The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Favorite Cupboard ? ? ?

On Crooked Creek is excited to join our sweet hostess Shelia @ Note Songs for her second Heart of the Home Party! This time her party request is to show a favorite cupboard in our kitchen.




Since moving On Crooked Creek I have been blessed with a built~in China Cabinet. This special cabinet changes twice annually with it's interior contents. The exterior shelf changes numerous times throughout the year. 



The addition of our kitchen wallpaper was added a few years ago. I wanted desperately to paint the cabinet similar to the treatment we had given the kitchen cabinets On Crooked Creek. "Mr. Ed" on the other hand, loves wood and loathes painting it. . .so, this was our compromise.

To view the painted kitchen cabinets On Crooked Creek in its entirety you can visit the first Heart of the Home Party  hosted by Shelia @ Note Songs by clicking on the listed link:
http://oncrookedcreekct.blogspot.com/2010/10/heart-of-home.html .
Or by clicking on the kitchen photo on the sidebar just above ABOUT ME!
At the present time we are donning our Spring attire of my intense coffee and tea set collections in their soft pastel hues. Come Fall we will once again bring back our silver with all of its shine and sparkle!

China Cabinet Spring Decor. . .



. . .China Cabinet Fall Decor.


My various coffee and tea sets are a vast collection from our travels during our military career and those gifted by family and friends. With their delicate floral pastel hues, Spring is the perfect time of year for them to be showcased.



Left ~

 







 
~ Right.



My very favorite coffee set is from dearest friends. Pink roses were the flower of choice for our wedding and our friends knowingly chose this set to remind us of the love that "Mr. Ed" and I have for one another.



In the early years of our correspondence, my pen pals and I made a choice of gifting one another with birthday and seasonal gifts. This is an egg shaped Easter Tea Set from my Illinois pen pal. The pastel hues are similar to my coffee set, making this the tea set of choice to share the top shelf of the cabinet. In addition is my favorite heirloom tea cup and saucer from my dearly beloved Mother~in~law.



The middle shelf houses my collection of vintage pink depression glass Buttons and Bows and Fostoria. Tea cups without saucers fill in the void spaces with the addition of pattern and texture.



In keeping with a vintage glass theme, the right side of the cabinet showcases my singular blue glassware assortment. Fruit compote, bon bon compote and aqua marine depression glass sugar bowl; all heirlooms from my beloved MoMa and Mother~in~law. Again, heirloom tea cups and saucers add visual interest.



My continually growing vintage Homer Laughlin Epicure turquoise blue and cream china dinnerware is located on the bottom shelf for easy accessibility! This set is used frequently with Spring entertaining On Crooked Creek.




My final coffee set to be included with this china cabinet is Made in German Democratic Republic. I adore the addition of tulips along with the pink roses. What brought about this purchase was the shape of the pot and its being, authentic "Communist China".  "Mr. Ed" and I made this purchase in the later 1970's before the dismantle of The Berlin Wall.



The open display or counter top of this built~in China Cabinet changes more frequently than does the upper and lower cabinets.


A past Fall counter top display. . .



 Deck the Halls Party 2010. . .




 Let It Snow! . . .  On Crooked Creek





. . . a recent Spring counter top display.

An early Spring counter top display featuring my limited collection of Bordallo Pinheiro Portugal majolica dinnerware. My evolving collection currently consist of one dinner plate and four saucers. Quickly becoming a favorite On Crooked Creek, I am always on the hunt for more.
 





Behind the closed doors of the lower cabinet are the various Spring serving pieces!


The top shelf houses the additional Homer Laughlin collection, coffee and tea cups and saucers and my Christmas dessert and salad plates. White china and crystal glass individual bud vases, salt cellars, individual cupcake stands and a toast rack.




The bottom shelf holds larger crystal and vintage heirloom Spring serving bowls and trays, a punch bowl complete with cups and ladle, a set of stemware and crystal dinner bells.




The two drawers of this built~in are constantly put to work. The drawer on the left holds my napkins and napkin rings. The drawer on the right holds my seasonal towels. I switch out the towels on my oven door frequently. . .as you can see. . .this drawer is overflowing with lovely towels!





 





I hope you enjoyed yourself today On Crooked Creek as we peeked inside my favorite cupboard. I appreciate dear Shelia @ Note Songs for hosting this delightful Heart of the Home Party and hope you will visit other participants. Inspirations abound wherever blog land ladies gather.

Until next time. . .

18 comments:

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh wow you have it decorated so beautifully. Love all of your pretty dishes.

Martha said...

Pat -- your cabinet is so nice -- you have such pretty things. My cabinets, alas, are not so neat!!!!

bj said...

Ummm...you have some LOVELY dishes and tea sets, Pat.
I so enjoyed looking at the changes.

I just read about your visit with Martha..I am so envious. I would have LOVED being in that sunroom with you two. And, I have never heard of Mincemeat cake (Pie, yes) so I am going to have to Google.:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat! Oh, I love your cabinet and love how you change it up through the seasons. Now you really have some lovely dishes and tea set! Beautiful. Thank you so much for coming to my party!
You are a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Babs said...

Pat, I love your beautiful dishes in your cupboards. The wall paper really shows off your china. Your Bordallo is my favorite as I collect it too, but I only have a few pieces. We should get together and go shopping. LOL Thanks for all your sweet comments on my posts. I appreciate your taking the time to comment. Have a good evening.
Hugs, Babs

GardenOfDaisies said...

You have so many lovely pieces in your cabinet! I love that turquoise HL set, and the cute little yellow daisy teacup with feet.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Pat I love the way you change this out for the seasons..Very pretty my friend..Hope you have a GREAT week..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Olive said...

That is a sweet cabinet and I love that you change it with the seasons. It is quite pretty right now. I do not have a china cabinet so I am enjoying everyone's. ♥Olive

Picket said...

Morning girl..what a sweet little nook for all your pretties....love how you change it out for the seasons like that...thanks for sharing...have a great week...Picket

Blondie's Journal said...

I'm just in love with your cabinet, Pat...you have so many pretty treasures inside. What a nice place to keep everything together!

Have a great week!

XO,
Jane

Anonymous said...

This is just absolutely beautiful Pat. You have a wonderful collection of china!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I think you reached the perfect compromise, Pat. I love the fact that you use this with seasonal decor... that's a great way to showcase your pretty collections, too. Very clever, indeed. :-)

I'm dropping by from Shelia's, and I've enjoyed my visit very much. Thanks for sharing with us.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Boy that must be a lot of fun to play with! Sure looks like fun to me. You have some sweet treasures.

Carol said...

I LOVE the way you decorate your cabinet for the seasons! You have so many beautiful pieces to use in your displays.
Thanks a bunch for stopping by & leaving a nice comment on my blog. Hope you visit often!

Smiles,
Carol

Love Of Quilts said...

What a shame that hubby wouldn't go along with you changing it up...love the way you decorate it with the seasons...you have some lovely tea set. Trish

Savannah Granny said...

Hi, I just hopped over from Martha's. I enjoyed reading about you wonderful visit.
I am just loving you beautiful cupboard and all the beautiful things inside. I especially love the German Coffee set. What a treasure.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pieces with us.
I am your newest follower.
Ginger

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Hi sweet pea,

I'm SOOOOOO pleased that things are going well. I bet you aced it!!

Your cupboard is SO full of charm. I love it. It's so heart-earming to see all your family memories. So sweet!

Sarahx

bj said...

I went over to see Pammie Jo and told her you sent me to see her amazing chair. Then, I sent HER over to see missmustardseed.blogspot.com and HER amazing chair. :)))