Another month slips away...

I started to put this cup and saucer in the booth to sell but changed my mind. For now it sits on my desk, and I smile when I see it. The chip doesn't bother me... it actually endears the piece to me. Old, tattered, chipped, frayed...I find such things appealing. Of course, I wouldn't want everything in my house to be that way. I am still searching for the right pillows(that I can afford) to accent our den couch. I have high hopes that fall will bring new inspiration for decorating.

From France With Love

Daughter Lauren recently spent a week in Paris, France. She was there on a business trip but stayed two extra days for pleasure. She loved the slower pace of the French people, the beauty of the architecture, the art museums, and more. She took lots of pictures and posted an album on Facebook. I have to pinch myself to believe that my grownup little girl traveled to France on her own and toured the city. She remembered to send her grandmother a postcard, and it is proudly displayed on her bedside table at the nursing home. Lauren brought me these espresso coffee cups that were packaged in a pretty tin. She hit upon two of my favorite things - tins and cups and saucers. Thank you, Lauren, for being such a wonderful daughter and thoughtful person. I could brag on you even more but will restrain myself.

Collecting

I think collecting is a pleasant pastime. Since I've been at it for years my collections are more or less finished(well, almost...still looking...can't help myself ). For as long as I can remember my mom has always had cups and saucers... a few sat on top of the upright piano we had for my early piano lessons(one of my biggest regrets later in life... stopping those lessons). She gathered more and more over the years, but many of hers I didn't like at all. In fact, for a long time I didn't understand why she collected cups and saucers...until one day I spied a cup and saucer that fascinated me due to its colors and pattern. It was made in Occupied Japan. Upon closer inspection it even had a tiny chip on one side of the cup. But I loved the delicate flowers, brought my first cup and saucer home, and was hooked! Now I have a deeper appreciation of my mother's collection. Not too long ago she wanted me to chose some from her collection. I acquired some lovely ones...all the lovelier because they came from Mom.

Listening to the Quiet

It's very quiet in the house. A sense of contentment surrounds me thinking of yesterday... our children provided a steak lunch here at home, a Tiffany & Co cup and saucer gift, and movie tickets and refreshment coupons for our Saturday night "date" to see the new Clint Eastwood film. My husband and I appreciated their efforts to make Valentine's Day extra special for us.