"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale
Merry Christmas and a warm welcome dear friends to my "Celebrate...the Season with a Christmas Tea!"
Before I serve our tea, I would like to thank you all once again for praying for my son. He is coming along and we will know on the 20th whether he has any hearing in his ear or not.
Prayer is a powerful form of communication. God bless you!
....Captivating, intoxicating, magical; these are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about Christmas! It surely is the season of great anticipation and joy as well as the season of good will toward men.
"JOY to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King. Let ev-'ry heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing." ~ Issac Watts 1674-1748
My home is prettied up for the holidays, my baking is finished other than the pumpkin pies, and I am ready to celebrate the season with you.
So do come in and make yourselves at home. We are having tea in the living room by the Christmas tree and I am using my beloved Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz.
You may wonder why I am using my Rose Chintz instead of a more festive pattern. Well, truth be told, I only have a few plates and a teacup that are actually Christmas inspired.
I haven't featured my Rose Chintz in a while and most of my pieces are vintage which just seem right for my special Tea today.
Christmas.... is a happy time, a romantic time, and this china just makes me happy! Christmas stirs up wonderful memories for me; memories of Christmases past with my parents and those with my own children. Now I'm making new ones with my children and their little ones.
As you know, Rose Chintz is near and dear to my heart, just like the one who gifted me with most of the pieces. My Auntie P lives in another part of the country and so we don't get to visit often. I won't be seeing her at Christmas-time so I wanted to share this tea with you and invite her to share in this special tea with us.
The coffee pot.....
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." ~ Henry James
Or if you prefer your coffee in a mug, I have those too.
Auntie will understand that by setting my tea out with her lovely china is my way of letting her know that I am thinking of her. I know she can bring out her Rose Chintz teacups and she and my Uncle Doug can sit and join us. What is Christmas without celebrating special moments with those you love?
"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." ~ Roy L. Smith
The teapot....
"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December." ~ James M. Barrie
I made a centerpiece of my snowballs and roses. The roses are pale green with a delicate pink tinge but they show up peachy. They are much prettier than the way they appear here. I have added some snow using Picmonkey.
So our coffee station is set out by the tree and our tea, my favourite Stash Holiday Chai, as well as our treats are on the coffee table nearby. Some sweets I have arranged on a vintage pink depression glass plate. There is my home made fruit cake, Swedish butterballs, mincemeat tarts, and shortbread cookies.
There are cheese and cherry pinwheels arranged on a tiered plate which I fashioned out of two Rose Chintz plates; one bread and butter and one square plate.
I am using a couple of Queens Christmas plates adorned with a Christmas tree. The napkin holders are Skye McGhie in the Cream Lace pattern and the silverware is Oneida Evening Star which had been my mother's.
"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." ~ Edith Wharton
Christmas is a season which tugs at my heartstrings. It brings to mind the lovely childhood memories of growing up and the time my Daddy always became a kid himself. My mother cooked her special dinner and afterwards we would all gather around the TV and watch the Disney Christmas special. Now, my Daddy is gone and my mother is in a Home two hours away. I'm sure many of you can identify with me!
My Nativity is in its special place in the china cabinet. As some of you know, a gentleman at our last pastorate made the stable for me and it has its place of honour here every year.
Amidst all the hustle and bustle of this special season, let's not forget that the Reason we celebrate the Season is because of the tiny Baby born long ago in Bethlehem. He, who grew up among men, took upon Himself the sins of the world, making it possible for us to live forever with Him. Only Believe!
"Away in a manger, No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky-
Looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, A-sleep on the hay."~ John R. Murry 1841-1905
"And she gave birth to her firstborn Son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." ~ Luke 2:7
Thank you for coming to my Christmas Tea. I would love for you to share something from your home. Please link up below and be sure to link back to me so that your visitors can find their way here.
I am joining the following parties as well~
Heart and Home ~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Table Top Tuesday~ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Friends Sharing Tea ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/
Tea Talk~ http://the-teaist.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Thursday~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Sharing from my heart~ Sandi