Oh boy do we have some excitement with our teacup on the ranch! In this case, the ranch belongs to amazing fellow M&T member Alexis. Alexis and I bonded over china and entertaining, and have become quite the correspondents. We’ve been planning this visit for a long time, and now it’s finally happened! But before we get too carried away, let’s review the journey so far.
How it all started
Back in 2020, I posted about this little teacup and the photo project I had in mind. It quickly morphed into an extended journey that so far has included 18 states and three countries!
Our little teacup was named Rosie, then Tessa, then Tessa Rose by her hosts, and traveled pretty steadily for over a year.
(She still goes traveling whenever she gets an invitation, so if you’d like to have her visit, feel free to let me know in the comments below, via the contact page, or just send me an email to barbara@mantelandtable.com.)
Tessa Rose’s previous travels
Here’s the last post of year one, complete with map, if you want to see all the exciting places she went that first year.
At that point, the map was getting pretty full, so we started another for year two, and she continued her journey with these places:
- A gorgeous farm in Estacada OR, the home of brilliant blogger, table stylist, and entrepreneur Renae Frey.
- An exciting train ride to Santa Fe NM with the always fun and creative Albuquerque blogger, Jeanne Washburn.
- Amherst OH and the home of talented tea-loving Renaissance Woman and Mantel and Table reader, Valerie.
- A Stop in Ooltewah, TN over the Memorial Day Weekend to visit Lilly, a nursing professor and fellow tea lover.
- A lovely tour of Paducah KY with fabulous cook, writer, and food & lifestyle blogger Leslie Watkins.
- Montz LA for a visit with Tracie, who shared her beautiful home, even in extra rainy weather.
- Largo FL to share a great new Halloween tradition with M&T reader Corrine and her new husband.
- Historical St Mary’s City, MD as a guest of Tammy, lovely author of the White Lilac Farmhouse blog.
- Harrisburg, OR to bake some delicious scones with beautiful Melody at Two Mums Takeaway Tea Boxes.
Off to Montana!
Helena, MT is about 756 miles from Rosie’s last stop. She’s flown over this part of the country several times, but this is her first actual visit in Big Sky Country!
Preparing for a teacup on the ranch
Alexis decided that Tessa Rose needed a appropriate name during her ranch visit, so she got to be called Ropin Rosie! Here are some of the beautiful Montana views Alexis sent to pique Rosie’s interest.
I’m going to let Alexis tell most of the story, and just jump in when I can’t help it! So here we go!
These guys are excited to welcome Ropin Rosie!
Tessa Rose I will rush to get you in town !
Honestly though, doesn’t Alexis look like a movie star in a Western? I love this picture!
Breakfast at the ranch
This one is from her first morning at the ranch. As you can see we were excited to have her as a guest. I love the throw pillows in this guest room – our guests always laugh at the Howdy Darlin’.
I thought she might enjoy a waffle and bacon with some homemade Huckleberry syrup this morning. We get going early around here, by 5:00 am this time of year and earlier in the summer.
As I told Ropin’ Rosie, the handsome guy on the horse runs the place and will be looking after her while she’s with us.
Lunch at Lady Nancy’s
The lovely Lady Nancy invited us to lunch at her beautiful turn of the century home. (We started calling her Lady Nancy after her Downton Abby party. She is from Boston and the epitome of a lady.)
This is what you wear to lunch in Montana in January.
Alexis says they had originally planned to visit the capital on this trip, but even though they were bundled up, they decided not to walk the extra 6 blocks in a blizzard. Can’t say I blame them!
Lady Nancy is the perfect hostess and so pretty sitting in front of her American cut crystal.
If you love old houses this one would make your heart race. It’s 130 years old and filled fabulous antiques. Nancy and her husband lived all over the world and have such treasures.
The chandelier is fabulous! Tessa Rose noticed it right away. (In this house we call her Tessa Rose for sure!)
The French punch bowl is just gorgeous in person, we decided TR matched perfectly! The marble table is French as well.
After lunch it was time to meet the Bengal Tiger! They hit it off right away. The tiger was a gift to the man of the house after he saved a family in Africa during World War II with one bullet left in his gun. Only special guests get to meet this tiger.
Lady Head Vases
Tessa Rose is used to meeting other Tea Cups on her travels but this might be her first encounter with the “Ladies.” These were produced in the late 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s used as vases in flower shops.
These girls are getting bejeweled for the up coming Valentine Tea! TR couldn’t get a word in as they all talked at once , wanting to know all about her travels. She tried her best to remember their names oh my …
Scottish Evening
The cowboys around here will be trading chaps for kilts to see their Grandfather honored by the Scottish Centennial Pioneers. Five generations of this family will be there.
Don’t you love my dress?! I feel like Scarlet in Gone with the Wind… The Norwegian girl will be wearing the Clans Tartan, my mother in law’s dress is taffeta Black Watch Tartan out of this world gorgeous.
See – my dress matches his Tartan. (I don’t think he needs that dagger.) Wonder if the Laird would let me put TR in his purse HaHaHa!
The teacup on the ranch gets to have some Tiffin
Tessa Rose and I are just about to have some tiffin.
Alexis has given us the Tiffin recipe – it’s tea, but has several extra ingredients added!
The First Ladies of Montana served this when Montana first became a state and all thru prohibition. They started drinking at tea time and no one suspected the 2 to 5 cups of sherry!
Alexis has graciously shared a couple pages from the First Ladies’ cookbook, printed in 1963. We have Long Island Duckling from Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller from New York, Fried Chicken from Mrs. Mark Hatfield of my own state of Oregon, and and even Cream Brulee from Mrs. John F Kennedy, the First Lady of the United States!
Both the Scottish and the Irish claim Tiffin. Of course the Scottish in this house are sure that it’s really from Scotland!
We drink this a lot during the long winter – it’s a great warm up. How much sherry depends on the day!
A visit to the pantry
Tessa Rose visited some art work and cookbooks in the pantry. The pantry allows me a place for more dishes, but TR thinks I have a cookbook issue!
The painting of the “Old friends“ was done by my dear friend Elaine for a fundraiser tea party at the ranch, when we were less “Old.” The painting was used for the invitation and auctioned. The lovely lady who bought it gave it back to me 5 years later!
The wood piece with the dried roses is a Norwegian chair back with rosemaling carvings it’s over 100 yrs old.
Getting ready for a Valentine’s tea party
Alexis told me that she hosts a Valentine’s tea party every year. We were lucky enough to time TR’s visit so she could help with the preparations and attend the party.
So much left to do before the tea! Tessa Rose keeps asking me “aren’t you going to measure between place settings?“
Which fork – pearl handle or all silver ?
Pedestal servers for mini cakes, or champagne truffles.
Someone should start cooking and stop playing with the dishes!
A Valentines tea party for our teacup at the ranch
Obviously, Alexis – with TR’s help, I imagine – DID manage to get the cooking done, and her guests arrived. She introduced Tessa Rose to them all, and TR’s past and future journeys were a topic of conversation at this beautiful table!
Don’t you love Alexis’ china? And how about those gorgeous chargers?! I sure wish I could have tagged along with our teacup at the ranch!
I had Ropin Rosie’s travel map printed out so everyone could see her journey. Being a competitive bunch they wanted to make sure Montana was represented the best way possible. All agreed she must go to a cowboy bar, and the capital, and have her picture taken with a Chief’s War Bonnet! We also thought Tessa Rose should go to Norway next summer with me, and to Scotland in Bobbie’s suitcase.
Then we drank tiffin and looked at the posts from her travels, I offered a reward to the first person to find me a mustache tea cup!
Valentine’s Day Memorial
Valentines Day is very special to me. Both my parents died on Valentines Day – 22 years apart. I was having a Valentine luncheon with some of the same friends who will be here shortly, when I received the phone call telling me my mom had died.
Many Of my sisters (there are 6 of us ) never wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day again. But I like to think my mom was such a sweetheart that’s why she went to heaven on Valentines Day, My dad had been waiting for her for a long time.
Trying to meet some Ranch friends
After such a lovely party, it was back to business as usual at the ranch. Except for an adventure or two…
I had Ropin Rosie balancing on this hay bale ready to snap the picture, when this big guy jumped into the photo!
Poor Rosie was knocked off her saucer (similar to off your rocker?)
I held my breath … looked down … no breaks or scratches! I snatched her up and made a run for the truck, just before the whole gang started following us at a rapid pace …She’s resting now and I gave her a nice cup of Earl Grey.
Maybe you can photo shop her on the hay bale. No more risky adventures.
So here she is, photoshopped! She’s actually a very sturdy teacup – I’ve dropped her a couple times too, and she always comes out fine!
Look at that sky though! I guess Montana isn’t Big Sky Country for nothing! Wow!
A Reluctant Cowboy
Alexis also wanted to get a picture of Ropin Rosie with a real cowboy! But apparently, this real cowboy wasn’t thrilled about a teacup on the ranch, and declined to take her for a ride. So we photoshopped her there too!
(And yes, my photoshop skills could stand some improvement!)
Very cold
TR saw the weather predictions – she might want to go home! I just need a couple more photos and she will be on her way.
Fun at the feed store
Despite the cold, Alexis and TR headed out to the feed store. Looks like they checked out some lovely jewelry, and as Alexis says,
I need a new belt buckle.
Ropin Rosie and I agree these boots are perfect for her!
Can I take him home? No Rosie that one’s taken!
Trip to the capital
We’re at the Capital today meeting lots of important people.
Jeannette Rankin was the first woman to hold office in the United States Senate. “I Can Not Vote For War” is on this Bronze.
Senator Mike Mansfield and his wife Maureen. Montanas love him because he tried to stop the Vietnam war before it started.
Governor of Indian Affairs office.
There! TR got her picture taken with the beautiful war bonnet!
We went to Senate chambers for a vote – very exciting! And vistied the House during a session.
Wow! Look at that architecture!
Family cookbook for a future bride
Alexis’ grandson is getting married, and Rosie got to help with a fabulous shower gift Alexis is putting together. (Aren’t they a handsome family!?)
Today we worked on the family cookbook for the bride to be. (TR thinks I should add the champagne cake from auntie Barbara TeeHee!) I had all my sisters and aunties send me recipes and photos. So fun! I have 5 generations in this shower gift!
I don’t know about this salad in the recipe, but the photo’s great !
And how about Great Grandma Caroline’s wonderful wedding photo!?
What a lovely way for Ropin Rosie to finish out her visit! I know Alexis’ new granddaughter is going to be thrilled with the love and thoughtfulness that went into this amazing gift. And it’s not everyday you get a teacup’s input! 😊
Thanks for showing our teacup on the ranch such a wonderful time!
And with that, Tessa Rose said a fond farewell to Alexis and all her new ranch friends. She – and we – loved her visit to Montana. Thank you so much Alexis for the wonderful, fun, and educational time, and sharing all the beauty and history! You’re a fabulous host!
Shopping with the teacup on the ranch
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Pin the Teacup on the Ranch for later!
Thanks so much for joining us!
See you next time for another Traveling Teacup adventure!
So fun! If Rosie ever needs a trip to Boston, she is always welcome here!
Yaay! I’d love to have her visit you! I’ll send you an email with the details and we can go from there. Hope you’re having a lovely Friday!
I totally love when Tessa Rose does her travel letter. This one was really full of a lot of new experiences for Tessa Rose A.K.A. Ropin Rosie.
Thank you for these blogs about the teacup travels – they are appreciated.
So glad you like them Pam! 😊 I always wish I could go along with her! Thanks so much for stopping over, and I hope you have a lovely week!
Oh my goodness Barbara – what a wild ride Ropin’ Rosie had this time around! She did so many things when she was there with Alexis and what fun she must have had. Love all the pictures and commentary and I’m so glad that she’s going to continue with her travels. Thanks to you and Alexis for sharing her fabulous trip and happy Thursday to you both!
Hi Kim! Well TR got her snow-legs with you that first season! I imagine Montana and Calgary winters have a great deal in common! 🤣 Hope your Thursday was great, and you have a lovely weekend my friend!
Oh my word what a wonderful trip Tessa Rose – aka Ropin’ Rosie had this time. I loved learning about that area. what a fabulous adventure!
I am so grateful to have been part of year one Tessa Rose travels and sure look forward to many more to come. Thx for the smiles, Barbara!
Have a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter. Hugs. ♥
It WAS a wonderful trip! That teacup gets to have so much fun, and yes, learn so much too! I’m so happy that you were one of the teacup trailblazers that first year. What a fabulous time with your gardens and pianos and art! Thanks for continuing to follow along – I love to see your name in the comments! 😊 Take care, and Happy Easter to you too!
Barbara- what a wonderful post! I learned a lot about Montana and think it would be a great place to visit (in the summer….) I love to hear what Tessa Rose is up to.
Warmly, Holly
Ha! I’m with you about visiting in the summer! I’m not really a cold weather person either, but it sure is pretty when you can look at the snow from inside! 🤣 Isn’t it fun to get a tour from a real native? I always wish I could follow in Rosie’s footsteps. So happy that you follow along – it’s great to have you on the journey! Take care and Happy Weekend!
What a great adventure. I enjoyed being a part of this Montana visit. Thanks for sharing.
Lynne
Absolutely! Thanks so much for stopping over Lynne! It’s so much more fun to share with friends! 😊 Hope you have a lovely Friday and weekend!
Wow Barbara, that was quite the adventure! Tessa Rose, aka “Ropin Rosie” certainly had a lot of different experiences, from cowboys and cattle to fancy parties with crystal and china! And a visit to the state Senate! The Traveling Teacup series is such a creative way to share so many different places, ways of life, seasons, regions and traditions! Incredible fun and fascinating!
I know – that’s one of the things I love most about her journeys is that we get to see so much that’s new and different. Hope you’re doing well down there! Take care till next time!
Wow Tessa had the best trip. She met cows and made her friends.
I don’t think her visit will be as adventurous.
Hi Cindy! Isn’t that fun? I’d love to meet some cows too! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping over, and hope you have a great weekend!