Tuesday, December 14, 2010

A Baking Day Tea

Hello everyone,
   It is another mild and very dull and very wet day here again today. What is going on- so many of you even down south have snow and we who are usually in the grip of winter are having what seems like spring. I know many here are loving it but it does not seem like Christmas until we snow. I will confess though it is easier to drive in and easy to heat our big old farmhouse!
  Anyway, after coming home from a friends beautiful home where I was invited for tea , I thought it would be a great day to do some Christmas baking.


 Every year since we have had children I have made dozens of gingerbread cookies.
 So, it is one of the traditions I enjoy even though my babies have all grown up and no longer crowd around to help cut them out. However, one of my girls did stop in and helped with the cutting etc. while we chatted.
I am so glad we still have' little ones' (grandchildren) to enjoy the gingerbread cookies.
 I made a couple of sticky date puddings for Christmas day too as I have had a couple of requests for it this year. The recipe is here if you would like it.
It was so dull today that candles made the kitchen look cozy.
 This is a Victoria Christmas book and the photo isn't clear but it has gingerbread cookies on a platter and was my souse of inspiration today.


The Victoria Heart of Christmas book.
So after doing some baking it is always lovely to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and sample a little of my baking just to make sure it is good to serve-you understand!!!


I love the smell of Christmas baking in a warm cozy kitchen with Christmas music playing- even if we don't have snow and you all do!

Today, I am joining Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for her lovely Tea Time Tuesday and also Kathy at a Delightsome Life for the Victoria Return to Lovliness party.

Thank you for stopping in,

Carolyn

31 comments:

Lebenslust was sonst said...

Oh Carolyn!
I love your Forms,are these old Forms?It is so beautiful with you.
Love greetings from Edith.

Raffaella said...

I adore your tea time!

My Cottage Diary said...

Your gingerbread cookies look scrumptious! Love the sweet little teapot! Hope some snow comes your way real soon. Bess

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Love gingerbread anytime but especially Christmas. Yours look delicious.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Carolyn,

Hope your wish will come through before Christmas. Here it was cool but bright blue sky all day.
What a joyful chore to bake all the ginger bread cookies for the entire family! Very true that the tea for two is tasting especially well with a cookie sampling after all the labor of love.

Enjoy your week further!

Mariette's Back to Basics

Paula said...

Carolyn,

Is that Johnson Brothers Old Castles pattern you're using in your post today? I've started a collection of that pattern, and it looks as though these are some of the pieces, although your cups are shaped quite differently than mine. Perhaps it is just a similar pattern. LOVE the way everything looks. Just beautiful, as always!

Stay warm and dry!
Paula

Shabby soul said...

Darling Carolyn, your setting is so welcoming!
If only we were closer I'd come to visit you...
Have a nice day
Silvia

Hélène Flont , french illustrator said...

I'm sure the snow will soon fall on your lovely garden.

!!✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Carolyn, that is so odd that you do not have snow up there! I thought the snow was coming across Canada. We have snow here in Ohio and bitter cold temps! It may not be snowy outside your home but inside it looks warm and cozy and very Christmasy! ~Hugs, Patti

nanniepannie said...

Looks very cozy even if it's not that cold out. You know, I don't think I've ever made gingerbread men cookies. Oh well such is life.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Well, Carolyn, I'm lovin it that we don't have snow yet! Pretty as it is, I don't like that my poor hubby has to work in it every day. And my son also has to work in it. So if it never came, I'd be happy! Your tea is so pretty; love the red! I adore that little teapot! I always baked gingerbread too. The boys loved the gingerbread boys but I have cut way back on my baking this year because of my wrist. My grandsons will probably get their gingerbread boys from their mama so I won't worry about it. I am also making Sticky Date Pudding for Christmas dinner.
You have shared a beautiful post; warm and charming; thank you.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

June said...

What a beautiful way to spend your day Carolyn. The baking is the best part of the holiday for me. I love making all the children's favorites every year.
Ooooh I love the decorating that you have been doing this year in your beautiful home. The mosaics in the previous post are so pretty.
I already know you are enjoying the season, but I want to wish you 'merry' anyway.
hugs to you...

Sue said...

Way down south in Texas we don't have any snow either! It takes a little more work to get in the mood. But I think those cookies might do it. I haven't done a lick of baking yet, still tweaking the decorations. I have a peppermint party coming up so I'd better get started! I always love my visits to your blog, I'd love to sit and share a cup of tea with you.

Elaine said...

My goodness! Your cookies look like gingerbread perfection! I bet they are as tasty as they are pretty.

I collect Victoria Christmas books but I do not have that one. Will have to try to get a copy.

Georgianna said...

Such a cozy and welcoming afternoon tea, Carolyn. Beautifully presented. I'm sure you'll get snow for Christmas – it would be unheard of, wouldn't it, not to have it?

Wishing you a most joyful and festive week. – g

Madelief said...

Dear Carolyn,

I wish I could have joined you in your kitchen and help you out baking! I enjoy baking very much as well. Your sticky date pudding sounds delicious. The gingerbread men look great. I still haven't done much baking yet. Next week I will have some days of work, so I can make a start.

Hope the snow will come soon!

Lieve groet, Madelief

PASSIONEDECO FRANCESCA said...

Oh...wowwwwwwwwwwww!!
Can I visit you and have a tea with gingerbread???!!! ;-)
I hope you will get snow before Christmas.

Suzann said...

seeing this made my heart smile.
Your children and grandchildren are blessed to have you.
I had tea the other evening and I smiled as I thought of you. : )

Kathy said...

Oh Carolyn! I love the vignette you've created! Just love the smell of gingerbread too! We've always baked some each year and decorated gingerbread houses. This Christmas will be very different with my daughter now splitting her time with her husband's family. I spoke with his mother -she said that I will be heartened by the traditions my children carry along as their family grows. I hope gingerbread is part of their future :)
Thank you for joining A Return to Loveliness - always a delight!
Kathy

Beverly said...

Gingerbread is my favorite. My husband used to bring me gingerbread cookies in a brown paper sack.

I agree that you absolutely must do a taste test.♥

Sanna - My Blueberry House said...

Hi Carolyn,

A very warm and cozy kitchen. I love the red and white theme. Isn´t baking so much more fun with a little help and some smalltalk - and of course, Christmas music playing in the background. That´s the way I prefer it too :)

I can send you some snow if you´d like hehe! We have loads and loads...

Have a nice week,
Sanna

ღ M@ddy ღ said...

Che senso di calore e dolcezza si respira a casa tua, in ogni stagione ma sopattutto nel periodo natalizio...

Un bacio!

Maddy

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol said...

Carolyn, You always create utter magic in your home and blog. I want to walk in and have a cup of tea with you. Your cookies look so yummy and the environment enchanting and spilling over with the Christmas spirit. Lovely, lovely!!

Sarah said...

Carolyn, I can almost smell the gingerbread. It all looks so delicious and beautifully presented.
Happy Holidays ~ Sarah

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

This is so sweet. I LOVE gingerbread cookies...and I thought how you created memories for your kids and now for your gran's...that's really sweet... :) ) :) Thanks for letting us stop by...Oh, we haven't had any snow where I'm at either. It's been a lot of rain...Have a great day. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Your reds are so cheerful and warm, Carolyn! And I can almost smell the ginger too! So cozy over here--Hope you get your snow! Jacqueline

Hélène Flont , french illustrator said...

It' so cozy and warm!! may I invite myself for the tea?
:)

Huckleberry Girl said...

Thank you for your beautiful inspiration. I truly enjoyed every picture.

Anonymous said...

Hello Carolyn,
These last days I did not have much time to visit my blog friends since I have a lot of to do (orders etc...)
You are courageous to bake these delicious (look like) Christmas cakes. They seem to be perfect to eat with a cup of strong tea.
You know how to make people feel confortable and happy!

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hello Carolyn
So lovely! so peaceful and cozy :-) A good break from the last minute hustle and bustle :-)
Have a great Day!
Bella