A Surprise Package and More...

My hubby and I went out to breakfast this morning, and when we got home I noticed a package on the front porch. I didn't remember ordering anything, but the return address quickly revealed it was from a dear tea friend [and blog follower].  I quickly opened it and read the sweet note, then unwrapped the contents - a beautiful square-shaped black floral teacup. My friend said it belonged to her grandmother and was the only black teacup in her collection. What an honor to be given such a treasured keepsake.  Thank you so much, Louise!

Since this is the second black teacup I've received recently, it inspired me to get my black teacups out of storage.  I decided to photograph them to share with you.  

I've been getting several posts on my Facebook feed from designers lately that say china and china cabinets scream "Senior" to those who enter your home, so get rid of them! They don't have a place in today's decor.  Well, to today's minimalist designers my response is, "You decorate your homes and I'll decorate mine."  And since I am a senior, it's okay if mine screams "senior".  ;-)

Black and gold Hall teapot, sugar and creamer.

I'm including my black and white musical tea set in this collection since I've used it many times with black accessories.

It's pictured below in one of my tea time tablescapes at church.

The two German-made trios below belonged to my mother.

All three Japanese-made teacups were gifts from wonderful ladies.

A Royal Albert teacup.

I bought the black and gold teacup on the left in 2018 during a visit to Mackinac Island.  The teacup on the right is a Royal Albert, from The Whitney.  I asked my boss if I could swap it out for another bone china teacup and he graciously agreed.  In truth, I really rescued it, because it would have been broken by now at the restaurant where there's so much breakage.   

~ Floral teacups ~

All 17 of them!

On an entirely different subject, I've been cloistered in my office Monday thru yesterday completing a new Shutterfly album. They had a great unlimited, lay flat page promotion, that I didn't want to miss out on.  

My son, Jeremy, asked me awhile back to give him a list of my top ten, most requested presentations for a project he's working on.  It was no surprise J.L. Hudson Department store was #1, with 14 presentations.  While looking back over my presentations, I was inspired to use the Shutterfly sale to make a photo book of them since I always take pictures.  As I reviewed over 70 presentations, I thanked the Lord for all the wonderful opportunities He's given me, and the beautiful people I've met along the way.  Below is a screen shot of the album cover which features the church at Troy Historical Village.  I can hardly wait for the 111-page album to arrive.