Rose Chintz Cottage

Monday, 7 December 2020

A Christmas Tea for No Place Like Home

Home is the nicest place there is. ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Good morning, lovely friends, and welcome to the third week of No Place Like Home!

I just finished decorating our main tree in the family room and I decided to set up a tea beside the tree as I haven't done that since last year.

Taking time for tea or coffee is a lovely way to just relax and savour not only tea and treats but the traditions passed down.

On Christmas Day at half past three,

Brew yourself a cup of tea.

I'll think of you, You think of me

While sitting 'round the Christmas tree.

Perhaps like I do, you have a tree that is filled with ornaments gifted to you by loved ones. I call both of my trees, Memory Trees, and I can recall pretty much who gave me which ornament and when. These ornaments make the trees so special.

My youngest son gifted me with this sweet cardinal teacup from Cracker Barrel the last time we were in Vancouver.

My oldest son gifted me with three cardinals, all in different positions, a number of years ago. This is just one of them.

I love sitting in the glow of the lights in the evening when the supper dishes have been done and we can sit and listen to music or watch a Christmas movie.

Most importantly, this year in particular when the world has gone topsy-turvy, it is good to slow down and remember the Reason for the Season; the first coming of our Lord Jesus. Think about how dark our world would be without Him! Let's count our Blessings, for there are many!

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

So here is my tea table set up with my favourite red toile table cloth draped with a lovely topper. If you look closely, you will see a reindeer in the topper. The table is set with a favourite green teapot, my Staffordshire green and white transferware teacups and dessert plates, tea and treats. The treats are my sultana fruit cake and chocolate balls which a friend dropped off. Won't you join me?

Thank you to all of you who shared last week. I know it is a busy time of year and we love having you share your decorating as well as recipes and other things pertaining to your home this special time of year.

I am delighted to have you join me today. If you have something to share, simply let me know in a comment and I will add your blog to the list of participants. I will be happy to come and visit you. Please share any of the following: Cooking and baking, recipes, antiquing, artwork, ceramics, crafts, crocheting/knitting, quilting/sewing, collections, floral arranging, home decor, homemaking tips, hospitality, refinishing furniture, tea time, tablescapes, thrift shopping etc....Maybe there's a new baby in the family or you have a new fur baby you would like to introduce us to. They are welcome too! Anything and everything which makes your HOME more enjoyable to come HOME to, for your family, your friends, and yourself.

My Participants ~

Mrs. T

Jean

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Monday, 30 November 2020

No Place Like Home # 2

November comes and November goes,

With the last red berries And the first white snows.

With night coming early, and dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket And frost by the gate.

And the fires burn And the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest Until next spring. ~ Clyde Watson

Welcome dear friends! It is the last day of November, and it is also week two of No Place Like Home! I was very pleased to have you all participate last week. We had a nice number of links to make it interesting.

I have been busy baking, decorating, and taking care of things around the house with my hubby home.

I have both my fruit cakes made now. I always feel a great sense of accomplishment when I get them made because they are a lot of work. One is light and the other is dark, both heirloom recipes from my two grandmothers. Neither one has nuts in it. I'm glad the recipe doesn't call for nuts because I cannot eat them any longer and to be honest, I don't nuts in a fruit cake any way. If you would like the recipe for the light cake or Sultana as it is really called, you may click the link and it will take you to a post where I have shared the recipe. Sultana Fruit Cake

Pieces of the cakes will be on their way to the States and out west to my family who live away.

My little tree in the living room is finished and I just have to finish the main tree in the family room. I really do need to categorize everything in the totes after this year. We have so many totes, and some are just filled with stuff I will probably never use again. Time to purge!

I still have things from when we were first married, like the little turquoise drum below. I will never part with that one because too many memories are attached to it. I'm sure you all have ornaments like that.

My children all play instruments, including the drums. Actually our youngest played all the percussion instruments so it is nice to have a drum on the little Tree of Memories. This tree is decorated in pink, teal, white and silver, as well as some delicate glass ornaments.

This is the tree at dusk with a little sparkly village nestled beneath the branches.

I am using this wreath I made a few years ago to decorate the patio doors in the dining area.

Christmas is such a busy time but oh, the joy and merriment it brings! How are all your preparations coming along?

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. ~ Peg Bracken

I am delighted to have you join me today. If you have something to share, simply let me know in a comment and I will add your blog to the list of participants. I will be happy to come and visit you.

Please share any of the following: Cooking and baking, recipes, antiquing, artwork, ceramics, crafts, crocheting/knitting, quilting/sewing, collections, floral arranging, home decor, homemaking tips, hospitality, refinishing furniture, tea time, tablescapes, thrift shopping etc....Maybe there's a new baby in the family or you have a new fur baby you would like to introduce us to. They are welcome too! Anything and everything which makes your HOME more enjoyable to come HOME to, for your family, your friends, and yourself.

My participants