December 7th Pearl Harbor Day, Antique Christmas Postcard, Cinnamon, Pecan, and Currant Cream Scones

Today is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941...a day that truly has lived on in infamy. 

That has always had a family connection for me. I have a second cousin whom I never met, being much older than I, who is entombed in the Arizona in Pearl Harbor. 

I grew up knowing that, and when I first visited the site in 1970 with my parents, it was quite moving. I honor those today who lost their lives there in the call of duty.

Here is the antique postcard for today, Dec. 7th, 2018.

This divided back, embossed postcard was postmarked in December, 1914 and was mailed in Bennington or Covington Vermont...hard to read. I think the clinging ivy symbolism is so sweet.

This postcard is from my atchives at Antiques And Teacups.

This is great scone recipe from Epicurious. 

It sounded perfect for the holidays, sooo...

  Cinnamon, Pecan, and Currant Cream Scones

• 1/4 cup heavy cream plus additional for brushing the scones
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar plus additional for sprinkling the scones
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
• 1/3 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/4 cup dried currants

In a small bowl whisk together 1/4 cup of the cream, the egg yolk, and the vanilla. Into a bowl sift together the flour, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, the salt, the baking powder, the baking soda, and the cinnamon, add the butter, and blend the mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Stir in the pecans, the currants, add the cream mixture with a fork until the mixture forms a sticky but manageable dough. Knead the dough gently on a lightly floured surface for 30 seconds, pat it into a 3/4-inch-thick round, and cut it into 6 wedges. Transfer the wedges to a lightly greased baking sheet, brush them with the additional cream, and sprinkle them with the additional sugar. Bake the scones in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are golden.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Cinnamon-Pecan-and-Currant-Cream-Scones-13560#ixzz1fswSh6se

Have a wonderful day...lots of special things going on this weekend, and hopefully my husband will be feeling well enough to attend a Christmas tea on Sunday!

December 6th, Antique Christmas Postcard, St. Nicholas Day

Hi there! Here is our antique Christmas postcard today from the 1920s...

And speaking of Santa Claus, a happy St. Nicholas Day! December 6th is the name day or birthday of the saint said to be the source of our Saint Nick, Santa Claus and Father Christmas, and is celebrated in much of the Western world. 

Nicholas was born in the 3rd century in the city of Myra..now in Turkey. Nicholas, who became a bishop, spent his life giving away his inherited wealth to help those in need... and the gift giving tradition continues today...although Saint Nicholas gave year round, not just at Christmas...good idea, huh???

Wishing you a lovely day celebrating the gifts of the season!

December 5th Antique Postcard, Blueberry Scones Gift Jar

Today's antique Christmas postcard is from 1905 and features a lovely lady adorned with lots of holly.

So charming!

A recipe for a great gift idea... have had this recipe for years, and it has been a great home made gift...

Blueberry Scone Mix In A Jar

2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour 

(I use 50% whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 cup vanilla sugar * or regular or raw sugar
1/4 cup dry milk powder (like soymilk powder)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon dried lemon peel

1 teaspoon vanilla (if not using vanilla sugar above)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried blueberries

Stir together flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, lemon peel and salt.
Cut in shortening using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture
resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in berries. Layer into a 1-quart
canning jar, tapping gently on the counter between layers to settle
before adding the next. Add additional dried blueberries to fill in
small gaps if necessary. Stores at room temperature for up to 6
weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.

* To make vanilla sugar, fill a 1-quart jar with sugar. Split a
vanilla bean in half lengthwise and add both halves to the sugar.
Flavor gets better after a couple of weeks, and it will keep as long
as regular sugar.

Attach the following instructions on a gift tag on the tightly capped 1 quart canning jar with:

Blueberry Scones

Place jar contents in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 beaten egg, 1/3 cup vegetable shortening (or coconut oil) and 1/4 cup water; 

stir just until moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly 
floured surface and quickly knead gently for 12 to 15 strokes or 
until nearly smooth. Pat to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into desired 
shape and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with 
milk. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until golden. 
Transfer to a rack to cool slightly and serve warm.

I have adapted the recipe over the years because of preferences and allergies.

It has always been a well received gift.

We still have a few Roy Kirkham large breakfast cups and saucers in the Christmas Ribbons pattern available at Antiques And Teacups. For more info, click on the photo!

Have a lovely day!

December 4th Antique Christmas postcard, Ornaments and Teacups

I dearly love antique postcards! Such a snapshot of another age! And the Christmas ones are so charming!

For December 4th...

Love the holly framed snowy landscape on this one from 1909...

Handmade ornaments and teacups...what's not to love?

Have a lovely day, and a cup of a holiday tea!

Tuesday Cuppa Tea post for Dec. 3rd is HERE or click on the logo and come visit!

December 3rd Postcard, Tuesday Cuppa Tea with A Flock Of Birds

Hi there... I am trying another Tuesday Cuppa Tea, as, although my husband is now on his second set of antibiotics for the infection, we are coping a bit better with the nausea, and I miss my blogging friends! So... this post is made of both new and old elements, plus my...I hope...daily antique Christmas postcard. 

It is my favorite time of year!

My postcard for Monday December 3rd is an English one from 1912 featuring English Robins, my favorites.

I can see you are saying...I know what bird that is...a robin! Yes, but what country does he come from? This is an American robin, beloved visitor to our American gardens with his beady eyes, quick movements and commanding song. But his English cousin, is linked with Christmas to the British people.

 The English robin is much smaller and more delicately made and is a favorite for decorating themes and stories, beginning with the legend associated with the cute little bird, linking it to the birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem. The legend says that the robin, among the worshipping angels in the stable were so concerned that the baby would be cold that they used their wings to fan the embers of a fire into a warming blaze, but singed their chests in the process. The little birds were rewarded for their selfless love and care for Jesus by being given their red breasts as an eternal symbol of the warmth of the fire they provided that night.

My teacup for Tuesday Cuppa Tea is a mug by Dunoon that lives in the back of my china closet until the first of November, then makes an appearance until January.

The design was from the Season's Greetings series of 3 mugs by Dunoon from 2008 by the artist Richard Partis, and I just love it! The design was discontinued years ago. I do have some Dunoon mugs at Antiques And Teacups if you are interested. They have wonderful workmanship and design.

 I think this is the cutest drawing from a Christmas card we received from family in the UK. I also found 2 English Robin designs over the years at Etsy I'd like to share. Darling!!!

This is a cute card design by mulberrymuse on Etsy

This is a design by artist Joyce Geleynse at JoyArt on Etsy

The next are just images I have collected over the years...

You can see why I love them so much! They are an endearing reminder of my childhood and Christmas memories!

Thanks so much for joining me for tea! 

I am joining...I hope...

 Bernideen’s Teatime, Cottage and Garden
Home Sweet Home

Share Your Cup

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Thanks so much for joining me for tea! 

Here is the Tuesday Cuppa Tea linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there!  I am so looking forward to visiting you!

An InLinkz Link-up

Antique Postcard for December 2nd, Country Diary December

My antique postcard for December 2nd is...

This darling one from 1905...

So cute!

As it is December now...amazing! I have been reading...or rather, re-reading my favorite Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden which sits by my sunroom tea chair. I love her observations and lovely drawings. I posted a photo on my Facebook page and a friend commented....imagine what she would have accomplished if she hadn't died so young. A very talented young lady!

Besides her drawings and diary of everyday occurrences she shares poetry, mottoes and some humorous observations as well. A complete joy!

I found this recently on Pinterest, and have added it to the blog. I love it! Don't know the artist, there was no ID or link.

Perfect for a tea time blog for Christmas!

Enjoy your day and have a cuppa with a friend!

December, First Sunday in Advent, December Things, Bigelow Tea for Sparkling Constant Comment Tea Punch

Nowadays, life is day to day, schedule to schedule, problems to be solved, and perspective to be maintained.

Sunday, December 2nd, is the 1st Dunday in Advent,  for the Christian calendar....

Avvent means Coming in Latin, and the 4 Sundays of Advent are to help Christians to prepare for the coming of Jesus....

This is the Sunday that one candle is lit of the four heralding the birth of Jesus...a light in a dark place...

This year, that has been a narrowing of the scope to essentials as we have dealt with problems...

but Joy still remains

and Thankfulness

and Love...

Really the essence of the Christmas season...

so we are at peace, 

although things are not maybe as we would wish them to be...

Something I have done for the last few years, and would like to do again...

Lord willing...

is to share an antique postcard each day until Christmas...

This is one from England, dated 1912...

And of course, the Christmas china is emerging from the cabinet.

The tree is up, but not decorated yet...

a work of love in process...

This a great recipe from Bigelow Tea for Sparkling Constant Comment Tea Punch.

Sparkling “Constant Comment” Tea Holiday Punch

4 cups water
6 Bigelow Tea Constant Comment tea bags
2 quarts Sparkling Water**
1 12-oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 12-oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple with juice

Garnish with Orange Slices

Yield: Yields 25 4-oz. servings.

Instructions:

In a saucepan, bring water to boil, add tea bags, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Allow tea to cool; then chill.

Just before serving time, combine tea, sparkling water or Champagne, juice concentrates, and pineapple in a large punch bowl.

Garnish with Orange Slices

** Celebrating a special event? Spark it up by substituting 1-1/2 to 2 bottles of Champagne for the Sparkling Water

I love Constant Comment, even the decaf, so this is something we have made during the holidays.

Click on the Bigelow Tea name here and go to their website for other recipes.

The wreath is up on the door, in welcome to you and the season.

Wishing you Joy!