Most of my “old” blog friends have heard the story of how I turned down this beautiful set of red transferware dishes that had belonged to my husband’s grandmother. Not once or twice, but a few more than that. It was quite a while ago. Then they were offered to Sweet Daughter, years before she had her own home, and she happily accepted them. A few years after that, I was sorry I had turned them down. They are so pretty, so vintage, and so charming.
Johnson Bros. England, English Chippendale
I kept them for safekeeping for a several years and used them just like I owned them. By now I had come to appreciate "old" things better. So I thought maybe Sweet Daughter would forget about them or decide she didn't want some "old lady" dishes from so long ago. But when she bought her first home, she was quick to take some of the dishes to their new home. I still got to keep some. When she recently had a party, she needed a lot of dishes and the red transferware was called into duty.
It was rather interesting how many of the ladies oohed and aahed over those dishes. A few of them had been collecting the same dishes as well. But what they all loved best was the fact that the dishes had traveled through time and family. They had belonged to Sweet Daughter’s great grandmother and that was special to others. It’s a treasure whether you knew the relative or not to have a continuation of your family in your home.
I was in labor on Valentine’s Day many years ago, and so this weekend is Sweet Daughter’s Birthday Weekend! I’ll make a couple of large heart shaped chocolate chip cookies and something yummy for dinner on Sunday. On Monday we are playing girls’ day out and going to have a nice pedicure and do a little shopping. And I think puppy is going for a bit of grooming, too. I treasure these days so much.
Usually I bring out these lovely old dishes because the red is so perfect on Valentine's Day. This year I'll miss them. Lesson learned.
Hope your weekend is a wonderful one.
Happy Valentine’s Day
~ See Y’all Soon ~
