Welcoming Christmas with Red Transferware And Cheer!

Welcome to you indeed! 

December continues, and what a different Christmas season this is!

I have pulled our my seasonal cross stitches and this Welcome board I painted in the 1990s...

My grandfather was a professional painter, and I had a minor in art at university, but I basically only dabbled. But this turned out well, and is nice and seasonal, so it is still around.

What isn't, is the 200 pound cast torso of a nude woman I did for a sculpture class final! That was destroyed long ago... Lol!

I wanted to share with you one of the antique sterling silver teapot spout tea strainer baskets I have periodically. I had a Gorham one last week that was purchased for a Christmas present. 

This one is US made, by Whiting Manufacturing, USA and has a pattern number date of 1887.

It is used to strain the tea leaves from the teapot as the stream of tea pours though the pivoting tea strainer into the teacup.

There is quite a debate as to who and when these fun tea gadgets were contrived, and I know of some that date to the 1780s from England at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, but others think France, and they were certainly made in England, Ireland, France and Belgium as well as the USA before and after it was independent.

But... so fun! They never stay in my shop long!

Some people are not found of white china, but I always think it is so versatile, as it goes with everything. This is the Patrician pattern from Wedgwood, England from the 1960s of cream ware or Queen's Ware with a lovely embossed pattern.

Elegant! I always love finding this pattern!

The mark dates it easily to the 1960s. This was quite a popular pattern, with several version, some which include transfer printed floral borders or centers with the pattern, some with different names with the shape referred to as Patrician.

And how can I not include red transferware during the season!

This is the Johnson Brothers, England pattern called Castle On The Lake in a romantic landscape pattern with the noted castle, lake and beautiful gardens in what is called variously red or pink transferware.

The pattern itself was registered in 1890s, but not used until 1939 and discontinued in 1970. I love the sort of rope edging.

This is indeed an historic and divergent season indeed! But I pray you are able to still enjoy the season, it's meaning and it's joys.

I want to also say Happy Hanukhah!

December! Christmas Book From Angela And A New Christmas tea

Welcome to December! 

Isn't that amazing?!

A lovely Thanksgiving, spent on Facetime with our out of state kids was wonderful. Maybe next year it will be different... The last 2 weeks have been some more medication adjustments for my husband, so not much happened except monitoring him.

But the arrival of a book I had ordered authored by my blogger friend Angela Webster McRae of Tea With Friends blog and a new tea lifted my spirits and prompted this post, as I had been without inspiration.

Besides being a cookbook and a praise of vintage, The Vintage Christmas Cookbook is also was filled with charming anecdotes and wonderful photos...

If you follow Angela's blog, you know she is a vintage lover, and we have so much in common!

I especially loved the photo of Angela with her iron and ironing board with the aluminum tree in the background!

And of course, if you know Angela you know of her love for Santa mugs. I can never see one without smiling and thinking of her!

Altogether a wonderful, tasty, nostalgic enjoyable book.

The book is available on Amazon... I asked Angela for the link in case you are interested. I am so glad I ordered mine!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1087923875

I have been getting out my Christmas china, and this is by Tuscan, England from the 1950s in the Noel pattern. As I have mentioned before, many potteries shared a decal maker, and this Noel is found on china produced by at least 6 potteries that I can think of. Which is good if you are completing a set of something.

And oh the joy of a new Christmas tea! This is Silent Night from Smith Teas in Oregon. I got a sample pack of loose tea to try, and am ordering a bigger amount

As they state...

A caffeine-free candy cane in a cup. Northwest-grown peppermint leaves waltzing in a winter wonderland of cinnamon, ginger, and sweet licorice. Tastes especially delightful when the weather outside is frightful.

TASTING NOTES:

Cinnamon, mint, licorice

I really enjoyed it. Sometimes flavored teas are overwhelming to me, but this was a lovely cup!

And, on my family Royal Doulton Rosebud plate, you can see lots of good things in it!

No baking this week, but I got a pack of Bisconies and vanilla chocolate shortbread brownies from Costco, so we are not bereft!

Hopefully this will be a more stress free week...

Here's hoping you find time for A Cup Of Christmas Tea with a friend, even if virtually!