Do you love going into antique shops as much as I do? Over the last year and a half I have not felt comfortable visiting one. I was so excited last week when we did go into an antique mall in the mountains of Virginia. I really don't need anything but it is so fun to see items that I grew up with.
We began walking around the many rows of booths that were full of lovely old yelloware bowls, quilts, and other various things. First we viewed an item that I knew our son would like. It was actually a brand new cast iron dutch oven. Our son is a great cook and has expressed an interest in having one he can use on his grill. The price was very inexpensive, so Grayden took it up to the register for them to save for us as I continued to look around. Suddenly there before me was a stack of dishes that made my heart leap for joy!
I couldn't believe my eyes that there were the Old Britain Castle dishes that I collect! A stack of eight lovely Johnson Brother dinner plates that I adore. The price was unbelievably low. When we checked out we even found that they were fifteen percent off. I'm so happy to have them join my collection.
During the month of November I bring out my Friendly Village dishes along with Thanksgiving decor.
I made this turkey and napkin rings in 1978 as is imprinted on the bottom. There were several ceramic items I made during this time.
Thanksgiving is important to us to celebrate before we start into the Christmas celebrations.
We are so excited that this year our daughter and son-in-law will visit for Thanksgiving week. I'll be planning our traditional Thanksgiving menu soon. Do you have turkey with all the fixings for Thanksgiving like we do or do you eat out like some folks do?
"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens
Oh those dishes. I love them. I found a few bowls and a few coffee cups and saucers but have yet to find the dishes. they were waiting for you. I love the mountain gift shops and those vintage shops.. Some nice yard sales too on Saturdays. Thanksgiving has always been a joy to prepare dinner for. I am having a hard time finding figurines such as you have. Mom always set out the Pilgrim set she had. Stay warm, it is down right chilly tonight. Betsy
ReplyDeleteBetsy, it's fun to collect a few favorites when we see them. I usually only see one or two of my favorite patterns by Johnson Brothers. The pilgrims and turkey on the cart in our kitchen are wax. I notice on the bottom that they were 49 cents! I've had them forever. Happy planning for your Thanksgiving celebration!
Delete~ Swooning ~ over your gorgeous dishes, Martha Ellen! What a find! I am excited with you that your daughter and son-in-law will be able to join you for Thanksgiving this year. I love the turkey and napkin rings that you made in 1978. They are now treasured part of your traditions.
ReplyDeleteWe, too, like to celebrate Thanksgiving before we start decorating for Christmas. I have started preparing earlier this year because of all I have heard about shipping delays, but the house will remain in fall/Thanksgiving mode. And we have a family meal with turkey and all the trimmings. It is my favorite day of the year!
Thank you for sharing my joy, Cheryl. We are so happy that our family will be altogether this year for Thanksgiving. That really is my greatest joy! I look forward to you sharing your lovely preparations for your favorite day of the year!
DeleteWell, didn't you hit the jackpot, my friend! As they say, it would have been rude not to buy them. I am so happy for you. I do love your Friendly Village dishes and can't wait for you to share them again. Your handmade ceramic turkey pieces make a lovely addition to your displays. No turkey here, all turkeys granted safe haven in my vegetarian house. Confession: turkey is the one meat I do miss.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Deb, I couldn't believe my eyes when I spied this stack of dishes! I couldn't leave them there! Yes, it would have been rude!
DeleteWill you be making the trimmings for your Thanksgiving meal? I remember that you do celebrate. Sending you love and hugs across that big ocean!
What a delightful find! I’m at the point of having to pack something up now when I bring in something new. The fun of collecting continues! We have rarely eaten out at Thanksgiving. That is one of my favorite events to host, and we’ve had an overflow table in past times. Our menu, though sometimes with variations, is a very traditional one. No Christmas things out here yet, either. That will come after Thanksgiving! Blessings to you, Martha Ellen!
ReplyDeleteYou are so wise to let go of something when you bring something new into your home. We are constantly paring down here. Certain things don't get on the hit list, though. I'm quite a dish nut!
DeleteYour Thanksgiving celebration sounds wonderful, Nellie. The many different dishes always center around the traditional basics. Blessings to you, dear Nellie!
I'm so glad that you found the dishes that you love so much and bought them, Martha Ellen. They are so pretty sitting in your china cabinet. Your ceramic turkey is delightful, and I also took a ceramic class in my younger years, and saved a Christmas Santa plate that I made. I love your little pilgrims and turkey candle. I'm so glad that your daughter and son-in-law will be there for Thanksgiving. They will be wonderful company for you. I am so happy to be having Thanksgiving dinner at my sister-in-law's this year, along with other family members. The Charles Dickens quote is a special one, Martha Ellen. Did you ever get the cast iron oven for your son? They are so charming. And I think those dishes were meant for you. ; )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
*I didn't realize that you have a big population of deer in your area. That was so lovely to hear. I see them all the time in the mountains, and I feel blessed every time I do. When I saw the two that were hit by a car, it made my heart sad - one
of them was really big, looked like a Buck.
Sheri, your comments always make me smile! It sounds like you have a lovely family Thanksgiving dinner to attend. For years my dear sister hosted Thanksgiving dinner and then her son did as well when she passed away. For this year we are having Thanksgiving in our home.
DeleteYes, we did buy the dutch oven for our son for Christmas. I don't think he reads my blog, so I feel safe to reveal that!
Virginia has huge populations of deer. It's so sad when we see they have been hit by a car. It happened to us many years ago when our children were small. Enjoy your week, my friend.
Johnson Bros. have such distinctive patterns -- as soon as I saw the photo, even before reading and not being familiar with that pattern, I knew. I LOVE the pattern -- perfect for your Brit passion and gorgeous too. I love how you have them displayed. I haven't been antiquing in at least that long, too. I'm just thrilled you were able to not only actually visit a shop but come home with wonderful treasures!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, Johnson Bros. china is very distinctive and oh so lovely to me. I've never met one of their patterns I didn't like! I hope you can go antiquing soon. Happy November days to you!
DeleteWhat a find, Martha, and a nice surprise at the cash register! Your home looks so warm and welcoming. Your daughter and son-in-law are in for a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteJean, I would have thought I had a bargain without the 15% off! We are happy our daughter and son-in-law and our son and grands will join us for Thanksgiving. Have a happy week!
DeleteIt’s been a long time since I went antiquing and I loved going virtually with you Martha Ellen, so thank you for all these wonderful photos. That China is what I would like for myself, and how wonderful that you now have it in your collection. Your Thanksgiving collectibles are also ‘my cup of tea’. Thanks so much for sharing them. I always appreciate seeing them very much. A great quote from Mr. Dickens :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you came along, Denise. We are slowly, and I mean slowly, doing some of the things we used to do. It's fun to share it with my friends here. Thank you for your kind comments. Have a happy week!
DeleteSo pleased you had an enjoyable visit to the antique shop, that china looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK but I think with your daughter and son-in-law visiting your Thanksgiving will be very special.
Enjoy these November days.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. We are looking forward to having our family here for Thanksgiving. It's a good day to reflect on our many blessings. Happy November days to you!
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