Faith Family Friends

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 20 December 2010

A Christmas Tea Time Tuesday


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

Welcome dear friends to my Christmas Tea and my 48th Tea Time Tuesday. This will be my last tea party until after the holidays. So please come in and make yourself at home. I am delighted you have stopped by.


Are you ready for the holidays? I'm almost there. My home is decorated, the presents are all wrapped, and most of the baking has been done. My youngest son, who has been away at university, just flew in this afternoon to spend Christmas with us and it's wonderful having him home again! It has been a long year and we haven't seen him since last Christmas. These reunions are always sweet!


Today I have the inlinkz thingy hooked up so you can just add your link at the bottom of my post.
Today I am serving tea in my favourite red transferware teapot. I found this lovely teapot at the hospital's gift shop several years ago and I love it. It's not a Christmas pattern but the red toile is always right for any season. This pot is such a pretty shape and is adorned with raised roses.

Are you comfortable? Let me pour you a nice cup of tea. The refreshments are being served on my red transferware tray today. There are festive sugar cookies, cherry macaroons, and Swedish butterballs. There are some homemade Cranberry Pumpkin muffins fresh out of the oven waiting under the cheese keeper. I have fruit cake too if you'd like to try a piece of that.


Tea is instant wisdom - just add water~ Astrid Alauda.

A fruit cake is always pretty with tea this time of year. This is the Sultana cake which I make every year and it is my mother's recipe. One nice thing about the holidays is there are always lots of goodies around!

I thought we would enjoy our tea once again by the Christmas tree.



The plates on which the muffins and fruit cake sit is a pattern made by Johnson Bros. called Historic America, a view of Boston, and they were given to me by my friend Heather who is a local artist. The little plate was a gift from my Aunt Judy and it is also made by JB and is called English Gardens. The pretty lacey spreader is a Cream Lace pattern by Skye McGhie, as well as the saucer under the teacup.


The muffins are still warm so they are steaming up the cheese keeper.

The teacup is part of a snack set and I am using it without its mate today. The saucer is from my Cream Lace set. I think it looks pretty mismatched.Each of the tea things bear this mark on the bottom; the tea pot, teacup, sugar and creamer, as well as the transferware tray. I have no idea what it means but I'm sure someone out there could tell me!Mmm, homemade muffins!The other day we drove by one of our local churches and they had this on their sign,

Mary wrapped the first Christmas gift.

I thought that was a rather endearing way of putting it!


Speaking of gifts, I received a very thoughtful hostess gift in the mail last week just in time to share on this post. One of my lovely participants, Judith @ Lavender Cottage, wanted to show her appreciation for my hosting these tea parties. Wasn't that darling of her?

Included in her hostess gift were a sweet little tea pot book mark which will come in handy... ..a snowflake for the tree.....a packet of Friendship tea; yummy blueberry.....and a silver sugar tong.She knew I didn't have sugar tongs so she thoughtfully sent me one. Thank you my dear friend, it is so sweet of you to think of me! You may visit Judith at her site- Lavender Cottage- http://lavendercottagegardening.blogspot.com/

I have made some really wonderful bloggy friends since I started blogging but especially since I started this tea party meme. As Judith so nicely put it, "...hosting Tea Time Tuesday each week gathers bloggers together with the same interests." I am pleased that Judith and all of you enjoy it so much! Friendship is a special blessing and I want you all to know that you have all been such a blessing to me!

Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.


As I mentioned earlier in my post, this will be my last tea party until after the holidays because I will be taking a blogging break. I hope you will all take some time for yourselves as it is a very busy time of year. Why not curl up in front of the fire with a good book or magazine such as Victoria and a hot cup of tea. It is sure to lift your spirits! Here, a Victorian family stands nearby singing their carols and the young laddie plays the violin.

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.


"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16


I'm delighted you have stopped by today and I hope you have enjoyed your visit. I will do my best to get around to visit you all but it may take some time, what with my son home and all.


Ladies, please use the inlinkz at the bottom of the post; thank you.

I am also joining the following hostesses for their parties:


Victoria- A Return to Loveliness

Table Top Tuesday

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday

Tea Cup Thursday

Wishing you all the true gifts of Christmas~
The feeling of Christmas is JOY
The spirit of Christmas is PEACE
The gladness of Christmas is HOPE
The message of Christmas is LOVE
And may Jesus - the reason for the season,
fill your heart and home
with all these things.
Have a Blessed Christmas everyone!






Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

28 comments :

  1. Oh Sandi, "I DO want to come over and sample everything", "Mmmmmm"... I don't know where to begin on compliments, EVERYTHING is GORGEOUS... I especially LOVE that teapot!!! I have an IDEA on the maker because I believe I have a few things with the same mark, SO if you email me We can compare??? I would LOVE your recipe for the fruit cake??? YUMMY, and did you EVER try it with chocolate, drizzle a little on it, "It's to DIE FOR"!!! I actually used to cut fruitcake into little squares and dip them into chocolate. NO ONE could resist them... Thank you for sharing your Beautiful table with us... Hugs to you, Donna

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  2. I've got my foot in your front door, sweetie! Sandi,you have the most beautiful presentations & elegant teas ever! It is such a joy to pop over for a chat & a spot of tea. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess ... I so look forward to many more moments together.

    Merry Christmas ~
    Have a beautiful celebration week ~
    TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

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  3. Hello Sandi
    My favourite day of the week, having tea with blogging friends.
    I am happy that you liked your little gift for hosting our weekly tea parties and thank you for your friendship.
    The goodies this week look yummy and I really like the teapot - perfect for holiday entertaining.
    Enjoy the visit with your son and have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
    Hugs,
    Judith

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  4. Dear Sandi, May you have a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

    I sure enjoyed having tea at your place today. This is a lovely post!

    God bless,
    d from homehaven

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  5. Your tea today looks delicious as always and your red transferware is so appropriate for the holidays. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  6. This is just lovely! I like how you used the cheese dome on the muffins. I will have to pick up one of those up next time I am at the thrift store. It is such a smart idea. Enjoy your son and all your Holidays! Especially with your new little grand daughter. Merry Christmas!

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  7. Dear Sandi,
    I love your red transferware tea set and all those tempting goodies. How thoughtful from Judith to gift you this wonderful things. The bookmark is sweet and the sugar tongs so darling. I think we all love to participate in Tea Time Tuesday. It is always such a nice event.
    I wish you a very nice Christmas time. Enjoy your family, especially your little grand daughter (hopefully her MOM is doing fine again).
    Greetings, Johanna

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  8. Thank you for a lovely tea party! Enjoy your blogging break. A very blessed Christmas to you and your family!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  9. Hi Sandi, What a wonderful tea, thank you. I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas. Take care.

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  10. Sandi, the red toile pattern is gorgeous and perfect for Christmas or any time of year. Love the shape of the tea pot. Thanks for this lovely tea. It's all perfection!
    Happy Holidays ~ Sarah

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  11. Love that comment about Mary.

    Blessed Christmas, Sandi, my good blogging friend!

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  12. Lovely tea and sentiment, beautiful decor and china too!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Sherri:)

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  13. You have so many lovely transfer ware cups and accessories I love, and you display them so beautifully.

    Your Christmas time sounds ideal, and the re-union of your son with you and the rest of the family for Christmas is very special. Thank-you for hosting this tea time, and Merry CHRIST-mas~

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  14. Hello Sandi,
    How lovely! Just love transferware - especially the red - seems so beautiful and comforting at the same time. You always set a lovely tea table - hope you have a very blessed Christmas - thank you for hosting this tea party - it has been fun getting to know others with similar interests,
    God Bless<
    Kathy

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  15. Hello Sandi, this is my first visit to your lovely blog. I am now a follower and look forward to future posts. I am a tea lover and hope to join your tea parties perhaps after the new year. I love your red transferware. I have a little bit myself but not enough. I hope to share in the future. I love that you share things from a Christian perspective. Have a Merry Christmas and a lovely holiday season!

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  16. Thank you for the Christmas wishes and blessings. What lovely photos of Christmas tea at your home. I'd love to come. Looking forward to having tea in heaven with all my on-line Christian tea friends!

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  17. Such lovely teawear you have. How wonderful to have your son home, I bet that is the best gift! I love fruitcake! I think it is good toasted and buttered.
    Blessings~
    Gwenny

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  18. Lovely! All your transfer ware is so gorgeous and makes a perfect Christmas setting. The tea cup is very beautiful. I think I have seen the backstamp, but I would need a closer look to check it out.
    The tea pot is totally amazing, I have never seen one that shape and I love it.
    Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful tea with us.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  19. Sorry I missed the party this week. I'm having some computer issues with posting pictures. Your tea party looks wonderful, as always!

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  20. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Your tea time is always a delight and such a treat for my eyes. Thank you for sharing with us and inviting us to be a part of your party. Enjoy the time with your son- I wouldn't be able to wait a whole year to see Sarah. ♥♫

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  21. Hi Sandi,
    I love your teapot and tray! I hope you got some sleep last night-sure is windy here too.
    I hope you have a wonderful time with your family this Christmas season,Sandi.
    thank you for hosting Tea Time Tuesdays- i know it is a lot of work.I hope the linky thing makes it easier.

    Blessings to you and your family,

    Carolyn

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  22. Your red and white dishes makes for a lovely and festive holiday tea setting!
    I wish you a blessed and Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year!

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  23. Hi, Sandi,
    Enjoy every minute with your son and family. I know you are so glad to have him home once again. You always have the most beautiful teas. I adore that pretty teapot, cup and saucer and yummy treats. I want to tell you how much I appreciate your friendship and wish you and your family the merriest of Christmases!! Vicki

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  24. Thank you for adding your beautiful post to A Return to Loveliness,
    you've made it all the more special,
    Kathy

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  25. Sandi, Your red transferware/toile is just lovely! You also always have wonderful goodies to enjoy with your teas. I think you are a fabulous cook and homemaker! Enjoy your time with your family over Christmas.
    Blessings and hugs, Beth

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  26. Hi Sandi, I am so happy to be joining your tea party this week. I have been wanting to get in on the tea parties but haven't had time yet. Love your toile dishes from JB! Thanks for your kind (fast) comment. I didn't yet have your link up. I just finished my post and had to run out for a Christmas delivery. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    ~ Julie

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  27. Hi Sandi: It has been so nice getting to know you this year. I look forward to next year and what the Lord has for us. May God richly bless you this Christmas. You are a dear friend and a gift from God. Hugs, Martha

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  28. Sandi, I just discovered your blog and I love it! I love meeting fellow Christians! I also love the quote about sometimes in an ordinary life loves gives us a fairytale-well, I have my Prince Charming and this year, 2011 in July we will celebrate 50 wonderful and blessed years of marriage!

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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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