Rose Tea Cottage

Where tea is served at half past four




Cathy and I had a marvellous time at Foxglove. Aunt Millie is a gracious hostess who simply adores the ceremony of afternoon tea and honours all the formalities. She takes great care over setting her tea table. She uses her white lace tablecloth and her pink rose adorned vintage china. Her silver is always polished to a high gleam and her floral arrangement placed elegantly in the middle of the table, with the milk jug and sugar bowl set just so.

She always serves tea in her charming morning room, which is bursting at the seams with warmth and coziness. Every inch of this room is covered with her cherished bric-a-bracs. The tables carry scores of family photos, carefully selected and framed. Piles and piles of books, magazines and catalogues virtually cover all available space.

To one side stands a rolltop desk which Aunt Millie uses daily to send out thank you cards, invitations and letters - all the old fashioned way. Large comfy chairs are set ever so carefully in the small space. Her chairs are upholstered in muted colours with decorative frindges, cordings and enriched with loads of Aubusson pillows. Her diamond-mullioned leaded windows give the viewer the perfect glance to her quaint English garden.

Aunt Millie guards her privacy, so taking photographs of her place to use on my blog was not an option. I was, however, finally able to convince Aunt Millie to share her scone and cake recipes with me. Since I am a giving type of friend, I will post these priceless recipes later in the week.



72 comments:

beachvintage.com said...

This is true elegance Duchess. And yes, her privacy must be guarded at all costs. What a wonderful lady she is.

Angie's Recipes said...

I wish I could join your tea party one day!

North West London Girl said...

Dear Duchess,
Aunt Millie is a true lady and I applaud her. I am looking forward to the scone secrets xx

Jolie Rosie said...

Oh! My precious Duchess this is such an eloquently written post. I can picture the room, the warmth and the love. Glad all went well.

Hausfrau said...

Oh, she is just lovely! What an example of style and grace!

fromBAtoParis said...

Dear Duchess friend,

How lovely !!! So chic !!!!!
I wish I could have shared this visit..
Looking forward to the scones recipes !!!!

My Passport to Style said...

Hi Duchess,thank-you for your generous comments, you have been so sweet and surportive, we are much more refreshed and have more of a spring in our hearts as well as our soles pardon the pun!I am loving this post featuring Aunt Millie, she really is the tops and knows how to entertain so stylishly! Sharon xx

Cathie said...

so very lovely sweet Duchess, looking forward to your Auntie's wonderful recipes.
have a fabulous February

All things nice... said...

Oh sounds so beautiful, like a perfect evening drinking tea in a wonderful location with a dear friend/family member. You describe everything in such detail we don't need photographs, I can clearly picture it in my head

All things nice...

Rachana said...

This is true elegance darling Duchess. Looking forward to the scone secrets.

BonjourRomance said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Duchess,
Sorry about the deleted post - I typed one word and it posted. So glad you had such a lovely time at Aunt Millie's, she is a true lady. I can just see her sitting at her roll-top desk sending off hand-written notes.
Looking forward to those scone recipes.
Wonderful day to you!

VM Creation Atelier said...

Oooh!!!!!!!!-)***Dear Duchess!

What an very elegant post...The are nice pistures here,lovely and also so stylish!!!
I enjoy it again,thankyou!-)*

Hugs,***Violetta***

cilla said...

Helllo my dear duchess,im so glad you had a lovely time with your aunt,i look forward too the recipes ,stop by soon cilla

Stitch and Roses said...

Good Evening Duchess

So glad you had a nice time with Aunt Millie. The pics are amazing.

Pretty Lady and Hubby said...

Dearest Duchess,

I LOVE your blog. You have a new subscriber. :) I believe I've been am a Dutchess too. Your blog is amazing. Glad I found you.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Aunt Millie sounds a fabulous woman!

Victoria xx

Catherine said...

It sounds like you had a very lovely tea party with your Aunt Millie. A true lady!

I am looking forward to the recipes!

Julie Marie said...

Hello Duchess... so happy you and Cathy enjoyed your tea in Aunt Millie's morning room... it sounds delightful! (I love to hear the word bric~a~brac again!)... and your Aunt Millie sounds like such a beautiful lady... I look forward to your upcoming recipes of hers... xoxo Lady Julie Marie

Michela said...

Hello Duchess! I enjoy very much reading all the details of your fabulous tea party! Nobody can beat your great taste! (except Aunt Millie ;-) xxx

Madeline's Album said...

What an elegant and lovely lady. Glad you had a good time. Have a blessed day. Madeline

Zurin said...

What an elegant post Duchess! your visit sounded wonderful and warm...but yes she must gaurd her privacy...i look forward to the scones recipe soon....:))

The Curious Cat said...

Hey sweetie, thanks for dropping by...looks like you had a lovely day! xxx

Unknown said...

So elegant!I wish I could have aunt Milly in my life. Such an inspiration for beautiful leaving. Wishing you beautiful Tuesday, dear Duchess :-)

Preeti Kashyap said...

What a lovely lady Aunt Millie is! Wish I could see those lovely english gardens through those windows while sipping some tea!

Mimi said...

HI DUTCHESS!!!!
Good Morning or afternoon to you!!!!
SO happy you popped in and said hello, yes, our darling little Princess is becoming quite the fun mobile little toddler, waiting for her arrival as I type away!!!!!So happy I will be spending the day with her, maybe we will have a tea party, even if it is a pretend one!!!!
I cannot wait to hear all your glorious news, so glad you had a fun filled visit with your aunt!!!!
When my son visited England several years ago, his friend lived near Harrogate, I remember his mentioning that town!!! He flew into Manchester and I also have heard him mention Leeds????
I some day will get to England, maybe I could go to the Olympics in LOndon as well!!!!!!Just kidding, that would be asking for way to much, Europe is beckoning me though!!!!
Have a glorious day
hugs my dear,
jamie

Maggi said...

What a wonderful day! I would love to spend time with your Aunt, she sounds fabulous!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh, so these aren't really pictures of your visit. Well, everyone has the right to protect their privacy. Every right to do so. :-)

Early wishes for a Happy Valentine's Day!
.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Duchess,
I so enjoyed visiting you this morning and I'm glad you're back. I would love to take tea with your Aunt Millie and you. She sounds like my kind of hostess! I also like sending out cards and letters the old fashioned way. Some things never grow old.
I am having my own little tea party so if you're free, please stop by; I'd love to have you. Have a marvellous day.

Blessings,
Sandi

Claudia said...

It sounds heavenly! What a wonderful lady Aunt Millie must be.

xoxo
Claudia

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post! I'm looking forward to the recipes!

Anonymous said...

Morning, Dear Duchess! Oh what a wonderful time for tea you must have had! Isn't Aunt Milly a precious darling?
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Chris said...

Makes me want to go to a formal tea! I'll have to look around Boston to see who does one. Usually the nicer hotels.

the crybaby said...

o duchess! i love your aunt millie's morning room! having tea in there must have been the utmost enjoyment! i'm looking forward in anticipation to your aunt millie's recipes!!! love love love scones =)

Madelief said...

Hello Duchess,

I wish I had such an aunt as yours ;-)! She looks very chique and stylish and so does her room...

Happy day!

Lieve groet, Madelief

Jen said...

Duchess,
This sounds like a marvelous afternoon! What a divine aunt you have. I'm sipping tea vicariously through you as I type! So wonderful. I'm looking forward to the scone recipe!

Jen

My Grama's Soul said...

I love stopping by each Tuesday.....It is such a delight and a step back in time to slow down....have a cup of tea and a scone and Just RELAX.

Blessings,

Anonymous said...

Aunt Millie sounds a Delightful :o) She reminds me of a Lovely neighbour whom everyone knew as Angel, though she told us she was Aunt Tilly. She was a sweet thing, lost her fiance in the first world war and remained true to him. She was in a class of her own, an absolute Darling. I can understand why You treasure Your Beautiful, Elegant Aunt Millie xxx

Warm February Hugs xxx

Sumea

koralee said...

Oh my...sound so so lovely...oh how I love Aunt Millie. Tea and scones..nothing is better than that my friend. Happy sweet day to you!

The Red Umbrella said...

This sounds delightful!

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Duchess I'm so pleased that you ladies had a lovely time together over tea. I applaud your Aunt Millie on so many levels. Your caring, thoughtful comments that you've shared with me have meant the world. You are such a thoughtful woman and your greatly appreciated. Tell Aunt Millie that we all admire her & you of course! xx deb

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Duchess,

I loved hearing about your tea party and Aunt Millie is such an elegant Lady and a beautiful photo.
I look forward to her secret scone recipe.

Have a wonderful February, dear friend.
Hugs
Carolyn

parTea lady said...

Your aunt looks very elegant and pleasant of countenance. I do like her pretty hat. Sounds like a lovely tea.

I am very fond of scones and can't wait to see her recipes.

Lucie said...

Oh Duchess, this sounds like a perfect afternoon. Aunt Millie sounds a special lady. Traditions like hers are not to be forgotten. Lucie x

Deanna said...

Dearest Duchess,
Warm February Blessings to you.

Very lovely post and Aunt Millie sounds like a classy Lady!
God Bless,
d

Unknown said...

Your aunt Millie looks so charming and elegant. Great photos.
Hugs
Charo

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Duchess,
Aunt Millie's home sounds delightfull!!!. Maybe one day she will let you post one room to share.
I will be looking forward to Aunt Millie's scone and cake recipe!.
Enjoy your day,
Hugs, Elizabeth

yyam said...

It must have been a really beautiful room! What a lovely tea party! Have a beautiful week! :)

P/s: I love scones!

Anonymous said...

Going to your aunt Millie's for tea must be such a wonderful experience. I can't wait to see her scone recipes. She sounds like a lovely lady ♥

Anonymous said...

My goodness Duchess, you are one popular lady. Thanks so much for stopping in today and saying "Hello!" Looking forward your Auntie's recipes.

Catie said...

Happy February to you too! Your tea party sounds like so much fun! Looking forward to the recipes :)

Marilyn Miller said...

Lovely tea with Aunt Millie. I look forward to the recipes.

A Whimsical Girl Named Debbie said...

I just adore your blog!

Love,

A New Follower

http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com

Vicki said...

Hello, dear Duchess,
I enjoyed hearing about your visit with Aunt Millie. She sounds very charming and kind. I would love to be a part of a proper English tea some time. That last bouquet of flowers is gorgeous. Thank you for stopping by Bunny Cottage for a visit. It always brightens my day when you do! Vicki

Rizzi said...

MY DEAR DUCHESS,
WHAT A LOVELY POST, IT WAS LIKE I WAS SITTING IN YOUR AUNT MILLIE'S MORNING ROOM HAVING TEA WITH YOU AND YOUR COUSIN CATHY, WHO MIGHT I SAY IS AN ELEGANT LOOKING LADY.
YOUR AUNT MILLIE'S SCONE RECIPE WILL BE WELCOMED VERY MUCH.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY MY BLOG, AND YES JACKIE AND I DID GO SHOPPING, AND I POSTED SOME OF THE ITEMS I BOUGHT. HAVE A NICE DAY, AND "HI" TO YOUR DAD. RIZZI

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Your Grace! Beautiful photos, as always--and will look forward to Aunt Millie's scone recipe. Salivating already.

Anonymous said...

So very exquisite..what a wonderful place to be...Aunt Millie is very Charming..much blessing to her. What wonderful taste in home decor.. your very lucky to have such a wonderful person like her in your life..

French Kissed said...

Tea with Aunt Millie must certainly be a delight. Although I would have dearly loved to have seen some photos, I am thrilled that the recipes will be shared! Thank you, Duchess. ~jermaine~

Unknown said...

oh! How wonderful!I adore this post! Have a sweet day!

Unknown said...

Oh, I so aspire to be like Aunt Millie!
Have a great week!

Chicago Chic said...

Wow... such grace, elegance, class, beauty, warmth, and all things beautiful.

Thank you for your kind words in my recent post, definitely means a lot to me!

xoxoxo
Rachel

Francy said...

I loved reading this post! It all sounds so beautiful and elegant. Would love to read some scone secrets as well!

Anonymous said...

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD A MARVLEOUS TIME!
ALWAYS A PLEASANT READ!

CIAO

Unknown said...

It sounds wonderful. They way you describe it, I can picture it in my head. Cant wait to get my greedy little hands on that scone recipe.
*kisses* HH

The Old Parsonage said...

Hello Duchess

So nice to visit with you my friend. Can't wait to see you Auntie's secrets for scones.

LEann

Reeni said...

Aunt Millie sounds like a gem! How wonderful and kind to share her recipes. I look forward to them! XO

Unknown said...

i don't know if i've ever had a proper afternoon tea! how lovely that you had this experience.
xoxo alison

Magdalena said...

Duchess Your Aunt Milllie is such an elegant lady to host a lovely tea like that. I am so looking forward to the recipes later this week. I use to love having high tea with my Grandmother.
xoxo

Rizzi said...

HELLO AGAIN DUCHESS,
PLEASE COME AND VIST MY BLOG THERE IS A SURPRISE WAITING FOR YOU. LADY RIZZI

Deborah said...

Aunt Millie has fabulous legs!

debra@dustjacket said...

Oh I would have love to have been part of morning tea at Aunt Millies. Wow sounds fabulous.

I'm so excited about the recipes, thank you so much.
xxx

Kara said...

Aunt Millie reminds me of my great Aunts Stella and Bea.....what lovely teas and cakes we had.....married to a Brit, so loving all things about tea!!

Kara

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