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Monday, October 4, 2010

Heirlooms of the Future

A long time ago I received a wonderful newly manufactured porcelain tureen for Christmas. I displayed it in a centerpiece at my New Year's Eve party a week later. It had a great old-fashioned design to it which prompted one of the guests to ask if it was an heirloom. "No, it's just begun heir-ing," was my reply"

Of all the things we own, there's no telling what will eventually capture the attention of our descendents enough to make them want to turn them into keepsakes. But most likely it will be what they saw us use often. That is another good reason to pull our wonderful collections out of cupboards and drawers for frequent use.
My short round silver teapot was my mom in-law's. She had it on the buffet server in her dining room for fifty years. She takes pleasure in seeing her lovely things in the homes of her children when she visits. The teacup is from the "best" china my young family used for special occasions. I already know which of my children give it special attention.

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The October 1999 issue of Victoria magazine devotes a few lovely pages to Heirlooms of the Future. It makes for a nice tea break to leaf through a few pretty pages in the day.
I like to keep the upcoming holidays simple, and one way of doing that is to gift an heirloom early rather than spending time and money shopping.

I hope you're spending some tea time today with your heirlooms of the Past and the Future!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

and Kathy's A Delightsome Life for the Victoria Party!

28 comments:

  1. Hi Jacqueline... What a great vignette and thoughtful post, wonderful to gift your kids the very thought of appreciating heirlooms! I had a lovely visit as always!
    Bella

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  2. Hello there! I love your idea to gift heirlooms! With my daughter's wedding coming - Friday! I think an heirloom will be a terrific Christmas gift!
    I love the October issues - it seems each month I find a friend I love :)
    You always do a terrific job!
    Thank you for joining me this week with A Return to Loveliness!
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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  3. A beautiful post, and words so true! I cherish my heirlooms, and sometimes wonder what treasures my children will cherish when I'm gone!

    I also have a Tabletop Tuesday post, but a different link from this one.

    Katherine

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  4. Jacqueline, beautiful thoughts in this post. I, too, like to gift heirlooms instead of buying something new. I hope those who receive these treasures will treasure them until they are passed along to a new keeper.

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  5. What a beautiful post and lovely sentiment. I am blessed to have so many beautiful things, it does make you wonder what will become an heirloom.

    - The Tablescaper

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  6. Hi Jacqueline! Another beautiful post! Your vignette is so lovely! Love how you've created all of the vintage under the cloche!!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  7. Beautiful! Your tea cup and saucer is just lovley, as well as your gorgeous setting.
    Thank you so much for sharing with us.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  8. A beautiful and sensitive post, thank you...just lovely....

    cleo

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  9. Lovely post!
    thanks for your thoughts !
    Birthday tea party today at FHC ~
    everyone Welcome !
    tea is on :) ...

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  10. Jacqui your silverware teapot is my fave! precious treasure it seems! and that Victorian mag, how I wish I could get it here.
    xo
    fitty

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  11. Hi Jacqueline...

    What a beautiful cloche, my friend! Ohhh...and you have decorated it beautifully! I love the vintage photo...such sweet ambiance! I also enjoyed that beautiful silver teapot that belonged to your MIL! Sooo pretty! It's so sweet to know that one of your children is already "eyeing" the lovely china tea cup...it really is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your pretties with us today...this was such a treat, my friend!

    Warmest autumn wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  12. A lovely post! And it's a great reminder to use our pretty things, heirlooms or future heirlooms!

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  13. Your tea vignette is so sweet and I love the photos you've taken to highlight the simplicity of the setting.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  14. Some of the best Christmas gifts I ever got were heirlooms from my mom and grandmother. They also were so proud to pass them on whether it was linens, jewelry, silver or china. Great post!

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  15. Hi there!! Well I must say I LOVE this post...you and I have the same taste! Going to go have a peek at some more...thanks for the inspiration!! Chrissy

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  16. Hello Jacqueline :) What a lovely and sweet post. Beautiful photos with your vignette; the silver tea pot is just lovely and a very special one, and your teacup is very pretty. I've enjoyed my visit with you today for Tea :)

    Wishing you a lovely Tea Tuesday!!

    Warmest hugs, Brenda

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  17. Your gorgeous teapot and teacup are beautiful, however of course the cloche with the lovely butter pats and the picture stole my heart. Gorgeous. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  18. What a beautiful post. you are so right. The things we have today will be heirlooms of the future. I often think about that with my 2 year old. What will she remember fondly from her past.

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  19. This is a beautiful post, Jacqueline! I love this idea! Just wanted you to know I wrote about how I was inspired by your lovely sideboard, on my blog today!

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  20. Hi Jacqueline,
    Another beautiful post! I love the cloche and it so lovely the way you decorated it.

    Carolyn

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  21. What a lovely and sentimental set-up. Love how you've displayed your cloche. Stopping by from Tea Tuesdays.
    -marie

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  22. I am moved by your comment about the things we use most often could become the heirlooms of the future. You are so right in that these items will take on special meaning and make our grandchildren think of us when they see/use them.
    Great post.
    Judith

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  23. What a beautiful post....vintage heirlooms always make the most beautiful displays.. They should such a timeless and quiet elegance.

    Xo

    Jo

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  24. What a beautiful and elegant post!!

    And how lovely to pass heirlooms down to the next generations!!

    Debbie

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  25. Your pumpkin-shaped tea pot immediately caught my eye...and how sweet that you mother-in-law gets to visit a bit with some of her special things :)

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  26. Beautiful post!

    (wildrosevintage)

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  27. Your tea heirlooms are beautiful. What a wonderful idea to pass them along for special Christmas gifts.

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  28. Lovely. . . does your china match the one on the cover of Victoria? Love that teapot; it looks to be shaped like a pumpkin. How perfect for fall tea.
    ~ Julie

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