Collecting - Fiestaware

 Thursday, November 27, 2025

I've been collecting Fiestaware for the past 35 years although I haven't bought any in quite a number of years. After all, you can only have so much. I've heard.

My most recent aquisitions were bought about 10 years ago. 

I bought three place settings in distinctive fall colors. 

They look particularly good when mixed and matched. 

The fourth place setting is pieced together with fall-like colors from my regular collection. 

Mom and Dale at Thanksgiving dinner. 

From Wikipedia: "Fiesta is a line of ceramic glazed dinnerware manufactured and marketed by the Fiesta Tableware Company of Newell, West Virginia, United States since its introduction in 1936, with a hiatus from 1973 to 1985. Fiesta is noted for its Art Deco styling and its range of often bold, solid colors."

"The company was known as the Homer Laughlin China Company (HLCC) until 2020, when it sold its food service divisions, along with the Homer Laughlin name, to Steelite, a British tableware manufacturer. HLCC in turn rebranded itself as the Fiesta Tableware Company, retaining its retail division, prominent Fiesta line, factories and headquarters in Newell, West Virginia."

"Fiesta's original shapes and glazes were designed by Frederick Hurten Rhead, Homer Laughlin's art director from 1927 until his death in 1942. Fiesta products before 1986 were semi-vitreous pottery, and after 1986 were vitreous china allowing marketing it for food service applications. Several of the original shapes had to be modified due to this change in material and other new shapes were added by Jonathan O. Parry, who became Homer Laughlin's art director in 1984."

Thanksgiving 2025

 Thursday, November 27, 2025

We had a lovely time with Mom over.

The turkeymeister.

Thanksgiving 2025 - New Christmas Tree

Thursday, November 27, 2025

A couple days ago Dale and I ran out to Menard's to buy a new artificial tree. Last time I bought one was in the early 90s the December before I met Dale. 

I think this one looks pretty cool and it fits just right in this cozy dining room corner. I meant to buy the same one I helped Mom pick out last week but they were out of those by the time I was able to get back to the store. Also, I realized I hadn't made it clear to Dale, when he asked, that this new tree was going to be in addition to the old tree and not to replace it. Oops. 

Anyway, this tree is pre-lit which, although not my preference, is growing on me. 

AND Sylvester loves the box!

Thanksgiving Is Tomorrow

 Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I can't believe it's here already.  

The platter is from the Currier and Ives dinnerware line which was manufactured by the Royal China Company and introduced to the American market in 1949. We had a set of these dishes when I was growing up and whenever I see a piece it reminds me of the house on Stevens. I seem to remember Mom inherited the set from someone although I can't remember who. 

I incorporated some elements in the display that have a little bit more of a Christmas vibe but didn't want to overdo it too much at least until we're officially past Thanksgiving. Want to get the porch freshened up for Mom's visit tomorrow. 

Collecting - Hall Autumn Leaf Dishware

Tuesday, November 19, 2025

Another of my many collections is Hall Autumn Leaf dishware. Although I've picked up a couple of my own pieces over the years however the vast majority of my collection is inherited from Mom. 

Here's the AI overview: "The Autumn Leaf pattern is a well-known, vintage china design produced by the Hall China Company exclusively for the Jewel Tea Company from the 1930s until the late 1970s. The design features orange and yellow flowers with brown and tan leaves on an ivory background, often accented with gold trim."

I remember Mom collecting this pattern. She displayed a lot of it on top of the kitchen cabinets. I asked her if any of the pieces we originally in her mother's collection. She said no. That said, Baba had some dishware that was somewhat evokitive of the Autumn Leaf pattern.

What do I like about this collection? It's a connection to Mom, it calls to mind autumn, one of my favorite times of the year, the softness of the yellow, orange, and brown colors, and it goes well with Thanksgiving. 

Enjoying Fall While Not Working

Thursday, October 9, 2025

I've been telling Dale ad nauseam how much I love not working and how nice it is being home during autumn. I'm enjoying having time to get things done around the house and working in the yard. Also, I'm enjoying just sitting out in the back yard. 

I'm also loving just being in the yard with my cigars. This morning I had a Romeo y Julieta with my coffee.

This afternoon I smoked a Camacho while Dale went on a nice long walk. 

When Dale got back Ada from next door came over to show us her new haircut. I asked her if she did it herself and if she got permission. She said she did and her dad, Josh, did the cut. One whole side of her head was shaved. Josh appeared and we asked him about it. He said he only took off a little bit at a time and that Ada kept asking for it to be shorter. Dale pointed out to her that his whole head is always like that. She also gave us some beans that they're growing in her yard. I think they're rather pretty with their purple specks. I asked her if they're edible and she said they were although she didn't know the name of them. I'll ask her mom, Breanna about them. We told Ada we'd plant them so we could grow some too. 

Sam and Becky are in town so Mom, Dale, and I went to lunch with them at the Galleria. It was so nice to see them and we talked for 3 hours. It's so nice to have the flexibility of doing things in the daytime. Have I mentioned I love NOT working?

Christmas Day 2013

Dale with Mom in the dining room on Christmas Day.