Monday, October 10, 2011

Happy Teacup Tuesday!

Happy Teacup Tuesday everyone! I just  received this little teacup from my mom, and I love her! Chintz is a favorite of mine. She came just in time to share her with my teacup Tuesday sisters. Have a wonderful week all!
Does anyone understand the "crown" like symbol on the back?

In high school, 16 families arrived from Stoke on Trent, Staffoshire, England, to our town. The husbands were brought here to begin making pottery in Niagara Falls, New York. (Carborumdom) Several of the girls my own age, they taught me about English tea, the traditions and ceremonies involved with tea and the pottery. One girl even painted teacups for a small shop keeper. 
Decades have passed and the Carborundum Pottery Museum closed, many of the families returned to England,  but I so appreciate the experience they shared with me, the ceremony of taking tea, and the art of tea cup design. I hope to visit the UK in my lifetime and visit the tea shops that I imagine are so glorious. I'm the introduction to the work, the beauty and the joy in the pottery created in that area.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Teacup Tuesday!

Hi everyone It's teacup Tuesday and today's Sunny cup is...this sweet floral cup.
While she may not have come over on the Mayflower, or be a "Royale" ..she is from England. Her stamp says number 533.  533...was that her address?.. or identification?..was it her artist's limited edition number?....did she play soccer?...I don't know, but what I love is her beautiful hand painted flowers..Happy Teacup Tuesday!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Teacup Tuesday I'm away but..

     Yesterday,  I went back to visit my old home and my best friend, Sherry,  for a few days. We have been friends for +35 years. I insist we haven't changed. lol I love the old stories that have taken us from innocent, young women thru crushes, new clothes, new travel adventures,  cars, family crises, great jobs, no jobs, motherhood... thru facing happy times and sad times... silly times where she would read her scarriest paperbacks out loud and I would be up all night. (Amityville Horror, The Exorcist, the Omen, etc..), and where we are at this minute, girls in our 50s.Separately we are whole women, but together we are a greater strength, sharing more history than even some family members. Great friendships are so important.   While we plan to go to a teahouse this trip, TODAY is TT!  I happened to have a memory stick with pics on it and here is my teacup.
Who will it be??







England's Salisbury Bone China Company was producing china from 1927 to1949. In 1961,it was taken over by Thomas Poole and moved to Chadwick Street, Longton. 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Visiting Lehmans..Holy BBQ!!

Happy Pink Saturday!! This past weekend, my husband and I drove to Amish country. We neded a part for our tomato grinder and stopped at Lehmans.(of coarse, they had it.) Lehmans is the final word on historic hardware. Need a butterchurn? or a grill? They have it. Today's pink is a find at Lehmans! Ready??


BBQ !



Isn't this just the cutest spot to grill your favorites!? I couldn't wait until Pink Saturday to come! lol
 Lehmans is a fun destination if you are ever near Kidron, Ohio. This family store is the best "low-tech" shopping under one roof.  My family loves to visit and view in amazement the non electrics,  which are used by the Amish still today. Visiting the toy shop evokes wonderful childhood memories. The "Buggy Barn" offers demonstrations on topics like maple sugaring, canning, etc.. Lehmans has plenty of modern items , especially kitchen gadgets. On this recent trip, I saw a sign that named the number of movies that Lehmans has lent a hand to by offering authentic pieces or expert historic advice.If you'd like to know more about this historic hardware store, here's their website:
http://www.lehmans.com/store/catalog?Args=
Happy Pink Saturday!!
Window on the barn
Amish countryside in early June.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Teacup Tuesday Black and Pink Floral


Goodmorning! Teacup Tuesday is being celebrated (a little late) with this "Shafford Hand Painted"  from Japan, made by Chugai China.
I love cups with feet, they're so cute, and not easyto make level.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Pink Piggy, Pink Peonies, Pink pink pink!

Happy Pink Saturday!
Remember the  Monkees? Remember their song Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky? He ate pie for breakfast, pie for lunch, and pie in the afternoon...he ate so much pie that he....POPPED! I love that cute little poem and everytime I bring out this little pink pig, it reminds me of the poem...
Here's Percival:  Percival is the pink proud potable for our sugar!  He is a handmade gift from a student.

This week my Peonies were blooming...



These fragrant beauties are called Madam de Verneville. They originated around 1885.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Lucky Shamrock Tea Cup/Teacup Tuesday

Hi all my Teacup Tuesday friends! If you don't participate yet, grab a tea cup post a picture and join the fun!
Here's my St. Pat's Day cup. I love the shamrocks. There are a couple painted inside the cup ,as well. Notice she's a lucky teacup?? Four leaves. The inside says Lucky Shamrock,  Hammersley , England.


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Luminous Blue..Teacup Tuesday

Hello my tenacious teacup friends! Happy Teacup Tuesday!! Today I am sharing a set I found in my best friend's cupboard this weekend. The bottom only says "Japan" The cup is very thin, very fragile and and luminous. The seafoam blue color is just beautiful. The photos don't really capture it's beauty.




Saturday, May 28, 2011

Pink out with Mac Kenzie

Happy third Pink Saturday! Congratulations and thank you Beverly for creating this fun Event!  Over Memorial Day weekend, I travelled to Buffalo to spend the weekend with my best friend, Sherilyn and Scooby's dear friend, Mac Kenzie. Pink inspiration arrived in the jaws of playful MacKenzie. While he has a basket full of toys, Kenzie selected this PINK guy to play with me.


Just the right PINK buddy to take with us...

 A pink neck scarf would have been perfection...but, he didn't have any pink to wear..but he is a Patriot and it is Memorial Day Weekend!
We're off for some fun!
Back home.."whew, I'm pooped."

Friday, May 20, 2011

Pink Dogwood Pink Saturday

Before I begin, I hope you can join Beverly's Pink Saturday's 3rd Birthday  Party! Hope to see you there.


Hello Pink Saturday Friends! this week's pink is my Pink Dogwood. Pretty pink flowers start lighter in color, and then get slightly deeper as a tree ages...thus, you never get the same color twice. In autumn, these green leaves turn a fiery red, marking the end of summer and bringing color to your fall landscape. It is such a giving tree. The fruit of the Pink Dogwood is an important source of winter food for many songbirds, including robins, cardinals and waxwings.
   I wanted to share a story that my mother repeats each Spring as we admire them. Legend is that the Dogwood Tree was the wood used for crosses during Roman days. However in researching that, it cannot be confirmed. Lets not ruin that for my mom, it will be our secret. ;)




Photo taken 2 years ago, see how the color is much lighter?
Here is a shot taken apx 3 months ago after an ice storm. Happy Pink Saturday!!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Mother's Day, my influences

Happy Mother's Day to all of you girls, both yound and mature. Her is my mom , like many women, it hasn't always been an easy life, but she will tell you, its a happy one. So mom, thank you for the good advice over the years, being a good role model, teaching us to dream, to cherishing your grandchildren. You are amazing and  we are proud to call you, mom , grandma, and best friend.
    

Visiting at Thanksgiving, proudly sporting her new top.
 


Last summer on a porch
 




Mom's 80th bday at her favorite restaurant, Red Lobster.
 


She loves Disneyworld.


Second, I want to wish a Happy Mother's day to my wonderful Mother in Law. She is a kind and generous woman, who works tirelessly her home a place where  family can feel welcomed and comfortable. She really has a gift for making others feel welcomed and spoiled. I have learned much about the joy of giving from her.

My mother in law(rt) and I at a tea I gave to celebrate all things Southern
 Next: Happy Mother's Day to Great Grandma Minnie! She is my husband's grandmother. At 97, she rocks the house. She has always been a strong woman in a pint size body. Recently, I had the priviledge of reading her diaries from her childhood..that was so special. Some of her amazing Senior accomplishments: at 75+ she was Citizen of the Year for her tireless work in the community, not a med in her body until about 90+ , continued to deliver meals on wheels in her 80's and could beat all of us at Trivial Pursuit.
Another strong influence came early in my life and lasted only a few years before she passed, but her memory is with me each day. That is my Grandmother, Eva. She was the kindest, most wonderful grandmother you could hope for.Life is Good and God is Great.