City Views, Country Dreams

Good morning from New York.

My most recent post was one of many posts that chose a theme of china plates, at the suggestion of Elizabeth, who writes About New York. It was fascinating to see how many other people share an interest in china old and new. The large turn out of crisscrossing comments encouraged the lovely Valerie, who writes as Acornmoon and who "follows" my site, to suggest another theme, Mugs on Monday.

Feeling that I can easily be a mug on any day of any week, I'll share some photos of some of my favorite mugs with you this Monday.


The little bone china mug above was given to me many years ago by a friend who'd come across it in a bargain shop. I love using it to store some of my baking tools. You can just see the tip of a wooden double-tined fork that was carved for me by my late father. I use this to poke a decorative touch on top of biscuits, making their round shapes appear like buttons.

The mug was made in Staffordshire England by Crown Trent. The village scene surrounds the entire circumference of the mug. This and the following photos will prove to you all once again just how much clutter surrounds me.

This tiny mug was a Christmas gift years ago from my mom, and there's a very faint gold inscription over the rose that reads "Love the giver." Well, she's my mom, and of course I love her! There is a circular red stamp on the bottom of this mug that says Made in Germany.

Ah, now here is a breakfast time still life. Coffee in the press, orange juice in the glass, several brown betty teapots ready to step in as needed, and the plain white mug from which I usually do drink my coffee or tea. I bought it at the NY Conran Shop and it was made in Bangladesh. I have a good friend from Bangladesh and I think of her when I use this mug. If I had a dishwasher or microwave, this mug could enter and exit them safely.

Now here is another use for a mug. I like the shape and the pinky lavender of this one, that I bought for a dollar on sale at Anthropology. As you might guess, it is a Chinese-made knockoff of a vintage design. It makes a great receptacle for all the brushes I need to get my make-up applied.

And here is my final Monday mug offering. This was one of a set offered as a promotion by Maxwell House coffee back in ... maybe the 1970's. The printing on the mug is blurry; it is not just my faulty photography. I liked the idea of mixing my instant coffee brands. Maxwell, meet Nescafe. This picture also allows a peek into my minuscule kitchen, and the crowd of postcards that are magneted on to my fridge. Can you see the old card with Diana's image?

Perhaps that might be another them for a post. Do any of you have an odd collection decorating your refrigerator's door? Who has got the smallest kitchen.

I am looking forward to seeing who else has written about mugs today. Think it's time to make another cup of tea. Cheers!