Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Twelfth Night, Johnson Brothers, New Year Stuff

Hello and welcome to the first Tuesday Cuppa Tea of 2015! Amazing!

I hope you had a peaceful and fun New Year's Eve and New Year's Day...and didn't watch so many American football games that your eyes are rectangular! We had a lovely dinner at our favorite organic bistro....lovely! 

This homey and cozy Johnson Brothers, England hand colored on transfer ironstone teacup in the Sheraton pattern from the 1910-1920s just called out to me this week....I love the lush floral bouquet with the promise of spring flowers. Ironstone has such a cozy feel!

Sorry the mark is out of focus...my camera is dying I am afraid...and I think that after this photo it has given up...oh joy...camera shopping coming up!
ANYWAY, this is another of the hand colored on transfer patterns that I love. Each is individual...and no two are the same...which I consider much of it's charm. Just like people...each is a work of art...no two are the same...all from the artist's hand.

January 6th is Twelfth Night...12 days after Christmas...and is said to be the date that the 3 Wisemen or Magi reached the Christ child and gave Him their gifts. Twelfth Night has a long history in England, and was celebrated throughout the entire 12 days. Their was a Lord Of Misrule in many cities and courts and manors, usually someone of low status, who was in charge of general mayhem...which included plays, tricks, drinking,  feasting...much frowned on by those who felt the connotation to be more spiritual....

William Shakespeare wrote a comedy with the name, which is a fun read if you read it looking for indications of Elizabethan era. 

One of the books I read each Christmas time,  The Queene's Christmas by Karen Harper...an Elizabethan murder mystery set during the 12 days of Christmas and solved by Elizabeth I and her helpers. It's a wonderful portrait of the court, manners and customs.

I came across this list a few years ago of what the modern equivalent of the gifts given during the 12 Days Of Christmas and want to share it again...quite funny!

I don't know about you, but I'd call that conspicuous consumption!

And the jury is in on my 3 favorite holiday teas this year....from left to right

Muchie's Christmas Tea

Republic Of Tea's Pumpkin Spice

Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane

I could happily drink all three of these all year round, and have mail ordered for more of them, as...as the Republic Of Tea lid says "When They're gone, they're gone!"

This is a slice of  Twelfth Night Cake I made from a recipe originally from a World Book called Christmas Around The World...but I added raisins and walnuts...as I can hardly bake ANYTHING is our home without nuts...my husband's favorite!

And...the page from my Downton Abbey engagement calendar for the week features the indomitable Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham....

The quote with this photo is:

Isobel:  How you hate to be wrong!

Violet:  I wouldn't know, I'm not familiar with the sensation.

Isn't it nice to have Downton Abbey back again???!

Thanks so much for joining me today for Tuesday Cuppa Tea. Here is a list of some of the other blog parties, and a linky for you to link your tea related posts. 

Over the next 2 weeks I won't be around the computer much....visiting and being visited, and generally having a post Christmas and post husband's heart issue break. So...I may be slow in responding to comments, but I will. I also want to thank you all again for your prayer, comments and emails. My blogging friends are such a blessing!

Mosaic Monday with Judith
 Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi 

A Return to Loveliness
 Tea Cup Tuesday
 Tea Cup Tuesday 
 Friends Sharing Tea
 Share Your Cup Thursday

An InLinkz Link-up