My husband was cleaning out the garage and brought an old, dusty, falling apart box inside. He told me that I should look through it. The box was set aside and I took the time to unpack it a couple of days ago. I was thrilled with my discovery!
The box contained china! Beautiful, delicate china with little blue flowers and glistening silver trim!
Then I remembered! I knew where it came from. I knew how I got it. I cannot believe I had forgotten about this treasure!
Years ago, when I was a newlywed, my parents were asked by a very dear family friend if I would like this set of china. It was purchased for her granddaughter, who did not like the pattern. My mom asked me, and I said that I would love to have it even though I didn’t remember ever seeing the china. My parents went and picked up the boxes and kept them for me. The boxes of china were forgotten for a while. Then, in a fit of cleaning, my mom decided that they were no longer going to store them for me and brought them to my house and placed them in the garage while I was not home.
These boxes were brought to me at a time when my house was overflowing with people and belongings. My sister-in-law and her family had moved across the country and were staying with us while they looked for and built a house. There were four adults, a teenager, a toddler, one cat and one dog all stuffed into our poor little house. My house was stuffed to the point of overflowing. Needless to say, the china stayed in the boxes in the garage and was forgotten about again.
After ten years and moving three times, one of the boxes has finally surfaced and not one piece in the tattered old box was broken or even chipped! I went through the box expecting the worst.
Isn’t it beautiful! I am very much in love with it! I love the pattern. I love the little pedestal footed coffee cups. After looking at it, I must say that I do have a very vague memory of being a little girl and seeing this at our friends house.
Our dear family friend is no longer with us. I cannot even imagine her picking out this particular pattern of china. She was a little eccentric with her pink or purple tinted hair, gaudy earrings and bold, bright patterns who had no problems speaking her mind.
I am so glad I now have this forgotten treasure. My husband has been instructed to move heaven and earth in the garage to find that other box that is hiding somewhere in there. I just hope that box fairs as well as this one did!
This is no longer a forgotten treasure.
Do you have a recipe post or kitchen-related story to share on the Farm Bell blog?
See Farm Bell Blog Submissions for information, the latest blog contributor giveaway, and to submit a post.
Want to subscribe to the Farm Bell blog? Go here.
princessvanessa says:
Is it Mikasa? Noritake? I love the delicate pattern. What a wonderful, generous gift from so long ago. Enjoy it!
On April 14, 2012 at 6:46 am
murphala says:
They are gorgeous! But what’s even better is discovery of lost treasure. I know exactly how you felt, opening that box. It’s like the universe tapped you on the shoulder and said “Hey…check this out. Bet you smile!”. 🙂 Thanks for this post!
On April 14, 2012 at 9:39 am
lisabetholson says:
That is a wonderful find, I especially like that it is silver and not gold, but I am a winter person and not a autumn.
Thank you for sharing.
On April 14, 2012 at 10:26 am
copgrrl says:
Now that you have it you must use it. There is a saying about using the best china in the house and live each day as if it will be your last. Congratulations! The treasure is absolutely beautiful. What a gift from the heavens…
On April 14, 2012 at 10:42 am
IowaCowgirl says:
That is a wonderful discovery! I’m so thrilled for you. And, I believe my oldest sister has this pattern from her wedding (about 1963 or 64). It looked very familiar to me…
Have fun and USE IT!!!
On April 14, 2012 at 12:22 pm
rileysmom says:
Oh, what pretty china!
Yes, use it….you deserve it!
On April 14, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Pete says:
Looks like “Diane.” At least that’s what is on the bottom of mine that look exactly like this.
Made me laugh and smile to read this! And get a little sad. I bought mine new, waaaay back when. Now I feel exceedingly old!! teehee
On April 14, 2012 at 7:39 pm
tsmith says:
It is “Diane” and don’t feel old, Pete. You just have exceptionally good taste in china!
On April 14, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Pete says:
Just in case you need to replace a piece, or are curious about value, give or take, you might enjoy looking here: http://www.replacements.com/webquote/FCJDIA.htm#1229453
I was astounded!
On April 15, 2012 at 9:36 am
maybeth says:
AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PATTERN, tsmith! I KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY USING THIS ‘FORGOTTEN TREASURE’ 🙂 …..
On April 15, 2012 at 1:39 pm
maybeth says:
ALSO, IT’S ALWAYS A TREAT FINDING AGAIN SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT WE HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT!
On April 15, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Jan says:
I just love your china! Such a treat to find after all of these years. I was lucky to have been offered a set of china that was my husband’s aunt’s. She lived in Florida and we live in MA and I think I met her once. Anyway, I had it in boxes in the cellar with no way to display it but oh, how I wanted to have it displayed. We finally painted the dining room, have a new (small) hutch and I have that beautiful china displayed! I’m so happy! I love things from the past, especially from a family member. Enjoy and use your new set of lovely china and thanks for sharing!
On April 15, 2012 at 8:01 pm
dee58m says:
So beautiful tsmith. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂 Make everyday a special day to use it.
On April 15, 2012 at 11:36 pm