most cherished objects #1



One of the ways that helps me stay focused on saving money rather than spending it, is to be grateful for the things I already have.  As you know, I really do love all 2nd hand shopping but even that can get out of hand. So I thought I'd create a little series called Most Cherished Objects to help me focus on the abundance in my life.  So the list will be in no particular order, just things that I love for one reason or another. Simple everyday objects that bring me joy.




First up is a set of teacups that I bought on the second day of an estate sale.  I had seen them the first day for $50 which was out of the question, but now it was late in the day.  I asked the gentleman the price and he said $5.  So they came home with me and I've used them every single day since.  They are fine and delicate and are an important part of my morning. I'd say there is a certain elegance about them.  Because of their beauty I'm never really tempted to buy anything to replace them.  I've even used them here to serve soup in.

What do you think?  Do your cherished objects help you feel content?
Have a lovely weekend. x


91 comments

  1. Cherished objects are doubly beautiful when used, not just displayed! I've moved my (and my late mother's) sterling silver flatware and service pieces into the kitchen drawers so I can use them every day. They're not just for Thanksgiving dinner, people!

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    1. I so agree. When I entered my 50s, I started using all my good silver. Everyday, I marvel at how lovely each piece is (very old and heavy Luxembourg pattern). I love the using the them and ask myself, "What was I waiting for?"

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  2. What a great series! I also love secondhand shopping and am always wanting to go out and look for more treasures. Taking time to appreciate the treasures I already have helps with that. And even when I'm not feeling the urge to acquire, using and looking at my own collection of mugs brings me joy.

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    1. Janet, I am going to love this series! I love the fact that almost everything in my house has had a previous life somewhere else. And I've really surprised myself with our new house....it's much bigger than the old one but I don't feel one need to buy anything. I love and cherish the things I brought and I use everything I own....every day is special, right? xo

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    2. ( I don't know why my comment went as a reply...) but, I think it would be fun if we all linked up our cherished items...like Jane used to do with her Flowers in the House series. I'd love to see what everyone else holds special.

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    3. i dreamt of your new/old house the other night. lol

      i'd love to do a link party but i'm not sure how to.

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  3. my mother had beautiful Haviland China that I remember her using when I was quite young but then she stopped using it. when I would ask her about it she said it was too much trouble and that we were 'only family" coming to dinner so why bother. she gave it to my Daughter, who loves it but has such a small apartment she now stores it in my attack. I managed to break all the pieces of my fine wedding china except for the soup plates, as well as all my crystal. ( we are talking MANY years here!) I still have all my silver, which i will put to use tomorrow night.
    Darby

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  4. I was also going to say that the Thanksgiving post you referred back to is just stunning! somehow I had missed it, thought I had managed to catch up on past entries. I love how you are able to style things to look so perfect yet effortless at the same time.
    Darby

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  5. I agree 100%. When I get the itch to shop the consignment store or thrift store, I shop my china cupboard to remind myself of all the great treasures I've found over the years. It also helps remind me of my goal to pare down and keep only what I love. Haha.
    Your cups are beautiful...what a find.
    Karen

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  6. Isn't it sick that my cherished objects make me want more of them? Like "oh, I love these so much! I need service for 30! I MUST HAVE service for 30". And then I'll set out about collecting service for 30. I'm getting better about that though. I love the hunt of collecting so much, that's where I get into trouble. Love how you seek happiness in minutiae of the every day. I think for me it's erasing that notion that replaceable things are irreplaceable. not sure that makes any sense, but hopefully it does. Your blog is such a breath of fresh air among all the others that make me want to spend!
    Last note-have you ever read the blog Refashionista? I'm sure you have. If not, check her out. She lives in South Carolina and buys ugly things from thrift stores and adapts them to suit her wardrobe. Then often donates them back.

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    1. i think i get what you mean. :)

      no i have not heard of her but will go check now!

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    2. i think i get what you mean. :)

      no i have not heard of her but will go check now!

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    3. Thanks for the tip on the blog, Stephen Andrew. This woman is amazing! I own a sewing machine but don't have 1/10 the talent she does.

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    4. When I see pretty things it makes me want to go directly to the thrift store because I know there will be a treasure there for me. I'm pretty good about selling 97% of what I find although admittedly I must sometimes stare at an item for a week or two before I have the willpower to list it.
      Sometimes when I am home all weekend I look around me and feel such a profound sense of gratitude for all the beautiful things I have been able to surround myself with. Nothing compares to that feeling. xoxo

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    5. Wow my comment really doesn't make sense! I meant I tend to think of easily replaceable things as precious. Which is why I have like 1000 plates. You know, in case one breaks...or 300. but I was thinking more about this while I was cooking last night and tabletop goods aside, I do get a lot of comfort and pleasure from my favorite things. I have about 50 (excess runs in my family) paintings that my great grandmother either painted herself or collected over the years and I interchange them often. I look at them and remember the first time I ever saw them in her studio or on her walls. they have a warm and happy energy. The other things are my Le Creusets. I use them all the time and never feel anything other than joy. So as usual, I may have jumped the gun in my original answer!
      Melodee-I have a sewing machine too, never been out of the box! And I have NO excuse as my mother is truly a master seamstress. Glad you liked Refashionista!

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    6. Stephen, combine my 1000 plates with yours and I think you and I could host a pretty incredible dinner party.
      Just sayin.

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  7. Most of my "cherished objects" have come from my parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. Other items include those found in thrift stores and I like to think I am honoring their previous owner by using and appreciating the item in my own home. What a great idea for a series!

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    1. oh you are lucky melodee. i have very few things that have been handed down to me. what a joy that must be.

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  8. My most cherished objects is my McCoy pottery and my Stieff Rose sterling silver flatware. My McCoy isnt worth what it once was but i have such fond memories of going to flea markets in MD & PA with my best friend and hunting for pieces. I love my Stieff Rose silver flatware. i love all the pieces that my aunt collected over the years and think of her every time i use it. I live in So Cal now and anything that can remind me of growing up in Maryland is special to me.

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    1. I have the Stieff Rose as well -- it was my mother's pattern, my older sister's and mine, and in her later years my mother broke her set in half to give to each of us. So I'm well prepared for a sit down dinner for 30 if I can just find room to put everyone. ;-}

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    2. you and stephen andrew need to throw a bash!

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  9. Janet,

    A few years ago, I visited a special exhibit at the Norton Simon about a Japanese collector of woodblock prints. Apparently, he limited his collection to only 25 and never exceeded the number. He would only replace his collection if he came across a print that was better than what he had. Over the years, his small collection became renowned for its exceptional beauty. I came away from that exhibit with more than just an eyeful of art, but also a principle of simple living balanced by joy and beauty. Anyway, this series reminded me of that moment. Looking forward to the rest of it!

    Esther

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    1. what a lovely concept. i try with my clothing but there is so many beautiful pieces to add! i cannot imagine how beautiful those 25 woodblocks were.

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    2. I have always been resistant to the idea of counting my clothing (or anything else). But for some reason, this concept really inspires me!

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  10. My cherished objects are my most prized and soulful posessions. For me it is mostly heirlooms, but the odd little thing that speaks to me and me alone!

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    1. well put wendy. someone else may think it's worthless but to us it's priceless.

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  11. I suppose my cherished possession that would be comparable, is a set of sterling flatware from my mother. Her parents collected them for her as a young girl. She never, ever used them. Not once. Mom gave them to me, and we always use them for all meals when my parents are here visiting. And, on occasion at other times. Once my sons are on their own, I would like to use the flatware full time. However, I would be afraid a fork would be tossed accidentally at this point. I am glad my Mom has been able to use her flatware at our home. I really don't think she ever thought of using it. It was so special, nothing that special ever came along. I love your cups and saucers. They are beautiful. What you paid for them is almost unbelievable. This is a great series.

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    1. oh that must be beautiful. i think i'd wait to use it til your sons are on their own too. nothing worse than a spoon in the garbage disposal!

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  12. You are absolutely right. Loving a good find does keep you from buying more. When you love something so completely you can't even think of replacing it, besides $5,..... Yahoo

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  13. I know I am going to love your new series...
    those cups are so elegant and simple, I can see why you purchased them and for such an amazing price $5.
    When I get the urge to go thrifting I often come home empty handed but when I am not looking all manner of wonderful things pop up...I think it is the universe saying you will be rewarded for not being obsessively greedy.

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    1. Yes Yes Yes!
      Sometimes when I restrain myself from shopping I am rewarded with something even more amazing than what I withheld from. I agree wholeheartedly!

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    2. funny, that's exactly what happens to me too. i won't shop for like 6 months and then bam, it seems like everything just falls in my lap. so strange!

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  14. Yes. And in my case it is my cherished materials. I installed a black granite counter and a slate flooring 22 years ago when I remodeled this house. They make me happy every day.

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  15. My Mom was all for collecting every dish and plate she came across. As a result, we had lots of this stuff we never used
    because it was "special" and I couldn't cares less about any of it. Now, Grandma was another story; I loved G, and when she passed, all I wanted was a pair of her broken glasses (she was buried wearing her good ones), and some religious medals she wore all her life. Those are the things I treasure. Kathleen from Oregon

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    1. oh that is sweet. i bet those glasses are wonderful. x

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  16. Mine would have to be a a painted horse picture that belonged to my mother. I grew up looking at it everyday and for some reason it is so calming to me. After my mother died I inherited it and it sat alone in an unused room of my home. I was so lonely for my mother that it physically hurt me to look at it. But, after 9 years it is in my bedroom next to my dresser where I can look at it everyday and think of the calm and peace it brings to my life! Thank you for sharing your cherished piece with all of us! xoxo

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    1. omgosh this is so sweet. i'd love to see that painting. x

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  17. Hi, Really great effort. Everyone must read this article. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. After endless moving and remodeling, two houses in ten years, when I can ever have my cherished things around me again instead of packed in boxes, I guarantee they will give me pleasure. My husband thinks I put too much emphasis on material objects...he's a minimalist...but cherished things evoke memories, and my memories are important to me. Your lovely cups reminded me that somewhere in my storage, I have the sweetest set of berry bowls. I don't usually buy secondhand or antiques because I already have too much stuff from my family, but I saw these in a favorite shop at the time, when the owner began to mix new retail/repros with the real thing. I had no idea what berry bowls were, but the set was reportedly bought intact from a lady who'd died and had kept them forever. There's the bigger bowl and then the smaller ones. I fell in love with them. Tiny-flowers design with a lot of purple and lavender. As I continue to be intent on using my things, as you do, rather than just looking at them in a cupboard or sitting on a shelf, I look forward this spring to unpacking my berry bowls and filling them with actual berries(!); my husband started planting the veggie/fruit garden today. There will be blackberries, eventually! I love picking blackberries from the vine, warmed from the sun.

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  19. This is a lovely idea - I completely agree with you Janet, we should be grateful for what we have and not relentlessly buying new stuff.

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  20. Absolutely! My cherished objects definitely make me feel content. Some of my favorites are things that had belonged to my mother and father, and grandmother. My mom's vintage white Dutch oven, for example, and my parents' set of Danish silver, which I've posted about on my blog, are objects that are dear to me. Every time I use them, I think of my family. They'd be so happy to know that I hold these things close to my heart.
    Claudia

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  21. Janet, those are beautiful teacups. I would have bought them too for that price!

    One of my most cherished items is probably the large Chagall signed lithograph "Bouquet of Flowers" that we scored at a consignment store years ago for $200.00. It was one of the first items we bought after moving into our house. We had it reframed though and that cost more than twice what the picture did!

    Linda
    xo

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    1. oh wow linda. sounds like an antiques roadshow find!

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    2. HaHa I don't know if the lithograph is worth a ton of money (maybe $1000-$1500?) but there are only 500 of them out there like it.

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    3. sounds like a pretty awesome find linda. i've never found anything worth that much!

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  22. O love the special things in my house that hold memories and a story. Some of the most inexpensive are the most valued :)

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  23. O love the special things in my house that hold memories and a story. Some of the most inexpensive are the most valued :)

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  24. Thank you for another great post! Having cherished THINGS give much pleasure is this busy world. Holding in our hands a loved piece or gazing at piece of art in our home gives me peace. Sharkchic1972 almost made me cry. You bring me to earth with your great blog. Bobbie from Spokane

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    1. bobbie it really does bring a sense of peace doesn't it.

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  25. Thank you for your post. I think I will do the same.

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  26. You took the word right out of my mouth, "Content" this is a great find and well worth waiting it out for that beautiful price reduction....content ? Yes, it's pieces like these that add to how ones day will start out soulfully, it's pieces like these that just set the tone for ones day.
    The cup and saucers are wonderful and such a simple elegant pattern that they can be mixed in with other settings seamlessly. I have found a new place of comfort with you here, and have passed your blog off to blogger friends and non- blogger friends who are charmed with your approach in blogging. I am also a big thrift buyer, always keeping a watchful eye wide open for the next great find, my great find. My home is filled with French finds all thrift shopping, tag yard sales, and such.

    Always, inspired here with you.
    A beautiful inspiring weekend to you.

    Xx
    Dore

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  27. PS. Janet,
    I noticed in your link to as how you used your tea cups in your link posting for ThanksGiving 2012 that you mentioned the setting being in Redlands, well I am a close enough neighbor of yours, living on the high desert. I would shop and was friends with the owner Laura of the shop Sisters off citrus, and also have created my art for her shop, my art of salvage. I so miss her shop so dearly, it was one of my most favorite shops. I have also sold to Tyme-out right behind the Redlands police station, and a few others. With being so close to you my blogging friend perhaps when I am in the area we could then bump into each other thrifting, second handing :)

    See you soon.

    Xx
    Dore

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    1. omgosh i miss sisters SO much. i loved that store. i still have things from them. and i loved thyme out too. i miss that store too. yes, yes, let's try and get together and have lunch. my sis lives in the high desert! x

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    2. Where does your sis live, Oak Hills, Victorville, Hesperia, Apply Valley?
      Phelan, ?
      Does she work around here, and have you hit up our shops, I use to do Laura's big white shabby Birdhouses and painted art on vintage wood as to signage.
      Maybe I know your sister?

      Will love to pass on my email and cell number to you, but I do not see an address email for you on your blog.

      You can email me at ... DH4designs@aol.com
      Then I will email you back with my cell number, this is such a small world and having this common thread is delightful.

      Xx
      Talk soon.

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    3. she lives in apple valley. i have only gone shopping out there once with her and that was quite a few years ago. so i'm not really familiar with any of the shops. i'll shoot you an email. :)

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  28. My most cherished object is the wooden rocking horse my father made for me one Christmas when I was a toddler...for many years he lay in pieces in the barn and then one year I asked my father to restore him as a birthday gift and he now resides in my bedroom.

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  29. I absolutely love two bowls from my grandmother's house that are Knowles Utility Ware. There is a small painting of fruit on them and were used daily by my grandmother. I use them for displaying fruit on my kitchen island and am reminded daily of my cherished grandmother. Don't know what they are worth, if anything, but even if valuable, I would never let them go.

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    1. awesome kristien. i'm not familiar with knowles but i'm going to go look them up now. x

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  30. Thanks for making me smile. Is it odd that when I go out to pick up a few new things I think I probably "need" and then decide I DONT need it, put it back, and leave empty-handed b/c I already have enough stuff I already love that I think of you? I'm pretty sure Target hates you for that too. LOL :) I really love this post.
    fourhens

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    1. haha. that is so funny lor. yeah, i don't think i have anything that i truly cherish that came from target. :)

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  31. The cups are so elegant! Wise to use them!

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  32. Where does your sis live, Oak Hills, Victorville, Hesperia, Apply Valley?
    Phelan, ?
    Does she work around here, and have you hit up our shops, I use to do Laura's big white shabby Birdhouses and painted art on vintage wood as to signage.
    Maybe I know your sister?

    Will love to pass on my email and cell number to you, but I do not see an address email for you on your blog.

    You can email me at ... DH4designs@aol.com
    Then I will email you back with my cell number, this is such a small world and having this common thread is delightful.

    Xx
    Talk soon.

    Dore

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  33. Oh, I forgot to mention I have added you to my list of inspirational bloggers.
    You are now on my side bar and now I won't miss a thing you are up to.
    I went far back and I have to say your sons wedding looked so fun, I love the vibe and the gathered and collected vintage feel to your reception :))

    Xx
    Dore

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  34. I don't have a venue like your blog, but you have inspired me to take photos of my favorite things, and put them in my "pictures" file. If something happens to me, my kids would know why some things were so special, like my favorite "go-to" McCoy flower vase that was a wedding present to my parents in 1940. Then again, there's the gorgeous Waterford candy dish I found recently at Goodwill for 3.99, and have it out every day! This will be a fun project, and I better get going soon, because we are moving into my daughter's house for 6 months, and everything I'm saving will be in storage. You are my No. 1 blog, I check you every day to see what you are doing!

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    1. that is such a great idea kitty. i think everyone should do that. this blog is def like a journal for me...esp when it comes to the garden. waterford for $3.99, i love that!

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  35. Janet, what an excellent idea for a series. Also appreciate the focus on one thing and the lovely in the ordinary. So important to not only cherish what we already have but to wear/ use/ share our treasures instead of just keeping it on a shelf or in a cupboard for an important occasion or someday. Maybe estate sales help you with that realization? Since in my limited experience some of them sell off so many unused and unworn things.

    Love mix-and-match vintage china which both French and Brits did so well. Some more ideas for your vintage tea cups besides soup: small floral posy; planter: growing herbs or pansies (esp. if you have an odd or chipped one); making the base of a regular sized or mini cake stand with the saucer or a larger coordinating plate set on top of the upside down cup; hot toddy get gift for an under-weather friend (tea, tiny jar of honey, mini bottle of whisky or bourbon...); and the latest one I've seen, party snack server >
    http://www.realsimple.com/new-uses-for-old-things/new-uses-weddings/serve-jordan-almonds-vintage-teacups

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    1. you are right. i think going to estate sales really opened my eyes to how people actually lived their lives and what they used. my favorite ones are where the person really used their things. their homes have such a richness to them. love all your ideas for teacups too! thanks!

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  36. Absolutely! I think the longer we have and use them the more cherished they become. I'm not opposed to adding new things though. I'm coveting a La Creuset. Something I believe I would have 4ever. Nice post, Janet. It's true if we focus on our abundance we feel complete, grateful and less inclined to spend more. :)

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    1. i can't believe i found my vintage le creuset dutch oven at an estate sale. maybe my favorite piece of cookware ever! thanks lisa. x

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  37. My dear Father-in-law enjoyed an occasional smoke with his cocktails so when we first got married I found a big crystal ashtray for him to use on our patio, while he and my husband "secured the perimeter". Although he's now gone,I love that beautiful thing and use it for hair clips.
    Linda

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    1. i love that you are repurposing his ashtray. i bet you think of him everytime you see it. x

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  38. Beautiful! Mine are my antique picture frames, which hold my dearest of dears. xoxoxo

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    1. oh catherine my picture frames are up there too. so lovely!

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  39. VERY MUCH SO!I use TREASURED OBJECTS every day of my LIFE!My MOTHER's good silver is my everyday tableware and I use stemware for all drinks even water.................I enjoy using knife rests too on a daily basis.YOU cannot take it with YOU so WE might as well enjoy it NOW!

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    1. yes, i agree. the real value of anything is in the using! x

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  40. Hi Janet, I really enjoyed this blog. I know I'm going to love this series. I have lots of things I treasure. My husband and I were given a 1940's art deco chest that was his his grandmas. Its beautiful. I have my moms cross stitching samples she did when she was very young. They mean a lot to me. I love your tea cup set, just beautiful.

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  41. Janet,

    I have reread this post again and again over the last few days. I love it. I'm fairly young and starting my collecting, but love stopping and realizing how blessed I already am. I've also learned, by your words and those of commenters, that holding out for what you truly love is the best way to go.

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kindness is never out of style.

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