At first, our house was considered trash. It is now truly treasured.
My country kitchen has the farmhouse white cabinets, wood floors and beadboard painted backsplash. We received Hubby’s parent’s oak table and chairs, from his inheritance. We also received the beautiful buffet that matched. My shelves and walls are decorated with beautiful antique flow blue dishes. Over the years the wood floors are scratched, and the old chairs are squeaking, an antique plate gets broken, but we are making precious memories around the old kitchen table.
A few years ago, I went to a Christmas party. The hostess used all her fine china. She had tables settings in many of the rooms in her house. On each table, she used a different set of china. It was beautiful, but one room intrigued me the most. Her dining room table was gorgeous and beautifully set with antique flow blue dishes. Her china cabinet was also filled with many beautiful pieces.
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I knew the value of these dishes because my sister collected them. I proceeded to let the other guests know that were seated at the dining room table, how valuable the antique dishes were. I even asked the hostess if she was sure she wanted us to use them because it was a buffet. She assured us all, that it was alright, saying, “Those were my mother’s everyday dishes.”
I thought about how wonderful it must have been to have beautiful dishes from your mother. My mother never had a set of china, never thought it was important. So, I didn’t have a set of china either.
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The hostess who owned the Normandy flow blue set of china called me a few years later. She asked if I was interested in buying the set. She was downsizing and knew how much I loved her dishes.
I wonder how she knew!
The first thing I asked her was, “Don’t your children want them?” To my surprise she said, they didn’t.
She also said, “Some of the dishes have chips or cracks, but most of them are fine.”
“No problem. Chip, cracked or broken dishes have a special place in my heart and they will be displayed.”
She had an antique dealer appraise them. She offered me the same price they offered her. If I didn’t want them, the antique dealer was going to buy them. Well, of course, we bought the set of dishes, and they grace my kitchen beautifully. Every day I enjoy the beauty of these dishes, and they remind me of all my blessings!
Hubby searched the internet for a Normandy flow blue teapot because he knew I wanted one. He didn’t find a teapot, but he bought me two cups and saucers. They had chips on them, but they were still expensive. You might not think that chipped, cracked or broken dishes are valuable. The thing is, when you know the meaning behind the item, they become priceless treasures.
I went to England a few years ago with four other ladies. While we were in England, I was looking for a Normandy teapot. We shopped but with no success. One of the ladies said, “Why do you like those dishes anyway? Do you know they are rejects? Lots of people used them as flower pot saucers. At one time you could buy them real cheap. People used them for common dishes. They also threw them in the trash.”
It is true, the flow blue dishes were rejects. The reason they were discarded was the blue dye overflowed outside of the lines into the white area. So, they were discontinued. Over the years they became sought after and valuable. To me they have a special meaning. Not because they are beautiful or that they have become a collector’s item. No, they have a life lesson that I treasure.
This picture is in my dining room with the verse written on it.
It takes wisdom to have a good family, it takes understanding to make it strong. It takes knowledge to fill a home with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3.4
Blue and white dishes. Chipped, cracked or broken dishes. Being rejected. From trash to treasure. These are all examples of stories that are dear to my heart. They are written in my book, “A Basketful of Broken Dishes”.
