A layer of crisp, fresh snow fell overnight, blanketing the trees and delighting the dogs.

The gas fire flickers in the fireplace, and a latte beckons.

The Christmas trees are still up, which is unusual for us this late in the festive season. But with the world still largely somnolent next week, we’ve decided to enjoy them a bit longer.

My trusty companion, Moxie, has abandoned her “editor position” (draped snugly against my hip but allowing me access to the keyboard) and taken up residence in her chair, the better to perform her morning ablutions.

Meanwhile, a thrum of domesticity has begun. The freezer bulges with the turkey’s remains, dispatched into stew and multiple pot pies.

The Butler’s Pantry is getting its annual overhaul. Its contents are dusted and/or washed before being returned to newly cleaned shelves. Pantry cupboards are next up; stale-dated contents are to be discarded, and containers are to be emptied and cleaned.

The kitchen has had its seasonal turnover. For the last few years, I’ve been leaning more toward corals and greys for January and February instead of the darker blues I’ve favoured in previous years.

This year, I went with a lighter palette of blues and greens.

I store the everyday pieces in one kitchen pantry cupboard and change them seasonally. (Yes, nuts, I know.)

 

The serving pieces are stored in the lighted cabinets:

And I always have a large platter on the countertop:

The plate rack between the kitchen and family room gets four salad-sized plates but nothing that can’t be easily replaced—kids, dogs, vacuum cleaners, etc. There are many hazards, though accidents are infrequent.

There is something so fresh about blue, white and green.

On the mantlepiece, I’ve gathered the (very few) Spode Chanticleer pieces I’ve found over the years. Produced from 1900 to 1950, Chanticleer is scarcer than a hen’s teeth. A 50-piece set sold at auction through a dealer in London, England, a few years ago, but I missed it. Drat!! I keep looking, but in the meantime, I treasure my meagre collection very much.

Let’s look at some tables I’ve set in Canada in previous years.

Spode Blue Chintz

Endless Summer with Estelle and Duck Napkins

I adore the shapes in the Estelle pattern, particularly the teapot, creamer, sugar bowl and fruit bowls.

Gothic Ruin by Charles Meigh was produced from 1832 to 1850. It doesn’t form part of the “everyday china” but has its turn for sunny days on the porch.

I’ve had this blue and white chintz tea service for years. We use it a lot.

Taiki by IItala is one of the more whimsical patterns. I adore the hedgehogs on the smaller shallow bowls…

And the mythical fox-dragon on the larger bowls.

Strawberry Thief by Spode is a modern interpretation of an old William Morris pattern.

Chaise Bleu by Gien has long been discontinued, but it’s an enduring favourite.

And Fleur de Chine, also by Gien, is a lovely fresh green shade. Here, I’ve set it with Mikasa English Countryside White dinner plates.

The white patterns are the backbone of the collection. Country Heritage by Villeroy & Boch is an almost continuous presence in the pantry cupboard. I sometimes swap it out for Baronesse White by Tirschenreuth, a white version of Estelle; the teapot, cream and sugar are shown in the picture above.

Lastly, Hartley Greens Creamware makes a frequent appearance in all seasons.

I will leave you with a picture of His Majesty Dundee, who joins us all at Entertablement to wish you a Happy, Healthy, and joyful New Year.

Welcome, 2025.