Pages

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Twelfth Night, Johnson Brothers, New Year Stuff

Hello and welcome to the first Tuesday Cuppa Tea of 2015! Amazing!


I hope you had a peaceful and fun New Year's Eve and New Year's Day...and didn't watch so many American football games that your eyes are rectangular! We had a lovely dinner at our favorite organic bistro....lovely! 




This homey and cozy Johnson Brothers, England hand colored on transfer ironstone teacup in the Sheraton pattern from the 1910-1920s just called out to me this week....I love the lush floral bouquet with the promise of spring flowers. Ironstone has such a cozy feel!




Sorry the mark is out of focus...my camera is dying I am afraid...and I think that after this photo it has given up...oh joy...camera shopping coming up!
ANYWAY, this is another of the hand colored on transfer patterns that I love. Each is individual...and no two are the same...which I consider much of it's charm. Just like people...each is a work of art...no two are the same...all from the artist's hand.

January 6th is Twelfth Night...12 days after Christmas...and is said to be the date that the 3 Wisemen or Magi reached the Christ child and gave Him their gifts. Twelfth Night has a long history in England, and was celebrated throughout the entire 12 days. Their was a Lord Of Misrule in many cities and courts and manors, usually someone of low status, who was in charge of general mayhem...which included plays, tricks, drinking,  feasting...much frowned on by those who felt the connotation to be more spiritual....


William Shakespeare wrote a comedy with the name, which is a fun read if you read it looking for indications of Elizabethan era. 



One of the books I read each Christmas time,  The Queene's Christmas by Karen Harper...an Elizabethan murder mystery set during the 12 days of Christmas and solved by Elizabeth I and her helpers. It's a wonderful portrait of the court, manners and customs.



I came across this list a few years ago of what the modern equivalent of the gifts given during the 12 Days Of Christmas and want to share it again...quite funny!



I don't know about you, but I'd call that conspicuous consumption!


And the jury is in on my 3 favorite holiday teas this year....from left to right
Muchie's Christmas Tea
Republic Of Tea's Pumpkin Spice
Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane

I could happily drink all three of these all year round, and have mail ordered for more of them, as...as the Republic Of Tea lid says "When They're gone, they're gone!"



This is a slice of  Twelfth Night Cake I made from a recipe originally from a World Book called Christmas Around The World...but I added raisins and walnuts...as I can hardly bake ANYTHING is our home without nuts...my husband's favorite!



And...the page from my Downton Abbey engagement calendar for the week features the indomitable Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham....



The quote with this photo is:


Isobel:  How you hate to be wrong!
Violet:  I wouldn't know, I'm not familiar with the sensation.

Isn't it nice to have Downton Abbey back again???!

Thanks so much for joining me today for Tuesday Cuppa Tea. Here is a list of some of the other blog parties, and a linky for you to link your tea related posts. 


Over the next 2 weeks I won't be around the computer much....visiting and being visited, and generally having a post Christmas and post husband's heart issue break. So...I may be slow in responding to comments, but I will. I also want to thank you all again for your prayer, comments and emails. My blogging friends are such a blessing!






18 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Ruth! Johnson Bros. is always a favourite to see on tea blogs. This teacup is just wonderful and thank you for sharing the history on it. The Queen's Christmas sounds like an enjoyable read. I love a good mystery! Yummy looking cake too. Thank you for sharing and have a lovely week. Your hubby is still in my prayers. I hope he is improving.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  2. I LOVE that Happy New Year card. Pansies will always be my favorite flower. I have never seen that cup and saucer set you are showing us this week. It is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoyed watching DA last night and the book you read sounds interesting. Murchie's is definitely my favourite Christmas Tea.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday and hosting your tea gathering.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy New Year, Ruth! I so love JB teacups and thank you for the history on them. the book sounds interesting and I liked hearing your verdict on the teas. I'd love to try them all!! The cake sounds delicious and would be the perfect nosh with a cup of tea. Thank you for hosting your party each week. Yes, I'm glad that DA is back....I've been waiting for months!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ruth that cake looks great! I like your calender too. Thanks for hosting and I hope your New Year is starting off great!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy 2015 to you, and Happy Hot Tea Month!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh good ... as soon as I saw this teacup it reminded me of my Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz and I thought, "That HAS to be Johnson Brothers," and it was! (So your education of your readers is paying off, ha!) Wish I could reach through the computer and have a piece of your cake. Mmm!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello lovely lady...here to thank you for the first Tea party of 2015 and to wish you all the blessings God can give you and yours.
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  9. Haha Ruth, I have Keep Calm, mentioned Downton Abbey both in my post I just finished too. Great minds, right?

    I may be going to a Renaissance Twelfth Night and Feast on Saturday - thank you for that recipe, perhaps I will make it to bring and present to the Baron and his lovely wife. : - )

    My mother in law doesn't take her Christmas things down until after Epiphany - but yesterday my hubs had his last day of vacation and decided to help me, and the help I took, yes, ma'am! : - )

    Thank you for hosting. My very best to you - have a very happy new year, m'lady!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Ruth,
    I do love your Johnson Brother's teacup. It really is a cozy looking pattern. Since the Twelve Days of Christmas ends tomorrow I must get my Christmas decorations away and I have started tonight. So much work and it makes me a litte sad. I always sang that song with my Kindergarten classes and they loved it! Your recipe looks delish too! Thank you for hosting Tuesday Cuppa Tea! Karen

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a lovely post as always. Your book sounds like a good read. You two take care and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the Twelfth Night lore and for sharing the cozy teacup. Cozy is what's needed right now.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do love Lady Violet, probably my favorite character! Your Johnson Bros. teacup is, indeed, cozy, and would be perfect to use during this cold weather we're having here. We used to celebrate the 12th day of Christmas with our kids with a cake with a hidden gold foil covered chocolate slipped inside. Whoever got the coin wore a crown and was king or queen for the day.
    Thank you for sharing the book recommendation, looks good.
    Blessings to you in 2015, and I do pray your husband's health issues resolve.

    ReplyDelete
  14. happy new year, ruth!!!!!!! love your post!!!!! thank you for hosting!!! hugs, angie from germany

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Ruth,
    I've been enjoying your informative posts and am excited to participate in my first "Tuesday Cuppa Tea". I also love Candy Cane Lane (very wise of you to stock up on your favourite teas!) and Downton Abbey. Enjoy your blogging break!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I absolutely love the Downton Abbey quote on the calendar! It's great to be linking in this week. Happy New Year!

    ~ Haley

    ReplyDelete
  17. Always know I am going to enjoy my visit here. Have a wonderful New Years. Blessings, Martha

    ReplyDelete
  18. WOnderful post, Ruth - enjoyed all the tidbits and teas!
    Would dearly luv a slice of that 12th Night cake, but not a whole cake for when it's just me :) EnJoy!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)