We've participated in Tea & Poetry Club for the last two years. It was a very special monthly event for my daughter and I, something we really looked forward to each.

Now that we're moving it will be interesting to see what opportunities reveal themselves to us. One thing I look forward to is going to the various antique and collectibles type stores. You know the ones.... the ones that are just brimming with treasures from folk art to 1800's sturdy wooden furniture pieces to miscellaneous books and advertisements and so much, much more!

Well, before I got remarried, and was living back in my hometown, my mom and I would drive around the area scouting these places out. She'd be looking for various goodies she collects (specific dishes patterns to complete her sets, plasticware, etc. etc) and I'd look for Donald Duck stuff, old books, and sewing stuff. My daughter at the time was anywhere from baby to preschooler during this time period. She was content viewing the activity from the sling, or toddling along beside us, etc.

Anyway, talking on the phone the other day to my mom, she mentioned having the opportunity to do this again together. Since my DD and I will be staying with her while my DH finishes up his time at his present command, we'll have the time to do so. How exciting! Mom said she really isn't out looking for stuff like she used to anymore, but one can never tell the treasures that might be around the next aisleway. Me, I'm still looking out for old, quality books... and wouldn't turn down a great deal on a Donald that particulary caught my eye. But regardless if we found anything, just the adventure of "what will we see" is where the fun is!

I think with my daughter being 9 years old by then it will be nice to have her along and look at things from her perspective, too. Explaining old-time kitcen utensils, farming implements, etc. not to mention old clothing pieces we might see, will be fun! Perhaps there will be the occasional thing that catches HER eye! Ya just never know.

Returning back to the topic of Tea & Poetry Club, one thing I want to keep my eyes open for is a nice teacup and saucer or two. We have a few teacups we picked up at an antique store in Woodbridge, VA, back in 2002, and one we got as a gift from a family in our Club, but don't have any saucers for them! I was reminded of the beauty of them again while reading this blog entry. I don't want to necessarily start a collection for my daughter (she can decide what collections she truly desires to work towards herself,) but I would like to have a small variety for possible tea parties, club, socials, etc. It's good to be prepared, right!? We hosted a month with the Club this year and, well, I have to say my tea service left a lot to be desired as the hostess. LOL  (If you missed my blog entries about the tea, you can read the three parts here.... First, Second, and Third.)

And so, not only will be be a joy to revisit my mom's and my old "stomping ground" for our day trips in her area, but I look forward to uncovering what roadside gems lay waiting for us in my new neighborhood and surrounding areas!