Our Tea for the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany was appreciated by all the children, and I am hoping it will become a tradition in our house for many years to come.
How perfect is this teapot (coffee pot, actually)? Its deep burgundy and woodsy hues form a cozy backdrop for the lyrics to "Silent Night." I found this treasure at an after-Christmas sale and almost did not purchase it. That is, until I caught site of the nesting sugar and creamer and was smitten instantly and irrevocably. I had never before seen a creamer resting atop a sugar bowl, and, although I realize it will never hold enough milk to accommodate that hulking coffee pot, true love isn't necessarily practical. Believe it or not, it was only when I brought these home that I realized how perfect they would be for our Christmas Tea! After all, tea may be brewed in a coffee pot!
"Tea from the Innkeeper":
"Sugar Cubes for Our Lady":
"Milk for St. Joseph":
As you can see, the creamer actually forms a lid for the sugar bowl, reminding us that St. Joseph is the protector of Our Lady:
I had planned on heading out to the bakery for a baguette and rolls, but a busy morning prevented the errand. Theresa saved the day by whipping up a blueberry quick bread from a mix to represent "Bethlehem, House of Bread":
"Babes in the Manger":
"Shepherd's Staffs":
Margaret, Marie, Patrick, and Theresa spent part of the afternoon creating dozens of angels out of coffee filters. There were several different designs, but my personal favorites were the ones made out of our cut-up Christmas photograph. "A Host of Angels":
An angelic centerpiece, with seven angels--one for each of the children:
Agnes' letters were a highlight for all of us. She read them aloud while the others gathered round the tree. Has it truly been a year since she surprised me with that Wise Man Figure?
"Wise Men's Gifts":
At the very end, the children opened yet another very special surprise on behalf of the Christ Child:
The gifts of the Magi--gold, frankincense, and myrrh in ornate boxes--an extravagance purchased two days ago for a clearance price at yet another after-Christmas sale. I never would have thought of purchasing these, but the price was too good to pass up. You see, there are many advantages to being one of the minority who celebrates the Twelve Days of Christmas:
Of course, it wouldn't be a Cottage Blessings Party without our usual rag tag band of party crashers. Oh, how I love the ever-growing Raggedy Family:
So Eileen, what did you think of your first Christmas Tea?
Her smile says it all!
Happy Feast of the Epiphany, dear friends!
*******
Production Team
Babysitters: Theresa, Agnes, Marie, Margaret (in shifts)
Baking: Theresa
Poetry: Agnes
Angel Crafting: Margaret (lead designer), Theresa, Marie, Patrick
Best Boy: Patrick
Direction and Cinematography: Mommy
"Babe in a Manger" assembly: Marie, with help from Mommy
Tablescape Design Advice: every single person in the family, with final say given to Mommy
Music: Christmas Choirs (BMG), 3 CD set purchased at Staples for $7.99.
*******
A word about the three letters. A dear friend asked permission to read Agnes' letters aloud during her Tea. Agnes was honored beyond words and hopes anyone who wishes will feel free to do the same.
This is lovely--just lovely.
And those gifts of the Magi? Wow!
Posted by: Margaret in Minnesota | January 06, 2007 at 06:03 AM
Alice, wow! Another beautiful tea! How blessed you are. We will be having an Epiphany party tomorrow with some friends, I may snag a few of your ideas here!
Posted by: Lisbet | January 06, 2007 at 06:15 AM
I love your "production team" - It looks so beautiful. Well done!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 06, 2007 at 06:28 AM
What a beautiful celebration!
Posted by: Ann Y | January 06, 2007 at 06:39 AM
Margaret,
I just figured out how to read your letters to Jesus. You have wonderful incite and expression. Thank you for allowing your Mom to let us read the text too.
Posted by: Ann Y | January 06, 2007 at 06:47 AM
Ahhhh that's insight-- while you might incite insight, I need to learn to proof read
Posted by: Ann Y | January 06, 2007 at 06:53 AM
Alice, this is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. What a lovely home & lovely, talented children as well!
Posted by: Brenda | January 06, 2007 at 07:47 AM
This is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for posting the pictures. It's good to have a visual image. I really need it. I will try this next year.
Posted by: Ruth | January 06, 2007 at 08:16 AM
Alice, this is the sweetest, most beautiful Christmas tea EVER! What joy you bring to your family (and us)!!
Posted by: Dawn | January 06, 2007 at 08:53 AM
P.S. Baby Eileen is adorable!! Please give her a kiss from me! :)
Posted by: Dawn | January 06, 2007 at 08:54 AM
Alice, this is simply lovely.
Posted by: Paula in MN | January 06, 2007 at 09:02 AM
What a glorious Epiphany!
Posted by: Suzanne Temple | January 06, 2007 at 10:10 AM
So beautiful. And done with such ease and grace. Alice, you're a Wonder.
Posted by: Ann C. | January 06, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. What a treasure you have in your home and family life.
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | January 06, 2007 at 10:27 AM
We added Agnes' letters to our celebration this morning and my children have asked to use them as our January poetry selection. Can we memorize them as "The Gift of the Magi" by Agnes G-, or would Agnes prefer another title? or that each poem stand alone? or that we refrain from doing this? Thanks for blessing our family with yours.
Posted by: MichelleW | January 06, 2007 at 12:51 PM
P E R F E C T :)
Posted by: Cheryl | January 06, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Truly Beautiful. Thanks for sharing your wonderful day.
Posted by: Julie | January 06, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Please thank Agnes so much for allowing us all to share her beautiful letters. We had a Three Kings dinner tonight and my family really enjoyed these words which I read aloud before giving each child the appropriate King to place before the crib in our Nativities. The letters really added to our celebration. Thank you. Gill, in Norway.
Posted by: Gill | January 06, 2007 at 03:37 PM
So beautiful! You are an inspiration! I had a friend over for tea yesterday. I took out my "everyday" plates (which are China, but a hand-me down set) which I love. She said: "You didn't have to take out the "good China" for me!" It's wonderful how a little thing like that can make someone feel so special.
Posted by: Mary Beth P | January 06, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Those letters were so beautiful--no, WE are honored to be able tos hare such beautiful works. She has such a gift. And, Eileen--how could she already have teeth? Too cute. Everything really looked beautiful.
Posted by: KC | January 06, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Alice, your Christmas tea is stunning! Thank you for sharing all the photos, truly inspirational:)May I commend your production crew and blow a kiss to Miss Eileen, she is just precious.
Posted by: Kelly | January 06, 2007 at 05:58 PM
What a beautiful Tea (and a perfect tea and creamer set)! I must admit that I was counting the days until you revealed the surprise purchase. lol The whole scene is lovely and inspirational.
Posted by: Janette | January 06, 2007 at 08:42 PM
What a spectacular tea! I love hearing the stories behind people's china and kitchenware!
Posted by: helene | January 07, 2007 at 06:30 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing those great pictures! We greatly simplified your idea to just a special Epiphany dessert of "Babes in the Manger," but it was so wonderful, Alice! Ummmm, did I say THANK YOU?! And much as I love reading online, I hope I will one day curl up with my signed copy of Living Our Faith Beautifully, by Alice.
Posted by: Jeannine | January 08, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Simply amazing!!
Posted by: Meredith | January 09, 2007 at 04:12 PM