Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, the start of Hannukah or other holiday...it is Christmas here...
And today is Boxing Day in the UK, Canada and the Commonwealth...
But more about that later....because this is Tuesday Cuppa Tea...
And today it's a small tea in the sunroom for Boxing Day...while my Honey watches English soccer on TV...
The weather made photos difficult...we got some snow, and generally it was grey...but the tablecloth I made a few years ago is bright and cheery...
My tea is another Harney & Sons seasonal Christmas tea...White Christmas Tea...which is black tea with almonds and vanilla. It really smells and tastes more like chocolate to me, and is a lovely dessert tea which is soothing and warming...
The Holly teapot, which is really a kettle shape is just the right size for 2 cups and was made in England by Springfield.
Springfield is one of the newer potteries that popped up in the wake of the great pottery slice and dice in the 1990s. The bone china teapot is so cute!
The ornament was a gift from my BFF whom I miss so much as she lives in California, and I, in Washington state....
And for a tea treat... a Yule Log or Buche de Noel cake...I often make them for Christmas, but with my Honey having a difficult time this year it didn't happen...I got this at a local bakery, but it was disappointing, dry really, so will be back to making my own next year... I usually make Marzipan mushrooms to go with mine...I love Marzipan!
I hope you aren't tired of my cross stitches...they are just a family tradition, and I do so love making them! Cross stitch is so relaxing! I had to get new glasses after my retina problem last month, and they came on the day before Christmas Evev...3 days early...but I haven't tried stitching yet...
And my Royal Grafton, England Noel teacup which I know you have seen before...but I love it and use it often during the season....
Boxing Day is famous in the UK for sales, English football bingeing...soccer to Yanks, long walks, leftovers and friends and familes... similar to our day after Christmas...
but it began as the tradition of the landed gentry...think Crawleys in Downton Abbey... giving gifts to the staff who served them through the year and especially the Christmas season. The Christmas feast leftovers were also gathered up and distributed to the poor, the needy and the dependents in the estate homes and villages, and it was considered good training for young ladies and gentlemen to learn to consider the estate dependents.
Boxing Day fox hunts were also traditional...although nowadays the hounds only follow a scented lure, and more often then not the hunt is wrought with protests...but traditionally a big thing.The above is a Times image from the Tenterdon hunt...
So I hope you have had a lovely tea...so glad you could visit...wasn't sure this would happen...Christmas Eve Day was not a good ady for my Honey, but yesterday, Christmas Day was...so glad! This week I am joining:
But it is certainly a time of year for celebrations!
And today is Boxing Day in the UK, Canada and the Commonwealth...
But more about that later....because this is Tuesday Cuppa Tea...
And today it's a small tea in the sunroom for Boxing Day...while my Honey watches English soccer on TV...
The weather made photos difficult...we got some snow, and generally it was grey...but the tablecloth I made a few years ago is bright and cheery...
My tea is another Harney & Sons seasonal Christmas tea...White Christmas Tea...which is black tea with almonds and vanilla. It really smells and tastes more like chocolate to me, and is a lovely dessert tea which is soothing and warming...
The Holly teapot, which is really a kettle shape is just the right size for 2 cups and was made in England by Springfield.
Springfield is one of the newer potteries that popped up in the wake of the great pottery slice and dice in the 1990s. The bone china teapot is so cute!
The ornament was a gift from my BFF whom I miss so much as she lives in California, and I, in Washington state....
And for a tea treat... a Yule Log or Buche de Noel cake...I often make them for Christmas, but with my Honey having a difficult time this year it didn't happen...I got this at a local bakery, but it was disappointing, dry really, so will be back to making my own next year... I usually make Marzipan mushrooms to go with mine...I love Marzipan!
I hope you aren't tired of my cross stitches...they are just a family tradition, and I do so love making them! Cross stitch is so relaxing! I had to get new glasses after my retina problem last month, and they came on the day before Christmas Evev...3 days early...but I haven't tried stitching yet...
And my Royal Grafton, England Noel teacup which I know you have seen before...but I love it and use it often during the season....
Boxing Day is famous in the UK for sales, English football bingeing...soccer to Yanks, long walks, leftovers and friends and familes... similar to our day after Christmas...
but it began as the tradition of the landed gentry...think Crawleys in Downton Abbey... giving gifts to the staff who served them through the year and especially the Christmas season. The Christmas feast leftovers were also gathered up and distributed to the poor, the needy and the dependents in the estate homes and villages, and it was considered good training for young ladies and gentlemen to learn to consider the estate dependents.
Boxing Day fox hunts were also traditional...although nowadays the hounds only follow a scented lure, and more often then not the hunt is wrought with protests...but traditionally a big thing.The above is a Times image from the Tenterdon hunt...
This week we are having our SANTAFORGOT code 15% off sale at our shops...
Thanks so much for joining me for
tea! Here is the linky for your tea
related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are
patient...it's there! And I love to read your comments, and I do read every one
if I can find and can get to you to visit! If you comment from Google+…it isn’t easy...so
forgive me if I am not replying to comments you so kindly leave...I am trying!
Hi Ruth, I hope you don't mind that I linked up two posts that really aren't tea related but I thought they went well with what you posted. If you want to delete them I totally understand.
ReplyDeleteYour buche de noel log sure looked pretty, so sorry it didn't taste good. I liked the looks of the white cream, I used chocolate so it doesn't show up much, but I also covered the ends in chocolate buttercream. Your teapot is really cute with the tea kettle look to it, and the teacup is lovely. So glad your husband had a good day for Christmas. :) Have a wonderful week!
Gina
Merry Christmas Ruth! It is Boxing Day here on the Island and a much needed holiday for everyone. Christmas, although very beautiful and exciting, is also very busy and one has to come down a bit the day after. So we really do appreciate the holiday. We are spending a quiet day at home today and so I thought I would drop by to see what you are up to. I like the tea kettle shaped teapot and the teacup is lovely. Have a wonderful week and enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteChristmas blessings,
Sandi
Brautiful post. As usual. Merry Christmas, Rith!!...Christine
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Ruth! Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you and your hubby had a good day on Christmas! I really like the unique shape of your holly teapot. I had the H & S White Christmas Tea few years ago, but haven't seen it around here this season. My aunt brought a (mocha) Yule log to our Christmas celebration and her mushrooms were made of meringue.
ReplyDeleteThank you the interesting info on Boxing Day and its British origins. Back during my shopaholic days, I would brave the crowds at the malls to score some Boxing Day deals. These days? Not so much! Thanks for hosting and enjoy the last days of 2016!
Thanks most sincerely for another stunning post of yours and for hosting me today !
ReplyDeleteI thought to share a post about a traditional Italian Christmas cake which is simply perfect for an Afternoon High Tea !
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Time, I'm sending blessings on your days to come, Happy New Year ahead, dearest Ruth
I hope you and your hubby had a joyous Christmas, Ruth. It's such a beautiful time of the year. I've been enjoying Harney's White Christmas Tea this Christmas too. Thank you for the year-round gift of your blog. I know it's a labor of love. Wishing you God's blessings in 2017! ~ Phyllis
ReplyDeleteRuth, thank you for sharing your beautiful holly china and info on Boxing Day. AND for hosting! Wishing you and your Honey a wonderful 2017.
ReplyDeleteRuth, the tea sounds delicious! I hate it when I buy something at a bakery and it rarely tastes as good as it looks. Sorry about your yule log! Nothing like homemade. I just learned about Boxing Day a few years ago. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
I am happy that your honey had a good day on Christmas, Ruth. Your teacup and teapot are so pretty. Thanks for the information on Boxing Day. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLovely teapot Ruth! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDelete