Anyone who knows me, knows I love pretty dishes. One day before I went on my blogging break, I stopped in my favorite antique store [LaBelle's] after a hair appointment. It's almost always dangerous for my wallet when I go there, but I go anyway!
Prior to this visit I didn't own any Limoges porcelain, even thought I greatly admired it. On this particular day I spotted a tea set and matching chocolate pot that looked like it might be Limoges, and a careful inspection revealed it was.
It's not my intention to begin collecting chocolate pots with matching cups, but this does make my third one! ;-)
I stood there admiring it, and noticed there were actually 53 pieces in all [from what was at one time service for twelve]. There was no price tag on any of the pieces so I asked Dawn, the owner, what she was asking for it. She replied, "For you, $175!" [I help keep her store open, and she probably tells all her customers that because it's good for business. ;-)] I knew I was planning on having a garage sale in August, and I was confident I'd earn at least that much, so I put the set in layaway. [Gotta get rid of old 'stuff' to make room for new 'stuff'!] I came home and went on E-bay to see if I could find any matching pieces. I was elated when I found the teapot, cream and sugar bowl for $175 without any of the other pieces. What a bargain I got! What's that? Do I hear my mother in the background of my mind saying, "It's not a bargain if you don't need it"? I might not have needed it, but I sure wanted it!
I love the covered vegetable dish, cake plate, and large platter. I plan to use the vegetable dish as a floral container at a tea party since it can't be used as a serving piece at tea time.
The other surviving pieces to the set are 5 teacups and saucers, 4 berry bowls, 6 soup bowls, 11 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, and 8 bread and butter plates. I will accessorize with my pink Depression Glass.
Now I have the task of reorganizing my china hutch to make room for the tea set and chocolate pot. Hmmm... what will have to go?
Lastly, I wanted to show you my teapot chandelier that my hubby hung while I was on blog break. I really love it, and am so happy I got it, but it was a BUGGER to hang. I better never tire of it, because it's not coming down as long as we live in the house!