A FAMILY HEIRLOOM cir1914

I have been looking forward to sharing this family heirloom with you for a few weeks now.  When I was first told by my Aunt Flora (or Flower as I like to call her) that she wanted me to have it, it brought tears to my eyes.

Helene with big bow on the right

It had been given to her by her mother; my daddy’s mama who was my grandmother, Virginia Helene (she went by Helene). I knew her and loved her.  

She passed on when I was just 10 years old.  

Me (lower right) and my siblings just a
few months before Grandma passed.
It was her 73rd birthday party.

I remember having trouble comprehending it when my dad told me.  I have warm memories of staying with her, and cups of coins saved in her cupboard for whenever grandkids came to visit, so we could go to the store and buy a treat.  She had a kind smile. 

Spunky and Smiling!

She was born in June 1907 in Iowa and one of 9 children.  Her older sister, Bertha was born in 1886 and married in 1907. 

Bertha had decided to send her littlest sister this sweet demitasse cup and saucer for her 7^th birthday in 1914.  The mark on the bottom is Bavaria #620. 

Presumably, it is older than 1914 since it would have made its way from Germany to Spokane, Washington where Bertha lived at the time. It was a treasure to be sure because receiving something new for her very own was unusual.  And the fact that a much older sister thought of her made it even more special. Sadly, less than two months later, Bertha passed on. She was only 28.  

My grandmother cared for this wee cup and saucer all of her childhood and into her adult life. 

Later, her daughter Flora always admired it and eventually, her mama gifted it to her.

Now, in the older stages of my loving Aunt’s life, she has gifted it to me, knowing my love of all things tea.  It is over 100 years old and gets me all choked up and mushy to think about.  I have carefully photographed it to preserve and include on our family ancestry pages, but I hope it survives for many years to come and is passed down throughout the generations.  

I plan to drink a wee cup of tea from it and toast my ancestors, saying a prayer of thanks for family.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. [Ephesians 3:14-19 KJV]

Updated: 6/12/2020 - my grandmother's 113 birthday! Happy heavenly birthday Grandma.

2018-05-07 Daddy holding our family heirloom.

My sister Melanie, Grandma and me - approx. 1974

Gardenias and Grace

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV


Today, a lovely little gift I won from Angela over at: Tea With Friends arrived in the post.  It is this lovely chintz teacup & saucer, which highly reminds me of Cath Kidston designs.  


It says it is Grace Teaware, and while I don't usually name my cups, I am calling her 'Gracie'.  I have a niece whose middle name is Grace, so I think she will like this. The 2 nieces address all my cards to: AunTea :)

I bought a new phone a couple of days ago. (The Samsung Galaxy Note4).  I jumped from an 8 megapixle camera, to 16mp!  So, I had fun taking pictures of Gracie and playing with the editing software a bit.









Isn't she pretty with the evening sun shining on her?

 And I love using this plant stand with a bit of rust, mixing textures against the elegance of a teacup.

There were not very many gardenias left on my bush, so I decided to pick them ...

and fill Gracie to overflowing.

Now, I can enjoy the heavenly fragrance in my kitchen.

Thank you Angela!

Playing with a pre-loaded photo app.

I saw this on FB today and literally laughed out loud, thinking, "Yep, that's about right!"  A quick save and edit to add my name, and here you have it.

tea hee!

But seriously, I am so thankful that God's grace truly is sufficient for me.  That His mercies are new every morning, and for the amazing power and love that comes from being delivered and set free by the Son of God.  I pray you share this peace with me friends.

 I hope you enjoyed visiting with me, and although a little late, I pray your Thursday was a blessed one!

~Heather Elizabeth

I may be sharing at the following parties:

Teacup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Blog

Tea Time Tuesday w/Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

Tuesday Cuppa Tea w/Ruth at Antiques and Teacups
 Roses of Inspiration Tuesday w/Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose
Share Your Cup Thursday w/Jann at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olson 

Teacup Exchange, Garden Fun, God's Glory

Click Here for lovely music!

 

Happy February Dear Ones!

I found this teacup on Pinterest and thought it so lovely I would share it here!  This is a cup I would enjoy owning ;)

It is so very cheerful.

Here is a pic from my crazy garden.  I do not "actually" garden, but as I have said before, whatever the Lord blesses me with I enjoy and use for photography moments :)

Featured is a sign a client gave me with a lovely sentiment that suits me to a "tea".

 view from my front porch

This week, I caught the sky ablaze with God's glory.  It took my breath away!! No editing here folks!

 I spotted this unique felted craft on Pinterest.  I have never seen anything like it.  Have you?  This is not something I would attempt, but it's to darling not to share!

And finally, I found this lovely towel at Ross this week, just in time for Valentine's Day.  It came as a TWO PACK for only $5.  One for my bathroom (it's extra soft), and one for the lovely lady who will receive my teacup during the February Teacup Exchange being hosted by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose (click here) beginning tomorrow! ...happy dance, happy dance!

I have already begun choosing little goodies to go with the teacup!  It will be my first time participating in this fun event!  Are you joining in?

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

John 14:27 NKJV