First Post from 2007, Celebrating 5 Years of Blogging

It's been 5 years since my first post below and since I am having a blog anniversary giveaway, I thought it would be fun to revisit my first post from 2007. Carol from The Polka Dot Closet actually mentioned this in her comment which gave me the idea. Much has changed since that first post. My blog name, new blogger ways and many new friends later bringing my little journey full circle. One thing hasn't changed, the joy of meeting and sharing with friends like you. So to share that post, although short and sweet, I thank you for the many kind comments and blog birthday greetings in the giveaway post below. If you have not entered, there is still time. The drawing is November 2nd.


September 2007
Welcome to La Rea Rose, a studio blog about home and garden decorating, tole painting. decorative design, romantic treasures, vintage finds, friendships and all things cherished! As a new season is upon us I felt inspired to finally start my blog. This will be a work in progress as I share with you a bit of my world that revolves around the creating I love so much. I will be sharing a few pictures of my designs in all things roses, my specialty and favorites. Later, I will share other projects around decorative painting and a few stories here and there too. But first, I took a picture today of my first mum of the season in it's yellow and rust splendor. It's so pretty. I love this time of year with the cooler days, decorating the house for a cozy and warm feel that only comes with the colors of Fall and the falling leaves.

Happy Autumn and Happy Creating, Celestina Marie

Autumn Tablescape

For as far back as I can remember, my mother's kitchen was a place for the family to gather together. We spent many a wonderful times around the table celebrating each other over fabulous meals for every season. My mother set gorgeous tables with pretty settings as only she could do. Many memories and happy times that live on forever.

Now as I carry on that tradition, I also love to set tables with collectible dishes and accents creating a reflection of the season. Call me a dishaholic, I love it all.

Today I join Etsy Cottage Style to share an Autumn table set for two using dishes I have collected with colors of the season. Adding vintage and newer treasures, it all comes together for an Autumn style. Today and all week begins What's Cookin in the Cottage Kitchen so stop by Etsy Cottage Style to visit other participants as they share ideas, recipes, decor and more from their kitchens.

My vintage table is set starting with a vintage tablecloth handed down to me from my mom. I love this treasure and have used it in many ways, even as a Christmas tree skirt through the years.

The centerpiece is a white pumpkin filled with pretty mums and surrounded by candles and leaves scattered about.

For my place setting, I use a pretty fruit plate made in Italy with an amber glass with fruit salad bowl, Reed and Barton stainless utensils and sitting on a place mat of black straw and silver threads. The crystal stemware is Shannon sitting atop a beaded pear coaster in terra cotta and cream.

The delicate mug is a design created by Fanny Burat called Roses et Volubiles. I did not have a saucer for this cup so I use a vintage Harkerware made in the USA plate in a light carmel color that is pretty with the cup. The saucer used for our fruit is a Pegasus design by Sebring with 22K gold edge. I found these at an estate sale some time ago and only have two. So wish I found more of these, they are gorgeous.

The teapot is a pretty pumpkin with leaves and vines and I have teamed it up with a Baja sugar and creamer set with flowers and roosters.

Candles, pumpkins and our little squirrel friend keep us company. One of the candles I'm using is Pumpkin Cream from Bath and Body Works. It is divine and does not compete with the food.

So happy you could join me today for an Autumn Table scape. Remember the fun goes on all week long over at Etsy Cottage Style Blog celebrating, What's Cookin in the Cottage Kitchen.

Happy Monday and Happy Autumn, Hugs, Celestina Marie

Autumn Almond Tea & Dreams

Welcome to Tea Time Tuesday and welcome Autumn, maybe, hopefully, sometime or someday!!
Well we saw some cooler temps last week, then today the heat was back at 103 degrees again. We are hoping this is the last of it as we are so ready for Fall days. Anyway, I am dreaming of cooler weather and in hopes of times to come, I am serving Almond Tea today with cinnamon almond vanilla cookies drizzled with vanilla glaze.

My tea cup for today was my mother in laws and given to me when she sadly passed away 20 years ago. I was thrilled to own the 4 piece cup and saucer set with 4 luncheon plates including sugar and creamer. I am not sure if there ever was a tea pot, but that's okay as I team it up with one to celebrate the season. Since rusty orange is a complimentary color to blue, I am serving tea in my pumpkin tea pot found at Home Goods a few years ago. It all goes nicely together. I love this set because I know it meant so much to her and in my care I honor her memory.

Not sure what the marking or maker is as it is worn and hard to see, but it is a type of luster ware in a creamy ivory and gorgeous blue with gold trim.


Love the rusty rose bud topping the sugar bowl.


Serving tea from my pumpkin tea pot. Nothing fancy or vintage, just a cute tea pot for the season.

Our tea today is set on my hutch with decor for Autumn. Friends know I am a "stager" and can't help but pull a few treasures together to set the mood.
Behind the setting is a pretty painted platter and to each side, copper tea lights with candle rings and I used the luncheon plates behind those.


Our treat for today is cinnamon almond vanilla cookies topped with a drizzle of vanilla icing. They are so good and light. Perfect for our almond tea.

Now let's enjoy some tea and share the recipe.


The directions are to brew tea and combine all ingredients together except the 3 pints of water. Just before serving add the water.

So enjoyed tea with you today. I'll go back to dreaming of cooler days and looking forward to tea with the list of participants hosted by our gracious Sandi, from Rose Chintz Cottage. Have a wonderful September day and Blessings Always.

FALL IS HERE~~~

and so welcome, from the summer heat here in our beloved Texas. Waking today to much cooler temps, is not only welcome, but inspiring. Busy as a bee I am these days with shelves to fill for the holidays, but I did find a few minutes to decorate with the colors of Fall in our cottage. Here are some random pics inside and out. Painting my chic bike white and the front door a new strawberrypink red was part of my staycation redo's. The color for the door is called Summer Pudding available at Lowe's.



























The pink shabby pumpkin was made by my good friend and talented, Amy from Bunny Rose Cottage several years ago.
Thank you for stopping by to visit my touch of Fall here in the Lone Star State. I hope your change of season is special in everyway.
Till next time, Blessings and Blue Autumn Skies, Celestina Marie