A Cup Of Christmas Tea ~

"if you find you have some time, how wonderful if we could have a little chat and share a cup of Christmas tea." by Tom Hegg

A cup of Christmas Tea...the perfect thing to share with a friend on a chilly evening. Our repast is after 4 p.m. and can be authentically called 'High Tea'. 

High tea is an English meal that gained popularity in the 1600s, especially among laborers. It was often substantial, contrasted with afternoon tea where a few cakes might be served. High tea was often called meat tea because hearty dishes were served, perhaps meat sandwiches, or hot cooked food like meat pies, and Welsh rarebit. Cold meats, bread, cheese, crackers and a variety of desserts like cakes could make up part of the menu. High tea was usually a part of the evening meal, taken around sunset.  

Our gingerbread house~ It has an Oreo cookie roof, skaters on the pond and deer in the yard. 

 

The scent of pine mingled with the aroma of spices wafting from the kitchen. Going with a seasonal theme I chose to prepare Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato Soup, Turkey Roll Ups on whole grain flatbread and homemade Cranberry Orange Relish. There were small triangles of toast warming in the oven, waiting to become Welsh Rarebit. I also made Snickerdoodles and bought mini Chocolate Chip cookies and Chocolate drizzled Sugar Stars at Trader Joes. When my friend arrived she was greeted at the door by our festive penguin.

I lit the candles, then poured hot water onto the tea leaves to steep. The teapot is a Cup Of Christmas Tea design which originates with the story written my Tom Hegg.

         "Come in, come in," she laughed the words. She took me by the hand.

On went the striped cozy I made for the teapot to keep the tea piping hot! I served Troika tea by Kousmichoff which has hints of bergamot in it. It went well with turkey and cranberry.

The large plates I used are called 'Holiday Season' by Mikasa and the smaller luncheon sized plates are 'Tartan' by Sasaki.

                               
                                            I spy Santa Claus~

The centerpiece is a floral arrangement, candle and tea canister on a glass cake stand surrounded by a berry wreath.

There was fresh Italian Panettone too~

If you have never tried panettone look for it in stores and bakeries now. It is wonderful toasted!

The creamer was dressed in a beaded crochet doily and there were British style Crackers on the dessert tier nestled next to tiny candy canes.

Aren't the holly leaves on the teacups pretty?

Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross.

I have two Cup Of Christmas Tea cup and saucer sets...perfect for me and a friend.

'She poured two cups. She smiled, and then she handed one to me. And then we settled back and had a cup of Christmas Tea.'

I am excited to announce the random winner of my Blog Anniversary Give away! Susanne was number 5.

Thank you so much, ladies, for helping me to celebrate one year of blogging!

I am sharing this teatime post with:

Sandi's Embrace The Season Christmas Tea

Martha's Martha's Favorites

Kathy's Delightsome Life

Terri's Artful Affirmations

                                  Miss Spencer's St Nick Tea
                         Wanda Lee's Gingerbread Tea
      Here are the supplies we used to make our gingerbread house~

                           Another view of our yummy house~