Tiny Victorian Treasures. . . . . . . . . .

Sharing another small collection which always brings a smile and makes

 me happy. . . . . probably because they are smaller pieces which are

 easy to display when space is limited. These I can tuck in between my

larger stacks of antique and vintage dishes on the Welsh dresser.

Made for holding individual servings, butter pats became popular during the Victorian era.  As part of a complete set of fine china, they were crafted with great attention to detail. They were usually round, often decorated with attractive floral motifs making them miniature works of art. As Victorian formality disappeared, so did the butter pat dish, and by the 1950s it was replaced by the six-inch bread-and-butter plate. 

Butter pats continued to be made throughout the late 20th century but are not often seen in use today except in exclusive restaurants, at state dinners. . . . . . and certainly on the table at Downton Abbey. Are you ready for the two hour finale this Sunday on PBS? How sad it will be to see this amazing story end - I think perhaps we'll say "cheerio" in a style becoming to the Downton family by lighting what may be the last fire of the season, and popping the cork of a nice bottle of bubbly!

Anyway, easy to collect, the small size of butter pats makes them a joy to display and although exceptional pieces sell for big prices, many are quite affordable at $10 or even less. I plan to look for more when 'treasure hunting' in the warmer weather come Spring.

Are you familiar with butter pats? Do you collect old china but like me are often

 short on space to display or store? 

If I can ever become a minimalist I suppose I'll have to dispose of these pretties!

Downtown into Outer Space!

Well, total weekend relaxation didn't quite happen after all, especially Saturday, when suddenly my day became full of wonderful hours, including outdoors and walking around downtown in sunshine and warm temperatures - so different from the previous weekend of snow and ice. We headed into town after reading in the newspaper there were exciting things happening at the Museum of Natural Sciences, namely, Astronomy Days, and it would be a chance to meet a real astronaut! We were ready and out the door for this one. . . . . .along with everyone else and their children from a 50 mile radius most likely. It was all fun.

Just a small part of huge crowds out enjoying perfect weather on Saturday - the line inside this museum was long for the presentation we went to hear - given by the amazing Christina Hammock Koch, one of NASA's newest astronauts. A North Carolina woman, and graduate of NC State University, she is one of just eight most recent trainees - apparently picked from a field of 6,372 applicants! We were absolutely blown away by Christina's hour long presentation, and all she has accomplished. Just learning what the training consists of was an eye-opener - such as piloting the T-8 Supersonic jet plane, learning the Russian language, swimming dressed in complete astronaut gear, and so much more. Because she also spent a year stationed at Palmer Station in Antarctica (which I viewed briefly from the deck of the expedition ship I sailed on in 2013), her stay included an over-Winter where temperatures dropped to -150F (-101C), I was also captivated by stories of her time there, and viewing her videos and slides. Christina's dream now is to be part of the Mars landing planned for the 2030's!

Leaving the museum complex, and yes we do have wonderful museums here, and we should come visit them more often, we headed through town, stopping here (below) to get a few photos of a favorite house nestled in between the huge modern buildings of the State Government complex.

The Heck-Andrews House ~ Built in 1869

Second Empire Style

Needless to say there are many stories and published articles on this historic

 downtown property. This is a favorite recent one of great interest as it shares 

 fabulous interior photos which until now we never were able to view.

 Click here for the story > HECK-ANDREWS House

Owned by the State for the past 30 years, the exterior was restored at a huge cost, 

however, they put the property up for sale not wishing to spend more public money. 

The house apparently sold last week and the new owners will now, hopefully, 

complete the massive job of interior restoration. 

This is a beauty too special to lose to a wrecking ball.

Speaking of houses. . . . . .  .another stop was a favorite garden center located at the old train station downtown - loved the birdhouses, and I need a new one! Already a great display of beautiful pottery - these brilliant blue ones are gorgeous. Gardening is still a favorite hobby but unfortunately getting more difficult with my back problem. Filling lovely pots raised on a table is much easier than getting down and digging in the dirt - know what I mean?

Last but not least by any means - there were plenty of very pretty blooming

 Spring flowers on offer. We are in for a run of Spring-like days here - temps. 

reaching 71F today. Hello and welcome to February.

~~~~~~~~~~oh, and as for Sunday, I did relax a bit by staying away from the laptop - cooking, going through family photos, and later watching some TV, including that really surprising episode of Downton Abbey!  Anyone watching Mercy Street? If so what are your thoughts on that show. We're finding it interesting from a historical point of view, but rather gruesome seeing how archaic medical facilities and treatment options were during the American Civil War.

Starting afresh. . . . . . . . .

Yesterday it began. The first of the couple of days total to take down the holiday decor.  

I started indoors. Do you do that? Perhaps leave your outdoor decorations a 

little longer, lighting up your home and the darkness of the winter nights. 

I love driving up our street - the cottage is at the end on the cul-de-sac - and

seeing the brightness welcoming me home. 

Also, it's very damp out there now after rain off and on over the past 

several days - not conducive to climbing ladders to disrobe the arbor 

of its lovely fairy lights, or taking down the Christmas tree still looking 

so lovely in the gazebo.

After the holidays everywhere looks bare. Even my sweet santo has lost her 
golden wings, glittery headdress and rosary beads, I think she's needs to be 
lighter for a while.  Her crown remains for now.
My collection domes are in limbo. I replaced a few things but need to completely 
redo them with freshly dried rosebuds - these are getting a bit crumbly - and 
other little treasures.

The red cushions with their holiday greetings, jeweled snowflakes, curly lambs

 and reindeer are boxed up along with the furry red throw. . . .I miss it already!

The hearth is prepared for this evening when I'll be watching the new season

of Downton Abbey, as will many of you I'm sure. I can hardly wait to meet the 

new characters, and of course the older ones will, I'm quite certain, continue to bring

us some wonderful Sunday evenings of entertainment. 

The mantel is another place where I need to come up with something attractive. 

The white iron candlesticks will stay - red candles are gone and the grey ones 

are back. I just put these things up for the time being . . . . . .  

. . . . . . . . .and, don't laugh, the pumpkins I spray painted nickel silver for Christmas are 

still solid as rocks and are hanging about because I love them so and haven't the heart 

to toss them out YET!

Are you busy getting back to some semblance of order around your home? 

Do you have any special interior projects planned during these cooler months?

Any great books waiting to be read while snuggling by the fire?

Will YOU be watching Downton Abbey Series 5?

Sorry, all these questions, you must think me very nosey!!!