I Won the Silver

I won the silver ~ the silver giveaway gift @ The Lazy Peacock!

The Lazy Peacock drew my name on September 25, 2010, and shortly there after a box of gifts arrived at my door. A box of favorite things that the Lazy Peacock had put together. As you might observe in her beautiful header shown above, the The Lazy Peacock loves silver.

Just look at this awesome assortment of beautiful gifts. With so many lovely silver items, I figured that Silver Sunday would be the perfect time to share this gift.

From the look of the many delights in this gift, I wouldn't call Wendy a Lazy Peacock. She must have been busy finding these treasures.

Yes, Wendy, I adore my prize! Each treasure makes my heart sing with joy.

The open glass salt cellar sparkles like diamonds.

These little tartlet tin hearts will come in handy for my valentine baking.

The rustic, shabby metal cup will hold pens and pencils on my desk.

The silverplate napkin ringedged with a beautiful beading will join my collection of silver napkin rings while the rustic hammered metal ice tongs will find a home on our bar tray.

The elegant Wm Rogers silverplate bowl is edged with this floral border and will soon be full of candy corn for Halloween.

Monogramed linens are a favorite here at HFTS, and this lovely napkin is monogramed with an S. How lucky is that!

I had commented in my entry that the S would be perfect for me. So thoughtful, sweet Wendy included something extra in the package ~ a beautifully engraved butter knife.

It was in addition to the silverplate sugar spoon and jelly server.

Look at the gorgeous details on these two serving pieces.

Back in August, Candy celebrated the 1st Anniversary of The Little Round Table with generous gifts to five lucky followers.

I happened to be the fifth name drawn and the winner of a $100 check. I used my gift to shop for tabletop items when I went to Round Top last week.

The oval silver vegetable server above is holding my gifts from the Lazy Peacock, but it's one of the treasures that followed me home from Warrenton.

Look at the beautiful shell design at each end.

I told Candy that the gift check would be spent on tabletop items. Antique mother of pearl flatware is another of my passions, so I was thrilled to add two serving forks with stunning sterling ferrules. I came home with more wonderful finds, but I'll share those another time.

I'm sending big hugs and a sincere thank you to both Wendy and Candy. I'm most appreciative to be the lucky recipient of these generous gifts.

Treat yourself to a visit @ The Lazy Peacock here where Wendy shares her latest vintage finds and here to join Candy @ The Little Round Table. Candy shares her extensive collection of dishes and linens with stunning tablesettings all through the week.

Click on the links below to see a list of others participating this coming week in the following memes:

Laurie's A Few of My Favorite Things

Beth's Silver Sunday

Mary's Mosaic Monday

Tam's Three or More Tuesday

Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday

Cindy's Show and Tell Friday

Claudia's Friday Finding Beauty

Thank you ladies for hosting!

Spied On An Autumn Morning Walk

The soda syphon or seltzer bottle was a concept introduced as early as 1790. It's a bottle used to dispense carbonated water. These seltzer bottles were popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Today one can purchase seltzer water in pre-filled bottles.

It's officially AUTUMN and a delightful time to take a walk in a quiet NYC neighborhood. We no longer have our NY apartment, but I do have some favorite photos of those times. I like to think about our treasured time experiencing the city that never sleeps. I spied this collection of seltzer bottles sitting on a windowsill in a New York apartment. Fun to see this bit of history as I took a walk one crisp AUTUMN morning. The colored glass coated with dust makes me think these have been sitting there for some time.

I was struck by the composition of the juxtaposition of these colorful seltzer bottles standing at attention within the window panes and the pink texture of the window ledge.

So Happy Pink Saturday!

Stop by to see Mercedes. She shares a wonderfully creative life. I think you'll enjoy her blog, M.E.R.C.E.D.E.S. S.C.O.T.T.

Joining Claudia's Friday Finding Beauty @ Dipity Road, Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound, Laurie's A Few of My Favorite Things @ Bargain Hunting & Chatting With Laurie, and The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays. Thank you, ladies!

The Endearing Legend of Blue Willow

Much of the following post is one I shared last August. It was the third post I created for Hyacinths for the Soul and since August is the month that HFTS celebrates it's 1st Anniversary, I decided it was appropriate to share this post again for the color BLUE.

If you've not yet joined in for the Anniversary Giveback, click here to enter in the drawing that will be held August 31, 2010. Winner will be announced on September 1, 2010.

The Legend

Once upon a time there lived a very wealthy mandarin who had a beautiful daughter named Hon Shee. There was also a boy named Chang who loved Hong Shee. To keep them apart, the mandarin imprisoned his daughter in the palace.

One day Hon Shee escaped, and the two lovers raced over the bridge to a waiting boat, her father in hot pursuit. They managed to elude the mandarin, reach the boat and sail away.

A storm developed, the boat capsized, and the couple were lost at sea. It is said two love birds appeared immediately thereafter ~ the spirits of Hong Shee and Chag.

~Anonymous ~

It's time again for Rainbow Summer School, and today's color is BLUE.

I'm thrilled because BLUE is one of our favorite colors to accent our home.

We have several rooms with blue walls,

wingback chairs in blue leather,

blue upholstered French bergere chairs,

dinner plates in Spode's Blue Room series, . . .

The list could go on and on.

Blue is one of those magical colors that compliments other colors. Think of the fresh feeling of the South of France that combinations of blue and yellow provide.

Or the striking complimentary combo of blue and orange . . .

And the favored patriotic American spirit of red, white, and blue.

Perhaps the serenity of blue and white speaks to you.

It certainly speaks to me. The fresh, crisp feeling of blue and white never fails to fill my senses with joy.

Homes with collections of Blue Willow always catch my attention and imagination. Though I don't personally have a collection of these age old charming ceramics, I've long admired pieces of blue and white Blue Willow in antique stores and in the homes of friends.

What I do have though is a very limited, but extremely sentimental grouping of a child's set in the Blue Willow pattern.

When my parents married in 1939, as a new bride, my mother dreamed of having her very own set of Blue Willow for her dining table. Place-settings of this fine china were far too expensive for the young couple's household budget, yet Mother must have longingly admired sets and continued to wish for a set of her own. As a surprise one day, my sweet and clever father brought home a set in miniature. It wasn't the table setting Mother desired, but she loved and appreciated the little set all the same. During our youth, my sister and I, along with our friends, hosted many a tea party with the treasured little set of Blue Willow. Unfortunately all that remains of Mother's set is this small group.

The Blue Willow pattern was first designed in the late 1700s by Thomas Minton. Over the years it has been produced by many different manufactures, and all these years later this classic pattern is beloved by many a collector.

The classic pattern portrays a Chinese legend of two young lovers. The elements within the design all have significance from the legend. The border of a zig-zag fence represents the father's efforts to separate the young lovers.

Weeping willow trees,

various fruit trees,

three figures on a bridge,

a boat,

and pagodas,

all have significance in the story of the young couple.

There are many variations of the legend, but all end with the young star crossed lovers being transformed into immortal love birds.

My Parents in 1939

Today, the few remaining pieces of this cherished child's set have a place of honor in the living room of our home. Not only do they bring me memories of happy childhood tea parties, but they also speak of the romantic days my parents shared as newlyweds. Years ago I offered to purchase a set of Blue Willow for my mother. She simply smiled and said, "I'm happy with the set your father gave me." I treasure these little dishes as heirlooms.

Who knows, perhaps this little chard of a long ago broken plate will become the topic of a future Metamorphosis Monday right here at Hyacinths For The Soul.

You'll find more BLUE at Mrs. Matlock's Rainbow Summer School.

Thank you to the ladies hosting the following weekly memes. A click on the link will take you to others participating this week. More information about each of these events can be found on my sidebar.

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Friday Finding Beauty @ Dipity Road

A Few Of My Favorite Things Saturday @

Bargain Hunting & Chatting w/ Laurie

Blue Mondays @ Smiling Sally's

Rooster Party ~ 2010

Last fall when Barb hosted her first Show Us Your Roosters Party, I was thrilled. With roosters plentiful around HFTS there was no question that I wanted to join in the fun once again.

Detail of Man's Tie

The rooster is a revered and beloved image in many cultures so it is no surprise that there are many of us that enjoy the decorative nature of these handsome guys.

Chickens, both hens and roosters are often out and about around our home.

This little boite ancienne Reglisse Zan once held French licorice candies. Now long empty, it remains appreciated for the simple joy of the graphics.

Whimsical hand carved "poultry" are colorful folk art pieces from Oaxaca, Mexico that are usually on a shelf in a guest bath. They wandered outside for a little fresh air. Those of you here for Pink Saturday might note there are plenty of pink accents on many of these.

Large jug by Capelo and two small plates by Gorky Gonzales are each made in Guanajuato, Mexico. Both of these famous potters are renown for their beautiful ceramics.

A petite brass and enamel place card holder is likely from the 1940s.

Vintage Chinese mud figures in various poses like to gather in a group. Each are about 2"-3".

A pair of larger Chinese roosters 8" tall are near by. I like the way this one is reflected in the pewter pitcher that stands behind it.

Most recent to join the flock are a pair of vintage Chinese roof tiles found while in Santa Fe.

Once guardians upon the roof of a home or public building in China, these two now stand guard in a bookcase.

A ceramic tea caddy made into a small lamp features a barnyard gathering.

Does your mother know you're out?

A petite paper maché snuff box was found at an early morning London flea market years ago. This one simply puts a smile on my face!

Yes, roosters are definitely in the category of A Few of My Favorite Things.

Carpe Diem ~ Seize the Day!

The older I get the more I realize that this motto is one I want to live.

Barb has set a beautiful rooster tablescape so be sure to visit Barb @ Bella Vista. Links to all who are participating in The Second Annual Show Us Your Roosters Blog Party can be found on Barb's sidebar.

Thank you to our hostess Barb and to the ladies hosting the following weekly parties. More information about each of these memes can be found on my sidebar.

Friday Finding Beauty @ Dipity Road

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

A Few of My Favorite Things @ Bargain Hunting With Laurie

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Thanks for stopping by to visit. Details for the Anniversary Give-Back at HFTS can be found at the top of my sidebar. Hope you'll participate.