Christmas in July

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. ~ George MacDonald

Welcome, dear friends! I am delighted to have you join me today! 

It is the month of July, and some of us are celebrating Christmas in July. So, I decided to do a post using some of my Christmas china and baking from posts I shared over the years.

When it is Christmas in July, you think about Christmas trees and ways of bringing joy to others; just like the season which is less than six months away. Is anyone watching the Hallmark Christmas movies?

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

Today, I am sharing my little tree which I created for the top of the cabinet in the dining room. Above it, is a wreath I made to match.

Now, one must have some food to nibble on. How about some tea sandwiches and sweets? 

There are egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches on the tiered plate stand.

Below, I have some ribbon sandwiches using both white and whole wheat bread. These are like three sandwiches in one; one of egg salad, another of devilled ham, and lastly, cream cheese. These are cut into little triangles so they are perfect for tea time and are especially tasty!

Now how about some sweets? 

I have light and dark fruitcake which I make every year. One was my maternal grandmother's recipe while the other was my paternal grandmother's recipe. The top plate holds mincemeat tarts and sugar plums.

My Christmas teapot holds a fragrant and spicy rooibos tea. An assortment of cookies are waiting on the plate.

The teapot was a Christmas gift from my son and his family one year. It is made by Ganz.

The teacups are Royal Albert's Flower of the Month series, December, Christmas Rose.  

The teacup below is Royal Stafford, adorned with some pretty holly.

I used to do a lot of crafting at one time. This cute stocking jar was once a floral container filled with a festive arrangement of flowers for my mother. When the flowers were finished, I brought the jar home and placed a miniature tree in it and a cute teddy bear on it. 

I like repurposing things especially when they have sentimental value. 

Many begin their Christmas lists this time of year and some also begin crafting their projects for the upcoming season. How about you? Do you get started early?

I always think of my father this time of year because his birthday was in July and he adored Christmas. He passed his love for Christmas and all its charm on to me.

Celebrate love. It is the breath of your existence and the best of all reasons for living. ~ Author unknown  

I think it's nice to take a break in the summertime when we can remember how beautiful Christmas is! For most, it is not only the happiest time of year but it is also a time when others go out of their way a little more to make someone else feel special. It is showing good will toward men. Would that it could last all year long!

Happiness is often the only thing you can give without having it, and it is by giving it that you acquire it. ~ Voltaire

Thank you for visiting today and enjoy this new week. My hubby will be on vacation beginning next week so I may be away for a little bit but I will be back soon. Do take care and God bless you all!

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Daisies and Rhubarb for Tea Time

Then followed that beautiful season...Summer... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape 
Lay as if new created in all freshness of childhood. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Hello dear friends, I hope you all enjoyed the holiday. 

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. ~ Luther Burbank

Since I last posted, we Canadians have celebrated Canada Day and my American family and friends have celebrated the 4th of July. 

On Canada Day, we didn't do anything exciting. All of the events were cancelled although we haven't taken anything in anyway since our kids were teenagers. There were no fireworks either so I imagine the children here were all disappointed. 

We busied ourselves cleaning up the house most of the morning. Exciting! But you know what? I'm glad we have a house to clean! 
Hubby mowed the lawn and chased squirrels and chipmunks out of the feeder while I made potato salad for supper.

Our son and his boys were invited out for the evening so Hubby and I ate our supper by ourselves. After a busy day, we were happy to spend a quiet evening, just the two of us. 

Did I mention that Hubby had chased chipmunks out of the bird feeder umpteen times that day? We always thought they were adorable until they wouldn't stay out of the feeder. Hubby was pretty frustrated by the end of the day! 
He had gotten a new bird feeder which was supposed to be "squirrel resistant." I told him it wouldn't keep the squirrels and chipmunks out. I hate always being right! *winks*

I made some muffins on Friday because it was a cooler day. I have two favourite muffin recipes; rhubarb oatmeal and coffee cake muffins. I have shared the coffee cake muffin recipe before but this one I never have. I found this in the newspaper years ago.

If you look closely, you can see the little flecks of red from the rhubarb in them. I will share the recipe at the end of this post.

These rhubarb oatmeal muffins are golden and absolutely delicious! They are the best rhubarb muffins I have ever eaten! Chunks of rhubarb and a bit of zing from the orange zest make these a real treat with your cup of tea, coffee, or iced tea.

Daisy bouquet, so fresh and pretty for summer.

I am using my vintage Royal Albert Shaftesbury cup and saucer from the Festival Collection today. It is in the Gainsborough shape and is adorned with pink and blue forget-me-nots inside and out. An adorable set in yellow made in the '70s and 80's. 

The pictures were taken in front of the patio doors and they were very dark, so I had to lighten them up quite a bit, therefore a bit of distortion in the true colour. 

I love this Gracie China birdie teapot!

Rhubarb Oatmeal Muffins

This recipe says it makes a dozen muffins but I always get fifteen out of it.

1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2-1/2 cups flour
1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 TBSP grated orange zest
1 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp salt
2 cups chopped rhubarb

In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, vanilla, and oil. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, orange zest, soda, and salt. Make a well in the centre and pour in egg mixture, stirring just until combined. Stir in the rhubarb. Immediately spoon muffin batter into greased muffin pan/pans. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about thirty minutes or until browned on top and firm to the touch. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then cool completely on wire rack. Store loosely covered with tin foil. Enjoy!

Thank you for visiting today and thank you for being such wonderful blogger friends. I appreciate every one of you. God bless you this coming week and remember to be thankful for all your blessings!

Gratitude ~ the quality of being thankful; the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. ~ unknown

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi