Yes, I'm Short on Serving Pieces...

....it's all relative. What is enough? When do you stop? I have no idea, as I can't give up the thrill of the chase or the fabulous finds presented to me. The Terre Haute Goodwill is a goldmine. There may not be tons of things that I have to have, but there are enough amazing finds to keep me going back.

Saturday, I suggested we pop over to the store and see what was around. Mitchell said, "What's the worst that can happen? We don't find anything?" In the case of our diminishing storage, that may actually be the best thing that could happen. But, that wasn't the case:

Hiding behind some glasses and other items on the top shelf of the housewares department? A covered casserole, plane white Contempri by Paul McCobb. (He was better known for his furniture, but these pieces [produced in Japan] are innovative in shape and details. I heart them.) Around the corner? A matching open vegetable bowl.

I love this china and already have one open vegetable and a platter, so I was thrilled to add a couple of pieces to the collection. In addition to white, this shape also came in several solid colors (I have some sherbets in green) and patterns. Somehow, I always find white, which is just fine as I can mix my Eva Zeisel bowls, my lotus bowls, my Schonwald dishes and the Contempri all on the table for an elegant, coordinated look. When I want one. Which is usually for the holidays, mixed with silver. But, my next dinner party is going to be served family style in the Paul McCobb pieces: curries, rice and naan. Coconut ice cream for dessert. Who wants to come?

The obsession with wooden fruit continues. This is actually two sets without a nice bowl. BUT, some new varieties were added, including some vegetables: corn, an acorn, squash and star fruit.

I could not resist this beautiful painting of a horse. I'm trying to think of great racing name for her. Any suggestions? So far, I've come up with 'Josephine's Lament,' but am not completely thrilled with it.

Lastly, a wee incense holder. Ours is still packed away in a box somewhere and this one was, of course, a bargain.

It's a Collection!

As my loyal, longtime Reader, you know how I feel about objects and collections: one is of interest, two is a pair and three is a collection. Well, I an happy to officially announce that I now have a collection of wooden fruit in bowls!

Of course, you're as pleased as I am, but I cannot helped noticing that quizical look on your face that seems to wonder whether or not I actually need another set of wooden fruit. Well, it happened most accidentally, I assure you. I was driving by the Goodwill and decided to pop in for a moment, knowing there wasn't going to be anything of interest on a Sunday afternoon. But, I was wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I passed up treasure after treasure, so that when I came to the bowl of wooden fruit, all of my resistance was spent. I snatched it up without question, threw my money at the cashier and ran for the door.

Now, I also have some juistification:
1. This set is in a low, wooden dish. It will look perfect with the other two sets which are in compote style dishes.
2. It has a mango. And a persimmon. I don't have a set with a persimmon! Plus, some other exotic fruits I cannot identify. I love exotic wooden fruit I can't identify even more than just plain old wooden grapes, bananas and apples.
3. Photographic evidence of the things I did NOT buy, articles A, B and C:

I think congratulations are in order.