1 week Ago By Judy Steele Trash & Treasures
Every time I get ready to write column, I go through a long list of previous subject material. On many occasions I do duplicate a bit without realizing until I am about finished with my week’s work. Then I may have to go in and redo or start over completely.
And that takes more time. But then there are other weeks when I can just sit down on my sofa with my computer on my lap and just start typing away. Why is it so hard to come up with ideas sometimes? I do believe the busier you are may be the easier it is to come up with interesting columns.
Many times I even walk through my house to see if something will jump out at me, and give me more ideas for future articles as well. I am afraid that this week is dragging a bit and this old girl may have to really dig for a subject. I have not been down to the antique shop lately.
I really need to go again soon and talk with the kids there, see what people are bringing in for sale and see what customers are asking for. The collecting game is much simpler for me: I love so many different antiques and collectibles. For instance, my Desert Rose dinnerware from many years ago or maybe the glassware to match from different jewelry stores and makers.
When looking for matching items, I’ve seen a close match of the glassware, but I have also seen some pieces that don’t quite match up. I get frustrated about the idea of off brands trying to “copy” other manufacturers and designs. This happens with a lot of collectibles.
It does get frustrating when you really want the original older pieces and do not even want to mess around with the newer cheaper pieces that are lookalikes. I hate to think that some people are paying higher prices for “takeoffs” than they could get the real thing for much less if they were more careful when out there buying. I still remember the day I walked through my sweet grandmother’s kitchen in California at Christmastime and saw her beautiful collection of Desert Rose.
I truly believe I will never ever forget that moment as it just caught my eye and I loved it all so very much. I was probably in my early teens and I just knew right then that some day I want to have a few pieces of dinnerware like she had and I want to add to it for my birthdays and Christmases so I can have the same dishes to admire and love. And, to this day, I still use some of my Desert Rose pieces for every day — why not? At my age, it does not take much to amuse me or remind me that I do love certain things and I should use them on a daily basis.
Sounds a little bit silly I guess, but at my age why not use our pretties on a daily basis if it makes us happy and reminds us of even more beautiful times when the dining room table was set with my Desert Rose dinnerware and it was so pretty and friends and family were sitting around to enjoy a wonderful dinner with each other? And I am totally reminded each time I set the table for one person (me) with the Desert Rose dinnerware that we had many wonderful sit down dinners with lots of friends and relation. I always will love my dishes and I am thankful for every day I am still around to enjoy family, friends and loved ones and we are sitting around my antique dining room table for a bit of dessert served on my Franciscan Desert Rose dishes. So, I hope you will do the same: Dress up your own dining room table with the things you love and I promise you the food will even taste better! Just another reminder to use your pretty things everyday .
.. even if we may be sitting alone — it makes you feel better and brings loads of wonderful memories back to us.
They are all precious reminders of many other days when families gathered. I still love eating at home with family surrounding the dining room table and we are taking the time to talk with each other and just plain spending time with those you love. Many happy holidays ahead, everyone, and please remember to take time out to set the table with your favorite family things.
Take time to spend with family and friends. That is the best gift you can give anyone. Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!.
