GREEN ~ It'll Do Fine

"It's not that easy being Green.

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.

It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things,

And people tend to pass you over . . . "

Words taken from Kermit's Famous Song IT'S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

No, it's not that easy being green, 

especially in the world of Quimper French pottery. 

 The color green is found on many pieces as an accent, 

but for the primary color of this pottery 

to be green is most unusual.

Green Hydrangeas and Yoko Ono Green Land Mums

Others might have passed this coffee/tea service by 

without much thought, but it was 

love at first sight for "the chef" and me. 

 It's a complete service for twelve: 

dessert plates, cups and saucers, 

creamer, sugar, and coffee/tea pot.

A friend contacted me in the summer of 2006. 

 She knew of a couple who were downsizing 

and wanted to sell a complete tea/coffee service. 

Jacqueline, who is French and the original owner, 

included a note with the special story of this set.

Soon after WWII, she and her American soldier husband, 

traveled to the United States to begin a life together here. 

In the summer of 1946, on a visit back to France 

to visit her parents, Jacqueline and her mother visited  

Brittany and the atelier of Paul Fouillen. 

 It was on this trip that Jacqueline's mother 

purchased this set as a gift for Jacqueline.

There were actually two sets purchased at the time. 

 The other very different in color and design 

was enjoyed by Jacqueline's mother during her lifetime.

 Jacqueline's daughter now treasures the set 

that had been her grandmother's, so she didn't need this set. 

 Lucky me!

Jacqueline told me that she carefully 

packed this set in her suitcase and 

carried it with her on the return journey, 

crossing the Atlantic by ship and 

then traveling by train on to Texas.

Paul Fouillen opened his atelier in the late 1920s. 

 He is well known for his unique designs 

with both Celtic and Art Deco influences.

The wonderful hand crimped handles 

on each of these pieces are glazed with a sponge technique. 

 Though each piece includes the 

concentric bands of green color and the green checks, 

there are different designs painted 

on each side of the various pieces.

And this magnificent t

ray matches our service!

A very thoughtful friend and fellow 

member in the Quimper Club International 

sent me this tray as a surprise one Christmas.

It was a piece 

from her own collection.

When she learned that I had purchased the dessert service, 

she felt the tray should be reunited with the set.

See, it has the darling dragonfly 

that is on the tea/coffee pot.

Lucky me, again! Thank you, Laverne!

I've talked enough. 

 Won't you join me for a cup of tea?

Sugar?

Cream?

And how about a 

little something sweet?

You may serve yourself with this 

sweet sterling fork that I found 

while antique shopping in Santa Fe.

Help yourself to a plate and 

one of these little cake forks.

You may use one of the beautiful linen napkins 

that were gifts from Mary @ A Breath of Fresh Air. 

 Just look at the fine detail on these.

May I tempt you with a horn of dulce de leche? 

 These horns are filled with a 

sweet caramelized goat's milk cream.

Or for all you chocolate lovers, 

here is a special Hatch chili chocolate brownie.

This is the season for the famous 

Hatch chilies from Hatch, New Mexico.

These chilies are HOT and add a 

subtle spicy after-taste to the chocolate.

The chocolate isn't really that hot, 

but have another sip of tea if you like.

"I'm green, and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!"

As you can see, sometimes I repurpose this service when I want to serve a glass of ice tea. With the heat of summer, perhaps you'd like a glass of ice tea before you head off to Mrs. Matlock's Rainbow Summer School Class for more on the color GREEN and the other parties listed below.

Don't forget to join in for the Celebration Give Back here. You have until the end of August to participate.

Between Naps on the Porch ~ Tablescape Thursday

The Colorado Lady ~ Vintage Thingie Thursday

My Romantic Home ~ Show & Tell Friday

Bargain Hunting & Chatting w/ Laurie ~ Favorite Things Saturday

The Gypsy's Corner ~ Three or More Tuesdays

Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor ~ Tea Time Tuesday

The Plumed Pen ~ Tuesday Tea for Two

The Silken Purse ~ Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday

Rose Chintz Cottage ~ Tea Time Tuesday

Sister Time

~Pink Saturday~

~A Few of My Favorite Things~

~Silver Sunday~

~Summer Sunday~

~Three or More Tuesday~

Oh, for the lazy days of summer . . . the perfect time to steal away to visit those friends and family who live miles away . . . and the perfect opportunity to explore new territory, ie ~ Antique Shops.

A recent trip to visit my sister was just that and yielded some Silver Sunday finds in time for Beth's Silver Sunday Giveaway Post. Be certain to stop by The Gypsy Fish Journal , put your name in the drawing, and then add a Silver Sunday post of your own.

Seems I always find some silver plate treasures when my sister takes me to her favorite shops. Each of these were thrifty finds black with tarnish, but just look at the lovely details once I polished them.

The beautiful unmarked basket vase stands 16" tall.

It is perfect for these delicate Stargazer Lilies and has the most wonderful details . . .

Like this basket full of flowers that is featured on the curved handle . . .

And this wide lacy edge that dips gracefully around the open cavity that holds the blooms.

Trays are a favored accessory here at HFTS, so I was all smiles when I picked up two different oval gallery trays. The larger one has detailed pierced sides with a fluted edging and . . .

Beautiful intricate engraved details that cover the entire surface.

It will be perfect to move about for various things, like this silver fern pot that is currently home to a gorgeous pale pink hydrangea.

Just look at these delicate little blooms!

The smaller gallery tray is just the right size for my petite fern pot that holds an African violet that will be covered with little pink flowers in its next bloom cycle.

The rim edge on this tray is simple, but the sides have a wonderful open work design.

And finally there was this bride's basket marked MF'D & Plated RV Reed & Barton 4740. It's doing duty in the kitchen at the moment, but will be useful for all sorts of things. No doubt it is the oldest of the items I found this trip. If anyone can help date it, please let me know.

The double handle features a central ball and a little tassel half way down on each side.

The rim edge is a stylized leaf design, and the footed base is full of charm.

This one just might be my favorite!

I hope the remaining days of summer offer up

some special time for you with your family,

and a perhaps a chance to explore new territory!

Click here for details on the Celebration Giveback @ HFTS

Thank you to each of the ladies hosting the following memes:

Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Laurie's A Few of My Favorite Things @

Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie

Summer Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Beth's Silver Sundays @ The Gypsy Journal

Three or More Tuesday @ The Gypsy Corner

Yellow is for Chicks

I was enjoying lunch with a friend recently when this mother peahen and her baby chicks wandered nearby on the grounds just outside the window.

Seeing these baby peachicks was a new experience for me, so I quickly grabbed my camera and went outside to get some photos. Peachicks hatch from eggs that are about 3 times the size of a chicken egg, but smaller than a goose egg. Their feathers are yellow with touches of brown, and their legs are long.

Peafowl can refer to two species of birds: the Indian Peafowl from India and the Green Peafowl from Burma east to Java. The male peafowl is known as a peacock. This guy is an Indian Peafowl identified by his magnificent iridescent blue-green plumage.

The tail of the peacock is actually elongated covert feathers that cover the tail feathers. They have a series of "eyes" that are best seen when the tail is fanned. The peacock struts and fans his colorful plumage to attract the female.

The female Indian Peafowl is very different in appearance from her mate. Her feathers are dull brown or grey. Though she has a crest, she does not have the long showy upper tail coverts.

Peafowls nest on the ground, but roost in trees. These birds are omnivorous. They eat plants, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. The mother peahen will teach her chicks how to find food, which is likely what she was doing this day .

Upset with my presence, this mother peahen was very protective of her chicks and didn't like me getting close.

She fussed at me and then quickly turned to take her chicks elsewhere.

As a retired elementary teacher, children's literature has long been one of my true loves. I used to spend Sunday afternoons at favorite book stores looking through the children's section. These three picture books are not new, but rather favorites that I read time and again to my students. JUST PLAIN & FANCY by Patricia Polacco is a heart warming story of two young Amish sisters who find an unusual egg. They place the egg with their hens to be hatched and soon find this is no ordinary chick. It is a story of the plain ways of the Amish and the beauty of God's creatures. Mem Fox's FEATHERS & FOOLS is an allegorical tale of war between a "pride of magnificent peacocks" and "a flock of elegant swans." In the end no birds remain alive, though two eggs survive. Once hatched, the little peachick and cygnet recognize they are more alike than different. The two become friends, and "They went together, in peace and unafraid, to face the day and share the world." This story offers an excellent antiwar message. THE SPOOKY TAIL OF PREWITT PEACOCK by Bill Peet was written in the early 70s, but the storyline of being different continues to provide young children with a marvelous example. Bill Peet is a master storyteller.

If you want to take part in HFTS Celebration Give Back click here.

Thank you to those hosting the following weekly memes that this post is linked to:

A Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday

Mrs. Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday

Rainbow Summer School ~ Yellow

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday