Thursday, February 28, 2008

30 Days - Day 26: Show & Tell


I'm showing my china cabinet today. I actually got this cabinet for free when we lived in Florida. Our church received a building that was once home to a "homemaker's club" back in the 1930's and 1940's. There were several antique pieces left there (unfortunatley we didn't realize this until we gave most of them away!!) This china cabinet, however, found a home with me.

The year before Cliff and I were married, I worked in a high-end housewares store in New York called Fortunoff's. This was my first introduction to Lenox China, Spode, and Waterfor Crystal. It was a great place to work while I was planning my wedding and my new home. Thanks to a great employee discount, I bought some beautiful things for my home. One was this Waterford Vase. It had a very slight chip on the rim and was significantly reduced in price. The older ladies I worked with encouraged me to buy it...so I did. It bring back great memories of a special time in my life, but I don't think I've ever put flowers in it.


Because I worked in the gift-wrapping department, I got to see all the wonderful things people bought. It was so great!! I absolutely loved that job and I'm so nosey I want to know what people are buying!! These crystal goblets came to be wrapped many times. They were so beautiful and delicate. I watched the prices on them until it dropped. I bought half of my set and a friend bought the other half as a shower or wedding present (I really can't remember anymore)



Just a matter of months before the wedding, there was a HUGE sale of formal china. Cliff and I picked this set out together. In the 23 years we've been married and through all the moves we've made, I think only 1 plate has been broken. My china cabinet is full of memories and stories and whenever I clean it, I am reminded of them and it's nice to go back and remember.


Thanks for stopping by today. For more stories and show & tell, visit Kelli at No Place Like Home.

16 comments:

Abounding Treasures said...

Your crystal is beautiful and the china set too.

How delightful that your whole china cabinet is full of memories ... I think that makes each piece inside it more special :-)

Blessings,
Mrs M

Greatfullivin said...

Beautiful China and crystal. Even better are all the lovely memories. Thanks for sharing them!

Rose of Sharon said...

What beautiful things you have! Your crystal and china are gorgeous. I loved hearing all the history behind them. I too worked at a nice department store when I was a young lady and your stories brought back good memories. I loved all the older women who worked there and shopped there, they influenced me so much!

Take care, Sharon

Gattina said...

You really found beautiful and interesting things there !

cherished*vintage said...

I love to reminisce about each piece of glass and china I have when I clean it too. You had me laughing about your Waterford vase - I have a crystal vase that I bought right after we got married almost 18 years ago that I haven't put flowers in either.
-Karoline

Susan said...

Wonderful you were able to obtain these beautiful pieces. And the china cabinet for free.....WOW!!!
Susan

nannykim said...

Love the dishes--haven't seen that pattern before--really pretty. Now that you have displayed your vase I am giving you an assignment. You must display it with flowers in it before the 30 day period ends!!! Oh and post it.

Hootin Anni said...

I love Waterford Crystal, and I really like the set of china you both chose.

My S n T is shared. If you haven't dropped by, I sure hope you can stop and say "Howdy Do!".

Happy Weekend to you and yours.

Tracy said...

What pretty treasures! I like your china pattern.

Constance said...

First off, what a great treasure, the China Cabinet! It's filled with "pretties" and my grand-daughter would say! My China has only been used a couple of tiimes in all of our 22 years of marriage. I will probably give it to one of our daughters somewhere down the road. How wonderful that you were in a position to be able to acquire some high dollar items!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Connie

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so beautiful. I love your china pattern.

Betsy Brock said...

Hi. I just started blogging a few weeks ago. Just now found you! Wanted to say hello to a fellow #24 fan. :)

TJ said...

This is beautiful! And the cabinet looks wonderful filled.

I opted not to ask for china, as I have my grandmother's set. I just wish I had a cabinet to display it in. I'll have to start looking after seeing yours.

Anonymous said...

How lovely!! I don't have a china cabinet but have always wanted one. But I don't have any china, either -- maybe some day! Those are all lovely pieces.

JEWELGIRL said...

A lovely china cabinet.
Your Waterford crystal is so
beautiful, I think flowers in the
vase would be a great Spring thing to do for yourself!

Farrah said...

Every engaged woman needs a job like that. You were so blessed! Lovely cabinet, too!

We registered for very pricey fine china set, having no clue that it was WAY out of everyone's price range. We got two place settings and thought we could eat off them (just the two of us) for romantic dinners. That was 10 years ago, and they are still in the box!! Each place setting was $100. I could just kick myself! Wish I would have exchanged them for something else. Who knows? Maybe I will find a use for them eventually...