Many of you have asked where in the world I've been.

All I know is that after 7 plus years of blogging and a different lappy, which I don’t like, I seem to have lost my blogging fervor.

Someday, when you least expect it, I will post again.

For those of you still waiting I say thank you.

Meanwhile, I am rather prolific on twitter. Find me: @KeethaB
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The Eclectic Company - Waitin' on a New Adventure!!
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Friday, February 11, 2011

A Tale of Indian Trees and Forget-Me-Nots

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Once upon a time, a long long time ago when the Earth was young and so was I, my parents decided it was time to buy a set of china.

In our fair little town there was a jewelry store - Jacobson's Jewelry - which was owned and operated by Marie and Halger Jacobson, proud Swedes, who also just happened to be members of the church where my dad was the pastor. Jacobson's was a jewelry store by name, but by wares it was much more. Besides jewelry it offered the finest in watches, figurines, and china.

It was to Jacobson's that my parents went to pick their china pattern.


Mom preferred Johnson Brothers Indian Tree Ironstone.


She felt it was practical - - - of a heavy enough weight to be useful for every day and pretty enough for entertaining. She also liked the variety of sizes and shapes of bowls it had to offer.


Dad preferred Haviland Forget-Me-Nots. It was clearly fine china and besides, our last name was Heavilin which is very close to Haviliand. (Later the genaeologists in the family discovered the names are indeed linked.)

I remember that my parents returned home to debate their choice. There was precious little need for this debate - - - dad always yielded to mom's wishes in such matters.

And so it was that a few days later the Indian Trees came home to roost in our china cabinet.

Months passed and the great china debate was forgotten by all. All that is except Marie. Marie knew that dad's Forget-Me-Not choice was by far the finer china. Her heart, which loved all the finest of things, ached to see him give up his Haviland china in deference to his wife's wishes.

Thus it was that on Christmas Eve there came a knock on the parsonage door. When the door was opened, in sailed Marie with several elegantly wrapped large gift boxes in her hands. As she placed them beneath the tree, she smiled at my dad and said, "This is for your SECOND wife." And with a wink and a grin she was gone.

The boxes contained a complete set of the Forget-Me-Nots.

They became our Sunday Best China and the Indian Tree our every day.


Several years ago, when my dad began to thin out his personal possessions he gave me the Haviland Forget-Me-Nots and Sister Pam adopted the Indian Trees. When Fisherhubby and I moved here last fall, Dad boxed up the Forget-Me-Nots - - -


And sent them here to live on the middle shelf of my china cabinet. You can see them there, tucked in behind the Wedgewood.


I love their transluscent daintiness.


I love their sensuous twists and curves.


I love their gold edgings and fine details.


But most of all, I love the story they have to tell.

(Photo Credit: the photos of the Indian Tree China came from various web pages where they are being sold.)

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15 comments:

Terra said...

The china with the blue flowers is fabulously pretty, and I like the story that goes with it very much too.

Ann in the UP said...

That is a great story about a very kind and generous lady. The china is just gorgeous and I'm sure it would have stories to tell about many happy dinners at your parents' table. Even as you have.

Pam said...

Nicely told, Sis. You know that I have the Indian Tree set - minus a few of the chipped pieces that Dad kept to use. He was tickled when we used it for his birthday dinner. Indian Tree seems "fine" when compared to our daily ware.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. They are both beautiful patterns.

Tonja said...

What a sweet story! I would have thought the china patterns would be the other way around. But, what a wonderful gift he was given. and you as well.

Beyond the beauty you find in the shape and color and pattern...is the beauty you remember when you think of how it came to be.

CHERI said...

I have to agree with your dad's choice...and you are definitely blessed to have received such a special gift (and such a special story). Just found your blog and look forward to visiting you again.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"OH Keetha"!!! I've had to use one of my Hankies for your story!!! It is SO SWEET...I LOVE that lady, AND Now you have me searching for this pattern. I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE it!!! and I MUST have at least a little tea service! Tears of Joy is such a wonderful thing! I Know exactly what you are saying about the jewelry store BECAUSE we had one of those too... At Christmas time Dad would take me "Downtown" to get something really special for Mom, and besides our Howland Hughes store, We went to the jewelry store across the street for "Just like you said". ALL the REALLY Special Stuff!!! I have to get the right spelling for the jewelry store from my Mom and Dad(I won't even TRY to spell it on my own,hehe). Thank you SO MUCH for this beautiful post. LOVE IT!!! If you want to post the video from HL, please do!
Happy Valentines Day,
Hugs to you,
Donna

Anonymous said...

What a neat story.
I like the forget me nots best too
I hope they pass down to many generations to come woth the story written down to go with each set

The one with the shoes said...

I LOOOOOVE them too! Spent last Monday antique shopping and I think we might be purchasing a huge hutch for our dining room and my plan is to start collecting crystal and china antiques to fill it up!

podso said...

Beautiful china, but the story is the best!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Keetha what a sweet story and wonderful china! Love family heirlooms like this.

j said...

I enjoyed this story so much. How blessed you are to have the china now! Oh how I LOVE heirlooms.

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

What a wonderful story and WOW -- Marie was wonderful woman!

Contemplating Cadie said...

Well, I just nearly wept reading that! What a nice story to have.
So this Marie was a character, eh?
Is she still living, I wonder?
Now how did y'all decide which sister got which china? It's nice that there were two sets!

Lori Beth said...

Forget Me Nots was my mom's china. I think she started buying it even before their marriage in 1958. Mom gave me what she had a few years ago and it's my hope to add to the set. She didn't have every piece, so I will slowly add to it. I hope one day to pass to one of my children.

Loved your post!