Merry Tuesday dear friends! Can you believe it is only nine sleeps until Christmas?
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)
Welcome and come inside out of the cold where it is warm and cozy in the Sunshine Cottage!
It is the December edition of Tea on Tuesdays with my friend, Mary. You will find Mary’s link for teatime inspiration at the bottom of this post.
It has been cold in our Appalachian Foothills for the past couple of days. With the freezing temperatures, it is the perfect time to serve up a warm and spicy tea along with my favorite Christmas cake!
As long time readers know, a tablescape with memories attached is what I love the most. I taught ladies’ Sunday School classes for 35 years. It was a blessing to meet with these special ladies every Sunday morning. Over the years, I received many unexpected, but lovely gifts from the sweet members, like this Fitz and Floyd Santa teapot. I cherish the gifts, but even more the bond of loving friendships that were made with those precious ladies.
Do any of you remember Russian tea? It was a favorite hot drink my Mother served during the Christmas holidays. She would make it every year and give jars of the ‘friendship tea’ to friends and family. Years have passed and recently I thought about how much I loved the spicy and warm tea as a child. It was a very popular drink in the mid-20th century that was made with Tang (orange drink mix) instant black tea powder, lemonade mix, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
With that sweet memory, I am serving a ‘from scratch’ version with fresh juices…pineapple, orange, and lemon! Click here for the recipe.
“A little child, a shining star,
a stable rude, the door ajar.
Yet in that place, so crude, forlorn,
the Hope of all the world was born.”
~Anonymous
On Thursday I will be sharing Sunshine Cottage decorated for Christmas. It might appear that I have opened a Christmas shop, but I do it to see the eyes of our grandchildren light up each year! I hope you will join me.
Fruitcake is my all-time favorite Christmas dessert! My beloved Mother was known for her baking skills, especially her fruitcake. After she passed away, I searched through all of her hand-written recipes and her large collection of cookbooks and never found her recipe for fruitcake. That first Christmas following, I knew I had to try to make fruitcake for my sweet Daddy because it was his favorite. I had watched Mother make it many times and hopefully I could remember and do my best to replicate her fruitcake. When my Daddy tasted the first bite he said, “You did it, tastes just like Nanny’s”(mother)! I have made it every year since. This year I couldn’t decide if I wanted to make a fruitcake since Daddy passed away in March. My sweet RM encouraged me and so I did! Served alongside the fruitcake were cranberry scones. Both were delicious served with the Russian tea!
The large Fitz and Floyd Santa is a cookie jar that was also one of those special gifts from my friends!
The older pieces of F&F had beautiful details as you can see in the toy sack on Santa’s back and the cute rabbits and birds on the base.
When I saw the Fitz and Floyd dishware, I debated on whether I needed it or not, and obviously I did not need any dishes! But, I decided it was my gift to me!
The Santas and the dishware are all from the Fitz and Floyd ‘Winter Holiday’ collection.
If you are in need of a festive tablecloth, why not use a plaid throw? During the fall and winter season, I often use a throw as a tablecloth!
On a recent trip to Birmingham, I stopped in Trader Joe’s as usual. I discovered these Petit Fours cakes that come packaged with nine rich mousse cakes in three different flavors…chocolate layered with silky chocolate mousse, covered in a dark chocolate coating; vanilla layered with velvety vanilla mousse, covered in a sweet vanilla coating and topped with pearl sugar (my personal favorite); and chocolate layered with smooth coffee mousse, covered in mocha coating and topped with bits of dark chocolate and sugar. Delicious and a perfect size to serve with tea!
Late fall and winter sunlight dances across the table and creates an ambiance and a little magic!
“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have eternal life.”
~Corrie ten Boom
Every Christmas I use the tree napkin rings made by my beloved Mother. It would not be Christmas without them. Tartan plaid napkins were used. I am of the opinion, you can never have too many plaids!
You have a special invitation to join Mary for tea!
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
As always, thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Oh Pam, I love your beautiful table filled with memories and love! I’m so glad you made the fruitcake! Well done being able to recreate and continue baking it to keep the memories and joy alive ❤️
Love all your plaids and Santa’s! Can’t wait to see the cottage bedecked in holiday finery!! 🎄🎄🎄
Thank you Jennifer. Christmas must have my mother’s fruitcake recipe!
Good morning Pam, Your Sunshine Cottage is so cozy and festive decorated for Christmas! I know your grands are thoroughly charmed and entranced when they visit. Your Fitz and Floyd Santa pieces are beautiful as is your Fitz and Floyd ‘Winter Holiday’! I agree about the older F&F pieces from their heyday, they have so much more detail. I adore all the animals around your St. Nick cookie jar and the details on his pack. I’d love to join you for some Russian tea, fruitcake and a scone. My hubby is not a fruitcake fan so I have to get my fruitcake fix from Claxton. I know you were happy to hear from you daddy that you mastered your beloved mother’s recipe. I bet your fresh juice version of Russian tea makes the whole house smell wonderful while it steeps, much like a mulled cider does. As always, it’s a treat to take a cozy break and join you for tea. Wishing you a very merry week ahead! 🎄☕❤️
Thank you Mary! I am amazed at how many people don’t like fruitcake. Merry Tuesday 🎄❤️🎄
Pam, your cottage teatime is beautiful. I love your F&F collection! those plates are just beautiful. Your mother’s napkin rings are so very special. And I agree wholeheartedly that one can never have too many plaids. I’m looking forward to seeing the entire cottage in its Chriatmas plaids. Merry December teatime. We have snow and 18° this morning, so it’s perfect!
Your weather is perfect for Christmas🎄 Thank you Rita and wishing you a very Merry week!
I enjoyed this post. You have so many adorable pieces. Your dishware is gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve seen it before. I hope your have a happy week.
Thanks so much Leslie. I am glad you like the dishware. I think it is now 20 years old, but I still enjoy using it. Merry week to you!
I adore your Fitz and Floyd pieces!! The table is gorgeous. I don’t want Christmas to get here so soon, I am enjoying the sights and sounds of the season so much!!
Thank you Carole. I agree I don’t want Christmas to come so soon. I also love the sights, sounds, and smells!
Oh Pam…it’s so beautiful and delightful❣️
How I love your mother’s Christmas Tree Napkin holders…they always bring such joy❣️ I have some holders too, to match the ceramic Christmas Trees with little lights that my mom made and it warms my heart to see them every Christmas. All of your stunning F&F do bring magic to the holidays, and how you use the plaids makes it so cozy. Thank you for the Russian Tea Recipe, many fond memories, again with my mom, looking for Tang. Your fruitcake and it’s story make it truly Christmas time, and the scones share the plate so beautifully. Thank you for this beautiful post and can’t wait for Thursday’s post and the magic of Christmas for the grands❣️ Our eldest grands are now in their 30s and we still decorate to watch their eyes sparkle ✨️🎄✨️. Wishing you a week filled with joyful memories, both old and new❣️
Sue your comments are heartwarming. I am happy that you have your mom’s ceramic Christmas tree and napkin holders. I know you love displaying them each year. So you also remember the Russian tea made with tang! Sweet memories to hold in our hearts ❤️ ❤️ Merry week to you 🎄
I truly believe the two of you will get a well done my child reward. You have brought so much light into the darkness. I look forward to your scripture everyday, and I love your creativity and obvious joy. Abundant joy to both of you. Kathryn
Kathryn, you are so very sweet! I am happy that you forward to the scripture! Merry week to you ❤️🎄❤️
Pam what a beautiful story and memory about the fruitcake and how you figured out the recipe to make for your sweet dad when he was here. Glad you still make it in memory of your mom and dad. I am a big lover of fruit cake. One of my favorites. Your tea table is beautiful as always. Have a wonderful week as we slide on down to Christmas. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris and I am happy to know another fruitcake lover! Merry week to you ❤️🎄
Pam, Your nostalgic tea table is fabulous! Fitz and Floyd ceramics are the best, especially when they come with sweet memories! They have wonderful detail. Russian tea sounds delicious. The goodies look tasty. It’s wonderful to keep family traditions going. The Sunshine Cottage is beautiful. Merry Christmas! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. Wishing you a Merry week❤️🎄
Pam your cottage is so cozy and beautiful set up for Christmas. I smiled through each and every word and love love love all your Fitz & Floyd details. The sunlight filtering across your sweet table filled with goodies is God inspired. The fruitcake looks delicious as do the Trader Joe’s treats. I adore the F&F plate settings. So nostalgic as is your tree napkin rings, so special the memories there. Speaking of memories, I do remember the Tang tea recipe and have it in my recipe file…I am sure your fresh juice variation is delicious. The weather here in Florida is quite cool, believe it or not…the Captain and I have been enjoying hot cocoa by the fireplace in the late evenings. It will warm up during the day but for these last few weeks, the early morning and late evening require a jacket outside. Have a Blessed week my dar friend. 🎄🥰🙏🏻
Thank you Kari. I am glad you remembered the Tang tea recipe. I love looking back on Christmas’ pasts, especially childhood memories! Merry week, my friend!
Surely this will post today as I adore Russian Tea and haven’t seen it anywhere, checked out your recipe and it’s healthier than the old recipe and since I’m down town in Boulder this morning I will stop my trader Joe’s to see if they have the Petite Fours they they look so good. Sunshine cottage looks decorated already but will tune in Thursday to see if it’s possible to outshine today’s Sunshine cottage. Would love to have your mom’s fruitcake recipe as I love fruitcake also.
It posted Alice and I am always happy to see you here. Hopefully you found the Petit Fours. I will try and send you the recipe. Merry week dear one!
Oh Pam, this is just glorious. I’ve used F&F pieces for a centerpiece in the past and they always get the best comments. You can’t beat it here! That Santa is especially wonderful. I love the dishes and your chargers, too. It’s a magical land. The Russian tea recipe looks so much better than the original version — thanks for that! And what a wonderful story about the fruitcake. I’m glad you made it this year. I know it brought back many wonderful memories.
Thank you Jeanie. The Russian tea was really good and my granddaughters loved it and asked for more. I love a table with memories. Merry Week!
Oh Pam! I remember Russian Tea or Spice Tea. My childhood friend’s Mom had a canister of it on her kitchen counter. When we came in from sled riding, she would make it for us. Oh, thank you for that wonderful memory!
Your table set for tea with all the F&F is GORGEOUS! The Santa teapot is lovely. And the Santa cookie jar is too!
I am loving all the tartan plaid. My favorite!
I must come by and get a piece of fruitcake! I love fruitcake.
Enjoy all the magic December brings to you!
Merry Merry!
Several readers remember the Russian tea from yesteryear! I wish you could join me for a slice of fruitcake! Merry week!0
Oh Pam, your Christmas tea is just perfect. I remember the Russian tea that we would whip up back in the day. I am a fruitcake lover as is my youngest son. I have a recipe for fruitcake bars that that I need to make. How wonderful to make fruitcake in honor of your mom and dad. Your F&F pieces are gorgeous and so meaningful since they were gifts. Your dinnerware is stunning! I wish I could sit and enjoy your special treats. Merry Christmas to you! ❤️
Thank you Kitty! Fruitcake bars sound wonderful. It would be wonderful for you to join me for tea and treats! Merry Week ❤️
Hello,
I am new here and just wanted to say I enjoyed this blog post so much.
I have wanted the tea recipe you shared today for years! I am so happy I came upon
it. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your Appalachian foothills home.
I am in Virginia…a lovely area near the foot of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Merry Christmas greetings to you and your family.
Shirley in Virginia
Hello Shirley and it is so nice to meet you. I am so glad you found me and the tea recipe. The area you live is beautiful! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Hello,
I am new here and just wanted to say I enjoyed this blog post so much.
I have wanted the tea recipe you shared today for years! I am so happy I came upon
it. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your Appalachian foothills home.
I am in Virginia…a lovely area near the foot of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Merry Christmas greetings to you and your family.
Shirley in Virginia
Pam, I remember Russian tea from my teenage years, although I can’t remember where we would have it – maybe the local Woolworth’s cafeteria? I popped over to the recipe and the “from scratch” version sounds absolutely delicious. And it is perfect for your beautiful table with the fruitcake, scones, and Petit Fours. Your F & F collection is marvelous from that gifted teapot and cookie jar to the gorgeous dishes. Love the plaid table throw – it looks so cozy and inviting. And your mother’s napkin rings are so special. Looking forward to seeing the Sunshine Cottage decked out for the season. Happy Tea on Tuesdays!
Thank you Kim. I am glad you remember the tea from your teen years! The from scratch version is excellent. Wishing you a Merry Week!
Oh Pam, this is the most beautiful Christmas tea setting! I am swooning over all of your Fitz and Floyd pretties! I’m so happy that you treated yourself to the Fitz and Floyd dishes. They are beautiful as well as your lovely Sunshine Cottage. I’m looking forward to seeing more Thursday. Thanks for sharing the tea recipe. My Mother in Law used to make a similar tea. I just might have to serve it at my Christmas Eve dinner. I’m so glad Butch persuaded you to make your dear mother’s fruit cake. I have found that continuing our loved one’s traditions keeps them close to us at the holidays when we miss them the most. Sweet friend, I have so enjoyed my visit today, and look forward to seeing more, Take care and keep warm!
Shannon you are so sweet! The tea is delicious and my girls had two cups each. I will also make it for Christmas! I love keeping those traditions close to my heart!
Heirloom recipes and heirloom tableware: the perfect pairing for the magic of the season! Wishing you and your dear family a Merry Christmas steeped in happiness and sprinkled with holiday cheer!
Thank you Mary for your sweet wishes!
Good morning Pam, Sunshine Cottage looks so pretty decked out for Christmas. Your grands must be thrilled to visit and take in the beauty. Love your F&F Santa teapot and cookie jar. The matching dishware is lovely. I have never heard of Russian tea. It sounds delicious, especially with the the array of goodies you have displayed. How special you found a recipe to match your mother’s fruitcake. I know your daddy must have been thrilled. Looking forward to seeing more of Sunshine Cottage all decked out for Christmas. Merry Christmas.🎄
Thank you Linda. The Russian tea is really delicious and my granddaughters had two cups each. Merry Christmas 🎄
What yummy post! Such beauty and happiness… Treasured remembrances too…Thank you for sharing lots of inspiration!
Thank you Maristella for your sweet visit!
Hi Pam,
Your table and cottage are just beautiful; I love the dappled, bright sunlight playing on your table. I caught my breath when I saw those F&F dishes because I had seen them once before. Several years ago, Hal and I made a trip to Replacements, Ltd. (it’s about an hour from where we live). We went at Christmas time and took lots of pictures. They had many tablescapes set up over the store, and your dishes were there, too. I fell in love with them and the “Christmas Rose” pattern, by Spode. I so enjoyed seeing these dishes again, Pam, and thanks for sharing. Your baked goods look yummy, and yes, I do remember Russian tea. My mom used to make it at Christmas, too.
Have a great week, Pam, and a Very Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Denise
It’s so wonderful to hear the stories of the memories attached to your beautiful pieces. The Russian tea sounds amazing, and I love that you make a healthier version with the juices! God bless you, sweet friend!