Packing up the treasures ...

Every day, I pack up two boxes in preparation for our move, across town, at the end of the month. Each treasure brings back memories.

My mother in law gave me this special anniversary Jim Beam bottle representing Hawaii (the whiskey distiller created a unique bottle for each state).

When I lived in the Netherlands, I found these tiles in a thrift shop.  The tiles celebrate beloved queens.

When I left the Netherlands, my thrift shop buddy gave me this tulip plate.

China maker Mottahedeh creates ceramic antique reproductions.  The dish below is Torquay Blue - it was a wedding gift from my Grandmother who lived in Torquay!  From the Mottahedeh website (link),

Clinging to the coast of Devon in southern England was theelegant resort town of Torquay, renowned for its mild climate and its abundant marine life. The shells and entwined sea grasses inspired the Swansea potters who flourished between 1764 and 1846. This pattern was created circa 1820. Made originally in the traditional English transferware style, Torquay enjoys poulairty today in Blue and now in Coral Pink .

Speaking of China, here's our cloissane vase from our trip to China (link).

Can you share a special treasure in your home?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts 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

Here's another Hawaiian treasure ... Zsa Zsa in a box!

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 Polish Pottery - What's Your Favorite?

No. 1

We're back to collectibles ... and Polish Pottery is very collectible among military spouses.  For those spouses who are lucky to have lived in Europe (including me!), Polish Pottery was just a day's drive away.  

No. 2

From Wikipedia (link),

For centuries one of the premier art forms in Eastern Europe has been the pottery and ceramics created in the Silesia region of Poland. The durable and functional creamy white and blue stoneware pieces are unique and easily identifiable. Ceramics and pottery are a definitive part of the identity of the city of Bolesławiec, Poland. The town itself is often called Miasto Ceramiki (Town of ceramics). It is impossible to talk about the town without talking about the ceramics that have been produced there for over a thousand years. It is a matter of great pride to the inhabitants.

No. 4

When we lived in the Netherlands, I traveled to Boleslawiec with five other spouses.  We rented a large van and spent the weekend. 

No. 5

I purchased several serving bowls in the "patriotic" design.

No. 6

I also bought one dessert plate of every design which fancied me ... 

No. 7

 ... to add variety to my serving pieces.

No. 8

How about the abstract?

No. 9

This design reminds me of teachers!

No. 10

Water lilies are always beautiful.

No. 11

This design incorporates the traditional "peacock's tail" in the center.

No. 12

I love colorful dishes ....

No. 13

... that's why I chose one of every design!

No. 14

Blue stands out as the predominant color.

No. 15

Which is your favorite design?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog posts 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

No. 16

Aloha to Washington DC - Glimpses of the White House, Washington Memorial, and WWII Memorial

After the USF Alumni "Meet and Greet", we walked along the National Mall to the White House.

The Obamas have an excellent view of the Washington Memorial.

We followed the crowd to the World War II Memorial ...

... with a tribute to the Atlantic and Pacific.

This plaque speaks volumes ...

... to the war's impact on Americans.

Do you have a war memorial in your town?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts 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

Looking up at the Washington Memorial

Aloha to Washington DC and USF Alumni

On Saturday, my family traveled by Metro to Washington, DC. We arrived at the Smithsonian "Castle" - the headquarters for all the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.

We were invited by the University of South Florida (USF) Alumni Association to a "meet and greet" for incoming freshman.

Can you guess which one is mine?

After the picnic, we walked over to the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence.  Does this fascade look familiar from National Treasure?

Thereafter, we hopped over to the Smithsonian's Natural History Musuem.  Crowds swelled around the Hope Diamond in the Gem Gallery ... so I took a picture of the next best thing - an oversized chuck of alabaster.

I viewed one more treasure at the American History Museum ... the Fort McHenry flag which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem.  We could not take pictures in the gallery with the flag ... so I offer a historic image from public domain (link).

Have you visited Washington DC?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts 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

Check out pictures from the USF campus at this link.

Aloha to RWA in NYC - A Stroll Up Fifth Avenue

Continuing my Sunday stroll with Kandy Shepherd, we soaked up NYC's architecture.

We enjoyed the Arc Deco of the Chrysler Building ...

... and the modern touches around Bryant Park.

Walking north on Fifth Avenue, we discovered hidden treasures ...  

... in the French Building.

This vestibule would be a welcome site at the end of the day.

No trip would be complete with a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral ... 

... and the Rockefeller Center.

We enjoyed the Patriotic Salute from Saks Fifth Avenue.

The wonders of NYC never cease to amaze me.   One randomly selected commenter from my RWA posts 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

Even New Yorkers love the banana seat bike!