Tuesday, August 31, 2010

My 8th Tea Time Tuesday & Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday for August 31st, 2010.

Hi everyone...

Phew..it's been a crazy couple of weeks. I just started back to work at a luxury fruit gift company a few weeks ago and things have been crazy and busy and crazy-busy.  For the next few weeks, I'll be repeating some tea things...but telling you some more stories behind each of these tea things and sharing some more Scriptures etc...at least until I can add more tea things to my collection :) :) :)

Here's where it all began...oh all those lovely tea cups and the siren call of "Let's have tea" :) :) :) You ladies are awesome...and now I'm hooked on tea :) :) :) That's okay...I've been so blessed by all of you :) :) This first photo is some of the tea things that actually belong to my grandmother.

This was part of my grandmother's wedding china. She had a full set for 8 people :) :)

My grandmother passed away in 1995...to cancer.  She went peacefully in her sleep and I miss her still...but I don't cry..not anymore...rather my heart still aches a little for the woman I loved so much and still do. She was a woman who loved Jesus Christ.  The day that she went home to be with Jesus Christ, it would have been her 53rd wedding anniversary.

Below is a close-up of the sugar bowl. I don't recall my grandmother ever actually using this, because she was very health conscious. Of course, I wouldn't remember sugar for my tea...but I DO REMEMBER a sweet....either a half of a Danish, a homemade cinnamon role or oatmeal molasses cookies... :) :) :)


I was thinking about all the teas I would have EVERY DAY when I spent summers with her. It's so random, because just today, I was sitting at my computer at work and trying to figure out how to sell peaches..and YES, they are very TASTY AND DELICIOUS :) :) :)...truly...but then all of a sudden I found my thoughts wandering to my grandmother.

We ALWAYS had tea around 3 or 4 p.m. as I recall...and it was special.  I remember sitting at the table having tea and staring out her window. She had a perfect view of the ocean less then a few miles away. After we'd had time to visit, she'd pull out her Bible and some of these Bible stories that her mother-in-law...my great-grandmother had written who knows when...I'm sure she wrote those back when God was a boy..but in any case, she'd always read one of those stories and we'd talk about it. What did we talk about? I don't remember. All I can recall is that each story always illustrated some principle out of the Bible.

Here is a close-up of the detail on the sugar bowl. This is the same vine/leaf with shell edging that you'll find on all the cups, dishes, saucers etc. Isn't it beautiful? I love the delicate detail. That is real bonafide Wedgwood china...

Oh...I love this sugar bowl. So cute and chubby and just plain beautiful :) :) :)

My grandmother would make me memorize Scripture...which at the age of 14 and 15 was NOT what I wanted to do..but I obliged, because she was my grandmother and I loved her :) :) Although as soon as the Bible lesson was over, I was away from the kitchen table quick...and doing other things...like looking at her family photos ;)

She felt that it was important that I commit God's Word to memory. She thought it was smart and would serve me well in adulthood. My grandmother was right..although I would not have admitted it at the time. I'm so thankful now for that foundation that she instilled in me. 

It's funny when I think back on it now...because I don't remember a single word of what we talked about other than those stories from my great-grandmother. However, I do remember her telling me why she bought Bibles for all the kids in her Sunday school class. Some of the kids couldn't afford a Bible, some just didn't have them for whatever reason etc...but she wanted every kid to have a Bible and to read it :) :) :) She would paste a name plate into each one...it said "Ex Libris" at the top in fancy script.  How do I know this? She gave me one back in 1990..It's a New King James "Open Study Bible".  It's fantastic and has really great outlines. 

In any case, I do remember that and that always touches my heart even after all these years.  I've always wondered about those kids that she taught. She really did love those kids...that I remember very well!!! She loved them enough to tell them about Jesus and teach them the Bible :) :)

Below is the backstamp. I think this was the backstamp on the sugar bowl. I don't remember exactly. The backstamp itself is the same on all the dishes and cups...however, some of the "series numbers" are slighly different.

As a young teenager I had no idea about the long and impressive history of Wedgwood china. All I knew was that this was gorgeous and I loved it because it belonged to my grandmother's :) :) :)

Those are my tea things for today :) :) :) I spent a few years living in Europe in my early 20s. Three of those years I spent in Germany.  When my friends would ask me a question about something that would involve a long story or response...I usually replied with "Das ist eine Tasse Tee-Geschichte". That literally means "That's a cup of tea story". What that implied was, we need to sit awhile, sip some tea and have a long chat about whatever the subject happened to be...that was okay with me :) :) It was always a good excuse to have something good to drink and spend time with friends.

Oh, I'll be sharing stories from work from time to time and I' ll be calling these segments "Tales from the Pear Tree". So here goes...it'll look something like this..

"Kids...it's time for another episode of "Tales from the Pear Tree"....:) :)

I work for a luxury fruit gift company here in Southern Oregon.  It's been around for decades...75 years to be exact...and actually has a history going back further than that...:) :) :) In any case, the old department I worked in...outbound telemarketing...that department was eliminated over a year and a half ago.  It was just brought back a few weeks ago. I realize I sound a bit disjointed here...but there's so much to talk about and I only have so much blog space :) :) :)

In any case, one of the things I do involves calling past customers and asking if they'd be interested in any of our specials. It's great product...but it's not always easy to tell people about over the phone. Right now, it's peach season and we sell lots of Oregold peaches.  My job is not easy...and honestly, the only reason I do it is because it is what's available and it pays the bills...sort of :) :) 

However, I am blessed because at least half of the ladies and 2 guys that I work with are Christians...all different kinds...but all love Jesus Christ :) :) :)  In any case, this past week was especially hard because customers were mean, talking rude, being condescending etc... and honestly it made me cry this week.  I was frustrated because I get that people don't like telemarketers...but that's no excuse to be rude. So I thought that I will write a post on how to treat telemarketers...AND some tips on how to gently get rid of them while still being nice and polite :) :) I've learned a few things in this job :) :)

In any case, right now it's peach season and I've been selling peaches like they're going out of style!!! I was working that phone so much I was beginning to feel a little bit like a peach hussy...actually, I was thinking "peach harlot"..but "hussy" is probably a better term :) :) While in between phone calls, I turned to one of my co-workers...also a fellow Christian...and we were talking about how hard it was to get sales this one particular day. We'd only worked about half the day, but it felt like we were working overtime.  We both came up with the term "peach harlot"...and just started busting up laughing :) :) :) Oh, it was some welcome comedic relief, that's for sure...and now I can't stop laughing over it :) :)

I did read a verse the other day which I wrote out and put under the computer monitor...Ephesians 5:19...It's a good one...and I'll be gradually adding others. It helped me to keep things in perspective. I'm learning to pray for my customers more...something which I have not done enough of.  Today was easier :) :) Thank you Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm :) :)

Sometimes my customers are really funny...even the ones who "reject" my offers :) :) :) That's okay...I can handle the rejection :) :)  I'm blessed to talk with people all over the country and sometimes the place names are just really funny. My most favorite one of the day was a very sweet gentleman who was in "Truth or Consequences, New Mexico". Isn't that just about the funniest city name you have heard? I think so...really cute :) :)

Well, that's about it for the moment. I  still feel like I'm running around in circles...but that's okay. One of these days I'll figure it all out and be completely organized and sane...right?...hee hee hee :) : ) (Insert here great admiration for all my blogger friends who are married with kids..I don't know how you do it all :) Thanks for joining me for tea and stories.  That's the news from Oregon today. Extra love and hugs to all of  you, Heather :)

12 comments:

Parsley said...

Oh Heather! The tea set is LOVELY!!! Have a great week.

Sheila said...

That is a lovely tea set. I'm glad you have such wonderful memories of your grandma. I never felt so much love as when I was with my Ma-Maw and Pa-Paw. Grandparents are special.
I hope your week continues to go well. Take care.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Heather,
How lucky you were to have been able to share such wonderful times with your grandmother and to have her tea set which is so elegant !!

I grew up without grand parents and i know that I missed out on such a wonderful part of life.

I want to Thank You too for stopping by to visit me as often as you do and for all of your kind words!

I truly appreciate you, my friend!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Jill said...

I love your tea items! For me the older the better. I love all the history and stories behind them. You are so right about treasuring the memory of the stories. I love talking with older people they have so many incredible stories to share. Hope work continues to go well for you! How has your neck and shoulder been doing?
Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Jill

aimee said...

Your grandma's tea set is beautiful!! I have some things that belonged to my ancestors too and they are very precious to me:)
Glad to hear you have so many believers at your job-that is always a blessing from God!
Blessings always,
Aimee

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Heather,
I am so happy you have shared your grandmother's tea set! It is exquisite and I love the story you shared along with it. She sounds like she was quite a lady! Everyone should have a grandmother like yours; one who prayed and had you memorize scripture so it would be hidden in your heart! She was a very wise lady! You have been blessed! Thank you for sharing with us and I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Patti said...

I have missed you this week, dear Heather. I hope you've had a great week at work.

I love your tea set. There is just something so clean and pure about white tea things. It's beautiful!!

I love your memories of your gandmother. Interestingly, around the time you lost your grandmother, my grandmother was diagnosed with stomach cancer (March 1995). She passed away in April of the following year. I have many fond memories of both her and my other grandmother. Until I was 15, I lived within walking distance of both sets of my grandparents, and so they were a huge part of my life. Later, that particular grandmother and grandfather retired to Florida, and that is how I ended up there for over 20 years...I went to visit them, and I never left.

Thank you for sharing your stories. They're lovely.

Love,
Patti

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh Heather, what precious memories from your grandmother...she sounds like she was such a special woman...

I just came over to say "hi" and wanted you to know I am thinking about you.
Hugs
xox

A Primitive Homestead said...

Your Grandmothers wedding china is beautiful. Such sweet memories of your Grandma. She sounds so much like my Gram. She taught Sunday school to. She gave Bibles to. I still have mine. It is a bit worn but the love still remain from her in my heart & memory. It was a blessing from God he put us in these godly womens lives who taught us His word.

Anonymous said...

Isn't that gorgeous Wedgewood china! You are so blessed to have it and a Grandmother who loved/loves the Lord truly. Wonderful memories you have of teatime with her :)
Tea with a view of the sea, how lovely.
I love your saying about "that's a story that needs a cup of tea" :D

Antoinette Petersen said...

Oh those are soooooo pretty!!!

Blessings,

Miss Antoinette

Annesphamily said...

Heather you weave an interesting story. I am so glad I came by. Your grandmother sounded like a remarkabe lady. The china is perfect. I lovee that sugar bowl. So sweet and petite! God Bess You! Anne