Christmas, August 3rd, 2020!

When I was at Brooke's graduation party on Sunday, Joyce, a sweet lady from church, came to me and said her house sold and she was moving to a smaller condo.  She was getting rid of a lot of dishware and invited me to come over to see if I was interested in anything.

Joyce is at least 13 years younger than me [she's a Registered Nurse and still working], but we like the same things - beautiful dishes, glassware, and all things tea.  Her husband was a Dr. and passed away about 11 years ago from melanoma.  She has three grown children, but none of them wanted hardly any of her treasures [that will be my situation someday too].

Jerry and I went to her house yesterday, and she had all the items she was parting with in specific areas of her living room, dining room and kitchen [countertops, island, and cupboards].  Nothing was priced, so I asked if she'd give me a price on the items I was interested in.  She replied, "I'm giving them to you.  Whatever you don't take will go to Salvation Army."  I couldn't believe my ears because her things are lovely.  She said she knew I'd use, appreciate, enjoy and care for them.

I roamed around the three rooms several times trying to make up my mind, and here are the items I finally chose.  It was tough decision making, believe me.  I was like a kid in a candy shop!

A bone china Royal Standard [made in England] tea set in the Carmen pattern.

Gorgeous crystal candelabra.  It will be especially beautiful at Christmastime.

A Belleek teapot in the Castle pattern and a Belleek cup and saucer.  She said she gave her niece a complete Belleek tea set including cups and saucers and cake plates.  Apparently her niece didn't want these remaining pieces.

Two Belleek mugs in the same pattern as the teapot, a Belleek vase and a Belleek pitcher [the handle isn't visible in the picture].  These are the first Belleek pieces I've ever owned which is surprising given my Irish heritage.

~ A large Belleek fruit bowl ~

~ A Shelley teacup ~

A crystal pedestal cake stand.  She said cake stands were popular items among her extended family members, but she had three or four left that weren't taken.

Six Heisey crystal sherbets.  She had several Heisey water goblets and teacups that I didn't take.

I passed these eight porcelain floral place card holders up, and she said, "Don't you want these?  They look beautiful in a table setting."  Well... if you insist!  ;-)

There were a lot of Pink Depression Glass pieces that I could have gone wild over, but since I had already selected so many beautiful things, I restrained myself [sort of].  I took two platters and four bowls.  

Now lest you think I cleaned her out, believe me when I say I barely scratched the surface! The Salvation Army [and workers] are going to love her.  I hope nothing gets broken due to careless handling.

I told her on the phone this morning that if she ever wanted any of the pieces back, I would gladly return them, but she said she wouldn't since she doesn't host luncheons, tea parties or dinner parties anymore, and she won't have room for unnecessary items in her new condo.  

Now you know why I said yesterday was like Christmas!