A typical scene?
Nonetheless, many cards depict pretty scenes of snow-covered roofs, or churches nestled in the hearts of picture postcard villages. Not many people live in such locations.
This mug shows a snowy house on a fine, bright day, with a cheerful robin in the foreground. It looks idyllic. Imagine the roaring fire in the drawing room and the kitchen bursting with tempting smells. In the dining room the table is laid with the best china and silver and glassware in expectation of a fine feast, impeccably cooked and served. Everyone’s plate, warmed beforehand, of course, is laden with delicious fare and no-one’s food is cold.
If you can manage that, I applaud you. Etiquette dictates that no-one may start to eat until everyone has been served. That is possible if there is a party of four or five, but with a family of fifteen or more, which happens as people add to the company with spouses and offspring, it is well-nigh impossible.
The reality is rather different. The house, old, draughty, with uncertain air currents and ill-fitting windows and doors, gives its inhabitants cold noses and toes. The fire gutters and goes out, the roof leaks, and everything feels damp. Lunch was planned for one o’clock, but the oven is unpredictable and those in charge of the cooking had forgotten about the gravy or the sprouts. The huge turkey, which barely fits in the oven, should have been started on its culinary journey at least three hours earlier. Eventually, everything is ready and the meal commences hours later. Despite the delays, everyone enjoys their meal, but most of all, it’s being together that can be pleasing.
The other side of the mug shows a little more of the village in which the big house stands. Splendid trees, crowned with snow, provide a background to the gabled roofs of houses. The stream that runs under the bridge is frozen. It is a peaceful, bucolic scene.
However, it’s fun to dream.
The bands at the top and bottom of the mug show oak leaves and acorns, national symbols of the UK. They represent strength and fortitude, good fortune and health.
Actually, I must have liked this mug enough to buy it ten years ago, but I really don’t care much for it now. What was I thinking?
I think it's lovely; the robin is a very cheerful touch.
ReplyDeleteI love robins - cheerful little companions in the garden, though not welcomed by the insects they consume!
DeleteI really like it! I love the robin.
ReplyDeleteI remember growing up we always wished for a snowy Christmas but I don't really remember one lol. I do remember snow and throwing snowballs, but not often!
Snowball fights quickly lose their attraction once the fingers are frozen and snow down the neck loses its appeal, too.
DeleteThose remind me of Christmas mugs my mother had years ago; I remember the house and the snow are very similar.
ReplyDeletePretty standard stuff, really.
DeleteYou analyze a mug more thoroughly than I had thought possible. 😎😁
ReplyDeleteWill have a whitish Christmas although we have some rain in the forecast. If it holds it won't be a winter wonderland even though there will be white.
Perhaps I should have moved to Canada, like my uncle and brother did!
DeleteI like the mug. We had snowy Christmas scenes on cards here in Australia too and people would spray fake snow onto their trees and windows. In more recent years, maybe as long as 15 years ago, Christmas cards began appearing with Australian themes on them, sunny beaches and barbecues, some with Santa in his suit and some with Santa wearing summer shirt and shorts and manning the barbecue grill, or even jumping into the ocean for a swim.
ReplyDeleteAustralian Santas sound more fun!
DeleteThat made me laugh. Memories of mum trying to get the meal out to a houseful of people squashed round a table sitting on whatever they could find!
ReplyDeleteIt was hectic but fun . . . in retrospect.
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ReplyDeleteI cannot really remember any truly white Christmas, the nearest that comes to mind was Christmas 1962, when it started snowing heavily on Boxing Day. That, of course, was the harbinger of the great freeze of 1963, in Sussex we had snow on the ground until the first week in March.
ReplyDeleteI was living in Lincolnshire that winter and it was cold! Our winters are so mild, now, relatively.
DeleteWell I like the mug and wistfully dream of living in the place depicted.. despite the reality!
ReplyDeleteImagination is wonderful!
DeleteHi Janice - the mug is so much fun ... they've all been - and yes the tale of Christmas in our time ... cheers and have fun - Hilary
ReplyDeleteWhat memories will today's children have, I wonder?
DeleteAs a child growing up in Somerset, we were always allowed out on Christmas afternoon to play with our friends, I remember it being dry and bright most years and never snow. I do love to have our Christmas mugs out in December.
ReplyDeleteBright winter days are always welcome. I love seeing the children out on Christmas Day with their new bikes, skates, scooters and so on.
DeleteI think it's a very lovely looking cup. And by not using it very much maybe it will never get broken. I come from a smaller family of just four and when mother put the food on the table we just started dipping it up. No one waited for the master carver, and no one waited for the food to get cold.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so sensible to 'eat it while it's hot' but somehow everyone holds back. I think that's why I prefer cold meats the following days.
ReplyDeleteIt is amusing to have events on cards that either don’t happen in real life or are uncomfortable at best. But mug snow never has to be shoveled and the mug cabin is always warm, so why not dream?
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