Our Wedding China

Happy 600th post readers!

I was thinking of the best topic for this post and couldn't find anything. And then this morning, as I was looking for something, I stepped back to look at our beautiful wedding china and realized that I never shared that with you!

This is it. Our beautiful set. It is "Imperial" by Lenox. We could not have asked for a better set and it means so much to us. So much family history and stories behind it.

Let me tell you more about this set...

We did not register for china for our wedding. It was something we wanted to register for but felt wedding guests these days wouldn't appreciate the old tradition. We also did not get this set for a wedding present. We received it shortly afterward and weren't able to even take it out of the box until we moved this summer.

So how did we receive a beautiful set we didn't register for? The Galloway grandparents.

My dad's parents had this set for their wedding china. I remember using it at times growing up. This was their set they received as a wedding gift. And we are honored to be the ones they passed it down to. I jumped at the opportunity when they downsized last year and moved up to Bedford.

They married during the World War 2 era. My grandfather is a veteran of the same war, and their love story is one for the movies. They met on a train. They courted through war-time letters as my grandfather braved the war. After my grandfather was wounded, they married. They have been together ever since.

This china pattern was a "World War 2" pattern. That means it was very popular during that time. Because all of our resources were being used during war time, my grandmother never got to see the pattern in person before registering for it. And, she was not able to physically receive the pieces until they were back in stock years after they married. They received gift cards towards the china instead. After searching all over for at least something to see in person, a store in Houston had a tiny cup and saucer (called demitasse). She was able to hold on to it until she could purchase the remaining pieces. We still have that tiny cup and saucer to remind us of the history of this set.

I love having a set so rich in history. It's much better than the modern pieces you can register for today. The pattern is no longer being made, but there are places to purchase pieces online. We have a complete setting for 8 and some pieces for 9. Eventually I would love a complete set for 12 and some serving pieces. Perhaps Christmas and anniversary presents for us?

Until then, I will constantly be reminded of the power of true love when I look at our heirloom set displayed for everyone to see in our house.

Relaxing Weekend Together

This weekend we have nothing to do, other than be together. It has been quite a few weeks since we have been able to do this. It seems like we are constantly moving and constantly have a busy schedule on the weekends. But not this one.

We have a few chores we want to get done, but nothing pressing. And if they don't get done, oh well. Last night we hung out together and today has been much of the same. Football. Cooler weather. A date night. Trips to various stores to make purchases we have been putting off. It has been oh-so-wonderful.

I love just being us. I love sitting next to each other while Phillip channel checks between sports channels. I love having the puppy inside sitting on the other couch sleeping or eating a bone - sometimes both at the same time. I love conversations about nothing and about everything all at the same time. I love glasses of wine in the nice weather. I love relaxing baths on weekend nights. I love him. I love this. I love life with him. I am so lucky and we have worked so hard and waited so long to have this life that we enjoy so much.

Yay weekends!

Pintervention

Pinterest. Oh boy. I am obsessed. Too many craft projects and neat ideas.

Lots of my craft projects have been successful... while others have been a disaster. Regardless... Here is a list of things I have learned from Pinterest...

1. Chevron stripes are never as easy as any tutorial makes them seem. Wasted painters tape. Wasted time. Too many measurements needed.
2. Most of the recipes are quite ingenious and delicious. I can't wait to try all the holiday desserts and crock pot recipes.
3. Half of the earth-shattering ideas I'm skeptical about but secretly can't wait to try. I mean, do printer ink levels really lie to you like that?
4. The yarn/string art shapeforms you see all over the place? Run. Run far away. Don't even look back. They are impossible.
5. You can do anything and everything with a combination of: mason jars, antique white paint, magnetic sheets, a sander, and spray paint.
6. If every wedding idea is "new" and "creative" but everyone pins them, does that make them outdated and over used? If I see one more super hero shirt wedding pose, I might scream.
7. I'm tired of pins that lead you to other pinterest-like websites. I don't have enough time in the day people!!!

There are plenty more to come in the future. I'm always having a love-hate relationship with pins and tons of trial-and-error. But it certainly has fed my creativity recently. And it's a huge time waster.

Labor Day Weekend

I love three day weekends. I mean, who doesn't?? But I especially like them when summer is drawing to an end... and when you know you won't get another holiday like this for a while.

This weekend we are relaxing a bit, getting things done around the house, and Phillip is working a little too. Today we cleaned our cars, gave the pup a bath, and Phillip started on the lawn - to be finished tomorrow. Speaking of, it is growing really fast these days. I mean like fast enough to require weekly mowing. Weekly. That's ridiculous. And apparently the HOA police like the lawns super well-kept and edged. Not that we know this from experience, like in the form of a HOA rule violation notice.

College football is also in full swing this weekend, so the TV is buzzing with games. I love football. Football means the weather will get cooler, the holiday season is approaching, and it's almost time to switch out the seasonal wardrobes.

Enjoy your three day weekend!

I am Impatient

Yes, for those of you who don't already know, I am extremely impatient. I have gotten better recently with the help of great anxiety meds. However, some things still get to me.

Especially when it comes to the future. I am a big time planner. And I already know where our lives will be heading. And I'm ready for it all now. Well actually I was ready for it all yesterday. Meh.

Impatience is a virtue of mine.