I filled my Beatrix Potter teacup with an assortment of sweet peas, evoking memories of an earlier time. My friend Carrielin bought this cup for me over forty years ago. I’m sure we’ve consumed gallons of tea over companionable talks. Friendships that endure are a gift; when I use this cup, it reminds me of her.
The cup also evokes memories of my time in the Lake District of Northern England. Ms. Potter donated almost all her property to the National Trust. Her forethought preserved much of the land that now constitutes the Lake District National Park. It’s pristine.
Sweet peas also evoke a sense of nostalgia, so they were the perfect choice for today’s vase. I tucked in a few green sprigs of lavender, and as a nod to the cat illustration on the cup, I added a small cutting of nepeta (catnip).
Thank you to “the Cathys” for inspiring this Monday series. It’s fun to think about what’s available in the garden and share it with others.
Gardening Nirvana 
So pretty – I am patiently awaiting our sweet peas.
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I hope they arrive soon. I hear you are in the throes of a heatwave in parts of the UK. Fingers crossed it’s nothing like last year. Here our sweet peas come up early, and die back with the first sign of the heat. The scent is intoxicating.
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Beautiful. We are planning a trip to the lake district for 2024. I’ll think of you, your friend and this very sweet lesson.
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Amy, I am *thrilled* to hear that you are heading to the Lake District. You will love it! Please let me know if you spy Peter Rabbit in the brush.
I’m so glad you liked my teacup arrangement.
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It’s adorable Alys! The teacup is so sweet, reminding me of a miniature tea set I had (or was it my sister’s?) when I was very little. Your sweet peas are beautiful colours and I especially like that marbled pink one. Nostalgia is certainly the right word, and the catnip adds to the whimsy of this. Love it! 😃
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Cathy, I wanted one of those tea sets as a girl. I thought they were really special. It’s funny to look back at what appealed to us as girls. I also wanted toy cars and wondered why they were “for boys.” Ah, times have changed.
Cathy, I love that marbled pink flower as well. This is the first time I remember seeing this color, so I’m wondering if it’s a crossbreed, or if that even exists with peas. Do you know?
Thank you for your kind words.
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I think you can get seed for such marbled sweet peas, but I have never grown them myself. I expect they do cross pollinate though… perhaps yours are unique! 😃
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I hope they’ll grow like that again next year. I’m letting them go to seed.
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Oh, my word. Enchanting! I so enjoyed reading about the memories the cup and the flowers evoked—your friendship and your trip to England.
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Thank you, Laurie. It’s interesting what your brain can shake loose, even after so much time has passed.
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What a lovely little bouquet (and cup!). About all I ever do is cut a few stems of roses and plop them in the most suitable vase.
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I saw your vase earlier today. Fresh garden flowers, brought indoors are a day-maker.
As an aside, when I leave comments on your posts they “disappear”, so I’m never sure if they are pending approval or off in the ether. Please let me know if you see my comments from time to time.
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Absolutely adorable! I am a big Beatrix Potter fan since childhood. Her tales are timeless. <3
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Thank you, Eliza. Did you get to see the movie about her life? I think it’s Renee Zellweger playing the role. I loved learning about her and I’m in awe of her many talents and trail-blazing ways. I’m so glad to hear that you are also a fan.
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Seen the movie twice, ha! :D
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Nice!
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I gave all my teacups to my daughter and I’m sorry about that now. I think I’ll haunt the thrift stores and see what I find but we certainly don’t have any sweet peas growing up here. It is such a sweet and gentle look to have them in a teacup. I wondered about the grate you have at the top holding the flowers up? I miss my garden but AQ is unhealthful this morning @ 101, so I’m not even going out for a walk. Not sure what’s happening with the air. Gardens are so good for the soul.
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I know winter is your favorite weather so it must be taxing to put up with that heat along with the altitude. My heart goes out to you, MH. Gardens are good for the soul.
As for teacups, I’m sure you’ll easily find one. I hope H is enjoying your teacup collection. xo
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The teacups I left her are still packed in tubs and shoved in a closet. Bummer. Don’t like the heat but we need it to grow stuff. At least I have AC in this place and will be earning it’s keep this next month. We are in the 90’s now. Sigh. Lots of good news is offsetting the heat. I just don’t sweat so that’s why it’s hard on me. Scouring the thrift stores when I get out looking for one or two teacups. I’m sure you are busy this summer too and your heat is more intense. Love and hugs. MH
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I’m happy to hear that you have lots of good news to offset the heat. We’ve had a mild spring and summer so far. I’ve really been enjoying it. It’s been in the low seventies most days. Next week we’ll hit some nineties. I’m so grateful. Love and hugs, MH. xo
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Just lovely! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you!
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Sweet peas are one of my favourites. They grow up the fence of a garden around the corner from me, and I walk that way just to smell them. Further on your conversation with Cathy above,,,,you could call your new marbled sweet pea ‘Sweet Alys’!
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Oh Anne, you are such a dear. “Sweet Alys” eh? They’re so pretty. I love that you make a point to walk past the sweet peas. They’re intoxicating, aren’t they?
I hope you are managing all the changes, Anne.
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thanks for sharing “summer” flowers in a wonderful cup
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Thank you!
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