I was tagged by my dear fellow blogger (and friend!) TaunaLen, who has posted a couple of wonderful “8 random things” entries! Here’s a (less creatively written) post for my tag:
I love teacups. I have loved them for as long as I can remember. Especially those with delicately flowered patterns. When I was a young girl, I spend endless minutes gazing at the corner shelf in my Grandma’s living room. It was here, which she kept her collection of teacups. I rarely touched any of them, but oh, I loved their beautiful and wispy pastel patterns swirling across the cups and matching saucers...save for one brightly colored chintz! There was also a floral pattern of roses; deep and richly colored, with bits of leaves scattered among the roses. It was this pattern which inspired my wedding china collection. For this particular teacup and saucer that sat on my Grandmother’s shelf, was always my favorite. Made by Royal Doulton, it is called “Old Country Roses”. A classic pattern, straight from England, and likely to be around forever.
When my Grandmother died, I was too young to take precedence in dispersing her few belongings. So her beloved teacup collection (and mine too!) went to an Aunt, and subsequently, to a cousin. My cousin is a fellow tea-lover, so it isn’t entirely inappropriate—but—I still long for those teacups to reside in my own home, where I can admire them, and remember the dear lady who collected them. My cousin, is such by marriage, and therefore has little memory of my Grandma. But such is life, and such is the way of possessions. I imagine I will always grieve for that collection! In an effort to encourage me, my Aunt (mother-in-law of said cousin) purchased a lovely teacup and saucer one Christmas, and gave it to me. I cried when I opened it, for I knew her heart was to replace my “lost” teacups in the only way she knew how. And so, this first teacup, given in such love to me, began a new collection—mine.
I’ve added to my collection over the years—since before I married. Many are gifts; mostly newer teacups, given by those closest to me. I’ve scoured antique stores on my own, adding beautiful teacups to my collection. And once in awhile, I am given an antique teacup, by someone who knows me well enough to pick out a pattern I love! One particular cup was purchased for myself, by myself...but my husband gave me $20 one terribly depressing day, and sent me antique exploring. It was a difficult winter for me, and for us, and now when I see that cup and saucer (which happens to be a favorite!), I am reminded of his love. The cup and its saucer are white porcelain, and very delicate...the ring of roses around each piece, is faded in color, but still a lovely pastel pinkish hue. The set was made in Bavaria by well-known Zeh Scherzer Co. (often Bavarian china is incredibly patterned with the most beautiful of delicate flowers—typically roses!) Both pieces are edged in a thin scroll of gold, also faded, but not disappearing yet. It is unbelievable that the time away, along with the lovely cup, actually revived my spirits that day, but indeed, my heart was lifted. Although I picked it out alone, I still consider that teacup and saucer to be a gift, and one which will always be close to my heart.
I never choose teacups for the manufacturer, although I have come to love several particular makers...no, I choose them because I love them. Because I will cherish them, use them with care, and someday, Lord willing, pass them on to my daughters.
I love the quiet “clink” sound of teacups in use, as they are set upon their saucers. I love the curved handles, designed to be held by a lady. When I use a teacup (which was more often prior to having children running about!), I enjoy rinsing it with hot water to warm it, and then, once finished with as many cups of tea as I can hold, there is the simple ritual of hand-washing to preserve the patterns gracing the china. With luck, the saucer may be able to hold just a cookie or two for nibbling, as I sip from its matching cup.
These days, I often resort to a floral mug of some sort, because they hold a greater quantity of tea without refilling, and they are sturdier for the constant moving I seem to do, mug in hand. But my deepest preference for drinking tea continues to be the china teacup. And when I gaze at my collection, I am reminded of the story behind each one, and of the woman (my Grandma) who inspired my love for china teacups. I am filled with a quiet sense of peace, a satisfaction in knowing that if there was to be no other beauty in my life, these cups would suffice. Better than fresh roses on the table (as lovely and sweet-smelling as they are), are the roses which adorn my china teacups.
