"Christmas in July" Tea Party

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~ Harland Miller


Welcome friends to my Christmas in July Tea Party!

Today's tea party is all about sharing something festive. It could be a teacup, a teapot, a coffee mug, or dessert you make only during the holidays. I invite you to share it with us.  

Maybe, like some blogger friends I know, you have a little tree up for the month of July or maybe you have some shortbread to share with your tea.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year." ~ Charles Dickens


You need not share anything Christmasy if you are unable to. I will be happy to enjoy your company here today and you may share whatever you like.

"Christmas isn't just an event - Love came Down and is among us! All year long, we can celebrate the Greatest Gift." ~ DaySpring

I know you all may be somewhat surprised but I have pondered and pondered what to share today!
You see, it has been so hot here that it has been really hard to get into the Christmas spirit.


I was going to bake some mincemeat tarts.

I have two Christmas teapots I could have used, a holly teacup, and a set of new Christmas mugs that I found out in Vancouver.

However, twice a year I make my Sticky Date Pudding with Hot Toffee Sauce; for Christmas and once in the summertime. So once I had my pudding made, the rest was easy.

I thought rich reds and golds would be perfect for today's Christmas in July Tea Party.

As well as some red roses.

"A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses." ~ Oscar Wilde

This time of year I always think of my Daddy because his birthday was on the 27th of July and he adored Christmas. He passed his love for  Christmas and all its magic on to me.
"Celebrate love. It is the breath of your existence and the best of all reasons for living." ~ Author unknown


And as some of you know, my father loved the Old Country Roses pattern. Two guesses what pattern I am featuring today.

Last year, sweet Hubby gifted me with this teacup on my Daddy's birthday in remembrance of him.

Then, this past year, Hubby and two of my sons gifted me with the OCR teapot for my birthday. These pieces are very special to me in many ways and I know my father would have been delighted that I have them!

Royal Albert's Old Country Roses is the most famous china pattern in the world.

I love the attention to detail that Royal Albert is known for such as the roses on the spout.

And the gold leaf on the handle.

Please make yourself comfortable and join me for a cup of orange spice tea, won't you.

There is more than enough dessert so you are welcome to help yourself.

I love the sparkle of silverware and just like tea always tastes better in a china teacup, a pudding always tastes better when eaten with a pretty spoon!

Mmm! Warm date pudding sitting in a pool of warm toffee sauce and topped off with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

"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
only at Christmas, not only on 
special occasions, 
but anytime friends come together." ~ Emilie Barnes

"Christmas is a time to open our hearts to God and His gifts. Just like the rest of the year." ~ Author unknown

In August I am planning to host another Anne of Green Gables Tea. I will talk more about that next week. Last year we had a progressive tea party; ie., some ladies prepared certain tea treats mentioned in the Anne story.  Would you like to do the same this year? I welcome your feedback on that.

Thank you for the pleasure of your company and I am happy to see your tea things whether you have shared them before or not, whether they are Christmas inspired or not.

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." ~ John 1:14

This tea party is all about sharing your joy of tea time and any thoughts you may have on the subject.

Have a Happy and Blessed Christmas in July, dear friends!

I am joining the following parties as well~

Inspire Me Tuesday ~ http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Tea In The Garden ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
What's It Wednesday ~ http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi