Through books, blogs, and other venues, I've been getting the message lately that I need to "pay attention" more to the things around me. One line I read said something to the effect that we get so familiar with our immediate surroundings, we really don't even see them anymore. That's how I've been with my Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz dishes. They're my everyday dishes, and I use them so often I barely notice them anymore. And then the other day, Sandi featured her dishes in this pattern on the
Roze Chintz Cottage blog, and I realized how much I still love these dishes, everyday or not, and I decided to use some of them on my tea trolley this month.
Most of mine, like many of these teacups, were passed on to me years ago by my maternal grandmother. She bought them at Goodwill but learned I loved the pattern and sent me home with a box full. I'd gotten hooked after seeing them in Victoria magazine. I've bought some newer pieces in this pattern at T.J. Maxx. Once, I was at a popular flea market here in Georgia where the very unfriendly seller had a sign above her Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz dishes declaring they were very old stock and her prices were FIRM and please *do not* ask her to take less. Something about those dishes looked new to me, so I picked one up and saw the microwave-and-freezer-safe mark on the bottom. It was all I could do not to ask her if she had any authentic vintage microwaves for sale!
My favorite piece is surely this teapot, which usually sits up above the kitchen cabinets, so it's nice to see it down below where I can enjoy it every day.
My vignette needed "softening," so I added this filet crochet tea cozy I made some years ago. You know how they say silver is the "jewelry" of the table? (Alda Ellis, was it?) Well, I think linens and lace are also essential to the table, but I can't think of quite the right metaphor. Can you help with this: Linens are the (what?) of the table? What would you say?
In front of the tea cozy is a new 99-cent African violet I rescued from the clearance cart at Kroger the other day. I just marvel at how these flowers perk up with a few drops of African violet fertilizer!
Too bad you can't grow roses indoors. Instead, I'll use the Herend porcelain one, a gift from my husband, and a favorite tea towel, since I seem to have a rose theme this May.
Isn't it fun to see your old things in a new way?
Your tea cart looks beautiful! How special it is that your grandmother gave you the beginning of your collection of these beautiful dishes. I'm glad you featured then on the tea cart this month.
ReplyDeleteBecause I have been linking with Sandi since she started her weekly tea party, I know how much she treasures her Rose Chintz china. Guess I didn't realize this same pattern was your everyday dishes and the observation you've made how you both view them is interesting.
ReplyDeleteAll I can add is that we shouldn't keep our good china and teacups only for special occasions, but pull them out and admire and use them often.
I love you May tea cart. It's perfect for spring. Johnson Brother's Rose Chintz china is indeed lovely. I don't have a single piece, so I'll admire yours and Sandi's at Rose Chintz Cottage.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to log in to my blog this morning, after my blog break, and see your pretty Rose Chintz on my sidebar! It always makes me swoon. I don't know that there is another pattern out there that makes my heart go pitter-pat the way this china does. Your vignette is lovely. I keep my teapots above my kitchen cabinets too. Have a wonderful day, Angela.
ReplyDeleteYour tea cart looks lovely. If silver is the jewelry, then lace is the frosting. I rotate my tea ware all the time and rarely set the same table twice. I enjoy all the different tea blogs and get new ideas from all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and I love that tea cozy. I recognize the rose tea towel as one I sold many years ago. That company closed and they had so many fabulous tea pots. That is sad. This post is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteSo Lovely! Happy Birthday by the way!
ReplyDeleteAre you familiar with the writings of Alexandra Stoddard? I particularly like Living a Beautiful Life. It talks about making mundane tasks - like paying bills - pleasurable. :) I need those reminders too.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is fun to see in new ways. How about Linens are what frame our table.
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty! Pretty dishes and I love the tray too! Enjoy your newly decorated tea trolley!
ReplyDeleteYour china is so pretty as is the tea cozy you made. I love the linens on the table, especially the tablecloth with the tea theme--lovely tea cart!
ReplyDeleteDear Angela,
ReplyDeleteIt is always a favorite, familiar, charming pattern. Pink, roses, transfer ware, MADE IN ENGLAND, old-love all of those things. I love it too. I have a few pieces and never tire of looking at in at Sandi's or anywhere else. My sister in law uses red glasses with hers and it looks so pretty.
Love that teapot for sure. Yours has the extra appeal of coming from your grandmother.
Happy Tea, Ruthie
(pooh on that seller)
Your tea cart gets more beautiful with each passing month! Love your Rose Chintz china!
ReplyDeleteYour cart looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful teacart! You have such a good sense of design. Thanks for sharing, Joanie
ReplyDelete