Blue and White Memories

As far back as I can remember this is the set of dishes that was on our table in my parents home. When Mom passed away last August I was going to give the whole set to the Goodwill Store or a consignment store in Walnut Creek. Something said "NO"..., so I boxed the set up and brought it home with me.
Well, sometimes you need to listen to your instincts and wait before you give something away that has so many memories. When I got the box home, I decided to use the set as my everyday dishes and I lovingly washed them and filled my cupboard with this wonderful set of memories. I cannot tell you what a good feeling it is to use these dishes and take care of them.

I think, of all the pieces in this set, the little pitcher is the sweetest. I can remember Mom serving milk for our cereal in it and, even more wonderful, a small bouquet of flowers on a tray when we were sick. I can see this pitcher on our dining table on Sunday morning with warm syrup in it for our pancakes.. We never had the store bottles on the table or "tubs" of margarine. Always butter and always the pitcher. How could such a small piece of china have so many good memories tucked inside? I'm so glad I didn't leave the set at the thrift store. The money I would have made at the consignment store would never compare to having the set here in my home.

A few weeks back a good friend came to visit. She had a very belated birthday present for me. ( My birthday was in Dec. and we had not been able to get together until now.) It was this beautiful vintage cookie tin with the same pattern as Mom's set of dishes. What a wonderful gift. It must have originally held cookies because the lid edge has what looks like tape marks all the way around the tin as if it had been sealed at one time. The design is by Liz Floding 1984. It's so perfect. I will use it often. What a sweet gift Janet. Thank you.
Please remember to check all the vintage loving blogs at Colorado Lady's site. She is the host for Vintage Thingies Thursday and if you love Antiques and Vintage things you will be in 7th heaven here.

Past Due Tuesday: New Kid on the Block

There is a new VINTAGE blogging event starting today. The folks from Roomies, the blog for the Room with a Past store that I visit every time I go down to my sisters, are hosting a new opportunity to share your vintage and antique items with everyone. Be sure to take a look, here, for other great posts that share the love of things that have survived time and come with "a past". Please join us and share your love of all things vintage.

My offering today is a small crocheted throw that was my grandma's. I remember snuggling unto it on cold days, in front of her fireplace and I have this memory, in later years, of her sitting in an old wood rocking chair (which I was also given) with this blanket over her legs to keep her warm. She was still living in the house in the hills above the town of Napa, California, by herself.
In this quiet and simple house that had wood walls and dusty land surrounding it, this blanket was a burst of color. It's texture is heavy and tough and has stood the test of time. Each square is done with skill and there are a rainbow of colors within the design. I don't think that my grandma made this throw. As far as I know she didn't knit or crochet. Maybe it was a gift from someone she worked with.., or family but it's so lovely and well made. I'm sure the person who made it would be happy to know that this little blanket has lasted this long and now lives in another little house at the end of a dirt road. in the country.
As you can see..., this small blanket was a bright, warm and loving memory of my childhood. It wraps me in so many fond visions of a time when life was simpler and a woman, who didn't get along with the rest of the world very well ,loved me more than life itself. It's a memory of place.., and tenderness.

Please go to Roomies for more stories of vintage things that are "past due" for being shared with others.