Monday, January 6, 2014

Winter Days




The recipe books are once again sitting snugly on their shelves, instead of being strewn about the kitchen counter tops.
It's a ritual I go through every holiday, drag out the recipe books, and yet make the same tried amd tested dishes as the year before.
Tradition prevails.




We're having a blast of Arctic weather blow through today, the coldest in many years.
It's a rare occasion when the temperatures drop into the single digits.
I'm leaving the tartan tablecloth in place for a little while longer, the colors warm and inviting, giving dull Winter days, a much needed splash of vibrancy.


 
 
 

The Christmas ornaments will be packed away in the morning, marking the end of Yuletide.
I tend to stick to old traditions of leaving the decorations in place for the twelve days of Christmas, just as my parents and grandparents did in England.




It's the perfect weather on a late blustery winter afternoon for indulging in lots of tea, and enjoying a shortbread biscuit or two.

 

"Come along inside... We'll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place."

~ Kenneth Grahame, "The Wind in the Willows"

14 comments:

Marilyn said...

Our Christmas things remain until after my daughter's Jan. 13 birthday. Everyone seems to rush to put it all away, but I enjoy it longer. Tea and a biscuit would be nice as it is cold here, too.♥♫

Custom Comforts said...

I'd be thrilled for single digits. It's already in the negative single digits and threatening to go lower after dark. Thankfully it will start to slowly warm up on Wednesday and be in the 40's by Saturday. It will feel like spring with this wind chill we're having.
Cindy

Country Gal said...

All so very lovely ! Yup lots of cups of tea here to with this arctic weather ! Thanks for sharing . Stay cozy and have a good day !

DeniseinVA said...

How lovely! I could do with a cup of tea and some shortbread biscuits right now. I wait for 12th night also to take the decorations down. Stay warm :)

L. D. said...

It is so great to see your beautiful displays. That bookshelf is so nice to see. Yes we had that cold air blow over us and it isn't to warm up for a while. I like you table with all the color and the decorations are fun to see.

Nellie said...

Tea and biscuits would be a very welcome treat! I think we are having the coldest weather in about 20 years or more! We always leave the Nativity up until after Twelfth Night, so it will be packed away tomorrow.

Stay safe and warm, Jo!

Antiques And Teacups said...

I, too, wait for Twelfth Night to put away the decorations. Have a few peppermint & dark chocolate shortbread bikkies left. And a new year begins. Lovely photos. Keep warm!
Ruth

Linda said...

I so love and enjoy your blog...wish I could have a spot of tea with you...what a beautiful home and decorations..but I love all your comments, they touch my heart.....Blessings to you in the new year.....Linda

Linda said...

I wait for the Kings to arrive and the Twelfth Night also....I so love this Blog from the Brit in Tennessee....it is so Beautiful..I wish I could have a spot of Tea with her....Love all the comments and Poems and bits of The Wind in the Willows...just found you a few days ago, cant wait to read more..Blessings....Linda

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Everything is sooo pretty. We love coming to look and sit with you to have a cup of tea.
love
tweedles

Janneke said...

Your Christmas and teatable look lovely and cozy in these cold winterdays.

Steven Cain said...

Got a little chilly, didn't it? Put my old wood stove to the test. She held up fine, I'm proud to say. Looks like you're keeping snug and warm. With biscuits to boot!

Be well, Steven

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, Happy New Year. Just checking on you to see if you are making it through this frigid weather. We had a MINUS 10 this morning on our deck. Unbelievable...

Our Christmas is all put away now too --and I miss all of the beauty!!!!

Have a good day and stay WARM.
Hugs,
Betsy

SimplyLoveGardening said...

I love your site and your posts. Is the cottage your home in Tennessee or is that in England? I am in Denver, North Carolina for home but am traveling to the northeast for work this week. It is terribly cold. I want to go home!
Em