Thrifted Joy...

About two weeks ago, the caster on my sewing chair finally gave up the ghost and couldn't be repaired. In fact, as far as Handsome and I can tell, it can't be replaced either. Our two brains together are, apparently unable to discern a way to remove them and replace them with new ones. It appears that the stems for each caster is a welded, attached part of the frame. It left me a bit distraught, as it was a chair I purchased from a sewing machine shop in Florida, specifically for my studio. 

I limped along with it - reattaching the parts that kept dropping off the caster - for as long as I could, and finally gave up. It's been in my way in the fabric studio ever since, until two days ago, when I finally took it out to the garage until someone might be able to tell me whether or not it can be repaired.

In the meantime, I need a rolling chair in the studio. I've been using a regular sidechair for my desk and sewing table, but I have to get up and scooch it around every time I change a task. (Cue Moaning Myrtle).

Yesterday, I told Handsome I had to do something about it. As I was already running to Plymouth on a few errands, I was going to check the St. Vincent de Paul store to see if they might have something that would work. He offered to drive, and away we went.

I found a perfectly good Hon™ office chair, and the best part was that it was only $10.00! I'm sitting on it as I write my post, and am not ashamed to say that this $10 expenditure has made me a happy, happy girl again.

As long as we were there, we milled up and down the aisles to see if there were any other treasures that might need to be rehomed. I always look through dishes and kitchen things, and imagine how I smiled when I saw these two bowls. I looked at my dearest and declared, "These will be perfect breakfast bowls for the two of us!". He thought I was kidding and just smiled and shook his head. 

When we got to the checkout, he realized I was serious. They were $1.00 each! The cashier asked if I'd like to round up my purchase to help the local homeless (of course, I did). I handed her $13.00 and we were on our merry way.

I can't wait to make breakfast this morning. Fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, and a tablespoon of Grape Nuts in one of these two bowls. What a great way to start the day. A gentle reminder that life is good here at the farmhouse. 

Blue and White Bliss...

After Thanksgiving, I gave you a little teaser about my latest acquisitions (here).
Although I promised more about it in that following week, I got a little sidetracked.
Better late(r) than never, right?

Just in time for my Birthday, I got a new set of Johnson Brothers china to add

to my collection of British transferware. I love this set which features castles!

It came with a lovely, little serving dish, too. If we're not using the American

"Memory Lane" everyday set, we'll be using these dishes. Any food looks good

on blue and white dishes...and blue and white fits perfectly with our decor.

I actually have another Johnson Brothers coordinating pattern for the soup and

fruit bowls, but just realized that I neglected to photograph them. I'll share those

in a random post in the future. I will say that they have acorns in the border!

I also found this antique British Staffordshire china covered serving dish. Whether 

using our blue and white Spode Wild Bird Hunt set or the blue and white Johnson 

Brothers set, this serving dish will be a standout complementary piece on our table.

The pattern on the inside of the dish also coordinates with our other patterns.

These pieces are all antiques that I've had for years (and the new

serving dish fits right in). They're on display shelves in our kitchen.

I love having them where I can see and enjoy them every day.

I was talking with Aunty Margaret recently and found out that we both

share a love for blue and white china. I never realized that, but was

happy to know. It seems the older I get, the more she and I have in 

common. The fact that we were both born in England was just the start.

It's time to say "goodbye" to all the Hull Brown Drip Ovenware

dishes and serving pieces I have. They're wonderful, and have been

a part of my life since I first moved out of the house at eighteen, 

but I'm looking forward to someone else enjoying them.

What's your favorite pattern or style?

I'd love to know!

Cottages In My Kitchen...

In August of 2009, I shared a story with you about receiving some of my mum's beautiful, English cottage ware. This is the photograph of the pieces in my kitchen that I shared then. (Here's the link to that short post.)

When I saw Mum recently, she surprised me with the rest of her set (except the large coffee mugs which she still loves to use). Cottage ware makes me smile, and these are pieces that Mum has collected over many years. I believe she's had many of these pieces over twenty five years.

Additionally, they're special to me because they are British, a bond that Mum and I also share, having both been born in England. (Mum became a naturalized American citizen many years ago, and I am American by virtue of the fact that my father was in the military at the time of my birth.)

 

There is a beautiful biscuit "box" with a rattan handle, egg cups, a butter dish, another tea set, cups and saucers, larger cups and luncheon plates. There are actually more pieces than I've shown here, but I'm sharing at least one piece of everything that makes up the whole set.

 

All this wonderful whimsey to remind me of Mum. Pieces I can use while she can see how much joy they bring to me. Now, to figure out where I'm going to display them once we get back home. I'll have fun finding a new spot for them. Thanks, Mumsy!

They're Called "Shoreline"...

I got a very belated birthday gift last week. I mean over a year belated. It's ok. Stuff happens. People forget. Things get in the way.

On Wednesday last week, when we got together with my brother-by-choice, Anthony and his son (our nephew) Julian, he delivered a gift that Sister Goldenhair had purchased for me over a year ago. I couldn't wait to get the box back to my mum's house and tear the wrappings apart to see what they looked like.

Inside was a service for six - dinner plates, bread and butter plates, bowls and mugs of a lovely, beachy set called "Shoreline". It has a neutral creamy gray main color, and is adorned with sea shells around the rims of each of the pieces (I know, you can see in the photo, right?) They'll be just perfect in our Florida home.

After I unwrapped the paper protecting each piece, I painstakingly rewrapped each one in bubble wrap. I knew that we wouldn't have enough room in our vehicle to hand-carry them home to Florida, so I wanted to make sure they would ship safely via UPS while we drove. I then took all the wrapped pieces to the shipper on Friday and, just as we're on our way home, so are they.

Opening the box will be like Christmas and Birthday all over again. (Yup...my birthdays are major occasions, so they're capitalized!) I'll unwrap them, wash them and then put them in our cabinets awaiting our first dinner at home. I'm really looking forward to using them.