CHINA HUTCH REVISITED

I finally found the time this evening to get the China down from the top of the closet and place it in my new hutch. Wow…where did I get so much? I’m the lady who maintains “there is no purpose in having dishes you can’t EAT off of”…and yet I have the top part of the hutch full.

Hmmm….on the way to Alaska I drank my first cup of real tea. This led to Heather, my lovely sister-in-law, buying me my first tea pot…which was antique and very pretty but still USEFUL. While in Alaska others gave me tea pots and tea cups. I fell in with a crowd of “foofy types” {smirk} and they contaminated my practical soul. Then I made zillions of tea services for the first Mother/Daughter tea…which led to several new styles of tea pots migrating to my home. I was also introduced to Polish Pottery in Alaska…and the kids gave me several pieces.

I began to dream of finding a set of 8 matching salad plates and tea cups for little gatherings of new friends. I’m cheap…incredibly cheap. I scoured second hand stores and dreamed. I never expected to buy a whole set of China. We arrived in West Texas. Who would GUESS that this is some sort of haven for antique dealers? Really…seriously…Corinna, I think you need to stop by here on your way to wherever your next assignment turns out to be. I found a set of Rosenthal China….an estate sale. The dear lady had brought her china over from Germany – pre War. Pretty. Expensive…or so I thought…but a set of 10 plates and 12 of EVERYTHING else, platters, tea service etc. I did an internet search. The whole thing was being sold for less than two pieces were worth. I put it on lay away. It came home in boxes and I’ve not looked at it…I was still saving for a China Hutch. The box said “78 piece Rosenthal China”. Mike wondered if I’d inventoried it when I brought it home. Nah – who would cheat ME? Tonight I put it all out on the table and there are 90 matching pieces!

I am SURE there is an ART to displaying such pretties. I need Jill to come over and HELP ME! BUT …it’s all IN the hutch. That is how I who maintain that “nothing in this house is as important as the toddler” and “there is no purpose in having dishes you can’t EAT off of” have a hutch full of said dishes…..