When my hubby brought the mail in on Monday, he was carrying a package he said was for me. The return address was from my friend, Nancy, who lives in Marquette, MI in the Upper Peninsula. I hurriedly opened it and found several items inside. I began by opening the two decorative boxes, and to my delight I found a beautiful 'Crinoline Lady' teacup.
If you recall, the logo for the Southern Belle Tea Tour [that was cancelled last September due to hurricane Irma] was taken from a piece of china portraying a Crinoline Lady.
The teacup from Nancy [pictured below] has special meaning for two reasons: First, it's a keepsake from the trip 'that almost was,' and secondly - most importantly - Nancy gave it to me from her personal collection. Nancy was a blogger until recently giving it up. Her blog [which can still be accessed] is called Two Cottages and Tea. I had never heard of Crinoline Ladies until she wrote a couple of posts about them, and shared photos from her collection. You can view her two posts here by scrolling down to October 22nd and July 11th, 2017. The saucer was in the box with the green gingham lid, and the teacup was in the purple birdhouse style box. I did a happy dance!
Isn't it beautiful! It's bone china from England made by Colclough pottery. The company was founded in 1890 in Staffordshire England by Herbert J. Colclough, who was the Ex-Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent. It is said he was the man who brought fine bone china to the ordinary people. Thank you, Nancy! I will treasure it always.
Isn't it beautiful! It's bone china from England made by Colclough pottery. The company was founded in 1890 in Staffordshire England by Herbert J. Colclough, who was the Ex-Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent. It is said he was the man who brought fine bone china to the ordinary people. Thank you, Nancy! I will treasure it always.
Also in the box were Wild Huckleberry tea and scone mix from the Upper Peninsula.
And a tea-themed Heritage Lace doily with a blue teapot drawing by Sandy Clough.
I haven't said anything about the rescheduled trip on my blog until now, but it's rescheduled for May and there are two openings. If anyone is interested in details e-mail me. Nancy also enclosed two items to go in the gift bags which I'm not posting because I want them to be a surprise for the participants. She would have been a participant in the first trip, but is unable to go on the upcoming trip.
We'd love to have you join us. There will be a total of 10 participants [not counting me], and a great itinerary has been planned.
What a thoughtful and generous/kind gift Nancy sent you. What a thrill to receive unexpected random acts of kindness. Everything is so perfectly lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh, my word - the trip - may I trouble you to send me info again? I must say my health is much better now I have sleeping a bit more under control. Guess there's no harm in trying to dream a bit and see if maybe - just perhaps - there's a way I can join this time.
You are a DEAR and wonderful person for painstakingly putting these trips together. Your love of All Things Tea, and for solidifying tea friendships is priceless.
Blessings be yours. Hugs. ♥
Such a lovely post, Phyllis! I am so glad you like the gifts! I already can’t wait to hear about your Southern Belle Tea Tour in May! I will be with you along the way in thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Nancy
What a generous gift from a generous and loving friend. The tea cup is beautiful as is the doily. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
What a beautiful and meaningful gift. I wish I had friends here in my new state that love tea as much as I do. Thankfully, the internet allows people to connect, and I am loving all the people I am meeting today thanks to a tea-theme link up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift! And I'm happy to know you'll be leading a group South in May. I hope I'll be able to meet up with you along the way this time.
ReplyDeleteWhat nice surprise. The cup and saucer is beautiful. The doily is a nice addition to your Sandy Clough collection. Sarah gave me a birdhouse like the one you showed for Christmas a year ago. Always enjoy finding items with a teapot or a tea cup on it.
ReplyDelete