So….the cooler weather puts us in mind for a cup of hot tea. When the neighborhood is fragrant with woodsmoke to take off the September-like chill, a mug of steaming tea goes down nicely! My British brother-in-law showed me the way to make a good cup. First, fill the cup about 2/3 full with freshly [...]

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Remember the days of swivel bar stools covered in red Naugahyde, Dixie cups and burgers in a basket? That’s where restaurant wares take us, whether modern or vintage. Back to Happy Days… Syracuse China has been known for many years, for restaurant ware china in the vintage market, and for its modern cousins. Many people [...]

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I’m glad to see Earth Day expanded to Earth Week. It got me thinking about vintage dishes, and why vintage is green. Vintage is recycled by nature. It’s been discontinued by the manufacturer. Most pieces some from the secondary market and were previously owned. Dishes with a history. They’ve been around once and are ready [...]

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This past weekend, the local Depression glass society had its spring show. Always a treat to see this beautiful glass, and the society members make it enjoyable. They run a table where you can get help with identifying your own glass (included in the cost of admission). They identified ruffled blue berry bowl in the [...]

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Pfaltzgraff has a discontinued pattern called Jamberry. It makes my list of dinnerware patterns that are sweet for this time of year, when my craving for fresh fruit pops up as quickly as daffodils on a warm spring day… The Jamberry pattern of stoneware china includes dessert bowls (the small ones for applesauce or fruit), [...]

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Like food, china and dinnerware can take you places, too. Take Noritake’s Keltcraft line, made in Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s. Soft, pale colors, as on this darling creamer, speak with charm about a vibrant land. Ireland in the spring is very green to us North Americans. In May and June it’s so green [...]

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In February or March each year, my local woman’s club has a tea. The theme is Valentine’s Day, Easter or Alice in Wonderland. Really, it’s an excuse for the members to get out their best dishes, invite their friends for an afternoon of conversation and treats…. and have some fun! I confess. I’m a shameless [...]

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A year ago, I was having afternoon tea with my friend Siobhan in a castle in Ireland — at Adare, in the west near the River Shannon. It was a wonderful treat. Of course, I had to flip the china, and saw that it was Villeroy & Boch. Elegant white china. We enjoyed the dishes [...]

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Been talking about a blog forever….finally did it! I’ve been having fun finding dishes for many months, and I have a lot to say on the subject. If there can be foodies — people who love food — why not dishies — people who love dishes. The way some people love shoes… What do you [...]

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