Lomonosov Teapot & the Best Kind of Rain

Spring speaks of flowers, green grasses, nesting birds, and rain! It seems that passing showers feel it their responsibility to introduce summer. The poet, Longfellow, reminds us that into each life some rain must fall. Sadly, that's true. But if it's going to fall, don't you think it should be a cozy rain and involve something as comforting as a cup of tea?

• "The best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain. This is the kind the anonymous medieval poet makes me remember, the rain that falls on a day when you'd just as soon stay in bed a little longer, write letters or read a good book by the fire, take early tea with hot scones and jam and look out the streaked window with complacency."  ~ Susan Allen Toth, England for All Seasons

Teapot on my mantle today: Lomonosov porcelain teapot from St. Petersburg, Russia. Originally the products from this factory were made exclusively for the Russian ruling family of Romanov and the Imperial Court. After 100 years production started for the general population.

This little beauty was a Christmas gift years back from my youngest son. He was just to the age where he had started earning his own money and ordered it online as a wonderful gift! Every time I use it or see it, I am reminded of his thoughtfulness.

• "For many years St Petersburg was one of Europe's great centres for the production of porcelain. The Imperial Porcelain Factory, founded in 1744, was just one of a number of manufacturers in the city producing bespoke high-quality crockery, ornaments and decorative pieces for the fabulously wealthy aristocrats and merchants who lived here. Renamed the Lomonosov factory by the Soviets, the company has now reverted to its original name and set up a number of franchise locations across the city selling exquisite gifts and dinner sets in pre-Revolutionary, Soviet-themed and contemporary artistic designs." 

Today I am linking to Bernideen's Tea Time Blog.