Monday, January 13, 2014

Is That "Harry" On Your Top Shelf?


YOU ONLY WISH!
People.com
Many years ago I built this shelf in my breakfast room. I needed space for a growing collection. I just LOVE shelves as some of you know.
I keep some of my pitchers and teapots on this shelf in the breakfast area. Like most of you, I tend to use the same items over and over for everyday so these end up as display.

Recently when I climbed on the step stool to get the Christmas pitchers,  I was shocked and embarrassed. All the pitchers and teapots needed a hairdresser. They all were covered in heavy dust, YOU KNOW (as least I hope I am not the only one) the kind of dust that has been there so long it seems to have grown hair...they were all "Harry"!
I quickly made like Scarlett O'Hara and got down from there...after all tomorrow is another day!
Well, tomorrow finally came! When I was ready to put away Christmas I had to decide what to do about "Harry" who had taken up residence upon my collection. Well, Mama Bear and all her friends had to come down for a haircut and a bath.
I won't bore you with all the details because you know how to wash teapots but while they're down I will share a few with you. I forgot about taking before pictures, so some had already been put back  in place.

This one is sweet with seaweed and coral embossed in white on white.
 I found this little fellow in a consignment shop. I just had to take him and his little friends home with me. Don't remember the price but he had to be inexpensive or I wouldn't have bought him.
 
Wouldn't you have scooped up these cuties for a fun cup of tea?
These Bluebirds and Dogwood blossoms are a favorite. A gift from a friend, they're always singing! Look for them on a tea table or tablescape this spring because Kim found the cutest placemats and napkins that match them beautifully.
You don't notice it in person but this little birdie looks a little stern. Maybe he doesn't like the paparazzi in his face. OK, OK, I'm backing off.
This is a prissy one, just the right size for one or two cups of tea. It makes you feel so special when you take a cup of tea by yourself.
Not sure why this one is blurry. These are readily recognizable as Franciscan's Desert Rose. These happen to be made in England and Portugal. This group was the latest I have bought. Not buying that new stuff...UGLY! I WILL pick up a vintage piece from time to time.
The panda tea kettle was a gift and the rooster was purchased from the pottery company that was manufacturing on a hilltop town in Italy. The pretty blue and white shell pitcher was a local purchase. Pretty but not practical as it dosen't pour well. 
The pitcher with the grapes and pear was purchased in an Amish village. The adorable bear and cubs pitcher was a gift from my son and was purchased at Yosemite.
The black and white teapot of New York's skyline with a "Yellow Cab" knob on the lid is probably my favorite. Purchased at a shop in Grand Central Station, a year after 9/11. I had taken two of my grandsons specifically to see ground zero and the Rose Center for Earth and Space/Hayden Museum.

I sincerely hope you did notice that everything on that shelf is so clean as to be shiny, cuz it is down hill from here til next year. 

As you know, I love shelves and I am always looking for additional shelving. 
                                                 here
                                                  here 
                                                 here
I strongly recommend going up as high as possible when adding shelves,  for "Harry" can hide up there for a year or more.

I Party Here:


Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment so I know you dropped by.

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45 comments:

Sandi said...

I have a collection just like this, Harry not teapots. I have a few things, this and that, some clay tagines and a breadmaker, a porcelin bust of Elvis, the usual, above my kitchen cabinets. Oh, the dust. Dust and what I believe to be airborne grease. I don't know what else to call it, but all you can do is wash it off. Dusting and vacuuming do not work.

Love the unique teapots, by the way. Who knew there were so many kinds??

Sarah said...

You have a fun collection, and it certainly sparkles now. I have to remember to wash all my faience from time to time. That dust sticks!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

You certainly have such a beautiful collection of tea pots…it is no question that you love tea!...

The Quintessential Magpie said...

My favorite quote is something Mario Buatta said, "Dust is a protective coating for fine furnishings." That goes double for things up in the nosebleed section, Ginger! Tell yourself that when you feel moved to climb ladders into the stratosphere! In other words, join the club with me!

Cute teapots, Harry or not! I'll take Harry ;-)

xo

Sheila

NanaDiana said...

Ah, Yes- I remember how much you love shelves! You have a wonderful collection of teapots, Ginger. I really like that little one that looks like a table set for tea. So cute!!!! Isn't it nice to have them all clean and shiny now, though? Hope you have a great week- we have more snow coming tonight- about 5" -ugh- xo Diana

~ Nee ~ said...

Hi Ginger , boy , do you a collection off tea pots and they all are so wonderfully cute .
In a few years you can play 'Tea Party' with AJ , she will love it .
Not to worry I think everyone has a few Harry's sometime , the teapots are just gorgeous and thanks so much for sharing :)

Pat M said...

Oh, I love, love, love your teapots! I could fill my house with them if I lost control! They are so fun to use and just to look at! Thanks for sharing your "harry" shelf and all of the goodies! I'm sure we all have a little "harry" in our homes!
Hugs,
GraceinAZ (Pat)

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Your tea pots are so pretty and very unusual. When they are up high you never realize how harry they can get. I am sure we are all guilty of that.
Have a great week.
Mary

Unknown said...

I collect pitchers. This reminds me I should do a post on them. Oh, Harry visits my house too. I don't climb up very often to see him though. I pretend he isn't there! Loved your post!!

Ron said...

What a "Harry" situation you have there. You have a great collections of teapots for sure.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

You are funny! It's always fun (not) to discover the harries have arrived!
You have so many nice tea pots and pitchers. I like that one with the monkeys!

Anonymous said...

I'm loving your collection on the shelf. My husband made something similar for my teapots in my kitchen. coming from my new blog. Have a great day!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Anything on a high shelf in my home gets a little 'Harry'!!! Fun post! Love your collection!

Beverly said...

I definitely notice the glow of your hard work. I have the task of washing the Fenton on my to do list.

Thank you for sharing your collection, Ginger.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

I love all your shelves and your beautiful teapots.

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Ginger!

I just did a post on Tea rooms the other day and I had to climb to the depths to dig out my Aladdin teapot to share. I was aghast at the "harrys" I found:) Spiffed it up and shared it but when I put it back I noticed a few of the others needed some tending to also. (I don't even "collect" teapots, lol)

You have a wonderful collection filled with variety and color. I do wish there were a way to display collections without having to put them so high. Which reminds me, I need more book shelves again!!!

Thank you so much for sharing, Ginger. Everyone seems to be doing Spring cleaning early this year. I better get a move on:)

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I love your teapots, I have just a couple...I have cats, yep, I have Harry too!

Carol

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Ginger,
You are always so funny in telling your story. Oh, I have some Harry around too and I'm not about to give them a haircut till my Pieter is done with his muddy dirt job. Looking forward to the day though, so I can clean the house spic span again from top to botton as no longer the sand will get tracked inside. Be careful on the step for cleaning your Harry shelves. It is quite a task to do. One of these days I have to clean all of my 93 Delft blue houses that are on the ledges of our veranda windows... Fun jobs but they need to be done once in a while. You're fine now; you can enjoy your cup of tea and look up to all sparkle and clean teapots. ENJOY!
Hugs,
Mariette

Jeannie Marie said...

I love your teapots, they have amassed into a wonderful collection. I also really appreciate your extra shelving! I have a Harry shelf too but spring cleaning is just around the corner! I'm your newest follower!

Creations By Cindy said...

Love your teapots. And YOUR SHELVES! I too love and need MORE shelves. WHY? So I can put more STUFF on them! And I am putting off taking some items down from shelves because I will be there all washing those dust collectors! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Jeannie Marie said...

Thank for the heads up on my link! I have fixed it. I appreciate the follow and glad now that I won't miss any more of your posts.

Chatty Crone said...

Finger I just loved going through and looking at all your pretty teapots! sandie

Alycia Nichols said...

If I found actual Prince Harry up there on the shelf, you guys would never hear from me again! I'd be off to woo him and marry him and live happily ever after! Just kidding...I'd invite you to the wedding! :-)

I love the variety! I have to say that the bluebird and dogwood's my favorite since those are official Missouri state symbols. My brother who was killed in a motorcycle accident about 15 years ago had the trucking handle of "Bluebird", so anything with a bluebird on it sings loudly to my heart!

I have been bathing stuff all week as well as polishing silver. It's a neverending job, isn't it? I guess it's just the price we pay for having an addiction to pretty! :-)

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

I love your collection ...so worth the upkeep! You just reminded me that I need to do the same thing in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing on the blog hop and have a beautiful..un-harry weekend!

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
Your teapot's collection is beautiful thanks so much for sharing with us. Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my Blue Willow tablescape today. Hoping you and Bob are doing well.
xxoo
Diane

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginger! Well, I have to say Harry has been to my house too. That little booger hides very well. You have a great collection of tea pots and pitchers. I could take a few of those Old Franciscan's off your hands! :)
Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh, maybe I have a "Harry" shelf or two, with teapots, lol! Your upper shel if fabulous, though. I love all your teapots but one of my fav is gotta be the NYC skyline Cab...so adorable! Teapots are just such a special piece that comes in so many shapes and forms...love yours!
Hope you and Bob have a very heralthy 2014 sweet lady.
FABBY

Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon said...

What a lovely collection. My favorite is the bluebird and the prissy one.

Your story made me laugh. My friend said she went to an acquaintance of her husband's home. She said while she was speaking to the wife she reached over to admire the velvet lamp. Turns out it was not velvet, but harry. She said she learned quickly to keep her comments and her hands to herself.

Scribbler said...

Geez, thanks for reminding me! I have been trying to "de-Harry" and polish etc., and boy it just never ends. I may become a minimalist. (Not really -- I must be feverish) I noticed your Homer Laughlin dogwood teapot -- I have my mother's. And she had Desert Rose, too. I like Magpie's Buatta quote -- it's a protective coating. Is that rope lighting you have used? I need to add some lighting to some of my areas. Of course, then Harry won't be so discreet...

Katherines Corner said...

Ginger you make me giggle. I love your collection. Especially the teapot that looks like table set for tea ♥ I am so happy you shared this post at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop . Big Hugs

xinex said...

I enjoyed seeing all your collection, Ginger, pretty neat! I like the teapot with the bluebirds. I have a matching oval tray and egg cups but cannot find any other piece....Christine

Custom Comforts said...

Quite the collection you have there. Each one pretty and unique in its own way. That's the thing with collections and open shelves - they always need dusting. But then when we take them down to dust them off, they bring back memories and it is always nice to visit with our treasures.
Cindy

SmilingSally said...

Hi Ginger,

What a nice collection; I'm glad you can't easily see Harry.

Thanks for sharing.
Have a Happy Blue Monday!

Maria's Space said...

When I was younger I always wanted to collect tea kettles. Never happened and your collection is lovely.

Neesie said...

Your post made me giggle and remember my Mother and Father...because my Father was over 6ft 2 and always commented that my Mother never dusted or cleaned above her head. She was only 5ft 2! ;D
You've certainly got an unusual collection there. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Blue Monday to you!

lorraines resources and rewards said...

love your collection so pretty makes me want to add tea pots to my collections I collect cats and have alot of those around. Following from thrifty tuesday I'm lorraine at http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com

The Charm of Home said...

Love your shelf Ginger. Harry is a doll!

nannykim said...

I once saw a home in one of my books ---it was a bed and breakfast. They had shelves up really high like yours that wrapped around the dining area. It was full of happy tea pots.

Leslie Anne Tarabella said...

Teapots and pitchers are so collectible. I like small pitchers just big enough for cream, or a bit larger like they use in Italy - just big enough for a couple of glasses of wine!
(I have a son that looks like Harry!)

Unknown said...

Love love the tea pots and pitchers too. The shelves are a delight as is your sense of humor .

amira said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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