There were a few things I wanted most every year but never got. Like the castle under siege with all those foot soldiers and knights on horseback. I also wanted a batch of cowboys and Indians. One year I wanted a doctor's bag with all the doctors instruments. I got a nurses bag instead. It came with little vials of sugar pills and a pretend syringe. Because I hated getting shots I decided I wanted to be a nurse so I could give shots to bad children. I thought it was the perfect punishment.
A lot of times I got things I didn't expect. One year in particular was a windfall. I woke up to a play stove and a hutch. The stove had knobs I could turn and an oven door I could open. The hutch had shelves above and a cabinet below with doors and shelves. They were made out of cardboard. But what was really neat is what came with the hutch and stove: a complete cooking set of pots, pans, baking wear, and a china tea set, with plates, cups and saucers, tea pot, sugar and creamer.
I actually baked real cakes and cooked with my pots and pans on my mother's real stove. One time I baked a cake for our dog's birthday. The only problem was that I used salt instead of sugar!
The tea set was real china, and the willow pattern. A few years back I saw a set just like mine for sale at an antique store. I would have bought it (though I don't know what for) if it hadn't been so expensive.
I have one piece left from each. The plate resides on my dresser. As for the pot...I can't tell you how much butter it has melted over the years to be poured over pop corn. It still lives in the kitchen, hanging over the stove and is still used.
Quelbe (pronounced quail-bay) is the traditional music of the Virgin Islands. For your listening enjoyment I will be including, at the end of my next few posts, some Christmas music by Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, a famous quelbe band out of St. Criox. Stanley plays the flute.
Jingle Bells - by Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights - Same song different lyrics.
The BEST Jingle Bells I've ever heard. I'm dancing in my desk chair. And I can't believe you got such pretty play dishes. Too cool. Thanks for another delightful virtual trip to the islands.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad you liked the music! If it made you dance in your desk chair then you have been righteously infected.
ReplyDeleteThe music is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteLove the dishes. And I'm bettin' that cake was all preserved and everything. :)
It's nice to hear other bloggers stories.
That Jingle Bells is kickin'! I loved those little cowboys and indians. And army men, too. I couldn't get enough of 'em because they were always getting lost under the couch or chased by the cat under the refrigerator.
ReplyDeleteLove your dishes. I always, always wanted a set of tiny plates and pots and pans, but never got any. I used toothpaste and bottle caps, bits of shiny mica and stones and shells.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter, of course, has real dishes and we use them. Such fun.
You're right Robyn, it was so well preserved even the dog wouldn't eat it!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the music MG. Got more Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights on tap, waiting in the wing as it were....
Ah Vijaya, it's wonderful that you've gotten to get some things for you daughter that you didn't have and be able to play with her and them as well. Memories.
Love the video and song!
ReplyDeleteThat's a super fun version of Jingle Bells!
ReplyDeleteI remember the Sears book and circling things I wanted. We didn't get much, but we so appreciated what we did get!
Great post, Bish!
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