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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 11 December 2017

Christmas Tree Tea


Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book. ~ Bill Watterson

Hello my lovely friends and welcome to my blog! Won't you join me for a nice cup of tea and some treats? 



I am using my Spode Christmas Tree teapot and cups/mugs today. The teapot was a birthday present and I found the cups in Vancouver, BC on our last visit. I got them for half price so I was doing a happy dance when I found them. The matching plates I found at Home Sense. It's nice to have a festive tea set this time of year. I didn't have one until now so I am enjoying it for sure.

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame for charity in the heart." ~ Washington Irving

Today there is spicy Cinnamon Vanilla tea in the pot and I have homemade oatmeal-chocolate chip-cinnamon cookies that a friend brought me. 


Serenity is a solitary cup of tea; pleasure is sharing it with another. ~ Victoria magazine

I am also having mincemeat tarts. These are the best bakery mince tarts I have had. I always make my own but Hubby brought them home because he doesn't want me to overdo it in the kitchen. I am having an awful time with a torn rotator cuff and carpal tunnel. Of course it is my right arm and wrist which is affected and I am right handed. It has been quite the year for pesky health issues. I hope and pray the new year will be much better.



We are starting to get a little snow now. The roads are getting slicker and everyone is bundled up when they go out. 

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

The other day I treated myself to a new book, "Shepherd's Abiding" by Jan Karon. 


I'm sure many of you are familiar with The Mitford series and this story does not disappoint. It is as charming as the previous stories written by Jan Karon. 



The first few books of the series were loaned to me but I am planning to start my own collection. Some stories are just worth while reading over again like the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs. On a cold winter day it is nice to curl up with the Christmas lights on, a fire blazing, and sipping a hot cup of tea while reading a good book such as this one. 



Hearts are aglow when we fill our homes with domestic warmth, nostalgia, and the beloved trinkets that symbolize the season. ~ Victoria magazine



I have decorated our little four foot tree for the family room. The cardinal teacup and drummer bear were two ornaments my youngest son gifted me with. My hubby loves this little tree because it's so whimsical. It is decorated with red and gold ribbon and pretty much every ornament on it was a gift from a family member or a friend. 


I don't think the camera does it justice. It's so much cuter than how it appears here. Oops! I forgot to move the phone and I haven't finished sprucing up the deer scene but it was the tree I wanted you to see anyway!

Thank you for your visit and please take some time for yourself during this busy season to sip a nice cup of tea and read a book.

Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways,
Merry Christmas to you. ~ Mel Torme and Robert Wells, "The Christmas Song"


I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Friends Sharing Tea
 Share Your Cup Thursday


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

18 comments :

  1. Your Spode Christmas dishes are beautiful and so inviting as is your setting. The cookies and the book sound like a spending a wonderful moment is just simply bliss!
    Take care dear friend.
    Merry C'mas.
    Fabby

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  2. What a fun Christmas post, Sandi. I, too, have Spode dishes like yours that I have collected for about 35 years. I will pass them on to the kids someday and hope they love them like I do. Oh- I SO need a cookie and a coffee and a book!!!!

    Beautiful post. I hope you have a great week~ xo Diana

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  3. Beautiful post! Very festive Christmas tree! Merry Christmas to you Sandi.

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  4. What a gorgeous Christmas teaset!Your Christmas tree is beautiful!Hugs!

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  5. Spode's Christmas Tree is also my favourite pattern so I'm loving your festive tea set! I'm actually sipping tea from my Spode mug as I read your post. I acquired the mug and trivet from the thrift store, while I got the matching teapot at HomeSense a few years ago during Boxing Day.

    It's always nice to have a whimsical tree. Mine is a 4 feet purple, optic fibre tree--it's a little tacky, but I love it! This tree is decorated with vintage copper cookie cutters and handmade ornaments gifted by crafty friends. Last year, the stand got damage so now the tree leans to the right. It hasn't fallen over yet this season (knocks on wood).

    Hope you get some relief from your torn rotator cuff and CTS soon!

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  6. Merry Christmas Sandi. I've had a very differently busy year this year and haven't visited as much as I would have liked. But your blog has continued to bring a smile to my face each and every time I pop in. I hope 2018 brings you joy. Mimi xxx

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  7. I am so sorry about the pain that you are enduring from your torn rotator cuff and the carpal tunnel, dearest Sandi. How wonderful that you now have a Christmas tea set, and oh, how beautiful it all looks. Your whimsical tree is so pretty, and your home is always so cozy, warm, and lovely, just like you! I really must get that Shepherds Abiding, as I thoroughly enjoyed the entire Mitford series.
    Before I go, I'd love to have some of your cinnamon vanilla tea, along with a treat, while we enjoy each other's company, by the glow of your tree. Love and blessings to you, sweet friend!

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  8. Everything is just so beautiful! I did some serious pinning of your holiday decor. Love Jan Karon's book...put this on hold at the library. So sorry you are experiencing pain with the rotator cuff and carpal tunnel. My husband had surgery on both years ago and is now good as new. I've enjoyed my tour of your home!

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  9. Sandi, your Spode teaset is gorgeous! Your house is always so inviting! I would love to have a cup of spiced tea with you!!! I am reading a Holiday book and binge watching the Hallmark channel!!! Hope your pain gets better!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
    Rebeca (Lincluden Cottage) xoxo

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  10. I am full of envy over your tea and books! So glad your husband is looking after you. You do paint a cozy scene. That's a beautiful photo of your tea set in front of the Christmas tree!

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  11. Sandi, I love the tea cup ornament. Your tree is pretty. The tea sounds like it is good

    Cindy

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  12. I have Spode this week too, as you know...always a favorite! I have gotten out my Shepherds book, and was happy to have had the extra one my Honey found go to someone who hadn't read it on my giveaway last month. I have purchased mice pies too...one can only do so much. Take care of the cuff & carpal injuries...I couldn't use my right hand/arm for about 6 months a few years ago...not fun! Always love to come for tea. Always such a joy. Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  13. What a lovely Christmas tea set you have. I'm glad you found the cups for it! Sorry to read about your health issues and hope they improve soon. Your husband is very sweet to bring home treats to help you out.
    A book, some tea, Christmas lights and time to relax are wonderful gifts of this season.

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  14. Lovely Spode tea set Sandi! Your tree came out beautiful. It glows. I am praying you have a wonderful 2018. Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!
    Sherry

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  15. I love that book by Jan Karon! I like to re-read it seasonally! I think your tea set is charming. I don't have a holiday teapot. I've never thought about it before! Maybe I'll have to put it on my gift list.

    I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

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  16. Dear Sandi: Your Spode set is just lovely and also whimsical. I have not ready any of Jan Karon's books even though I see them everywhere and I know they are loved. I don't always know where all the hours go in each day. I am so sorry about your hand issues - especially the right hand at that. I sure hope that improves. Your little tree is very sweet. Thank you for faithfully linking and sharing. I am down to just a few. Lately I have seen where some are quiting blogging and just doing Face Book.

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  17. Hi Sandi,
    Love your Christmas china! Sorry to hear you are still having health issues.
    I hope the New Year will better for you.
    Good that your hubby is taking good care of you.
    Hope you enjoy the Christmas season!
    Carolyn

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  18. Sandi, glad you're tending those arm and hand issues and not rolling out pastry! How kind of your husband to pick up those lovely little mince pies. Wishing you better health in the new year.

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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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