I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.
Philippians 4:13

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Blue Transferware & The Gift

Hello again from The French Hens Nest!

  In 1987 I moved to a rural area near New Bern, NC. It is mostly farmland, and homes are about a mile apart. After feeling isolated for awhile I attended the little church at the end of my road and discovered a friend from high school in the 3rd row!  It turned out that she lived less than a mile from me through the trees.  We rekindled our friendship and many visits back and forth began.  



In her dining room she had two built in china cabinets. In one she had a complete service for 12 of Masons Vista in pink and in the other she had a complete service  for 12 of Masons Vista in blue!  


I was surprised since she only liked very modern things in general.  She told me that her aunt married a US serviceman and he was stationed in England.  They lived there for many years and she had collected all the pieces for both sets of ironstone.  My friend confided that she didn't really love either set but her mother had given it to her and she felt obligated to display it. 











She could tell by my reaction I admired it and thought she was crazy for not loving it! 

Several years went by and her mother died and I moved about 50 miles away to Greenville.  One day she called me out of the blue and told me she was moving as well and did I want the blue transferware set?  I told her I really could not afford it (knowing it's value) and she replied that it would be a gift since she knew how much I had liked it. 

I was amazed at her generosity and said of course I wanted it and thank you, thank you, thank you!

After acquiring the set, I soon divorced (nothing to do with the dishes!) and had to move, went to landscaping school and moved, lived with two of my sisters and my mother (moved, moved, moved) and moved to Raleigh to be near my daughter.  I remarried 4 years ago and we bought a house and moved in!  I think we will be here for a long while.  I'm tired of moving.

In 3 sizes



 On all of these moves, I brought the 7 boxes of transferware along to keep it in a climate controlled environment (my closet).  Once a year I would unpack it and wash it to moisten it so it would not dry out and crackle too much. Finally, last weekend we bought a CHINA CABINET from SA! (That's another post.) Now my blue Masons Vista has it's own home!

So I got my hubby to get all of the boxes down and I started unpacking.



...and unpacking




...and unpacking


Small tureen





Cute little jam jars

 
Medium tureen


Now, that's a teapot!



Large tureen






 


And now my Masons Vista Blue transferware finally has  a home.




It's own home!


It is so pretty.


China cabinet needs work but that will be fun...


There were some casualties though.  Two large nesting bowls were broken but I didn't grieve their loss. Although I do love my transferware, I always remember my REAL treasure is waiting for me in Heaven!  But while I'm here I will treasure my friendship with Pat and spend many sweet moments at my china cabinet arranging and re-arranging my beautiful gift from a friend. Thanks again Pat.



Peace to all!

Linda

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Show Me What You Got Tuesdays @ Our Delightful Home
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
The Inspiration Board @ Carolyn's Homework
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Time to Shine Party @ A Diamond in the Stuff
Totally Transformed Tuesday @ PJH Designs
Tuesday’s Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia

Home Wednesdays @ Rose Chintz Cottage
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What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
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Think Tank Thursday @Joyful Homemaking
Time Travel Thursday @ @ Brambleberry Cottage
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond The Picket Fence
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Find A Friend Friday @ Sew Many Ways
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Furniture Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
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Show and Tell Friday @ Romantic Home
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground
What have you Redone @ Redoux Interiors
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46 comments:

  1. What a beautiful collection and I love the display. A blog you must visit is Martha's at Linderhof. She lives in a small town in Kansas and collects all blue English: www.lflinderhof,com/

    I am so pleased to have you link to Friends Sharing Tea!

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    1. Thank you Bernideen and thanks for the party. We bloggers really appreciate getting the exposure you provide for our posts each week. I'll check out the blog. Thanks for sharing.

      Have a great day!
      Linda at The French Hens Nest

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  2. OHHHH MYYYY GGGOOOOSSSH

    What a treasure to be given that entire set unbelievable

    I know you did the happy dance, I did it for you while reading this

    I have a few pieces of the red & white vista and can't afford any more , I would love to have the covered bowl or tea pot OMGosh. I am so glad you kept this set through all your little journeys in life

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    1. I know, right!! I had rough times when I considered selling pieces but I'm glad I kept it. I can just imagine Pat's Aunt Sally and her excitement as she acquired each new piece.
      It's great to be able to look at it each day and enjoy it.

      Thanks for visiting Janice. I love your red transferware and your tomato spoons and your...

      Linda at The French Hens Nest

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  3. What a treasure! And you know it's "provenance". Your friend knows you love the set, and you probably think of her often as you enjoy the set. It always makes me laugh that what one person loves the other finds "old". But that is why we can collect!

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    1. You are so right. I think of her each time I enjoy the china. Pat has a daughter and I hope she loves the pink transferware. Our daughters often love what we don't. My daughter would never want my blue and white, but I have hopes for my granddaughter.

      Peace, Linda at The French Hens Nest

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  4. Wow! What a great collection! I love blue and white china. You are a very lucky girl!

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  5. Oh my goodness Linda, what a spectacular collection you have received and what a lovely friend you have! I am simply swooning over it! The teapot is just gorgeous! I would love to acquire the pink Masons set. Thank you for sharing and be sure to link up with me so my ladies can enjoy your gorgeous treasures. Have a lovely week, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Thanks Sandi. I'm so glad you like it. Having so much stops me from acquiring anything more than teapots, cups, sugar and creamers. Currently I am enamored with creamers! I try not to get carried away but it is hard (you know!). I got this from my mother!

      I just linked up. Thanks for the reminder.
      Peace,
      Linda

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  6. Beautiful! And the best part is the story. What a treasure!
    I do hope you have plans to use it and make more lovely memories to pass on.
    Have fun redoing your china cabinet too!
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you Diane. You made me think that I really should have the story stored with the gift so whoever gets it next will understand what the treasure really is.

      Peace,
      Linda

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  7. What a beautiful story! It really brought a tear to my eye. Love this set, and it looks great in the china cabinet.

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a sweet comment. I will use some of it and hopefully set a beautiful table-scape to share.

      Peace
      Linda

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  8. What a precious gift! The collection is gorgeous... The teapot has a really nice shape and the jugs are adorable.

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  9. Thank you Magali. I'm so glad you visited and like my china.

    Peace,
    Linda

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  10. I need to be pinched, my goodness.what a treasure to receive...blessings with love Janice my favorite blue & white..

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    Replies
    1. I feel the same way Janice. Thanks so much for visiting the nest.

      Peace, Linda

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  11. Dear Linda,
    That is the most unbelievable set that you have. It has so many rare and unique and very special pieces. How lucky you are and what a good caretaker you were of them. I am so glad they have a place of prominence now and I hope you will have many years of enjoyment with them, making great memories.
    The generosity of your friend makes the dishes even more precious.
    Ruthie from: http://www.ladybstimefortea.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Ruthie, I feel so blessed and fortunate to own all these pieces. I just wonder when the table was set how magnificent it must have looked. I will just have to set up my table for a grand dinner and see for myself! I can't imagine being able to give these away, I'm ashamed to say. I will have to pray about that! It was a very generous gift. Thanks so much for your visit and comment.

      Peace,
      Linda

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  12. You are so very blessed. Not only for the transferware but for the gift of your friend. I'm sure those dishes mean so much more to you than if you had purchased them. I actually have some items like that. Your treasure is gorgeous. I am visiting from Joyful Homemaking. Have a wonderful day! Love, Wanda

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    1. Thank you Wanda. I am blessed. I haven't seen Pat in years and now I know I need to get in contact with her and let her know how she blessed me!
      Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting.

      Peace,
      Linda at The French Hens Nest

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  13. What a fabulous gift! You have some hard to find pieces as well. They have certainly come to a good home!
    Ruth

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    1. Thank you Ruth! I have cherished the set even when it was in boxes. I knew one day I would have a proper home to display it. I am amazed at so many pieces every time I look at the china cabinet. Friendship should be cherished this way.

      Thanks for visiting and commenting.
      Peace,
      Linda at The French Hens Nest

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  14. What a beautiful collection you have! I collect blue and white china, but just different pieces here and there, nothing is a set, but I love it all.

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    1. Hi Julie. Collecting is so fulfilling. The hunt and then the great find! It makes your heart sing. We are all blessed to live in a country where we have enough to eat and collect china too! Thanks for visiting!

      Peace,
      Linda at The French Hens Nest

      Delete
  15. Oh what a beautiful set! It's gorgeous and the tea pot is exquisite. Glad you can now have it out to enjoy in the new china cabinet.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the visit and the nice comment. Have a wonderful weekend!

      Peace,
      Linda at The French Hens Nest

      Delete
  16. What a beautiful story and a even more beautiful gift! I love that you gave the dishes the perfect home!

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    1. Thank you Moni for visiting the nest. So glad you like my dishes and story. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Peace,
      Linda at The French Hens Nest

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  17. A wonderful gift from a special friend - two REAL treasures!
    Best wishes from another blue & white lover.
    Rose H

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    1. Rose, so happy you visited from the UK where my dishes were made! I would love to see your blue and white. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Peace,
      Linda at the French Hens Nest

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  18. What a lovely gift and such a moving story. Glad to hear or read that you are situated and enjoying your dishes in your new cabinet. Beautiful!!!

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    1. Yes, finally! I hope I stay put for a long, long time! So lovely to have you visit the nest. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Peace,
      Linda at The French Hens Nest

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  19. Aren't life long friendships wonderful? What a truly lovely gift. I've never see so many unusual pieces. Lucky you!
    Karee

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  20. What a beautiful friend to think of you with such thoughtfulness. I know your are thrilled to have this pretty set of dishes. It is full of gorgeous forms. I'm happy it went to someone who admires and appreciates it. Enjoy!

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  21. I love this kind of stuff. My mother had a plate set with this pattern. Thanks for sharing this.

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  22. What a wonderful friend...your dishes look beautiful in your new china cupboard.

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  23. Holy Moly!!

    What a fantastic story about such a generous friend!!

    Amazing!!

    And what an outstanding set of stunning dishes!! They look fantastic in your new hutch and new home!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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    Replies
    1. Hi Debbie, I agree with you- amazing friend and dishes! Thanks so much for your sweet comment.

      Peace,
      Linda

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  24. Oh my word! I would be hyperventilating to unpack this beautiful set of dishes! What a gift! Thank you for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  25. Such a lovely story of friendship and beautiful things. Thank you for linking up at Shabbilicious Friday.

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  26. I've always loved "blue and white" and enjoyed hearing the "history" of your gorgeous collection of Mason's Vista. How fabulous to have all those pieces, and now a china cabinet to put them in.
    I just did an Easter basket using a couple of pieces of my blue and white.
    http://babs-upstairsdownstairs.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-basket-and-blue-willow.html
    Happy Easter,
    Babs

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  27. Oh My very favourite,blue china. How amazing to receive such a generous gift. It's beautiful in your cabinet. :)

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  28. I'm back to see this beautiful set again. I think it is awesome that your friends gifted all of this to you and that you've cared for it all this time move after move. '-)

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  29. Oops! You forgot to put in the link to Blue Monday. Please add it ASAP so that others can find it and choose to play.

    http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

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  30. A very lovely collection. I really like those little jam jars. Happy belated Blue Monday! Have a great week!

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