Monday, December 8, 2014

" CHRISTMAS ROSE TEATIME"

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" ..Welcome to a carolling teatime ... ' Yes , I'm still singing ... Today, we will be humming  and listening to   "We Three Kings ",
 written by John Henry Hopkins(1857)

"We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star."


Who can resist a handcrafted star to symbolically glorify the message of of Christmas and the Christ Child. This is one which I purchased at the Frederickton Christmas Craft Fair. An elderly German lady  had patiently folded over two hundred of these wax paper treasures to sell. The walls  of my studio are mauve, I bought three in varying colours of purple. 
 It sets the tone for the Christmas window display, doesn't it !!!


I never tire of  Christmas stories and all the heartwarming tales. Luckily, I  found  a charming  Staffordshire tea set, called the Christmas Rose. If you care to blog along, it has a lovely little legend to tell. 


"The Legend of the Christmas Rose"
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem. There came three Wise men from the East bearing gifts of  gold, Myrrh and Frankincense. A little Shepherdess, watching from afar, wept because she had no gift to offer the Christ Child. As her tears fell to the ground, flowers sprang up, which the child gathered and hastened to bring to the infant.


In adoration, she knelt at the crib, so  Jesus could see the flowers and when his blessed little hands touched the flowers, a delicate pink appeared in the centre of each floret. So a flower that never blossomed before came into existence- the Christmas Rose. To this day, the Christmas Rose blooms more abundantly at Christmastime than any other season.


The Staffordshire company has beautifully decorated this tea set in vivid colours, unlike the actual  plant which  has only a delicate blush of light green and pink on it petals .. . still, it is a very eye catching set.  While living in Vancouver , B.C., I had a Christmas Rose  blooming in my garden during the wintry months... Thus, this pretty tea cup and saucer bears  a fond mid-winter memory and of course another favourite carol .....
" Lo how a rose 'e're blooming from tender stem has sprung ".

 I'm so  relieved that you're  enjoying  the sing song. ( Ha Ha)
Honestly,  I won't ask anyone to go solo!!!


Another  variation of my Christmas stars is this rich colour combination. Do you see how the precise folding technique allows the light to shine through, making  the  starry pattern?
( Pretty, Pretty)

                                     During Christmas, I do believe in drinking, loose tea,
              since we don't take  enough time out of our  busy schedules to pamper ourselves.


                           So Ladies ... Let's make loose tea a ritual during the festive season.
                                How about some Carmel Chai, with or without milk added.
                                                          It's a Rootibos  based tea,
                                    that has a earthy, robust taste, to get you through the day.
                                                Heaven knows ... You deserve it Ladies !!!


                                 I like taking that little  pause in life and saying to myself,
    " I'm important enough to take the five or six minutes needed for a nice cup of tea "...
                                                                     otherwise ...
                                            How would we ever get through the season !!!!


                                             Now doesn't that look full, rich and flavourful.
                                                M-m-m- girls, it tastes as good as it looks.
                                                                            OOPS....
                                                      You need your teacup replenished.


                      It is always best to store tea in a tin or specifically designed bags that seals,
                  since loose tea is like a sponge and soaks up  surrounding  scents and flavours.
                         I have  also been told, not to use "zip ", glass or plastic containers.
                                                                        ALWAYS
                                      store your tea in a cool, dry place, away from the light...
                                                                           AND
                                                      that's the teatime lesson of the day.
                                                                   
"
 "O, Star of wonder, Star of night, 
Star with Royal beauty bright, 
       Westward leading , still proceeding, 
Guide us to thy perfect light. "

                                       Thank you for lending your voices and spirit in a
                                                                     teatime song.

Today, I'm joining: Rose Chintz Cottage, Martha's Favorites, Tuesday Cuppa Tea and
 Bernideen's Teatime Blog.







22 comments:

Antiques And Teacups said...

I love the stars! What a lovely craft. Especially the purple one. I have never tried to grow the Christmas Rose. Love your teacup! Perfect for your Christmas teatime. Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

The Victorian Girl said...

I'm so glad to hear the story of the Christmas rose. My best friend's birthday is in December and I'm giving her a Royal Albert Christmas Rose teacup. And now I have a wonderful story to go along with it!

Millie said...

I have never seen those Christmas stars before, and they are very pretty!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Those stars are lovely and look like a fair amount of work. I enjoyed reading again the story of the Christmas Rose and your teacup is lovely! Who doesn't love singing those beautiful Christmas songs? I cannot get enough of them. Thank you for sharing and joining me for tea.

Blessings,
Sandi

Zaa said...

Thanks Ruth .. I love handmade artwork.. so happy to share with you at teatime...Hugs

Zaa said...

Thank you Victorian Girl ..Please do visit again soon... Merry Christmas

Zaa said...

Hey Millie ..Apparently they are made from a waxed German paper and it is a traditional german craft. Thanks for the kind visit...Hugs

Zaa said...

Thanks Sandi.. I always love your sweet teatime
visits.. ENJOY your day ...Hugs

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh my, thank you for sharing your beautiful stars and also the legend of the Christmas Rose. How appropriate to use your gorgeous teacup for your tea today. Yes, I'll take some milk with my tea, please.
I so enjoyed my special, relaxing time with you, as always. xo

Beth said...

Hi Zaa, The legend of the Christmas Rose is lovely. I adore your Christmas Rose teacup. The caramel chai sounds delicious. Have a wonderful day!

The Charm of Home said...

Your quilt is beautiful!
Sherry

Zaa said...

Thanks Kitty ..now all I need to complete my tea is your wonderful gingerbread...Hugs

Zaa said...

Dear Beth ..I'm so glad that you stopped over for a little tea break...Christmas Blessings

Debbie Harris said...

What a lovely place you have here! I so enjoyed hearing of the Christmas Rose, just beautiful. And that star...gorgeous! I would love to find one of those some day.
Your little lady looking over your tea cup is just precious.

Merry Christmas!
Joy! Debbie

Terri said...

Hello Zaa! What a lovely Christmas post! Your star is wonderful, and so beautifully crafted! Your new Christmas Rose tea cup is beautiful. I love the wavy gold edge!
I am wishing you a beautiful holiday season full of family and friends...and delicious food and tea...lol!
Hugs,
Terri

Deborah Montgomery said...

Those are beautiful stars, and what patience to fold so many so carefully. The story of the Christmas rose is so sweet; love how you have the shepherdess bending over your pretty cup.
And I have to admit, I take longer than 5 or 6 minutes with my cuppa! Such a good idea to have a little tea break.

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: I have never heard that story before. I love it. Always a pleasure to visit your blog. Your tea cup is stunning. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

Karen said...

Hi Zaa,
Your Royal Doulton figurine is so elegant and your Royal Stafford Special Occasion Teacup is stunning. Love the scalloped rim of the cup. I have never tried caramel chai tea but my grandmother used to read teacup leaves. It is such a happy childhood memory for me. Your star is very very pretty and the story of the Christmas rose is so lovely too. Enjoy the season! Karen

MomWaldsPlace said...

What a charming Christmas Tea Cup! Now I have to go look up the flowers to see a photo of a real one.

Two Cottages And Tea said...

What a beautiful tea time! Love your star and the teacup! The story of the Christmas rose so interesting!
Nancy

Beth in NEPA said...

The stars are beautiful. And I like your advice about loose tea!

Carrie said...

Thanks for sharing that lovely teacup and the story behind the Christmas rose. Those Christmas stars are beautiful!