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Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Monday 10 July 2017

Christmas in July

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~ Harland Miller


Welcome friends to my Christmas in July Tea! I really like that quote, don't you? Christmas is such a happy time! It would be lovely if people everywhere could share the joy that this particular Holiday evokes in all of us.



I love little teacup trees! Maybe, like some blogger friends I know, you have a little tree up for the month of July. This tiny tree is decked out in rhinestones, baby's breath, and pink beads with a miniature jewelled snowflake at the top. The wee rocking horse accompanies the tree because of my obsession with rocking horses.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year." ~ Charles Dickens


I thought about baking some mincemeat tarts.


I have a couple of Christmas teapots I could have chosen for this post. I also have a couple of Christmas teacups, and a set of Christmas mugs. 



However, twice a year I make my Sticky Date Pudding with Hot Toffee Sauce; for Christmas and once in the summertime. So once I had my pudding made, the rest was easy.

I thought rich reds and golds would be perfect for a Christmas in July Tea.


As well as some red roses.



"A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses." ~ Oscar Wilde

This time of year I always think of my Daddy because his birthday was in July and he adored Christmas. He passed his love for  Christmas and all its magic on to me.


"Celebrate love. It is the breath of your existence and the best of all reasons for living." ~ Author unknown


As some of you know, my father loved the Old Country Roses pattern. So, you know which pattern I am featuring today.


One year, my sweet hubby gifted me with this vintage OCR teacup on my Daddy's birthday in remembrance of him.


"I believe I could be a model child if I were just invited out to tea every day." ~ Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

My family gifted me with the OCR teapot for my birthday a few years ago. These pieces are very special to me in many ways and I know my father would have been delighted that I have them!



Did you know that Royal Albert's Old Country Roses is the most famous china pattern in the world?


I love the attention to detail that Royal Albert is known for such as the roses on the spout.


And the gold leaf on the handle.


Please make yourself at home and join me for a cup of orange spice tea.


There is more than enough dessert so you are welcome to help yourself.


I love the sparkle of silverware and just like tea always tastes better in a china teacup, a pudding always tastes better when eaten with a pretty spoon; a thoughtful gift from Nancy, a dear blogger friend! It has my initial on it.


Mmm! Warm sticky date pudding sitting in a pool of warm toffee sauce and topped off with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Scrumptious!



"Perhaps that is the true gift of a
teatime celebration:
It fills our cups with joy and 
warmth and friendship.
May the echo of the teacup's 
message be heard not only
at Christmas, 
not only on special occasions,
but anytime friends come together. ~ Emilie Barnes



"Christmas is a time to open our hearts to God and His gifts. Just like the rest of the year." ~ Author unknown



You know, we are all blessed with special people in our lives. My father was one of those people. He taught me what was important in life and he took me to church every Sunday. I wish he could have lived long enough to see how his grandchildren turned out. He would have been so proud to know that one of his great grandchildren has been named after him.

My Daddy has been gone a long time. If you still have your father with you, give him a hug today and tell him you love him. 

I am ending this post with a photo from my Sugar Plum Fairy Tea I had hosted in December 2013. Just a little whimsy to add some cuteness to your day. If you wish, simply click on the link beneath the photo to go to that tea.



Thank you for the pleasure of your company today and have a Happy and Blessed Christmas in July!

"Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land..." ~ Exodus 20:12


PS ~ Part of this post is a repost.


I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Tea in the Garden
 Share Your Cup Thursday
Home Sweet Home


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

27 comments :

  1. Dear Sandi:
    This is a lovely tribute to your Father! I am sure he is smiling down! Of course I love Old Country Roses too! So wonderful. So glad you are feeling better!

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  2. What a lovely post, Sandi, and I am so thankful that you are feeling well enough to host a tea party!! Old Country Roses is so beautiful. One of my favorite patterns and I love the details that you pointed out on the teapot.

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  3. I adore Christmas! How fun to celebrate Christmas in July! I have that teapot too! I love it!

    Sweet tribute to your father, Sandi!

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  4. What a delightful post. Makes me want to do one on "Christmas in July." My sister gave me a Christmas teapot recently. I'm not home at the present time. I'm dog sitting my daughters dog near Montreal for 2 weeks. Your OCR pattern is so pretty. I didn't realize that it is the most popular. I don't have any of that pattern. My Dad was a special person in my life also. He passed away in 1999 at the age of 89. Have a good week. xo

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  5. I loved your post and always makes me want to go fetch me a cuppa tea using a pretty RAlbert type though, lol..
    I just received for MD when we were visiting our DD Alex back in May in Madrid a three tier cake plate from OCR and a tribet f to match from my daughter. I have a tea table now.
    I totally love, love your teapot from OCR, I want one too... maybe next trip.
    Have a blessed week dear friend.
    FABBY

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  6. I wish I was close to you to go and have spot of tea with those cookies and celeb Xmas in July too !
    FABBY

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  7. I also love Christmas and OCR so I really enjoyed this fun post and touching tribute to your dad. I was at Hallmark the other day and they have started putting out their collectable ornaments already...

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  8. What an absolutely delightful post to see. I adore the OCR pattern. I chose it as my wedding china when I was all of 12 years old. 14 years later when I met my Prince Charming, I proudly registered my OCR pattern. I was fortunate to receive almost a complete service for 8 as wedding gifts. I have continued to expand the service over the years. I adore the gorgeous pattern.

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  9. This post makes me want to go Christmas shopping and bake a sticky pudding!

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  10. What a wonderful post,Sandi...Love your flowers,the gorgeous porcelain,the delicious pudding,and especially your words...As Ruth post in her blog "Our time is in His hands"...I must see my parents more often...Thanks.Hugs,Maristella.

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  11. Sandi , what a beautiful post . Precious words about your dear daddy melted my heart . I hope that you are feeling well dear lady . Hugs and blessings , Cindy

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  12. Very beautiful treasures. The tea cup Christmas tree caught my eye. My granddaughter would love one like that!

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  13. Only you could pull off a Christmas in July tea party and how I wish I were there for the sticky toffee pudding!
    I hope you are keeping well and getting better with each passing day.
    xx

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  14. Dear Sandi, what a lovely post! Such a lovely tribute to your Daddy! Christmas in July with your beautiful teapot and china, so perfect! Thank you for using your sweet spoon for your tea time! I loved your Sugar Plum Fairy post, too! I never saw the original post because I was taking care of my dear daughter during that time. I am so glad you put a link to it, as it made me smile.
    I hope and pray you are getting stronger as the days go by and that you are spending many days at the beach!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  15. So pretty! Your china set is colorful and lovely and the dessert looks delicious! :)

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  16. Thanks for telling the story behind your tea set. I was very taken with the OCR pattern.

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  17. What a beautiful post honoring your Dad and Christmas, and showcasing your beautiful Royal Albert Old Country Roses china. Your Your sticky toffee pudding reminds me of what I had when visiting England. I need to make some. Your's looks delicious. Hope you are feeling better and getting stronger every day, Sandi! I thought I sent this post earlier in the day, but since I don't see it I'm sending it again. If it appears twice, please delete one of them.

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  18. I have always loved your Christmas in July tea parties, my friend. Your dear Dad was a very special man in your life and I know that seeing your OCR pieces reminds you of him. How I would love a serving of your sticky toffee pudding with a cup of your orange spice tea. I hope you're feeling well, Sandi, and my prayers continue for you.

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  19. Sandi, What a lovely tea. I am good to have Christmas in July as it is my favorite time of year. As a card maker I make Christmas cards every month so I am ready in November. What lovely gifts from those precious to you. Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Sylvia D.

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  20. What a lovely post Sandi! Thank you for sharing. It brings good memories of Christmas on a hot, humid summer day. That pudding looks scrumptious. It definitely looks too good to make only once a year. And what lovely memories of your father.
    Hope and pray you are doing well, and having a restful summer. I've been gone so much, but hope to catch up with everyone. xo Deborah

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  21. So pretty! I would love to have Christmas in July just for your warm sticky date pudding. Also, I do love the spirit Christmas brings into our homes! :) Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  22. Sandi, your Christmas in July is beautiful. The little tree in the teacup is so charming, as is your tea with the hollies!

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  23. Sandi, I love mince pies, sticky toffee pudding and OCR. AND I'm a Daddy's girl who misses him every day, so I just loved this post. And what a sweet husband to bring you an OCR cup and saucer in memory of your father.

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  24. Hi Sandi,
    What a wonderful Christmas in July party. Your pics are so very beautiful! I love Royal Albert's Old Country Rose pattern. It is very hard to find now. Blessings, Karen

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  25. This looks amazing. I am going to make this sticky toffee pudding this year. I have never made it or tasted it. It looks so good! OCR is a beautiful pattern! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  26. I love your Christmas in July.. and I totally adore old country rose pattern one of my favorites.... with love Jnaice

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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