Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies! I hope you are staying warm wherever you are. We were fortunate here in Central Alabama to escape the ice and snow, however it is bitterly cold: we aren't accustomed to low temperatures in the teens!
I want to first of all thank y'all for your kind cards, emails, text messages, and phone calls. My mother truly suffered this past year, and I am thankful that her struggles are over, and that she's home with God. The flowers above were from my cousin Lori. I was able to separate them into about four arrangements, and this one is the largest of them.
Before my mother became ill last March, we had begun the process of renovating our home. We have had several starts and stops, primarily because of my mother's declining health. Currently, the only room in our home that isn't one hot mess is our library. At one time it was a guest bedroom, and then it was Shelley's high school classroom. Please join me in our library for a simple afternoon tea party. But before we begin, I'd like to thank my friend Rita for hosting these blog hop parties.
Thank-you, Rita, for hosting! You do such a lovely job keeping us organized and on task!
Welcome to our library! I will share more about this project in a later post (there are three more projects that need to be completed first). But for now, I'm enjoying this refuge in the midst of our chaos. I want to disclose that I can't access much right now because almost everything from our kitchen is stored in giant bins. I was actually lucky that I had the tea set sitting on our dining room table.
This is the only teapot I can currently find. It's part of the High Tea Set from MacKenzie-Childs.
I put up the little lighted before Christmas. I decided to keep it up through Valentine's Day because the ornaments are heart-shaped.
On the menu are strawberry petit fours and cheese straws from Edgar's Bakery and hot tea (Paris blend by Harney & Sons).
I can do very limited things in the kitchen now with a kettle, microwave, and toaster. That's about it!
Resources:
Buttoned Heart-shaped placemats: Kohl's
Napkins and heart-shaped ornaments: Anthropologie
All pottery: MacKenzie-Childs
Lighted Christmas tree: Terrain
Beeswax taper candles: S. Flynn Home
Please visit all the blogs participating in today's hop. If you're linking in order, Patti's blog, Pandora's Box, is next.
Life and Linda - Hearts, Kisses, and Valentine Wishes
Home Is Where the Boat Is - Heartfelt Table with Snowmen & Cardinals
Hyacinths for the Soul - Whispering Love - Valentine Tablescape Hop
Everyday Living - Forever Is Long Enough
The Cat's Whiskerz - A Valentine's Day Table for the Guys
Red Cottage Chronicles - Setting a Valentine's Table That Feels Like Home
Celebrating Everyday Life - An Italian-Inspired Valentine for Two
My Thrift Store Addiction - Ivy and Roses Valentine Table for Two
Me and My Captain - Love Is Everything, Valentine's Day 2026
Little Yellow Corner Store - A Winter's Valentine's Day Tablescape - The Heart of the Matter
Thrifting Wonderland - Valentine's Day: From the Heart
Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Cottage Rose Valentine's Table
Dinner at Eight - Celebrate with Friends and Flowers on Valentine's Day
Olla-Podrida - Cozy Valentine's Day Tablescape
The Bookish Dilettante - Valentine's Tea in the Library
Pandora's Box - Lunch With My Valentine
Mantel and Table - How to Design a Valentine Table That Feels Luxurious
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill, it's a treat to see this new to me library space. It's a gorgeous, cozy spot and perfect for tea! The tea setting is also cozy and inviting. You know seeing your MKC pieces always thrills my senses. Love the Book Lover heart pillow! Perfect for you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have not had snow and ice issues. It's a mess here in Austin, but we have power and a warm home! Happy Valentine's Day!
I love your beautiful library it's so inviting! All of your MC pieces are lovely especially that gorgeous tea pot! I am in a facebook group you may be interested in: MacKenzie-Childs Friends, it is a laid back group sharing our love of all things MC. We'd love for you to take part and share your collection with us. Have a Wonderful Valentines Season!
ReplyDeleteRicki Jill, I am smitten with your cozy library! I would love to sample your tea and sweets and this weather is certainly perfect for snuggling up with a good book!
ReplyDeleteLibrary dining is the best, isn’t it? I love being surrounded by books no matter what room I’m in. This is quite inviting, and so pretty with all of the MacKenzie Childs pieces that you used.
ReplyDeleteOOH, a room I have never seen. I am intrigued by your book spines - are all the floral spines roiginal or did you cover them? Back to the tea party....i adore this setting and it's always fun to see your MC collection (I also have that stacking tea set). the heart dishes are lovely, too! Happy Valentine's Day
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely spot to drink tea and read!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh RJ your library is beautiful. What a lovely place to read a book. So cozy and comfy. What a wonderful place to have tea. Your Valentines tea party setting is sweet and pretty. Love all the MacKenzie pieces. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteYour library is so inviting, Ricki Jill, I just want to curl up with a good book and spend the afternoon. Our house is about to enter the chaos of renovation as well and I am not looking forward to that process. I wish you luck with yours.Your Valentine's tea setting is lovely with those gorgeous Mackenzie Child pieces. Afternoon tea is such a lovely ritual to enjoy whenever you can. Wishing you a happy Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteLynne, Thrifting Wonderland
It's absolutely charming, Ricki Jill. I, too, have a winter tree and the lights are so cheery. Your library is beautiful and I can imagine it was both a fun -- and busy -- project. I love seeing books! And then to have a very pretty tea there is like gilding the lily -- but in only the most excellent way!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your mom. If you posted about this, I must have missed it. Please accept my wishes for peace and healing on your grief journey.
Ricki Jill, your library is gorgeous. How special to have that space. You have the very best Mackenzie Childs collections. The teapot and heart vase is adorable. A room made just for you, a book lover. Happy Valentine's Day. xo
ReplyDeleteRicki Jill, your library is spectacular!! So cozy and idyllic! I love the wallpaper on the ceiling!! What an adorable setting for tea, especially one that is so well appointed with all of your MC collection!! Love the pillow too!! I would want to spend all day at your window seat!! I hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day🩷
ReplyDeleteRicki Jill, I am so sorry to read of your mother’s passing. But I know it gives you great peace to know that she is with God and is no longer in pain.
ReplyDeleteThe opening image of the beautiful floral arrangement is stunning! Your library is gorgeous, and is my kind of room! it is the perfect spot to enjoy tea and treats from Edgar’s. We often stop when we are in Birmingham and pick up something delicious. I love the dark bookcases and I love books. I might be tempted to never leave this gorgeous space. I am hoping in the near future to convert a small bedroom into a library. Thanks for inspiring me to get busy. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ricki Jill, it's always a delight to indulge in a good tea and scrumptious sweets for a cozy retreat in the midst of wintry weather. And your library is the perfect spot for doing so. Love the room colors and furnishings, and especially the ceiling. The MC pieces are a whimsical flourish. I hope you enjoy many more such teas in this lovely room!
ReplyDeleteSandra @ Dinner at Eight
I’d be happy to share tea in your cozy and inviting library, Ricki Jill. Your MKC teapot makes a beautiful statement and I love those heart plates. The candle glow adds such a soft ambiance. How pretty it is to see a wallpapered ceiling. Happy ❤️ Day!
ReplyDeleteRicki again my sympathy for your loss...I know how difficult it can be. Your library is a sweet place to set a table and your table is lovely. Your MKC collection is so special and so glad you were able to have some pieces within reach like your teapot and heart vase. It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you.Happy Valentines Day, stay warm and keep the lights on❤️🥰❤️
ReplyDeleteSwoon Ricki Jill…I don’t think I’d every leave your cozy library! I adore the ceiling treatment and dark cozy color of the walls and shelves. It makes the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of something warm to read or relax! I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. I know you are comforted that she is no longer in pain and at peace. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you again. Stay warm & cozy. 🩷
ReplyDeleteHello Friend, I love, love your library. The ceiling, please tell me more about it.
ReplyDeleteAs you know we have decided to stay put until Jeremy retires from his work. We are starting to do a redo as well. We will be moving our current office space to our spare bedroom. Making our current office space into a walk in pantry with extra refrigerator and freezer space. These projects will start next week.
I am also going to redecorate our bedroom. It is painted. Check Mark!! :-) I plan do a French look, hope I can pull it off. Hee Hee.
Continuing to pray for you and your family.
Ricki Jill, I am so sorry to hear of your mom's illness and passing. You have certainly created a lovely Valentine's Day relaxation nook in your lovely library. With such bitterly cold temperatures here, your library looks warm, relaxing and so inviting. With your tea pot collection and treats to eat among your collection of lovely books in your library by candlelight, I can't think of any place more peaceful and a best place for reflection. May God watch over your entire family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun Valentine tea table, Ricki Jill, and I love your library! If I could only have one finished room in my house, I’d choose the one with the books! Your MacKenzie-Childs pieces are so fun with the heart placemats – I think you did really well considering so much is in storage. I’d love to sit at this cozy tea table! I was sorry to hear about your mom - thanks for sharing in the midst of everything. Can’t wait to hear about your library project in future posts! Take care until then, and Happy Valentines!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what a beautiful retreat you've created in this library / snug! Just the best, Ricki JIll. I can't wait to see what you're doing in the rest of your home. This is definitely the place to be for a cozy tea and respite from the work around you, and solace for the sorrow you've been through of late. I hope you enjoy your time in here well beyond Valentine's Day. I know you will. Is that Wm Morris wall covering on your ceiling? I am in LOVE with this space and all the furnishings. Thank you for sharing this intimate space with us in this hop. A truly unique vignette made with your collection of M-C!
ReplyDelete