More Polish Pottery ...

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we are buying a house across town ... and I am packing up my goodies.  When I lived in the Netherlands, I spent a weekend shopping for Polish Pottery with other military spouses.  

I was drawn to this non-traditional pattern with the tulips - it will always remind me of the Netherlands!

From the Netherlands, we moved to Fort Meade, MD (then to Hawaiian and back to Fort Meade). I found the tea pot below in a local thrift shop. Although it has the hallmark for Bolesławiec, Poland - the Mecca for Polish Pottery - I believe this is a vintage item before the pottery became popular.

 

Do you have a favorite piece of pottery?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

A popular pattern among military spouses ...

Aloha to Collectibles - The Cat's Meow!

We are currently renting a townhouse ... but will be moving into our own home next month.  I have started pack up ... and thought I would share our "collectibles".

Our mantle is home of The Cat's Meow - wooden cutouts of historic buildings.  From its website, catsmeow.com,

Welcome to the world of The Cat’s Meow® Village! Our village, proudly made in Wooster, Ohio, is full of wooden gifts and keepsakes created to represent the special places and times in our lives. Cat’s Meow keepsakes fit in the palm of your hand, and are a perfect size to display in your home or office. They set purrfectly on mantles, shelves, and ledges; or perch them on your wainscoting or molding above your windows or doorways. Casper, our black cat logo, resides on every piece we create, telling you that you have an authentic Cat's Meow!
Above is the first Cat's Meow I purchased from the Fort Meade Officers' Spouses' Club (OSC).  It is Quarters No. 1 - home of the ranking flag officer.  Note Casper in the upper left window!

Over the years, I found Cat's Meow at Betsy Ross' house in Philadelphia,

on the steps to the Capital Building,

and visiting the White House.

Casper also stopped by the Maryland Armory.  What do you collect from your travels?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 12, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Can you name the building?

Aloha to Fort Meade - Burba Lake

Fort Meade is home to Burba Lake.  

It attract the Canadian geese ...

... who populate the post during their winter migration.

The lake is a essential part of the post's ecosystem.

During our previous assignment on Fort Meade, my husband served as the Cubmaster.  He used this bridge for the Cub Scouts to "bridge over" to higher ranks.

Military families can fish from Burba Lake and host picnics at the pavilion.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Fort George G. Meade

We previously lived on Fort Meade before moving to Hawaii. When we returned to Maryland, we chose to live off post.  Yet we frequent Fort Meade several times a week for the commissary, exchange, and even the bowling alley (where my teens are part of the youth league).    As they bowled, I grabbed my camera ...

From its website (link),

Authorized by an Act of Congress in May 1917, Fort Meade was one of 16 cantonments built for troops drafted for the war with the Central Powers in Europe. The present Maryland site was selected June 23, 1917 because of its close proximity to the railroad, Baltimore port and Washington D.C. The cost for construction was $18 million and the land sold for $37 per acre in 1917. The post was originally named Camp Meade for Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade, whose victory at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 proved a major factor in turning the tide of the Civil War in favor of the North. The 5,400 acres of land on which Fort Meade sits was originally owned by Maj. Samuel Snowden, a Revolutionary War hero.

Fort Meade offers a wide range of housing, including the historic brick homes which are allocated to Colonels.

The brick facades continue at the library, 

historic chapel,

and garrison headquarters. 

Fort Meade is conveniently near BWI airport, where many military personnel arrive from overseas deployment.  Above is Miss Northern Maryland Teen with goodie bags from the USO.

Expect more pictures from Fort Meade in the coming weeks!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City