Friday Show and Tell – Thrifted Tureen

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

I will just squeeze in a bit of time to make a post today. My item is an off-white soup tureen and ladle which I got yesterday. I was walking back to the car with my mother when I glanced in at the thrift store. I saw the tureen and asked mother to wait while I ran in to see how much it cost. I looked at the label, which read $3.00. I checked and one handle had a barely noticeable chip. So I decided to get it.

Here it is all freshly clean on the kitchen counter:


It has a very nice ribbed design and a pretty knob on the lid.

The little nick is on this handle.

It has some crazing inside, but is all smooth. The matching ladle has a few small nicks.

It fits in well with my other off-white dishes and things.

Well, I must stop now, as company is coming within the hour and I have a few preparations still to do.

Thanks for stopping by, and do visit Kelli more Show and Tell posts.

ABCs of the Word - O

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is O

O Lord, listen!
O Lord, forgive!
O Lord, hear and act!
Daniel 9:19

In this prayer the prophet Daniel first admits that his people have gone astray from God.

We do not make requests of you
because we are righteous,
but because of your great mercy.
Daniel 9:18

When we consider our country and the other nations, indeed the whole world, we have all drifted far from the path God wishes us to follow. But we can be confident that He is willing and ready to show us mercy. He is willing and able to restore us. Let us accept this gift so freely offered to each person.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

Word-Filled Wednesday – Proverbs 4:7-9

Sponsored by Amydeanne at The 160-Acre Woods, the "purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse.

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Esteem her, and she will exalt you;

embrace her, and she will honor you.

She will set a garland of grace on your head

and present you with a crown of splendor."

Proverbs 4:7-9

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne.

Tablescape Tuesday - Table for Four

Tablescape Tuesday is sponsored by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.

Today's tablescape is set for four and has a fall motif. The table is covered first in a white cloth over which is a square vintage tablecloth printed with fruit. It is placed at a diagonal.


The centerpiece consists of a large ceramic which was made for me by my secretary’s mother back in the early 90’s. Inside it is a spray of variegated green leaves and russet floral bouquets from Michael’s after season sale in 2007. All around are other ceramic fruit or vegetables. Scattered about are silk autumn leaves from CVS end of season sale last fall.
The dishes are my Royal Worcester “Evesham.” The large water glasses are in the Evesham pattern, with each glass having a different fruit – cherries, blueberries, pears, peaches.
The napkins are in light green fabric. The four napkin rings are each a different fruit – peach, lemon, banana, apple. A couple autumn leaves are tucked into each ring.

At each place setting is a different set of salt and pepper shakers. This one is a pair of acorns from Fitz anf Floyd.


Next is Vintage Inarco salt and pepper


A small pumpkin and a small gourd from the Hannaford grocery at $1.50 each.


A halved pear


With its motif of colorful leaves, fruit, and vegetables on the cloth, dishes, glassware, and accessories, the tablescape has a sense of the autumn outdoors.

Thank you for stopping by today. Do leave a comment. For more table settings please see the list of participants at Susan’s blog.

Travel Souvenir Collections 3 - Shelias Houses

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

This post features a set from the Nativity Scenes Collection. As I considered various travel souvenirs I realized that another collection based on where I have traveled is part of my Shelia’s nativity display.

Shelias is a company which produces wood cutouts of historic America. As a nativity collector I was happy to find the "Town Square Nativity" from Shelia's Collectibles "Old Fashioned Christmas" series. It is a 1997 Limited Edition, signed and numbered, and Made in U.S.A.

I really enjoy the beautiful hand painted design of the main piece called "Just Born"
It is a one-piece wood cutout, Victorian gingerbread style gazebo with Joseph, Baby Jesus, Mary and two trumpeting angels & star above.
This is the town's living nativity with various members of the community forming the nativity tableau.

I also purchased the three related pieces to make up the living nativity scene:
Heartsville’s Lil Angels [children as angels]
Michael Keeping Watch [shepherd]
Borrowed Eli [camel]

Two more town pieces and a Christmas tree came next:
Heartsville Town Square
Heartsville Carolers
Evergreen Christmas Tree

Then, to personalize the set even more, I added Shelias historic houses of New England to provide a range of additional buildings as a backdrop.

I chose only New England sites that I have visited personally. Here are the historic houses and buildings:
The Old Manse, Concord, MA
Orchard House, Concord, MA

Old State House, Boston, MA
Old North Church II, Boston, MA
Old South Meeting House, Boston, MA

Paul Revere House, Boston,MA
Munroe Tavern, Lexington, MA
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s House, Cambridge, MA

The Kingscote mansion in Newport, RI completes my travel souvenir additions.

The added Shelias accessories are wood cutouts of Snow Covered Evergreen, Evergreen Trees and one Oak Tree (for Oak Rise Cottage!)

Thank you for reading about this special set in my nativity scenes collection. For more about the nativity scenes collection please check out my new blog Carola Nativity Gallery.

To see more personal treasures, visit Kelli for a list of participating posts.

Hopeful Friday – Autumn’s Colors

Cielo at The House in the Roses is sponsoring Hopeful Friday to give blogger friends another opportunity to " celebrate God, to celebrate His mercy and unconditional love, but also a day to celebrate positive thoughts. We need hope to replace our restlessness, we need courage to replace our fear, and we need faith to replace our doubt."

Masterworks
"In Autumn when the leaves turn brown
And red and gold, the all fall down
To paint a picture, oh so rare!
I know that God is there…
To mastermind His ebb and flow;
To stage His wondrous Autumn show,
To brush His Skies with molten gods;
I watch his art unfold."
Henry W. Gurley

Here in the northeast the beauty of autumn with its colorful leaves inspires us to consider the Creator who devised such loveliness.

To see more of today’s "chain of positive thoughts and inspirational messages" please go here for Cielo’s list.

Thankful Thursday – Our Lord is Faithful

During the past coouple of weeks I’ve been filled with amazement on how God has been providing for my financial needs. This year, though happily grateful that the monthly bills are covered by my income, there have been times when I have been distressed over a bill I had not counted on. That’s when texts such as these help me to rest in confidence that my needs will continue be met:

"God who has called you into fellowship

with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,

is faithful."

1 Cor. 1:9

"I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread."

Psalm 37:25

Read more expressions of gratitude for God’s blessings in the lives of His children at Iris’s blog.

ABCs of the Word - N

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is N

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

Word-Filled Wednesday – Hebrews 11:32-34

Sponsored by Amydeanne at The 160-Acre Woods, the "purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse.

And what more shall I say?
I do not have time to tell about Gideon,
Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David,
Samuel and the prophets,
who through faith conquered kingdoms,
administered justice, and gained what was promised;
who shut the mouths of lions,
quenched the fury of the flames,
and escaped the edge of the sword;
whose weakness was turned to strength;
and who became powerful in battle
and routed foreign armies.
Hebrews 11:32-34

In Hebrews 11 the apostle Paul presents a long line of heroes of the faith – they all considered God’s word substantial enough to act upon it. Therefore, they are our examples to follow.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne.

Tablescape Tuesday – Dinner for Out-of-Town Guests

Tablescape Tuesday is sponsored by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.

Today I thought I’d share photos of a tablesetting used when mmy sister and brother-in-law were my weekend guests in early spring. I had planned to use different dishes, but decided that since she lived all the way in Florida, and I never got to set the table for her with this bone china set, I would use my Spode "Consul Cobalt" dishes instead. I bought the tea set and some other dishes in 1979 while vacationing in London. I later sent for additional pieces after I returned home.
I like the simplicity of the cream and narrow cobalt blue band. I used a cream damask tablecloth with cream cloth napkins. The centerpiece was a pair of silverplated candlesticks by Oneida and a cobalt blue ginger jar with faux gardenias, set on a doily in one of the salad plates.

Dinner plates – Spode "Consul Cobalt" on brass chargers. For variety I use different pattern dessert plates – Mikasa "Crown Jewels," which has a wider cobalt blue band with gilt embellishment around a cream center.

The glasses are Lenox "Autumn" goblets and the flatware is gilt and cobalt enamel by Yamasaki.

The individual salt and pepper shakers are of pierced silverplate over cobalt glass

These photos were taken the evening before when I finished setting the table. As I looked at the photos the tablescape seems kind of skimpy. The dining table is very large scale – 48 inches wide by 70 inches long, without the two 22 inch leaves -- so it takes a lot of stuff to fill it out. The cream napkins needed the color of a napkin ring of some sort.

I had only four of the napkin rings that I wanted to use – gilt rings with a floral design and embedded with pearl studs in the center of each flower.




So, even though the photos do not show it, at the last minute I put them on the napkins for my mother, my visiting sister, my sister-in-law and my other sister.


At any rate, with lots of talk and laughter, we all enjoyed our meal together.

It's been great having you visit today. For more table settings please see the list of participants at Susan’s blog.

Kreative Blog Award and Tagged

Mishebe at The Crowned Casa has given me the Kreative Blog award and tagged me for a list of six things I value and six that I do not value.

6 THINGS I VALUE
1. Knowing that God loves and cares for me
2. Beautifully sung Christian hymns and songs
3. Clothes that are comfortable, well fitted and look great
4. Exuberance in living – enjoying all that life offers
5. Excellent buys at the thrift shops
6. A tall glass of sweet tart orange juice

6 THINGS I DO NOT VALUE
1. Willful ignorance when information and help is so available today
2. Inconsistency in things that matter
3. Crass behavior and language
4. Insincerity
5. People putting down other people
6. Attitude of those who won’t have anything to do with computers

I pass this on to 6 other bloggers, each of whom prepares blog posts that express their exuberance and creative insight.
Anita – Prairie Dreams
Beverly – Tea Time and Roses
Patty – Morning Ramble
Mary – Atmosfera di casa
Storm – 365 Days of Christmas
Charlotte – Dolls Dolls Dolls

Friday Show and Tell - Thrifted Chest of Drawers

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

As I stated in my Thankful Thursday post last week, a few years ago when I needed to raise some money I sold my complete bedroom set, keeping only the mattress. Soon after, though, I had to buy a used dresser because it was too hard on my back to be bending down in the mornings to retrieve needed items from a row of plastic crates on the floor. The dresser is a solid mahogany traditional design by Henredon, with a curved front and brass drawer pulls. I found it at one of the local antique shops.

Since then I’ve looked every where for a chest or an armoire to coordinate with the dresser and provide needed additional storage. The problem was that I only liked ones that were priced much higher than my budget allowed.

Last Tuesday I was sitting in the waiting area reading while a part was installed in my old Honda Accord. I was getting stiff after reading some chapters of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. Deciding to go for a walk, I went straight to a nearby thrift store. It was just minutes before closing when I noticed a very nice solid cherry wood chest of drawers in a pleasing traditional style. Due to a bit of damage inside one of the drawers and a missing drawer pull, the price was set at $20.00. With tax and delivery fee, it came to just $33. Was I ever thanking the Lord on the way home after getting my car!

Here are a few photos I took the next day when it was delivered.

On the back an old label is pasted

The label indicates a CHEST ON CHEST with a stock number of 115; the finish is TAWNY CHERRY and it is from DAVIS CABINET COMPANY, Makers of Good Furniture, Nashville, Tennessee.

Notice that the brass drawer pulls are similar to those on my dresser.

Even the curve of the feet is similar to the dresser.

Since then I’ve cleaned, used an Ethan Allen touchup pen on the scratches, and started using my latest furniture item. I’ve carried over the display of cream porcelain accessories from the dresser to the ‘new’ chest.



Thanks for stopping by today. For more personal treasures, visit Kelli for a list of participating posts.

Vintage Thingies Thursday – Knowles Covered Bowl

With little time left to do an extensive post, but still wanting to participate in Vintage Thingies Thursday, I will share one vintage item which I enjoy very much. It is a covered vegetable serving dish by the Edwin M. Knowles China Co. Ivory in color, it measures 10" from handle to handle, and is in the "Fashion" pattern from 1936.

In the photo above it is pictured as stored in the kitchen on a two tier dish rack. I also showed it in my last Tablescape Tuesday post, which combined off-white dishes with green Bordallo Pinheiro.

The surface of the vessel and of the lid is covered in a white on white raised pattern




Thanks for stopping by today; do come again soon. To see more vintage things, please visit Lisa at the Apron Queen for a list of participating posts.

ABCs of the Word - M

Pam explains the purpose of ABC’s of the Word:"God gave me this idea to start stirring up the Word in each of us by going through the alphabet, one letter each Thursday. I just think it would be cool to see how many different scriptures are listed each week. Even if it doesn't start with the letter of the week, make it predominately about that word that corresponds with the letter of the week. Other than following along with each week's letter there are no rules. Join in when you can and be blessed. Don't worry about missing a week or joining at letter I---whatever, I will willingly add anyone's blog at any time. Let's be encouraged by His Truth!’

This week’s letter is M
Celtic letter - Dover.com

"Let not the mighty man glory in his might"

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23, 24

Above all powers, above all virtues, above all prosperity, let us put value where Our Lord puts value – a personal relationship with God.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

Word-Filled Wednesday – Proverbs 6:6

Sponsored by Amydeanne at The 160-Acre Woods, the "purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise
Proverbs 6:6 KJV

The New Century Version puts it this way:

"Go watch the ants, you lazy person.

Watch what they do and be wise."

I really enjoy watching the birds and the squirrels in the yard. All day long they go about pursuing the needed routines to preserve their lifestyle. I’ve really never observed one just taking it easy while it is still daylight. What an example for us humans!

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please go here.

Tablescape Tuesday – Simple Luncheon

Tablescape Tuesday is sponsored by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.

Welcome to my table which is set for a luncheon of soup and sandwiches. We will have our soup from small bowls by Bordallo Pinheiro. They are set on small ivory embossed Queens Ware plates. The dinner plate is a cabbage leaf, also by Bordallo Pinheiro.

Soup is served from an ivory covered bowl in a pattern called "Fashion" by Knowles.

Should you desire a bit more seasoning, a divided green and white pear salt and pepper shakers are right at hand.



Our dessert plates are also embossed ivory.

The goblets are brown glass.

Cloth napkins in a floral pattern of deep pinks and green add color to setting.
The cloth placemats are oval with dainty cream on cream embroidery.


Since this is the fall harvest season the centerpiece is a large white ceramic pumpkin along with its smaller version. I put some dried hydrangeas and a colorful sprig in the larger pumpkin.



NOTES:
-Cabbage leaf by Bordallo Pinheiro - Made in Portugal
-Wedgwood Embossed Queens Ware is a cream-on-cream pattern featuring embossed grape clusters, vines and leaves around the rims. They were produced in England circa the 1940's.
-"Fashion" Covered Vegetable Serving Dish by Edwin M. Knowles China Co. 1936.
-Wedgwood Etruria "Patrician" is cream colored with flowers and scrolls. Made in England.

-Brown "Virginia" goblets by Fostoria
-White ceramic pumpkins purchased Sept. 2008 at TJ Maxx.


I’ve enjoyed your coming today. For more table settings please see the list of participants at Susan’s blog.

Friday Show & Tell: Travel Souvenir Collections 2 – Plates

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

Blue and White Transferware Plates As Souvenirs

Souvenir plates are available at most places where there are tourists. Most will be designs in multiple colors, but for many sites the collector of blue and white transfer wares will find a plate in those favored colors as a remembrance of travel.

I have a small collection of blue and white plates from places I have visited in various U.S. states or cities, as well as places in Europe, England principally. I only want the plate if I actually visited the specific state, country, city, or location depicted on the plate.

I feel it is most effective to group all the souvenir plates together as a theme display. The majority of the collection is displayed on my guest bathroom walls. Since I was using the nails from a previously hung wall group, the plates are arrayed in four rows of three plates each.

The first group on the left, next to the bathtub, shows New Orleans, LA, The Wayside Inn, MA, and the Incline Railway, Chattanooga, TN.

The middle group has a colorful Portuguese plate in the center.* Above it is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, England, and below is a plate for Washington, DC.

The third group has Windsor Castle, England, F.D. Roosevelt’s home in upstate NY, and the Massachusetts State House.

The final group of three has Venice, Italy, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Rome, Italy.

The plate depicting the Old Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA was presented to me at a banquet, the evening following our visit to the Old Wayside Inn. We had a delicious meal in the historic inn. While visiting the gift shop someone overheard me remark on my love of blue and white dishes. When I opened the gift presented to me as host the next evening, there was the lovely plate, a reminder of a delightful stop on our tour.

Here is the book Tales of a Wayside Inn by Henry W. Longfellow which I bought there at the gift shop. Also, the brochure.

My other Massachusetts plates include Cape Cod, and the State House shown in the following photo.

When I was growing up my family attended camp meeting in upstate New York, quite near to Hyde Park, home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It was very interesting to tour the special presidential home and to see mementos of his life there.

My visits to the nation’s capital always fills me with a sense or awe at the grand buildings. This souvenir plate of Washington, DC depicts many important landmarks.

A visit to the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee included tours to Civil War sites. The site of the Battle on Lookout Mountain was fascinating. Our tour group took a ride up the face of the mountain in a specially built rail car with the seats built out from the sloping floor.
A vivid reminder of the ride up the Incline Railroad to the top of Lookout Mountain while viewing the city of Chattanooga below, was my concern over what it would be like to ride down the amazingly steep incline.

I never got to find out because when we arrived at the mountain top, our bus was waiting for us, having taken the circuitous route round and round to the top. So after visiting Civil War sites and admiring the large stately homes, we boarded the bus for the trip down. I actually found the plate a little over a month later when shopping in an antique mall in central Massachusetts. I could hardly believe my eyes and snapped it up for the collection.

A few plates are not hung. The Washington, DC plate is a Capsco Product from Capitol Souvenir Co..
Another is from an important state series by Vernon Kilns, near Los Angeles, CA and
represents California.

Two of my most beautiful plates represent places I visited in England. The first is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage near Stratford-upon-Avon. After spending the day seeing the sights in and around Stratford, that evening we enjoyed a sprightly rendition of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Note the beautiful tree foilage around this plate.

As an English major in college I had studied the work of Sir Philip Sidney and was glad to see his home, Penshurst Place. When I visited there as a graduate student, the guide said that scenes for the movie "Anne of a Thousand Days" had been filmed there shortly before.

The view of Windsor Castle on this next plate is dated 1791.

This design of the plate below is from the Spode Blue Room Collection. There the Spode company maintains an archive of pieces from their distinguished history as a china manufacturer. The 1811 artwork on the plate depicts the city of Rome, Italy.


On September 21, 2008 I found another plate with a historical engraving. This one depicts Venice, Italy. The manufacturer of this plate is another English firm, Ridgway.

............................................................................................................

*The Portuguese plate is in accent colors used in the bathroom ...

The shower curtain…

The sink accessories – tissue box, handpainted vases…

............................................................................................................

To see more personal treasures, visit Kelli for a list of participating posts.

Vintage Thingies Thursday – More Vintage Planters

This post is part of Vintage Thingies Thursday, sponsored by Lisa, the Apron Queen.

I have shared some planters previously, here and here, but thought I’d share once a bit more today. I had also shown some shell-shaped items before in this post.

Many potteries designed and produced ceramic planters and in a great variety of patterns and colors. It is really fun to realize how many different shapes were used for planters – baby shoes, bunnies and other animals, flowers, cacti, and sea shells.

The first two planters for today’s VTT post are shaped like nautilus shells. These planters are about 4" tall by 7 ½" long. They have no markings as to manufacturer or pattern name or country of origin. However, they are most likely American products.

This yellow double shell shell planter is relatively small at only 3" tall by 7" long


It still makes a pleasing presentation for whatever you might plant or display in it.

Thanks for stopping by today; do come again soon. To see more vintage things, please visit Lisa at the Apron Queen for a list of participating posts.

Thankful Thursday – Help in Time of Need

In this Thankful Thursday post I want to express my gratitude for the ways the Lord has provided for my financial needs. I have been very burdened with how to meet my various bills and expenses. I prayed that the needed funds would be provided and my prayers have been bountifully answered. Here are two most recent examples.

1. A car repair that I understood would cost a bit over $200 ended up costing $408 instead. A cash gift I had received earlier from a relative and had deposited, allowed me to write a check to pay the bill in full this past afternoon.

2. I’ve needed to find a chest of drawers to replace one I’d sold a few years back when I needed to raise some money. While waiting for my car to be repaired yesterday afternoon, I decided to take a walk and went to a nearby thrift store. It was just before closing when I noticed a very nice solid wood chest of drawers which would coordinate with the dresser I now have. The price was just $20 due to a bit of damage inside one of the drawers. With tax and delivery fee, it came to just $33.

"Be still before the Lord and

wait patiently for Him."

Psalms 37:7

"The faith we bring to prayer must include

a trust that God is able to hear our prayers

and that He is disposed to answer them."

–R.C Sproul

Read more expressions of gratitude for God’s blessings in the lives of His children at Iris’s blog.

ABCs of the Word - L

Pam explains the purpose of ABC’s of the Word:"God gave me this idea to start stirring up the Word in each of us by going through the alphabet, one letter each Thursday. I just think it would be cool to see how many different scriptures are listed each week. Even if it doesn't start with the letter of the week, make it predominately about that word that corresponds with the letter of the week. Other than following along with each week's letter there are no rules. Join in when you can and be blessed. Don't worry about missing a week or joining at letter I---whatever, I will willingly add anyone's blog at any time. Let's be encouraged by His Truth!’



This week’s letter is L

But love your enemies,
do good, and lend,
hoping for nothing in return;
and your reward will be great,
and you will be sons of the Most High.
Luke 6:35

This admonition of Christ is quite a challenge to each of us. It is possible, nonetheless, by His gift of the Holy Spirit, Who makes it happen.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

Word-Filled Wednesday – Colossians 3:14

Sponsored by Amydeanne at The 160-Acre Woods, the "purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse.

Clipart from Dover.com

And over all these virtues
put on love,
which binds them all together
in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14 NIV

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please go here.

Travel Souvenir Collections Part 1 - Spoons

As a child I enjoyed learning about new places and the customs and people who lived there.
I jumped on every opportunity to travel. This continued during my childhood, youth and adulthood. As an adult I found that working at secondary and then college levels gave me many opportunities to travel. Often the cost was minimal since I went as a group leader. Thus I saw Mexico City, Guadalajara, Greece and the Agean Islands. Attending professional conferences took me to many states as well as to England.

One of my collections which record the places I’ve been are my souvenir spoons. The first such spoon I received in Switzerland as a graduate student doing a grand tour of the continent. It is an advertising spoon from the jeweler, Bucherer, and promotes Rolex.

I only collect spoons of places I’ve actually visited in the States and in Europe. Example, if a particular city, building or point of interest is featured on the spoon, I wan it only if I had been to that particular place. I’ve visited Montreal, Canada. So I collect spoons featuring Canada and Montreal, but not say, Toronto or Quebec, since I’ve not been to either city.

Some of my earliest spoons are the typical souvenir designs made of fake-looking metals, such as these from Florida and Washington, both of which were gifts.

However, I soon began to concentrate on finding silver spoons wherever possible, including shops in airports. Along the way, I got this one in pewter from Salem, Massachusetts.

In my post last Friday I mentioned doing other posts on various collections mentioned. I've been reluctant to write about the souvenir spoons collection since I haven’t gotten to polish them. They look quite tarnished, however today I thought I write about them anyway, since many bloggers indicate they don't mind the tarnished look of unpolished silver.

This display is in the kitchen on a spoon rack I got at a local thrift store for $3.00. The spoons are vintage silverplated state spoons from W.A. Rogers. The State Souvenir Collector Spoons, plus the matching United States Sugar Spoon, were very popular gifts to take back to family and friends.

Each spoon has the state name, state seal and an eagle.

My spoons are for the following states which I have visited:
California
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Texas
Vermont
Washington

Another wooden display rack is on the wall in the study and has only United States spoons:

The collection has groups of spoons that are from various series that share features in their designs. The next photo shows three 4" spoons for three states that were made in Norway. These were marked "T.H Martinsen Norway E.P.N.S.40 F&F." They are for Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island. Each has the state outline on the bowl, the state name on the handle and state seal on the top.

Another series has pierced motifs at the top of handle which portray a place or munument of interest. A steer for Texas, flamingo for Florida, and the Cathedral in the Pines, New Hampshire. I’ve been to the outdoor Cathedral several times, for sunset vespers and for a co-worker’s wedding. Note that the Old Man of the Mountains in New Hampshire (3rd from left) is now gone, having collapsed in 2003. It now exists in memory and various photos and other artifacts which depicted that natural wonder.

A third group has colorful tops which depict a tourist attraction such as Mission Dolores in San Francisco, New Orleans showing the Cathedral in Jackson Square, and Massachusetts state bird and flower.

Some of my spoons represent cities I’ve visited - Dallas, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Washington, DC. The one from Dallas has the Hyatt Regency depicted. I had a lovely breakfast there, part of a book and author presentation.

There are still eleven states I have visited that are not represented in the spoon collection: Alabama, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia.

This photo shows a second spoon rack, also bought at a thrift store last year (for $2.00), displays spoons for foreign countries and cities on the upper row, and U.S. states and cities on the lower row. It was made in Canada and has the original label with a maple leaf and "Seaway Lock. Iroquois, Ont." The rack hangs in the dining room.

Now the entire rack is reserved for foreign spoons only.

Foreign countries I’ve visited and have a spoon for are:
Austria
Bermuda
Canada
England
France
Greece
Italy
Switzerland

Spoons representing cities in the foreign countries I’ve visited include London, Lucerne, Paris, Rome, Venice, and the island of Mykonos, Greece shown here:

Finally, a few of my spoons represent specific historic places such as the United States Capitol in DC, and Blenheim Palace near Oxford, England. The one for the Capitol is sterling and is a tiny 3.25 in. It is probably a salt spoon.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to my travel souvenir collections. Part 2 will cover the blue and white souvenir plates. Let me know if you also collect souvenir spoons or plates.

N O T I C E

If anyone has any silver plated souvenir spoons they would like to offer for swap, let me know:

States needed:
Alabama
Delaware
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
North Carolina
Oregon
Virginia

Foreign Countries needed:
Belgium
Germany
Mexico
Netherlands
Wales

Foreign Cities needed:
Canada - Montreal
Belgium - Brussels
England - Bath, Coventry, Stratford-Upon-Avon
France - Grenoble, Nice
Germany - Cologne, Koblenz, Oberammergau
Greece - Athens
Italy - Pisa, Siena, Murano
Mexico – Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puebla
Netherlands - Amsterdam, The Hague

Silverplated Spoons I have for swap:
W.A. Rogers State Souvenir Collector Spoon for California silver plated 6 inches long - 2

W.A. Rogers State Souvenir Collector Spoon for Massachusetts silver plated 6 inches long

W.A. Rogers State Souvenir Collector Spoon for New Jersey silver plated 6 inches long

W.A. Rogers State Souvenir Collector Spoon for New York silver plated 6 inches long - 2
W.A. Rogers State Souvenir Collector Spoon for Wisconsin silver plated 6 inches long - 2
Canada – commemorative "The Mounties/ Brampton" - silver plated 4.5 inches long

Friday Show and Tell – Additions for Several Collections

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

My visit to the Lancaster Marketplace with my three sisters and niece on Sunday September 21 was wonderful. I found things for several of my collections or sets:

Brown Transfer Ware
2 dinner plates in the Royal China Company’s "Wellesley" pattern. $1.00. I now have 8 dinner plates.


Brown Fostoria Goblets
6 Fostoria "Virginia" goblets for $5.00 the set. The four I had before were bought new for $39.99. Now I have 10.

Souvenir Spoons [of places I've visited]
3 silver plated spoons for $1.00 each – London/ England/ Canada

Salt and Pepper Shakers
A tiny individual silver plated set, $1.00 – Made in Occupied Japan

Blue and White Souvenir Plates [of places I've visited]
Six-inch plate "Venice" by Ridgway - Made in England $1.00 . I have a similar plate for Rome.

Here it is along on the wall in the guest bath with two other plates. Another wall displays eight more plates from the collection.

Teapot collection
A small white luster ware teapot with black trim. From the FREE box at one dealer. The knob of the lid is chipped, but I will fix that with some black color.

Nativity Scenes Collection
Three Wise Men and two trees from the Enesco Foundations Nativity by Karen Hahn. These are new pieces from a gift shop in the flea market. I got them at $1.00 a piece =$5.00 total.

Milk Glass Collection
Three lidded and footed vessels (the items have not been cleaned yet.)

One large oval dish, an Avon grape bottle, and a hobnail container with fluted edge.

I plan to do separate posts on the milk glass additions and on the other collections.

To see more interesting personal treasures, visit Kelli for a list of participating posts.

Vintage Thingies Thursday – Autumn Picture

This post is part of Vintage Thingies Thursday, sponsored by Lisa, the Apron Queen.

I was thinking for this week’s vintage item I should do something with an autumn theme. In the living room one of the pictures over the sofa is a framed piece I got at a junk store in town. I often went there looking for frames to use on other pictures, but sometimes got a piece that I liked and decided to hang it on the wall. I paid about $12-15. for this.

This piece is a print under glass [please excuse the flash on the glass in these photos]. I recently had to take it out of the frame because the print had slidden down; however, I did not see any artist name or other marking.

The mat is ruled two fine lines in gold surrounding two stronger lines in brown.

The frame is gilt and has a very nice molding.

The subject is a scene along a canal with a handsome stone bridge. The tiled-roofed buildings touch the water. It seems to be set in Europe, perhaps the Netherlands. The color of the trees give the impression of autumn.


Well, thanks so much for viewing my vintage item for today. Do return for another visit soon. For more vintage items, please see Lisa at An Apron a Day.

ABCs of the Word - K

Pam explains the purpose of ABC’s of the Word:
"God gave me this idea to start stirring up the Word in each of us by going through the alphabet, one letter each Thursday. I just think it would be cool to see how many different scriptures are listed each week. Even if it doesn't start with the letter of the week, make it predominately about that word that corresponds with the letter of the week. Other than following along with each week's letter there are no rules. Join in when you can and be blessed. Don't worry about missing a week or joining at letter I---whatever, I will willingly add anyone's blog at any time. Let's be encouraged by His Truth!’

This week’s letter is K.

“Knock
and it shall be opened
unto you.”
Matthew 7:7

This is one of many promises that reveal God's willingness to come to our aid.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

Word-Filled Wednesday – Jer. 13:15

Sponsored by Amydeanne at The 160-Acre Woods, the "purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse.


Clipart from Dover.com

"Hear ye, and give ear;
be not proud:
for the LORD hath spoken."
Jer. 13:15

With every command, God gives a promise:

"But he giveth more grace.
Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace unto the humble."
James 4:6

My wish for us all is that our lives will exhibit God’s attributes of grace.


For more Word-Filled Wednesday please go here.