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. 
* 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 be
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!
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!
My favorite thing about spring is opening the Windows and letting the smell of fresh air fill the house.
My favorite things are the birds in the backyard. They sing; they flit; they bathe in puddles. This week we have had an indigo bunting. He’s a beautiful, blue, skittish thing! In May, the Rose Breasted Grosbeak is my favorite. It always startles me to see them even though I am looking for them. They make me chuckle at myself which is always a great thing!
my favorite thing about spring is color! I love to see all the shades of green adorned with dots of reds, pinks and whites from the flower blossoms.
Tulip tree magnolias, red buds in bloom and open windows!
I love most everything about Spring…except the pollen. My favorite part is all the green and beautiful colors that reappear this time of year. All the new life is a reminder of the hope that we have in Jesus and how He makes us new. #springinthesouth
Buttercups and tulips.
I like everything turning green and blooming not to mention warmer weather #springinthesouth
I love to plant my flowers and watch them grow.. Spring clean my home and open up all the windows and watch the kids play outside while I drink my tea ! #springinthesouth
I love to see the azaleas in full bloom and inhale the cool evening air heavy with the fragrance of jasmine. It’s a joy to see all the signs of the earth awakening from its winter nap. #springinthesouth
My first name is Jodi, and my favorite thing about Spring in the south is when the flowers start to bloom. My mother and both of my grandmothers loved fresh flowers and always had flowers blooming in their yards. Their favorite was roses, and I always remember there being fresh roses from their bushes in their houses during Spring….always in a vase on the dining table. When I see blooming roses, or really any flower, I always think of these sweet ladies and the wonderful memories I have of them 🙂 Happy Spring to you, Stacy, and all of the readers of A Southern Discourse!
My favorite things (can’t have just one) about Spring are being able to get out and dig in the garden dirt and watch the seeds I plant grow. I love taking in all of the many scents of Spring, whether it be a Spring shower,flowers, or fresh cut grass. Most of all, I love dinner on the porch with my family. So many wonderful things to enjoy. ~Kelly
My favorite thing about Spring? It’s a great season for birthdays…especially for people named Stac(e)y! 😉
Spring always reminds me of sitting in the swing on the front porch with my Papaw and watching the hummingbirds come to his feeders. It’s one of the most precious memories I have and will always keep dear to my heart. Every time I see a hummingbird I think of springtime and my Papaw. 🙂
My favorite thing about spring in the south is sitting on the front porch in the evening watching the horses across the street as the sun sets, or opening all the windows while I am cleaning the house and turning up good country music while my husband mows the yard. The simple things about spring in the south are what makes it the best! 🙂
My favorite thing about spring is the warmer weather! #springinthesouth
Hi my name is Sharon and my favorite things about spring in the south is the warmth and how bright the sunshine is also blooming of beautiful flowers everywhere and just being able to drive down to the beach and take a walk, fell the breeze off the ocean and smell the salt in the air. #SpringInTheSouth
I am Sheila and my favorite thing is getting out in the yard, working in the flower beds and sitting in he shade with a good book and ice tea.
Gardening is my favorite thing, and you had me with the birds! we have two nests right now, and i have to say- those little birdies have my heart. They just opened their eyes 🙂 #springinthesouth
My favorite thing about Spring are flowers, flowers and more flowers!
My favorite thing about #springinthesouth is watching the flowers bloom and the return of the hummingbirds. My house cats are also skilled bird watchers and love to watch the feeder!
I would love to win! I’m getting married in October and using a tea party theme for the reception. The tea pot, cup, and bird towels would be decorations before retiring home with us!
I love doing gardening, I am new at it but love it..
I love the noisy birds! 🙂 The wake me up bright and early in the morning like a chorus outside my window!
Beautiful basket! What a great gift. Thank you for the chance.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I love everything blooming
My favorite thing about spring is spending time with my family. The weather in Florida is perfect, and we can explore the great outdoors. It might be a trip to a theme park, or to see some beautiful gardens, or of course, the beach! #springtimeinthesouth
I love to open the windows and feel the warm spring breeze. I enjoy working in the garden and then watching the fruits of my labor burst into vibrant color.
i love everything about spring in the south. The wildflowers, morel hunting, the return of the butterflies, baby chicks and getting back into the garden! Spring is my absolute favorite season!
My name is Angela & my favorite thing about spring in the south is the beautiful blooming trees & flowers & the fresh air! #springinthesouth
I am an email subscriber!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
My favorite thing about Spring is to see all of the flowers blooming AND to plant some more in my yard.
Pam
I love just sitting out on the front porch and enjoying the sounds of nature with my sweet tea:)
I have never been down South – but I do love flowers in the Spring. Love your blog and now following on your newsletter C. Busch
Oh my goodness, Colleen! You must come down South to see all of the colors sometime. I am so excited and humbled that you like the blog! Thank you so very much for reading. ~Stacey
I am loving reading all of these comments about spring! You guys are listing ALL of my favorite things. I can’t wait to announce a winner tomorrow! Keep those entries coming in. ~Stacey
Hi! I’m Robyn 🙂 My favorite thing about Spring in the south is all the beautiful flowers! Especially the daffodils!
My favorite thing about Spring is the disappearance of the ice and snow and the appearance of wildflowers.
What I love about Spring in the South is the leaves coming back on the trees, the tulips blooming, the apple trees full of blooms and most of all enjoying the outside!
Subscribed to A Southern Discourse with WordPress.com Email. My favorite thing about spring in the south is the perfect weather (#springinthesouth). Cheryl
My favorite thing about spring is the warmer weather, the beautiful flowers in bloom and all the new life that emerges.
My favorite thing about spring in the south (#springinthesouth) is all the wonderful fruits, flowers, plants, and veggies that appear in the farmer’s markets!
My favorite thing about spring it the bright green leaves on the trees and grass, flowers of bright colors popping up everywhere, and being able to hang up that heavy winter coat.
My favorite thing about #springinthesouth is the smell in the air when all of the flowers start blooming! Nothing beats it! ~Dawn
I subscribe via email.
My favorite thing about Spring in the south is tulips! They are my favorite flower and it makes me happy when they start to bloom. – Trish
My favorite thing about spring is all the lovely and vibrant foliage.
My favorite thing about spring in the south is the smells, the colors, always warm and nice! Brittani
My fave thing about spring is the smell of the Orange blossoms and fresh strawberries:)
I am a subscriber (lshumack1 at hotmail) and my favorite part about spring is the green. The leaves start coming back and the grass. No more white everywhere!
i love to see the colors coming back and the buds not he trees and the flowers and being able to open the house up and hear nature again