Much Ado about...Spring!

Spring is here!

I was planning on posting a new recipe today, but as you can see this is not it. With what's going on tonight--which goes on every Tuesday night (more on that in another post)--I don't have enough time to put together a photo recipe post. Well, at least one that this recovering perfectionist would be comfortable claiming as her own.

So instead I thought you might want to see what showed up in my garden today...while I finish up my recipe.

CROCUSES!!!

Actually, Inspector Gadget (my beloved hubby) noticed the crocus shoots first because I had already left for work before dawn--a teensy drawback to the time change.

So while I am en route to work, Gadget Guy sent my cell phone a photo of those crocuses with the comment...

"SPRING IS HERE!"

Well, he didn't use quite so much excitement and emotion. This is the man who "takes in" a concert--no toe tapping, no head moving, and DEFINITELY no air instruments. (Unlike my brother, who...well, let's just say Mr. Gadget was amazed--and a bit concerned--at how many air instruments my brother knows how to play.)

The Inspector really is a sweetie...but don't let him know that you know. It might blow his cover. You know--as the strong, silent type with a penchant for mechanical toys.

But I'm getting sidetracked.

Well, when I got home I went on a "crocus hunt," scouring my flower beds for signs of spring. And I found a LOT more than just those shoots by the front door.

So take a look, enjoy, and dream of spring--because it's ALMOST HERE!!










Everyone ready? Line up and say...SPRING! *click* --bjh

Much Ado About…Teapots!

I always liked tea, but until this past winter, I had never brewed or drank loose-leaf tea. When I decided to host a Christmas Tea at my house for the women in my Sunday School class in December, I decided to research tea parties and find out how to have a proper tea.

Well, tea and I have had a wonderful relationship ever since! It has now become my preferred hot beverage (although I haven't sworn off coffee completely).

So naturally, I have an interest in adding to my teapot collection. Right now I have two teapots.

This is my everyday one. It holds about 3 cups of tea (that's 18 ounces--three 6 ounce cups).

And this is the one I received as an engagement gift from my great-aunt Dot. As far as I know, she never used this for tea. But my great-great-great Irish grandmother did, because the Irish are fanatical about their tea. And I used it for my Christmas Tea party.

But that's it for my current collection.

So, I decided to do some "research" (i.e. wishful window shopping) at one of my favorite antique shops, Antiques on the Farmington in Collinsville. The building was originally belonged to the Collins Company, who were known for "1,300 types of edge tools, including axes, adzes, machetes, hatchets, picks, knives, swords and bayonets." The old factory now houses the merchandise of several local antiques vendors.

Here are some of the many I saw. I'm only posting a few today, saving the rest for another time. But there were so many that I ran out of room on my memory card before I could snap pictures of them all! If you're interested in any of them (except my favorites, of course) check out their website.

This is the very first teapot you see as you peruse the vendors' booths on the first floor.

These next two ...

are handpainted Japanese "teapots for two."

This teapot has a Chinese dragon motif. It's bold, but not gaudy. And with the four teacups, it's a "mere" $145.00!

A tiny but sweet teapot…

to go with an equally sweet children's tea set!
Sigh…I didn't have one of these when I was a kid.

An elegant teapot from Nippon...

and a reproduction Dorchester teapot.

Now, this is one of my favorites: an English primrose teapot and tea service. If anyone feels so inclined, they do have a website for ordering…just a thought if you're feeling generous.

Now we move upstairs…

A Franciscan Rose teapot…perfect for my mother-in-law, who has inherited her mother's Franciscan Rose pattern.

An elegant teapot with a pinks motif—flowers so named because their petals look like they've been clipped by pinking shears.

A "geisha" teapot—one that reminds me of my aunt, who lived in Hawaii for eight years and visited Japan several times.

And finally, my next teapot purchase (I hope)…

A cute strawberry teapot for two and accompanying sugar bowl and creamer! Perfect with my vintage strawberry collection—which will be a future "Much Ado" post.

Did I mention they have a website? Did I mention that I love teapots? bjh

Much Ado About . . . Crocuses: Part 2

I wasn't planning to have a second installment of this particular "Much Ado" post, but this morning I was greeted by a small but cheerful purple and gold army! Here are some of my photos from today's blooms. Check out my garden photo album in the right column for more blooms. bjh

Much Ado About . . . Crocuses

I would like to start a regular photo blog series entitled "Much Ado about . . ." Not only is Much Ado about Nothing one of my favorite plays and movies, but these posts will also give you a way to get to know me. My first "Much Ado" post will be about crocuses, the harbinger of spring.

These pictures are from my garden last spring--my crocuses are still a few days away from blooming this year.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite spring flower--check the poll to the right of this post! bjh