Sugar Plum Fairy Tea

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and makes everything more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale


Dear friends, one of the most fun times I think I ever had putting a post together was this Sugar Plum Fairy Tea. Some of you may remember it when I was hosting my weekly tea parties. Anyway, I thought t'is the season for whimsy and having a little fun so I decided to share it again today.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie {1845-1916}

I took my inspiration for today's tea from a favourite piece of Christmas music, The Nutcracker Suite. Most of us are familiar with the story of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy who introduces Clara to the Land of Sweets. A little fantasy is fun for a change, don't you think? Especially at this time year! Are you feeling a little nostalgic?

The Nutcracker Ballet was first performed on December 18, 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is one of the most famous ballets to be performed this time of the year. I have never had the pleasure of seeing a live performance but I would love to.

"Would you like an adventure now or would you like your tea first?" ~ Peter Pan

My table is sitting in front of the Christmas tree which I think lends a magical feel to our tea today. So please make yourself at home as we indulge in some spicy Christmas tea and lots of goodies. 

My Sugar Plum fairy is dancing about in her lovely white tutu while the Nutcracker looks on.

"She balanced on one toe on the floor and spun around in a tutu that looked as though it had been fashioned from clouds and snowflakes. " ~ The Nutcracker

The Gingerbread house plays "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." When you ring the door bell  the gum drops on the roof light up and keep time with the music. It's a child's delight!

This green Staffordshire teacup trio is a set I found at an antique shop and it is made in England and represents the charm of the country so well.

I think they look lovely paired with the creamy white.

                          

My other teacup is Cream Lace made by Skye McGhee. It has such a sweet saucer.

At Christmas-time, I really enjoy the holiday teas such as this Stash Holiday Chai.

The teapot is also Cream Lace by Skye McGhee.

My Land of Sweets consists of a fruit cake I made
for the holidays.

There are also some mincemeat tarts, melt-in-your-mouth Swedish Butter Balls, and Snowballs. 

I hope you're not watching your waistline!

There are gum drops and candy canes and chocolate of course.

"Tykes on sleds and shouts of glee, icy-window filigree, sugarplums and candle glow, part of Christmas long ago." ~ Jo Geis

Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.


"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 

Thank you for visiting today. I hope you have enjoyed yourself. 

"Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, And love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, To live with Thee there." ~
From the Christmas carol "Away in  a Manger" - John T. McFarland, {1851-1913} John R. Murray, {1841-1905}


Merry Christmas! 

I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
 Friends Sharing Tea ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
 Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
 Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Christmas Tree Tea

Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book. ~ Bill Watterson

Hello my lovely friends and welcome to my blog! Won't you join me for a nice cup of tea and some treats? 

I am using my Spode Christmas Tree teapot and cups/mugs today. The teapot was a birthday present and I found the cups in Vancouver, BC on our last visit. I got them for half price so I was doing a happy dance when I found them. The matching plates I found at Home Sense. It's nice to have a festive tea set this time of year. I didn't have one until now so I am enjoying it for sure.

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame for charity in the heart." ~ Washington Irving

Today there is spicy Cinnamon Vanilla tea in the pot and I have homemade oatmeal-chocolate chip-cinnamon cookies that a friend brought me. 

Serenity is a solitary cup of tea; pleasure is sharing it with another. ~ Victoria magazine

I am also having mincemeat tarts. These are the best bakery mince tarts I have had. I always make my own but Hubby brought them home because he doesn't want me to overdo it in the kitchen. I am having an awful time with a torn rotator cuff and carpal tunnel. Of course it is my right arm and wrist which is affected and I am right handed. It has been quite the year for pesky health issues. I hope and pray the new year will be much better.

We are starting to get a little snow now. The roads are getting slicker and everyone is bundled up when they go out. 

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

The other day I treated myself to a new book, "Shepherd's Abiding" by Jan Karon. 

I'm sure many of you are familiar with The Mitford series and this story does not disappoint. It is as charming as the previous stories written by Jan Karon. 

The first few books of the series were loaned to me but I am planning to start my own collection. Some stories are just worth while reading over again like the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs. On a cold winter day it is nice to curl up with the Christmas lights on, a fire blazing, and sipping a hot cup of tea while reading a good book such as this one. 

Hearts are aglow when we fill our homes with domestic warmth, nostalgia, and the beloved trinkets that symbolize the season. ~ Victoria magazine

I have decorated our little four foot tree for the family room. The cardinal teacup and drummer bear were two ornaments my youngest son gifted me with. My hubby loves this little tree because it's so whimsical. It is decorated with red and gold ribbon and pretty much every ornament on it was a gift from a family member or a friend. 

I don't think the camera does it justice. It's so much cuter than how it appears here. Oops! I forgot to move the phone and I haven't finished sprucing up the deer scene but it was the tree I wanted you to see anyway!

Thank you for your visit and please take some time for yourself during this busy season to sip a nice cup of tea and read a book.

Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways,
Merry Christmas to you. ~ Mel Torme and Robert Wells, "The Christmas Song"

I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Friends Sharing Tea
 Share Your Cup Thursday


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi