An oak, corner hutch came to my home when I was expecting my second son. It was oak, and heavy, and painted a shade of green that had been a favorite in the past decade. I, being in the midst of the eighties' "country blue" phase, lovingly painted my new hutch with blue milk paint and covered the green with a creamy white. Over the years to follow, the hutch followed me from one home to another, a new color for each new setting. This winter, after the children's tea set arrived, I realized this much-loved piece was the perfect size to accommodate the child-sized tea cups, plates, covered dishes, various and sundry books and figurines loved by little hands and curious eyes..
Not only has this seemed the best place to display new dishes for my grandchildren, but also, treasures from my childhood, as well as things that belonged to and were loved by my children. The two-handled cup was a gift after the birth of my oldest son, Matthew. The little handleless cups were gifts brought back from England by a dear friend, after the birth of second son, Cale. I can recall my youngest child, Olivia, sitting at the bottom of the stairs...holding the little Beatrix Potter book, as she was learning quite early, how to read with much emphasis. Jemima Puddle Duck remains our most favorite of the menagerie of animals Miss Potter brought to life in her stories. The lovely Nottingham lace handkerchief was another gift from England. My mother has entrusted the teapot to my care, with instructions to use often.
As a nine-year-old little girl, I spied, for the first time, the prettiest tea set I had ever seen. It was displayed at the very top of a bow front china cabinet belonging to the wife of our minister of music. She caught me in my trance, and my love for the hand painted porcelain was discovered.
Upon my graduation from high school, a package was laid on the dining room table waiting to be opened. It was the beloved tea set, wrapped in paper inside a shoe box. How amazing for her to remember after all those years. I soon graduated from college, married, and became expectant with a new baby, when word came of her passing...our dear, precious friend....the friend who had dressed me in fancy "ball gowns" from her closet, perfect for twirling..and had sung in the church choir with the strongest voice I had ever heard...and had taught alongside my mother, passing on a sweet little paperback 'The Velveteen Rabbit'...
What a sweet remembrance, to have the tea set that once sat atop her "Hutch."
