Wednesday, July 11, 2018

My latest Goodwill find: Christmas decor or story idea?

As I've written about many times, I prowl the thrift stores for vintage Christmas decor all year long. Teacups, Santa mugs, serving dishes … I love them all, and at thrift stores, the price is always right. But recently, I bought a Christmas plate for two reasons: it had a pretty aqua color, but more important, it has a story!

On the front, it says, "Thank you, Lord! Ann Rowley (or Rawley)." There is, of course, always plenty we can thank the Lord for, and I wondered what made Ann so boldly thank Him on this plate she painted. Just life in general? Maybe she was grateful that God saw her through a sad or trying time? Maybe she was (is?) just a thankful person and found (finds?) it natural to be thankful to the Lord?

Then on the back of the plate, I read, "To: My Classmates of '53. We did have fun!!!! didn't we? Love ya! Ann." Now how many of these Class of '53 classmates do you think Ann made plates for? I'm thinking somewhere between four and eight. I'm picturing them all together at a tearoom one Christmas, each one unwrapping her plate and oohing and aahing over it. And one of them passed away, and so the plate landed at Goodwill when an unsentimental daughter (or one who, like many of us, is simply out of storage room!) was going through her mom's things.

I even Googled a few obituaries for Ann Rowley/Rawley (I'm still not sure which it is), hoping to find one who was a china painter, but I decided it might be more fun not to know which Ann this is, and what her real story is. I love this plate, and the mystery it presents makes me love it even more. If I write a book one day based on an old handpainted Christmas plate, perhaps some of you will remember that you first saw the idea here!

12 comments:

  1. I think that is a great story starter. And the color is perfect for you, too. It's a beautiful plate, enjoy!

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  2. What a beautiful plate, and fabulous idea for a story!

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  3. What a special plate to find with such soft, lovely colors. Like you said, there has to be a story there.
    My home has been near Charleston, SC for a long time now, but before that I lived in La Grange, Ga. for a couple of years. It was an absolutely wonderful area and I hold many, many fond memories.

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    1. Oh, I love LaGrange! Haven't been there in a while, but I need to revisit to check out their cute shops and eat at ... the Lemon Tree? I think that was the name. Nice to come across someone who knows "my neck of the woods," Linda! :)

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  4. Pretty plate. I love a vintage find with a story......life in the past

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  5. What a beautiful and fun find, Angela! Christmas 2018 will be here before we
    know it! ;-)

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  6. That really IS a lovely plate and an interesting mystery behind its painter. I'm sure your imagination will come up with a great story about it!
    --from Vernona in DC

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  7. This would make a lovely book. In the meantime enjoy your pretty new plate.

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  8. Angela,
    yes, please write the The Christmas story! My favorite reads are small Christmas books, which I have started a small collection! Would love to add one by Angela McRae! Thanks for sharing this find.
    Have a blessed day!

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Mary! My imagination is already whirling ...

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  9. It is a beautiful plate too. Love the aqua. Yes, we will be waiting for the story. The next couple days I am having a garage sale and some of my Christmas decorations will be in the sale. I just know my grown children won't want our things, so I am lightening the load. Sad to let go of some things, but excited to breathe with more space in the house. Gradually if have found something I think someone would enjoy I have given it away.

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    1. I am such a hypocrite. I *mean* to clean out things and save my heirs the trouble, yet I'm thinking, "Oh, I wish I could go to Marilyn's garage sale!" May your previously loved things find happy new homes! :)

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