...seek and ye shall find

It was in the spring of 2000 when my love affair with this china started. While visiting our friends in Scotland, I went to a boot sale. They call them boot sales because that's what they call the trunk of the car. The hood is the bonnet. Cute right? Anyway, while Melonie and I were wandering looking at all the goodies, I spotted what would become a forever obsession.

I purchased a vegetable tureen, 4 plates, and a cup and saucer. I could hardly wait to get home and do my research, I was determined to have at least 8 place settings. Easier said than done. The manufacturer is Alfred Meakin and the pattern was produced in England some time in the 1930's. I still to this day do not know the name of the pattern. I searched EVERYWHERE for it. I would find a bowl in London, a fish plate in Austria and so on. I hit the jackpot when I found a man in Germany who had boxes of it that belonged to his Grandmother. He even had a ladle! I now have service for at least 20, and every serving piece I think they've ever made :) This brings me to my next story:

This last Saturday, Rio and I were walking thru an Antique store in downtown Mesa. I turned and to my astonishment- these little beauties!!! I was squeeling!! Amazing. And the best part? $2.50 each... :D