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When I sat down to write about this basket I thought about calling it “The Birds and The Tea” because outside right now there are birds flitting here and there, fat bumblebees are bumbling, fuzzy calves are trailing their mamas, and everything is so green and new… and because it’s spring, the proverbial time for “the birds and the …”  ahem… you know…   Doesn’t “The Birds and The Tea(s)” sounds just like…   Really.  It’s hard to ignore a good pun and a clever wit is a thing to be desired.  But alas, I decided that name was probably not an appropriate thing for a Southern lady to write, so I just let it go.  Sort of.  Sigh… Puns.  Nevertheless, I am just beside myself to properly announce that our Spring Birds & Tea Gift Basket Giveaway IS ON!

To enter the giveaway is simple:

1. Become a subscriber to A Southern Discourse.  It’s super easy.  Just click on this link for instructions, or fill in your email address in the box to the right.   “How to Subscribe Link”SONY DSC

* We do not sell your email address.  We value your privacy and turn up our noses at spam.  As an ASD subscriber, you will be eligible for all future giveaways, receive a notice when there’s something new here on ASD, and receive a short monthly e-newsletter featuring a southern insider recipe or tip just for you!

* If you are already a subscriber, you are already eligible for all giveaways.  But don’t forget to follow rules 2 & 3 to win!

2. Leave a comment below sharing your favorite thing about spring in the south (#springinthesouth) and your first name.

3. Watch our Facebook page on Saturday, April 25th, 2015, for the winner to be announced.  Winners will also beSONY DSC notified via email.

  • You do not have to be a Facebook user to view our page. It’s a public page. You can use the link below to view the ASD Facebook page at any time.  However, if you are a Facebook user and have not followed our Southern Discourse page, we would love to have you follow us on Facebook.  “A Southern Discourse Facebook Link”  (Don’t forget that we are also on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.  Look us up!)

Now that we’ve covered the technical stuff, let’s take a peek at those goodies you are going to win!

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The basket for this prize is really a stamped metal bin that has a distinct French-country feel.  Painted in a distressed turquoise with two rope handles, “flowers & garden” is embossed on the front.  It would look fantastic on a table filled with hydrangeas.

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For the “tea” portion of this basket, I’ve included this elegant white teapot.  Adorned with a subtle hobnail and grapevine design, it mixes and matches well with any tea set.  And just look at that handle and spout!  So sweet, but not too fancy.

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We can’t really have tea without a teacup.  Inspired by a recent visit with my mother and grandmother, I set out to find a vintage teacup for this basket.  It turned out to be harder than I imagined!  I canvassed two towns before boarding a train to quaint little Watertown, TN (quite a popular place for movie sets and music videos, so I’ve learned) and their annual mile-long yard sale for some serious picking.  And boy, did I hit the jackpot!  This collectible purple lady and her fluted saucer is the real deal.  Royal Dover bone china made in England and trimmed in 18kt. gold.  And from the pictures, you can see the front and the back each have a unique design.  It is marked on the bottom with the Royal Dover mark.  My mom and grandmother would flip at such a find! (I even included some “Plantation Mint” tea for you to sip.)

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Now, on to the birds of this “Birds & Tea” basket.  These tea towels were featured on ASD’s Easter picnic table (Click here to see.)  Vibrant embroidered songbirds on a branch with subtle trim add  special spring time elegance to any table or towel rack.

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This little bird nest with its speckled eggs is the epitome of spring.  Surrounded by wisps of baby fern, this nest was also featured in the Easter picnic as a part of the centerpiece.  This delicate nest would look great on a bookshelf, atop coffee table books, under a cloche or cake dome, or as a part of your table’s centerpiece.

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Another item from “Home is Where Your Picnic Is.”   If you loved the picnic, this is your chance to get some of those things that made it so special!  This wooden frame is handmade, pink with gold metallic polka dots and tied with twine.  Inside is newspaper print and a “He is Risen” chalkboard printable.  Ready to display just like it is, or you can insert your own printable or photograph!  Has a removable peg that allows the frame to be used portrait (as shown) or landscape style.

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Last but not least, we have a little bit of book art.  If I’m honest, book art hurts my heart just a tad. It takes me a minute to adjust to the fact that a book has been cut up.  But this little ampersand lovingly made from The Reader’s Digest Condensed Version of Ike and Mamie: The Story of the General and His Lady and The Dark Horse has given these stories a chance to be cherished in a new way.  And who wouldn’t cherish that bright cover and cheeky ampersand on their bookshelf or mantle?

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This basket is just a little THANK YOU to YOU for being the most important part of A Southern Discourse.  Each one of you is an encouragement and inspiration for the next article, the next photograph.  ASD is truly blessed with the best readers.  If you haven’t subscribed to A Southern Discourse, what are you waiting for?  This basket could be yours!