Home for Christmas

More snow came before New Year’s, and the harbor froze over, but the gulf still was free, beyond the white, imprisoned fields. The last day of the old year was one of those bright, cold, dazzling winter days, which bombard us with their brilliancy, and command our admiration but never our love. The sky was sharp and blue; the snow diamonds sparkled insistently; the stark trees were bare and shameless, with a kind of brazen beauty. - "Anne's House of Dreams" - LM Montgomery

Happy New Year, dear friends, and welcome back to Rose Chintz Cottage! I trust you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends. We certainly did.

We had two snow storms in a row the week our boys flew in and we were walking on eggshells wondering if they could get in or not. They did fly in and right on time too; just before midnight. Apparently the landing was a bit bumpy but they made it for which we were very thankful! Home for Christmas! 

We had another snow storm yesterday. It's going to be a lo-n-g winter this year.

"She had a good sleep that night and had awakened in the morning to find herself and the world transformed. It had snowed softly and thickly all through the hours of darkness and the beautiful whiteness, glittering in the frosty sunshine, looked like a mantle of charity cast over all the mistakes and humiliations of the past." ~ from LM Montgomery- Anne of Green Gables. 

Back to our Christmas and company... 
There were eight of us around the dinner table on Christmas Day. The first time in a number of years that we had that many sharing Christmas dinner with us. I had a lot of help so it was great!

We were busy visiting, and eating, of course. Dinner was perfect; the turkey, the gravy and the dressing, the whipped potatoes and the Brussels sprouts, the candied carrots and turnip. Not to mention, the apple pie, pumpkin pie, and raspberry cream pie smothered in whipped cream. Yes, we had a grand feast.

I had a birthday too and one of the boys made me this spectacular cake the day before they left! The icing was a dark chocolate ganache which he beat until it was spreadable. The cake is topped off with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Isn't it lovely? He made the whole thing from start to finish.

Cakes are special. Every birthday, every celebration ends with something sweet, a cake, and people remember. It's all about the memories. ~ Buddy Valastro

The table was set and the cake took centerstage. It was a wonderful treat to eat that cake with my guys.

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. ~ Charles M. Schulz

They also brought me flowers for the dinner table but I should have taken a picture when I first got them. They are starting to wilt a bit, but still beautiful!

The guys wanted to help decorate a tree so I left the four foot one till they got here. I think they did a pretty good job.

One of the gifts I received this year from my guys was this antique teacup and saucer which was found in a Michigan antique shop. 

It is made by Lefton china and hand painted with a cardinal and sprigs of holly and berries with the number 1297 on it. The teacup is footed and both pieces are trimmed in gold. The boys know I like cardinals so they thought it was perfect for me. I would love to see a real cardinal someday!

Being a bit of a collector, I was curious about Lefton china so I looked it up on the Internet. 
George Zoltan Lefton arrived in the US from Hungary to Illinois in 1939. Previously, he had made his living in sportswear, but his passion for fine china turned from a hobby into a business when he founded the Lefton Company in 1941 in Chicago. The Lefton mark can be found on a wide array of pottery, porcelain, and glass. 

I'm still using my Ganz teapot and the Royal Stafford teacup. The December cup has been put away for another year. So I'm enjoying my tea in this pretty vintage Lefton china cup with a slice of my cake.

It's a brand new year. A good time to reflect on the blessings of the past year but also a time to look ahead and set goals for the future. CS Lewis once said, "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

Do you have a goal or dream for 2019?
Thank you for your visit and enjoy your day.


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

A Cozy Christmas Tea

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

Hello my dear friends and welcome to a cozy tea time I have set out in front of the Christmas tree!

This beautiful blown glass teapot ornament was a gift from my youngest son last year.

The holidays are a time of family traditions and gatherings with friends - simple moments to savour like a cup of tea.  

I just took butter tarts out of the oven but they are too hot to serve just yet. I have all of my baking done now except for the pies for Christmas dinner. It has been a busy month and so it's nice to put my feet up in front of the fire and sip a cup of Cinnamon Rooibos Chai tea while enjoying the soft lights and music playing in the background.

The sun is setting and soon there will be a golden glow from the tree. Taking time for tea is a lovely way to just sit and savour not only tea and treats but the traditions passed down. Most importantly, the Reason for the Season; the first coming of our Lord Jesus. 

Christmas is that moment in time when God, in His unconditional love, stepped out of heaven and onto earth, in order that we might one day step out of earth into heaven.- Charles F Stanley

...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

I had a hankering for gingerbread cookies the other day so I'm having some gingerbread cookies and sugar plums with my tea. Would you like to join me?

On the table is my Ganz teapot which was a gift from my oldest son and his family a number of years ago. A Royal Stafford teacup and a Royal Albert Christmas Rose which is the December cup in the Flowers of the Month series. The pretty plate is Andover made by 222 Fifth. 

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

My family is home now so this will be my last post until the New Year. 
Last night, the guys made dinner; Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, with steamed Brussels sprouts. It was delicious and what a treat to get waited on for a change! I'd love to keep them here for a while. *smiles* 

Thank you, dear friends, for your visits and lovely comments over this past year. You all encourage me and I appreciate you all so very much. I wish for you the Happiest Christmas filled with the love of family and friends. May our Lord's beautiful presence fill your hearts and your homes this Christmas season and may the New Year bring you blessings overflowing. 

See you in the New Year!

A little Child...a shining star...
a stable rude...the door ajar.
Yet in that place, so crude, forlorn,
The hope of all the world was born. ~ unknown

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi