no romantic story to begin with about Saint Valentine!
    Oh, how delighted I was that you did pour us a delicious PORT. Both, Pieter and I used to drink this often in the 80s and here people seldom share in it. Port and cheese is such a delight after a good dinner... Ah, our Old World memories!
    Your china is SO lovely, especially where the patterns spill over the edge in their full beauty. I admire those china designers and artists that make it always prettier, more romantic than the previous and a delight for using it with our tea, coffee or chocolate.
    Wishing you both a Happy Valentine's Day that may spill over onto all 365 days of the year. You both do know the secret of the little details, the special luxuries of daily life in making a nice presentation and savoring every sip of it.
    Love to you,
    Mariette

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  9. That cupcake looks delicious!
    I had no idea about the story behind Valentine... Thank you for sharing.
    Happy Hearts day to you! xoxo

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  10. What a beautiful Valentine Tea! I love your tea set, I have never seen that pattern before. Thank you for sharing.
    Happy Valentine Day to you,
    Nancy

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  11. Just beautiful!
    And I'm not watching my waistline...please.send.cupcakes.
    Happy Valentine's Day! xo

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  12. What a pretty poppy-red tea set! Happy Valentines Day, Celia.

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  13. My dear Celia,
    Your place settings are FABULOUS! Thank you for inviting us to share in your tea experience today! And....although I AM watching my waistline....it is Valentine's Day!....so pass me one of those delicious looking cupcakes.
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  14. Hello dear Celia,
    Such a sad tale about Valentine, isn't it? I'm sure he has gone on to his reward however. It's lovely to celebrate a day which gives us a chance to spread a little sweetness around.
    Your tea is lovely and the china is very pretty! Cupcake looks good too. Thank you for sharing and Happy Valentines Day, my friend.

    Hugs,
    Sandi

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  15. What a lovely spread you have prepared for us this Valentine's day Ms. Celia! Happy Valentine's day to you and lots of hugs from me!
    -Marie

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  16. I just love your china! The shaped plates are especially elegant...and unusual! A lovely post! And thanks for visiting for Tuesday Cuppa Tea and my anniversary drawing!
    Ruth

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  17. Thank you so much for your sweet interlude to my day! Happy Valentines day my friend, and enjoy that cupcake for me!! It looks divine!
    xo
    Nathalie

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  18. Red Velvet cake is a FAVORITE of mine here. Lovely tea celebration for someone who has so much love in their heart and inspires others a great deal! Happy Valentines day!

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  19. Happy Valentine's Day, Celia~ the cupcakes and the tea look divine!

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  20. Happy Valentines Day to you!!
    Enjoy your story and your tea!!!
    Hope your day is wonderful!!!
    Suzann ~xoxo~

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  21. Happy Valentine's. Love that amazing poppy china. Yes I noticed right away the 3-d sort of effect.

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  22. Hmmm..... cupcakes!! Looks delicious. xo

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  23. Hello Celia, It's nice to meet you. I'm visiting from Blogging Sisters. I've just joined and I'm visiting all my new sisters to say hello. I'm one of your new followers now. Thanks for the tea, wine, and cup cake. You dish pattern is beautiful. Joyous Wishes, Linda

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  24. Lovely, just lovely! PS Um, about that extra cupcake ... I'll have it if nobody else will? Yum.

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  25. Looks like the perfect heart felt friendship Valentines Day Tea. I love the china. Very special. Pat

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  26. I think it is a romantic story but didn't know it also had sadness to it (execution oh my). Your sweet treats looks amazing
    xoxo
    SC

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  27. HHL! Love the story! Your tea cup is amazing! Love the handle beautiful, sturdy and made to fit!
    I wanted to also let you know that it seems like someone has hacked your page - it keeps trying to redirect me to another page.
    One that my internet blocker has as a high threat. Don't know it anyone else is having issues but wanted you to know!

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  28. Oh my, but you have set a stunning Valentine table! The china really brings a Wow! factor to your setting. It really is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing about Valentine's day too! That was fab!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  29. Dearest Celia,

    Today I finally found time to read the latest Belle Inspiration and was delighted to find your story inside! Thanks for showing me once more the antique French ink well and letter holder. You provided such lovely photos and so well to the point in regard the letter writing. Sadly, I never ever heard from the Philippine lady as my Pen Pal... Did send her a handwritten letter with fountain pen on all cotton Crane & Co stationery. Hope she did get it!
    Love to you dearest friend and stay warm with a good tea. That's a winter's bliss. I indulge in it daily.

    Mariette

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  30. Your tea set is just gorgeous and what a lovely setting for Valentines High Tea!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  31. Such gorgeous and unusual Poppy teacups and dishes! Your Valentine's table is so pretty!
    The red velvet cupcake is yummy and the tea divine! Sweet!
    Blessings!
    Linda

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  32. You have a beautiful tea set. This is the second set of tea services I've seen today with such unusual handles. So beautiful.

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  33. Tea on your beautiful china is the perfect way to celebrate Valentines Day. I agree...that cup is spectacular! Thank you for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  34. So pretty. I love the poppy dishes. Happy Belated Valentine's Day.

    Cynthia

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  35. You are just SO lovely!!! I love how you see things... I am watching my wastline, but I want that cupcake!
    Hugs and have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  36. A beautiful way to celebrate Valentine's day with such a beautiful tea set. Thank you for the story about lovers day. You're a sweet lady for words, and I like the way you persive things. Yummy cupcake! Happy Valentine's month.
    FABBY

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  37. Of all your tea sets, I think this is my favorite. I love poppies. I'm so glad YOU at the cupcake and not me. This is my year to lose this extra weight so I will just live vicariously through you if you don't mind!! Happy Belated V-day to you and yours. I enjoy your blog so much.

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  38. Your tea is lovely. I'm amazed at the dimension of the plates?!?! So interesting. It would be great if you linked this post to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  39. The red velvet cupcake looks as tasty as the table is beautiful. Love it!

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  40. That cupcake looks so good!!!! Love those dishes as well. And there is nothing like a good port!

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  41. Great readout but even more....the cupcakes. Yum. Sending you tons og hugs Celia and wishing you a great rest of the week.

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  42. Oohhh...that story made my neck hurt!! Yikes! Always good to know a little history, though. The commercialization of all the holidays tends to lose the meaning or history. BEAUTIFUL china!

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  43. What a lovely pattern - you are right - the handles are extra special! Love your Valentine's day history!

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  44. Very interesting post! Have a fabulous weekend!
    xo
    Sharon

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  45. Thank you for visiting my blog and the kinds words you left for me. Your pictures are beautiful and I so enjoyed your story....

    Tammy

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  46. OOh, thank you for sharing those lovely photos! Must admit the cupcake is what I was drawn to. The tea cups reminded me of my mother and all things exquisite. Have a wonderful day.

    Jen

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. Know that each one is appreciated and read. Any questions posed in comments in will be responded to via the Reply button below your comment. - Live Life Luxuriously!

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