"A NEW DAWN"

A new dawn approaches as we wave adieu to Christmas's past. Look and wave good-bye to the vexations of heart . 

Let the light shine on what is to come ... HOPE ...  PEACE AND TRANQUILITY OF LIFE.

                           New adventures and  new journey embark within the tender arms of
                                                                        the New Year
                                                                       .. and with it ....

The suspense and intrigue of something ...

 deja due

 or 

familiar, 

in the stirrings

 of our souls.

A walk down an unknown pathway

 leads  us

into 

the realms of a new moon 

and

                                                          the new beginnings of
                                                                          this
                                                                   New Dawn
                                                                          2013

                                                                        " IT'S "

                                                                            an
                                                               Exciting Journey

Today I am in Kiyakyushu, Japan, awaiting the turn of the NewYear...  the Joys  and Tears  awaken with the New Dawn and overflow into a melding pot that exudes ALL that God has created and embellished with the exultation of his glorious being. I am humbled to the Joy of expectations that now surround  my trembling... Curiosity emerges like a birth and  cries out  in a voice that shouts ' I AM " .

                                                             DEAR FRIENDS

                                                    May all your dreams  come true
                                                                        in
                                                                      Joy,
                                                                    Health
                                                             and prosperity
                                                     throughout the New Year.

                                                 
                   

"MERRY CHRISTMAS"

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The love  and joy of Christmas are ringing the air.  I've started mine with some good old Christmas albums and  the fabulous Perry Como singing  "It's "Beginning to look a lot like Christmas " ... for " What is Christmas, without the beloved carols of days gone by. My favourite is " Gesu Bambino"  and " O Holy Night".  Ultimately, Handels' " Messiah " lifts me to a place of spiritual gratitude and prayer. It is my favourite.

Beyond  that, Turkey and  cranberry sauce   fulfill my dreams of a Christmas feast past and present . "Christmas In The Kitchen ", is a heart warming  book created by John Beard, that dazzles the heart with a multitude of festive recipes for  four magnificent dinners , eighteen all time cookie recipes and complete instructions for a  gingerbread house.

There is nothing  as special as Christmas camaraderie . It's a time of gathering all the bonds and traditional treasures  together with one another . I love  to create small presents and tokens from the heart, but I also love to find just the right gift to slip under the newly decorated Christmas tree. There are many different ways to celebrate and mine is with little things in the sockings. It's always the most the most satisfying and the most fun !!!

My wish for every little child is to see the movie " The Littlest Angel "  or maybe even read this  glorious little book... I remember anxiously waiting for the Christmas week to arrive so that I could enjoy the magical  storytime  on television. Of course that was when , the " Bishop's Wife" and ' The Little Matchgirl "  were classics. It was also a time when Santa had a ' Naughty and nice "list... So you better be good ( Ha ha)

Speaking of good... actually sweet and innocent ....  My grandson " Hughie"  sent a letter to Santa.

Dear Santa,

I am seven years old and believe in Santa Claus. All my classmates say you are not real , so I am the only one who believes in you. Would you please show me how to convince my friends that you exist Santa ....  and  I'm not asking but only wondering if it is possible for me to have a baby fox as a pet for Christmas.

Merry Christmas
Hughie

 I think Mommy and Daddy should , purchase ' The Miracle on 34th Street " ..( old version ) and ENJOY the spirit and magic of Christmas.

I'm wishing all my teatime friends and  blog neighbours a  most Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

" WHO'S COMING TO TEA "

" Who's coming to tea?  Can't imagine "whoo" it might be !!!!
I've looked all around the room and even answered the door....  Do you have pumpkins carved? Are they all in their places, with scary, or even happy faces?  I wonder, "whoo" it will be, that will stop over, for a Thanksgiving tea?

I'm  inviting  and wishing all my American friends, a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING.... To celebrate the season, I've strayed a little from the traditional oranges, into the dramatics of black, contrasted with  vibrant yellow and red roses. Today, I shall be brewing rose hip tea reaped from my very own garden.

The best time to harvest the rose hips is after the first frost, as I've been told that frost helps to sweeten the flavour. It's a great way to get a tasteful sense of the bud. 

You can use fresh or  dried rose hips, but you'll need twice as many hips, if your using fresh. For this aromatic tea, steep four to eight rose hips in a cup of boiling water for about 10-15 minutes ... or take a short cut and simply buy some  in the store.

M-m-m-m...It  tastes simply delicious in this artful 1950's "Rosina" teaset from England. The company operated in Longton, Staffordshire and began trading in 1941...  It became one of the many  potteries operating in the region referred to as the " Staffordshire Potteries".

Many of the pieces feature delicate floral designs and patterns with slightly small and dainty handles.

I'm  quite in love with this pattern, especially since it's so fondly decorated with something that I adore, " Roses"... 

" Would Jove appoint some flower to reign

In matchless beauty on the plain

The Rose , ( Mankind will all agree)

The Rose, the Queen of Flower should be ."

- Sappho

Yes, I'm still in the poetic mood of the autumn blush... I trust that, most of you, have  taken time out, to reflect and enjoy the gifts of the season with your families. I've even found a cosy little spot to curl up in, for those quieter moments of thanksgiving.

Since today, I am expecting teatime company..... What better way to celebrate than to share something you love with friends  .... garden fresh tea and  fine china !!!!

 Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving,  the second Monday of each October, so we are now,  actually eating our left overs in a Turkey pie ...( Gobble Gobble) ...  but I'd love to join my American friends on Thursday, for a home cooked meal and a piece of pumpkin pie ...  I can smell it from here. ( Yummy)

If you need a little  break from the hustle and bustle of baking and excitement,   remember that there's a relaxing spot of tea waiting for you, just over the border, in Canada... with the "Grand Lady"and friends.

                                                    " HAPPY THANKSGIVING "

" SWEET INSPIRATION "

The morn is filled with the hazy spirits  of All Hallow's Eve, in a misty blanket of air that refreshes the soul with poetry. It's a  " November Morning ". 

A tingling, misty marvel.

Blew hither in the night,

And now the little peach- trees

Are clasped in frozen light.

Upon the apple branches

An icy film caught.

With trailing threads of gossamer

In pearly patterns wrought.

The autumn sun, in wonder,
Is gayly peering  through
This silver tissued network
Across the frosty blue.

The weather vane is fire tipped,
The honey suckle shows
A dazzling icy splendor,
And crystal is the rose.

Around the eaves of fringes
Of icicles that seem
To mock the summer rainbows
With many coloured gleam.

Along the walk, the pebbles

Are each a precious stone;

The grass is tasseled hoarfrost,

The clover jewel sown.

Such sparkle, sparkle, sparkle

Fills all the frosty air,

Oh, can it be that darkness

Is ever anywhere!

Written By: Evaleen Stein

Now , don't you think that  poetry and a cup of tea are a lovely way to start the day !!!!!  I do, enjoy the brisk and musical air of November.  I can hear the chickadees singing to the harmony of the little nuthatches that are frequenting our feeders.

To celebrate this invigorating month, I've chosen a teaset that fits perfectly into the mood of the day. ..... Tea for two and two for tea.... Won't you join me !!!!!

It's a Queen Anne  cup and saucer that I recently bought at Value Village. Although it's a little worn around the edges, it's uplifting beauty sent me a twitter as I picked it up, put it down and walk away down the aisles three times.... Heaven knows, that I don't need another cup and saucer.

" Tweet Tweet " .. the song of the little bird kept ringing in my ear as I did circles throughout the store....

How very silly of me to think that I could escape the the sweet rapture of this set ( Ha Ha)

Especially since I could get this fine china  for such a song ...$2.00. I had to buy it !!!!

RIGHT !!!!!

Most Queen Anne China dates to around the 1940's-1960's, which makes it vintage and a great addition to my collection.

It was just too pretty to resist.... I shall simply pour the tea into my pretty cup and create some teatime poetry ( sip sip).  Here is my humble poem ( Tee Hee)  It's  called , "Tea Bird "...written by moi....

Pretty Tea Bird singing in sweet fragrance on my cup

Come, chant a song of joyfulness to fill my daytime up.

With hazy hours of falling leaves that dance around the sky,

To hood the world in golden hue, where earthly brown does lie.

The leaves are fading, falling,

Still, your song is bright and clear

Every note a-ringing

Sweet Autumn time is near.

The wind is whirling,twirling,

The brooks seems dry and numb

No babbling,nor gurgling,

Just a soft melodic hum.

Where do you find inspiration? Probably in the most simple things you love...  like flowers and birds.

I find my greatest inspiration from nature.

Today, I have  found poetic inspiration in a cup filled with tea. Please do take the time to ponder some sweet inspiration for yourselves.

Thank You, for the pleasure of your " Sweet November" company.

Have an INSPIRING day !!!!!

I'm sharing "SWEET INSPIRATION" with:

Sandi... Tea Time Tuesday ( http://www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca

and 

Terri ... Tea CupTuesday ( http://www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.ca

                                 

"CARVING PUMPKINS "

Wishing you all a safe and happy All Hallow's Eve.... Carving pumpkins is always a delightful experience. Our three year old grandson, Bodhi and Grandpa enjoyed a exhilarating afternoon preparing the jack-'o'lanterns.  Lighting them up was even more exciting, especially on a dark, windy night.

Coming to our house, mean't you had to be careful or you'd get a terrible fright from the six blazing  pumpkins.... We didn't have too many little trick or treaters knocking at our doors, but the spirit and laughter  was an exhilarating way to enjoy the festivities of the October's , All Hallow's Eve ... together.

"TEATIME SPLENDOUR"

" I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree".... The autumn splendour is intoxicating with it colourful array. The awesome scenes encourage my soul to be happy and thankful  for this Thanksgiving .

After a brisk  twenty minute doggie walk,  the  warm nectar of the tea nymphs was all I needed to soothe my already awakened spirit. Goodness, it looks as if some mischievous little golden boy has already been sipping into my cup.

 While the crimson leaves of season are my favourite ... I delighted in choosing a complimentary,
 " Kahla "teaset to rally the vibrancy of  autumns flaming colours.

It's a lovely set that blushes with the autumn flowers in their last dance of the year  .... See how   the three stems are so elegantly poised in a floral ballet ... Note that the cup is only 2 inches high. It was a gift from my mother, so it's befitting that I invite you to share midday tea with mother and I.

Shortbread is a family favourite so, help yourself to the dainties while I chat up alittle Kahla history.

It seems that Kahla has a 150 year old history that  really dates back to 1814 when Christian Jacob Eckhard requested Kahla citizenship. In October 1844 production begins in Kahla, a town in the Saale-Holzland district in Thuringia, Germany. Cups, pipes and doll heads are created out of porcelain and it develops into a major enterprise  employing many of the surrounding villagers.

In 1856 a Prussian business man takes over the factory and continues to produce porcelain dug from the grounds situated near the Leuchtenburg Castle. Porcelain is created out of three basic materials: quartz sand, feldspar and kaolinite, which makes each and every china set an elegant work of art. 

Have I got your interest ? 

Unfortunately, the Kahla journey is far too extensive for me to post here. It has a full tapestry to explore... so please take your time ... but I warn you it's very exciting and you may have to go for a holiday over  to Germany.  Maybe even  to visit Johanna!! ( Ha Ha)

 For more information, it would be advantageous to visit sites pertaining to Kahla and Walpersberg, where there is a fabulous wartime history on the pottery factories. 

 Would like a little more sugar in your tea?

  I really admire that in the thirties  the Kahla-Group was taken over by designer, Dr. Hermann Gretsch

( 1895-1950) as the Arzberg-Linie" company brand, then  in 1972 with Hutschenreuther, one of Germanys' most prominent china manufacturers.  I have collected their figurines and pottery for years... never knowing the history... What goes around finally comes around...Amazing !!!!! Please do take the time to research this china. It's fascinating.

Hopefully, I haven't tired you with all this chit chat... and please do indulge yourself with a little teatime reading when you get home, my Friends.

In the meantime , enjoy the music of the leaves beneath your feet. Thanks for the pleasure of your teatime company ( crunch crunch)

Savour the warmth and dusty rich fragrances of the season.  

Be creative and express how you feel about OCTOBER

EXHILERATING!!!!!

"HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING "

Check out my (http://www.zaaart.blogspot.ca) for a" cut'npaste"  ATC tutorial 

I'm sharing Thanksgiving Tea with:

Sandi .... Tea Time tuesday( http://www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca)

Terri ....Tea Cup Tuesday....( http://www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.ca)

Ruth ...Tuesday Cuppa Tea ....( www.antiques and teacups.blogspot.ca)

" MY AUDREY CUP "

Late night movies and goodness, it's already morning, but I just had to watch Leo Tolstoys ' War and Peace"... It's  a full length 1956 epic, surrounding the 1812 French invasion into Russia and the impact of the Napoleonic era on the Tsarist society, as seen through the personal lives of two aristocratic families.. The stellar cast included, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Ferrer and Peter Fonda ... It's a lengthly movie, but truly a classic.

Please pardon  my tardiness in preparing  our teatime.( yawn) I'm peeking into cupboards with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage today  so I best choose my teaset quickly and get the kettle boiling.

It's a rather rather brisk day that is filled with the aches and pangs of the season ...  The trees are turning so quickly and now float restlessly to the ground. I am reminded from the chilly movie scenes( above) that it's getting cold outside .  It's definitely a harvesting time for all god's creatures, including myself. Today I am lost in a myriad of thoughts that fall and scatter  just like the leaves.

 I smile, as the chipmunks and bluejays rally over the peanuts that  have been left on the doorstep for them.

 ( hurry, scurry)... because, I , too, just want to snuggle into the warmth and comfort of the day.  Yes... Autumn is a time for helping and supporting one another.

While  the kettle was whistling, I was rummaging through old papers and found this beautiful quote from one of my favourite personalities ....  We can ponder it over a steeping hot cup of tea.

" Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,

it's at the end of your arm, as you get older,

remember you have another hand:

The first is to help yourself,

the second is to help others ."

... Audrey Hepburn

Don your coat and hat before coming over. It's just a short walk over the bridge to my house. I'll have a  cup waiting for you!!!!

My cupboards are filled with such a wide variety of brightly coloured teasets, but stacked on the left hand side, are a collection of white cups and saucers, that I have rarely used ...Today, I've decided to break the habit.

What a lucky decision, as I have found such a wonderful history for this elegant little teaset. Look (above) .... Doesn't it remind you of a soft vanilla ice cream cone with all those pretty swirls? 

 This " Royal Tuscan " has a most interesting potted history, that is quite well documented.

Tuscan Tableware was founded in 1878 Staffordshire , England by R.H. Plant. The records show that the Plant family were potters of renown going back at least as far as 1775. There were jugs, white glaze baskets and a pair of lions produced about 1780 - marked J. Plant and  B.  Plant respectively.

 Also the 1775 diary of the same individual is kept in a private collection showing how much he paid for glazes and other potting materials. Isn't that a unique insight into the history of Tuscan  tableware!!!!

About 1900, two brothers, R.H. Plant and S.L. Plant established a major factory called Tuscan works and in 1915 became a limited company., R.H.Plant & S.L. Plant Ltd. Blazoned on the outer factory building were the words, " Our Work ... Our Pride ". 

Tuscan Works produced what is widely considered to be a fine line of china 

Their branded bone-china was known as " Tuscan" until 1967 after which they were taken over by a new parent company, Wedgewood, who added the " Royal" prefix for marketing purposes.

 My cup and saucer would have been made  at this time as it is marked " Royal Tuscan ".

This unpretentious teaset is deliciously decorated with a generous amount of decorative gold, yet it retains a very simple integrity that is gracefully poised, much like Audrey Hepburn. SO, that is what I shall call this china setting ... " Audrey " ( ha Ha)... and with every sip I shall feel elegant and beautiful.

In the mid 1900's, the factory was considered to be very modern for the times, with one gas-fired and two electric kilns, which were the heated enclosures used to process their decorative china, by firing, burning or drying.

Today, the factory is closed, but many pieces can still be purchased through websites. I checked ebay and found a generous amount of beautiful teasets and table settings still available at very reasonable prices.

Although I did not find this exact set, there was an abundance of this swirled pattern, minus the gold gilding, in a plain peachy pink , " Peach Bloom " which was one of the company's noted china patterns. If you're looking for new additions to your tea collection, an online search of " Tuscan china " is well worth your time efforts. 

Talk, talk, talk....You hardly got a word in.... Thank you for being such good listeners ladies .... Have a few more nibbles and one or two more sips for the road... Teatime  has been simply divine !!!!

Brrrrr...It's still a little chilly outside ...Please bundle up warmly  .... Check your cupboards for an

 " Audrey " cup when you get home. You know, one of those unsuspecting little treasures, that hide in the cupboards. Fill it with your favourite tea, warm your heart and your hands on it  and feel the BEAUTY WITHIN .... breath in the aroma and say to yourself " I AM BEAUTIFUL.

                                              HAVE A PEACEFUL DAY, LADIES !!!

I peeking into cabinets and sharing teatime with:
Sandi .... Tea Time tuesday( http://www.sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca)
Terri ....Tea Cup Tuesday....( http://www.artfulaffirmations.blogspot.ca)
Ruth ...Tuesday Cuppa Tea ....( www.antiques and teacups.blogspot.ca)