Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Nutcracker Tea and Unexpected Guests



Welcome ... happy you were able to stop by and join me for tea. The day is quite overcast and the rain makes the outside feel quite damp. But we are toasty warm inside where I have set up a Nutcracker tea, to cheer things up on this rainy day.

It's hard to believe Christmas is just a week away. Though we have experienced some cold days, the temps have been above normal for this time of year - no snow in our area. as you can see from the breakfast area window ... the Christmas cabbages are vibrant with all the rain.



As I turned to retrieve a few things from the island ... I heard some stirring behind me... when I turned this is what I encountered... 
It seems for today's tea, a couple of unexpected guests have decided to join us...of course when they realized they were busted ... they thought if they froze still I would not notice. 

They quickly discovered there was no doggie treats to be had. Dolce was quick to make his escape. Miss Gabbana, decided to do the "If I don't see you , you don't see me" turn.

These lovely teacup trio sets came to me from my dear friend Nan author of The LBD Diaries blog. There is on stamp on the bottoms, so I don't know the manufacturer. The teacup does have a figure 8 like impression  on the bottom.

They look to have been hand painted and the gold detail is gorgeous. The edge of the plate, saucer and teacup have a scalloped detail and the design is slightly raised. The inside of the teacup also has been painted gold about half way down.

The photos do not show the full loveliness of this trio. There is a gold circle detail on the bottom of the inside of the teacup, as well as on saucer and plate.


The handle of the teacup has a slight thumb rest and is also detailed in gold.

To accompany our tea today, we have some treats I picked up at a French Patisserie in the city, ~ Patisserie La Cigogne (on Bayview Avenue). The madeline are delectable baked from scratch on-site and the soft nougat with exotic fruit are both perfect for a Nutcracker tea. 


If you really want a treat ... how about a little rose jam with your madeline. Mon Ami from Vermont introduced me to this delightful jam - it's from France and of course having been born and raised there ..she.has been enjoying rose jam with her morning baguette for years. I have not been able to find it here in Canada, but mon ami has a couple places in the USA, which she thoughtfully keeps me supplied from.


Thank you for visiting and taking tea with me today.





Sharing this post with:  Little red House for Mosaic Mondays ~Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday  Table Top Tuesday ~  A Return to Loveliness Tuesday ~  between naps on the front porch Thursday My Simple Country Life for The Country Homemaker Hop ;Katherine of Katherine’s Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop; Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet HomeCourtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday;Alison of Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays UnfoldAt the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday; Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. ~  What Inspires Me Friday

22 comments:

  1. Love the Fury Tea photos!
    Thanks for sharing a very beautiful tea time!

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  2. Everyhting is beautiful and the food looks so delish, wish I was there too! I love nutcrackers, I have a couple on my tree and two big ones like yours, my mom gave me a few C'mas ago. The teacups are gorgeous too! Have a happy Christmas, along with your family.
    FABBY

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  3. Dearest Celia,
    Oh, your unexpected but darling guests did steal the show! How precious their expressions and body language. They are good at that as they must know their owners through and through.
    What a lovely setting and again with my favorite nut crackers on display. How lucky you are for having a French Pâtisserie in the city... ah, the soft nougat with exotic fruit would be a treat with tea. That is something from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal but funny enough also from The Netherlands but they were ruled by the Spanish for 80 years and than by the French... Madeleines are also a Dutch staple. Rose jam will be perfect to go with the madeleines! Good to see the French Christofle knife rest.
    And your Scottish tartan stockings with nutcrackers are darling!
    Enjoy this time and also the mild-weather bonus!
    Hugs to all of you,
    Mariette

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  4. A lovely nutcracker tea, I see they're even on the stockings. The guests are sweet thinking they would join us for tea; I've had things disappear from my tea table from a sneaky four legged boy who is very fast.
    I've never thought to put jam on my madeleines, but will give it a try next time. Rose jam sounds delicious.
    Judith

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  5. Hi Celia,
    What a glorious Christmas tea on a rainy day. I must say, your little guests are adorable. I can just see them freezing still in hopes you would not notice. LOL

    Love your dishes and treats, nutcrackers and the darling stockings. You sure have a talent for pulling all the details together.

    Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment. It was so nice to have you visit my home. Wishing you a wonderful week and very special Christmas. Thank you for your friendship.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  6. What a pretty tea party on an otherwise gloomy day. All the details are lovely.

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  7. Love your Nutcracker tea (the stockings!!!!). Such fun, furry tea friends, too! The trio is gorgeous (what a nice friend). Happy Happy to you!

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  8. Celia!!! I laughed soooo hard at those two fools. So darn cute. LOVE it! Thanks for kicking off my Monday morning on a great note. xo

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  9. Beautiful Teascape! The puppies are so precious and expecting a treat! My collie loves her treat when we have ours. The gorgeous trios are unusual to have a raised leaf and the gold and blue hues are perfect. The table is set with such yummy desserts. Merry Christmas!

    Thanks, Pam

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  10. What a beautiful tea party - just the thing for a rainy dark December evening. The china pattern is lovely. Blue and white china is a combination that can't be beat.

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  11. What a lovely tea, Celia. Your little guests are so cute! I have never had rose jam and would dearly like to taste some. Perhaps if I get to visit a tea room in Vancouver I will get to have some with a scone or two. Love the Nutcrackers! Your china really is lovely and a splendid gift from a good friend. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful tea with us and have a delightful week, my friend.

    Christmas blessings to you and those you love,
    Sandi

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  12. A delightful tea, and I know I shouldn't covet, but that blue and gold china tempts me to do so!

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  13. I wish I could come to visit! I received such a beautiful Christmas Card in the mail today from Ontario. What a delightful surprise. Thank you so much!

    Colletta

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  14. Those pictures of Dolce & Gabbana at the table are just priceless!! xo

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  15. Dear Celia, there is nothing like a proper tea on a cold and cloudy day! Your setting is gorgeous and your Pupster guests are too too cute!

    Love & Hugs,
    Karena
    Art by Karena
    $75 NOVICA Giveaway

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  16. As always.. the perfect tea Celia :) Your unexpected guests are so handsome and very festive I will add!

    xxleslie

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  17. What a delightful Nutcracker Tea, Celia! Your dishes are beautiful. It would be fun to know more of their history, wouldn't it?

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  18. Very festive and beautiful!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

    Happy Holidays and Warm Seasons Greetings from Singapore~Sanghamitra.

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  19. Hi Celia,
    Lovely tea for two! Your little rascals are too funny. My chihuahua's are a lot like your little cuties! lol mischievous! Love your nutcrackers and the treats look delish. Thanks for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Lisa

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  20. Everything looks lovely and I laughed at the little dog pics. :)

    Visiting you from the Thursday's Favorite Things hop. :)

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  21. I'm just catching up on your posts and am so blessed the blue and gold cups worked out so beautifully. Why do they look better on your table than they did on mine??? Love your tea party guests - so precious. YOU are a huge blessing in my life.

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