Tuesday, July 27, 2010

White Outdoor Wednesday

I have about depleted my vacation photos but, not before I show off some of the handiwork accomplished by the Walt Disney World gardeners.  For starters these lovely white Caladiums in this container.   WD really has gorgeous containers all over all the parks.  This was in Epcot at the France pavillion.

This is my favorite fountain from all of the properties Disney maintains.  It is a terra cotta pot fountain at Downtown Disney.  It flows into the pots and then onto the sidewalk and I believe the drainage is built right into the sidewalk.
At Epcot in Italy they have some beautiful statues like this fountain of Triton.

This angel is also at Italy in Epcot.
Before we left Italy, I peaked inside of a shop and found these beautiful treasures.  They were mask for carnival.  The same thing we celebrate called Mardi Gras.

 As we went through Germany I spotted this.  I believe this might be my favorite statue at Epcot.  Who couldn't admire a knight slaying a dragon?

In Norway my teenage sons spotted Chuck Norris.   Just seeing if you are still awake. 

There was some white water behind our hotel.  
Who couldn't go to Walt Disney World and not see the castle?  It is white.

And here we ended our day with some white fireworks at Epcot.
Just having some fun for the two parties I am joining:
White Wednesday at Faded Charm,
and Outdoor Wednesday  at a Southern Daydreamer. 
Go over and see all the fun bloggers are coming up with.

Monday, July 26, 2010

The Tea Caddy & Victoria Magazine

One of my favorite little stops in Epcot at Walt Disney World is the Tea Caddy.   Every time I step into it.  It takes me away to photo shoots I remember so well from Victoria magazine.
 The Tea Caddy is a little shop in England devoted to the most beautiful teapots and wonderful teas.

 
It is a little thatched roof English Cottage style building.
 
Here is a little teapot I would have loved.  Isn't it adorable!  Yes, that is matching mugs to the right.  
 
There was also a little chintzware violet tea cup that would have been a great match to the tea pot.
 
This was also a beautiful chintzware teapot covered in daffodils and English ivy.  All of the tea pots and cup I believe were by Royal Albert and made in England of course.
 
 Here is one more teapot with some lovely drawings of butterflies, flowers, and a bee.

 Alice had her own teapot this year.  You could get it in a 1-cup version or this full sized teapot with cups to match.

 
 In fact Alice herself was outside rounding up patrons for the tea party as I snapped some 
pictures.;)

What would a tea party be without a lovely place to take a spot of tea and the shop has a perfect place by this knot garden out back.
 These images always bring to mind my favorite copies of Victoria magazine.  Kathy at A Delightsome Life has created a new meme devoted to the "old" Victoria magazine.  There was a certain magic to the old magazine that was very appealing.

I happened to save a few copies of the "old" magazine.  Like so many of you it was my favorite magazine ever!  It was so romantic and the features never disappointed.  My favorite issues were always ones where they went to England.



I loved the thatched cottages and the Tudor style country cottages.  It reminds my of my favorite little tea shop in Epcot.  

 
 The thing that I always loved about this Victoria was there were segments in the front of the magazine called "My Favorite Things,"  "Leaves," and "Children's Corner."  These little features were as good as the main features.  I always savored every page.  This is one is about violets in a "Leaves" feature.

 A dish and a teapot with violets on it reminds of the tea sets I found this year at The Tea Caddy.



 Victoria taught me what a proper tea was.  They set up the most romantic and visually appealing tables ever.  
Thanks for traveling to England with me through Epcot and Victoria magazine.  
I will join these lovely tea parties and Kathy's new meme on Victoria magazine.
A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life
Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor
Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites
Tuesday Tea for Two  at The Plumed Pen
Table Top Tuesday at  A Stroll Thru Life
Three or More Tuesday at A Gypsy's Corner








CSN Review

I got this wonderful product from CSN Stores to review this Saturday.  They allowed me to choose and I picked out the IMAX Galveston Double Lantern.  

I was super pleased with it.  The lantern is really gorgeous.  It has a reddish brown finish that looks aged due to the roughed up patina.  

It was double packed, so there wasn't any problem with shipping.  They put foam around all the glass, wrapped that in bubble wrap, put it into a box, wrapped that box in bubble wrap, and had it in a cushion of air pillows inside of it's shipping box.  

I love the curved metal design over the glass.  This is the side view.

It is a double candle lantern so it holds two candles.  There is still room inside on the base of it to add greenery, pebbles, or anything for a decorative effect.

The door opens with plenty of room to add your candles and decorate your lantern.


It is a beautiful lantern and is a perfect addition to your decor in any season.

Here is the link where you can go and view more of CSN's candle lanterns.  CSN has more than 200 online stores where you can shop for many other products.  Go and check them out they may have just what your looking for.


I will join these link parties:
Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses
Making the World Cuter at Making the World Cuter
Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Toot Your Horn Tuesday at Silly Little Sparrow
Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesday is Rednesday  at It's a Very Cherry World
Make It Yours Day at My Backyard Eden
Idea Sharing Wednesday at Women Who Do It All
Strutt Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple
Friday Fun Finds at Kojodesigns
Check out these great parties for more great ideas.

Architecture Around the World-Answers

 My challenge in yesterday's Mosaic Monday post was to ask if you knew the country from the architecture.  Let's look at the pictures and I'll show you the architecture from around the world.

1. Morocco- with it's Moorish arches and Moroccan lantern.


2. Norway- with it's replica of a triple stave church.  The most famous being Borgund  
    which was built around 1180-1250 CE.
3. France- with it's mansard roof, dormers, and turret made of stone reminiscent of a    
    French Chateau.



4. Germany- is a little harder their architecture was borrowed from many cultures all       
    over Europe, but they made buildings all their own with the paintings they created on 
    the exteriors and the storybook feel they gave to their villages.
.
5. Italy- if you have been to Venice you might recognize this structure.  It is a replica very similar to Doge's Palace.  It is a wonderful example of Venetian Gothic architecture. 



6. China- the roof is curved because Buddhist believed it helped ward off evil spirits, which
     were believed to be straight lines. 

7. England- with it's distinctive Tudor style.  This is an example of half-timbering and a 
    front gabled wing.


8. Japan- has a Pagoda style temple.  It was a place they worshiped and they were built in three or five stories. 
So, even though we just toured Epcot at Disney World they have done a remarkable job recreating some wonderful elements of architecture around the world.  I by no means gave a lot of information on any of these styles of architecture.  It was just meant to be a little info and fun.  Most people don't go to Walt Disney World to learn anything but, you might be surprised how much thought and learning goes into everything they put in their parks.  Thanks for playing along.