" TEA WITH THE PRINCESS"

Out with the old and in with the New...While the excitement of Christmas is past, I sense a sparkle of magic still lingering in the air. Don't You ?

Yesterday I rushed into town to buy fabric on the 50% " Boxing Day " special ... Quess what !!! Everything was closed, so I humbly sat at an A&W takeout and drank a cup of tea from a paper cup ... It was like being Cinderella in the kitchen cleaning out the ashes ... suddenly the magic was disappearing ... Not being able to shop, made my heart drop. ( Ha Ha)

By the time I got home, I was ready for a real cup of tea in a real china cup ... Somehow fine china always makes teatime more enjoyable. Each fragrant cup of tea seems to burst with an imaginary voyage for me. ( hee Hee) ..It's that child that lives within !!!!

Since my sparkling persona had been ravished by closed shopping doors ... I decided that I needed an imaginary Princess fix ...You know ... It's the times you pretend that you are a Princess and sip tea from your most dazzling cup, while lifting your pinkie finger, my Darlings.

Try to remember Ladies .... It's the times when you climb out of the bathtub, don the tiara and play dress-up at teatime in grand style.

In my case, it was a pair of fuzzy slippers, a bath robe and a wet hair wrap, while drinking royal tea elexir from a glimmering cup ... Yes I was every inch a " Princess"..Tah Dah !!! Oh my goodness, how good it tastes and feels to be Royalty !!! Ah ..now I'm starting to feel better.

Could you ever imagine having a china set created just for you( sigh) ? Well...This pretty set is called Princess Elizabeth. Yes, I do believe that it was created for the Queen by Myott, Sons & Co.Ltd many years ago, when she was just a mere " Princess" awaiting her ascension to the throne.

The Myott Factory was originally an art deco earthenware factory, in Stokes-on Kent, established in 1898 by two brothers, Ashley and Sydney Myott. It seems that many china factories were located in northern England, thus, the English love for pottery, fine china and the illustrious teacups, which we all admire.

This particular pattern is intricately enhanced by a delicate gold filigree that meanders around the beautiful white china that Myott is famous for ... It's perfectly rimmed in the softest aqua/ blue and sweetly accented with a small floral gathering in the centre of the saucer and on the inner rim of the cup.

I do enjoy every gracious little sip from this cup, which I dare say, holds atleast, a wee bit more tea than most. Certainly it's a teacup made for a lavish teaparty !!!! I have four of these beautiful sets .. so ... Who would like to come to my Princess Teaparty?

While basking in the essence of teaology, I found this delightful poem , which pretty much summed up my feelings for the day. I hope you like it.

I had a little tea party

This afternoon at three

T'was very small-

Three quests in all-

Just I, myself and me

Myself ate all the sandwiches,

While I drank up the tea;

T'was also I who ate the pie,

And passed the cake to me."

(Written By: Jessica Nelson North)

Ladies , you must try to take on this role every once in a while ... being " Princess" for a day is jolly good therapy for your inner being.... and ... It's fun !!!

By the way, I'd like to introduce you to, Lady Linda and Mrs. Hugh Bonfoy(above), who just happened to drop in for our Teacup Tuesday celebrations . They're terribly concerned about Prince Phillips recent heart surgery... I sent well wishes for a speedy recovery !!!!

Thank you all for participating in my imaginary teatime journey ... Please do enjoy your tea and have a, " PRINCESS" of a day!!!

" MERRY CHRISTMAS "

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME ... and ... Here I am wishing you and your loved ones a most wonderful holiday. SO gather round the piano and listen to a few traditional carols... "Oh Come all Ye Faithful" keeps ringing in my head ...Have you taken in any festive concerts lately? I attended the, " Messiah ", two weeks ago and can't wait for the Christmas services on the 24th and the night of the 25th.... so set your candles aglow to ignite your spirit.
This season has been very busy and I have missed several of the Teacup Tuesday celebrations with my teatime friends this year... so I pause here, to raise a warm cup of tea in your honour .

I found this burgandy Paragon set in the back of my tea cupboard . It reminded me of decorating with tinsel around the Christmas tree. Look at all those whimsical swirls of gold leaf curling around the saucer's edges ... Makes me want to dance ... "Round and round the tree I go with a -hey and a -hi and a ho- ho- ho". The design is really quite magical!!!
Paragon is always a good choice, if you enjoy something poetic yet elegant. Even the little posies could be winter roses I suppose .( Ha Ha)
Yes, t'is the season to be jolly and merry ... to fill your cup twice and to be thankful for our many blessings of Family, Friendship and Love. It is also a time to be humble and giving. ... a time to appreciate health. May I wish you and yours, the very best this for the Christmas season. May your hearts be filled with the eternal Spirit of JOY !!!
Thank You to each and everyone of you for gracing the " Grand Lady" with your kind and supportive visits. You are indeed always WELCOME with open arms.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT "

"THE SNOW QUEEN"

Let it snow ...Let It snow ....Let it snow ... When I decided to move to snowy New Brunswick ... It was like a childs' glistening dream of a Snow Castle and a Snow Queen, who decreed, giant snowflakes... BEAUTIFUL !!!! Actually ... Yes, you can have it ALL in winter wonderland ....especially, if your heart and imagination are creatively, huge enough, to believe in the Wintry Magic !!!

I've always loved fairytales and folklore .... The " Snow Queen " from Hans Christian Andersons' Fairytale is one of my favorites , but it is also the tale of a formidable lady with a heart of ice... often I feel sorry sorry for this Queen.

Movies, storyteller and animators have personified her evil characteristics in classical form . One thought of the Snow Maiden or Snow Queen and theres an immediate chill ... BRRRRRRRRRRRRR.Since childhood, I enjoyed Folklore from around the world... and it is in these tales, I have found a flourishing kalidescope of emotional comfort, healthy saddness and pensive thoughts of respect for Wintry Beauty.

The Russians seem to have an affinity for Winter, the season that blankets many parts their country longer than most parts of Europe. It is here that the " Snow Queen" folktale originated and took on new form.

Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden is one of Russia's most a popular cultural characters. It is the traditional story of Ded Moroz's ( Santa Claus) granddaughter, who accompanies him while delivering gifts to good children... She has become a rather iconic figure , immortalized on Russian laquered boxes and on nesting dolls...

Sneg, means snow and Snegurochka lives in Veliky Ustyug with her grandfather. She is commonly depicted with long silver-blue robes and a furry cap. Just as Ded Moroz( Santa Claus) appears in various interpretations during the holiday season, the Snow Maiden also assumes many guises for the New Year celebrations. Thus, she dawns a dual personality according to film and theatre adaptations... good and bad .. ying and yang. That's what gives the story longevity!!!!

I collect " Snow Queen " and " Snow Maiden" memorabilia and often times enjoy creating seasonal decorations . Here you see afew Atc's that were created to hang on the Christmas tree. It's amazing what you can do with alittle glue, glitter and sparkly pipe cleaners.( Ha Ha)

The story of the "Snow Maiden is both beautiful and sad. If you're a lover of folktales, it is one that will touch your heart . The Russian Snegurochka is the daughter of Spring and Winter, who appears to a childless couple as a winter blessing. Unable or forbidden to love, Snegurochka remains indoors with her human parents until the urge of nature forces her to venture beyond. When she falls inlove with a human boy, she saddly melts.( Sniff sniff) ..I always cry when I read this story!!!!

The many variations of this wintry fairytale have delighted children for centuries. If your traveling to Russia during the winter,you're sure to meet or see Snegurochka in some form or another, while shopping.... or .... If you're sitting by the fireside curled up, in a cozy spot, maybe a frosty little fantasy is just what Old Man Winter has ordered for your reading enjoyment

The Snow Queen and Snow Maiden are both available in book and movie form .. Your choice.

In the meantime ..... BRIGHT BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY for a warm and happy Christmas.